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How To Digest Books Above Your “Level” And Increase Your Intelligence

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3 Study Methods You Should Use More Often

This was originally for an article writing assignment, but I thought “why not write something I can also post on my blog?” so here are three study methods that I haven’t seen a lot of in the studyblr community but are definitely worth mentioning.

The Leitner System

          Flash cards have remained one of the most popular ways to study. Some people use them to memorize vocabulary, remember answers to specific questions, or even associate dates with events. Although the use of flash cards is convenient, their effectiveness has been reduced due to most people’s habits of prioritizing each card equally and therefore spending too much time memorizing the information on them.

          The Leitner System, created by a German popularizer of science named Sebastian Leitner, is a more efficient method of studying that implements the concept of spaced repetition. All the cards start off in one pile. You would first scan through these cards, then test yourself. Each card you answer correctly goes to a second pile, while those you answer incorrectly should be revised then placed at the bottom of the pile. When you review the cards in the second pile and get them correct, they will be promoted to a third pile. An incorrect card will always get demoted to the first pile, even if they had previously been promoted to the last pile.

          The reason why this method is so effective is that you end up reviewing the first pile of cards more frequently—the cards you don’t know very well. Some people choose to review their Stack 1 cards every day, Stack 2 cards every other day, Stack 3 cards once every three days, and so on.

          Once all your cards have been promoted to the highest box, study them thoroughly and then start over. The continuous revision trains your speed so that you may reach fluency, which allows you to recall the information faster.

Timed Memorization

          The name tells it all: you memorize a certain text within a time limit, normally around five to ten minutes depending on your fluency and memorization abilities. When the timer starts, you begin memorizing. When time is up, you flip to the next page, even if you haven’t finished the previous page yet. Continue until you’ve gone through all your material.

          Timed memorization helps you to discipline yourself because your brain thinks that there’s no time for messing around; you have to do this here and now. Make sure to repeat the things you missed and revise everything frequently. This method is actually one of the most effective for cramming as it gives a better coverage than if you spend a whole half hour memorizing one subtopic.

The Memory Palace or Mind Palace

           Sound familiar? In BBC’s Sherlock, the ‘highly functioning sociopath’ uses this method to remember vital information and facts. A mind palace is a systematic arrangement of information, each detail corresponding to a specific object in a familiar place. To ensure that you really remember everything, the objects have to appear shocking and conspicuous.

           Here’s an example: if I wanted to memorize “crimson, 11, delight, petrichor (the smell after rain)”, aside from imagining Amy Pond or the Doctor saying it, I would first choose a place, let’s say my school. I’d imagine myself walking up to the front gate and seeing that the entire building has been painted the color of blood—crimson. The building would then rise as though it were lifted from the earth and crumble into rubble, controlled by Eleven, the character from Stranger Things. Now, since I can’t really picture delight specifically, I’d probably end up visualizing a colossal sign that simply reads “delight” posted in front of my school. As for petrichor, I’d imagine curves rising out of the puddles on the asphalt after a rainy night, a visual representation of the smell of the rain. Of course, these visualizations have been created to suit my memory. (I wouldn’t know if you watched Stranger Things.)

           I used this method when memorizing case studies for geography, although I chose to visualize fictional places from television series and cartoons. Some people do opt to create artificial places, but these often become blurry and are easily forgotten.

           As with any study method, repetition is vital to storing the information in your long-term memory. Visit your “palace” as often as you can. Soon enough, you’ll remember the data as well as you remember the place associated with the data.

So there you have it, three lesser known methods of studying that have proven to be immensely efficient. Now, there is no “correct” way to study, but there are methods that can ease your learning process.

[futurephysicianassistant]

you deserve every opportunity you’ve been given. every word of praise you’ve received. you are smart and you are hard working and you’ve earned it. so don’t for one second feel like you don’t belong where you are, or that you’re not smart enough or talented enough. because you are, 1000x over, enough.

[futurephysicianassistant]

7 study tips from someone who rides the struggle bus to school everyday

Because I struggle bussed too hard to come up with a solid 10. Regardless, I made it this far, so I must have done something right(ish), or not completely wrong. 

Set the scene. Not necessarily in the Tumblr studying aesthetic kinda way. They’re definitely #deskgoals, but let me tell you, my desk never looked like any of the pictures you see here. What I mean, make your space a productive place to study for you. I preferred my study space to be separate from my sleep place, so my desk wasn’t in my bedroom. Not being locked up in a cave was important to me, so I put my desk by a window. Light a candle, Bath and Body Works got all my loan money. Get a natural sunlight lamp. Play some music, preferably without lyrics – classical, EDM, whatever keeps you focused without being distracting. Just make an optimal space for you. 

Stay hydrated (and caffeinated). I’m 100% a coffee addict, but water is so incredibly important. It helps you to not feel like shit, both physically and mentally, or look like shit #skincare.  Drink your morning coffee, but chug water throughout the day. Your mind and body will love you. I discovered flavoring packets that contained caffeine (Crystal Light, Mio, etc) at the beginning of MS2, and let me tell you, life-changing for those mid-afternoon slumps. And all those pee breaks you have to take? Much needed and well-deserved! You don’t want a DVT from studying all day. 

Sleep! I honestly cannot stress this enough. I don’t know how I ever pulled all nighters in college and I don’t know how my friends did it in medical school. It’s important for your mental health and physical health. Studies have shown sleep enhances memory retention and you’ll study more productively. I became a “my brain doesn’t function after 10pm” person in medical school, so I went to sleep early-ish and woke up early, but if you’re a night owl, then let yourself sleep in! You’re not taking away precious study time if you’re sleeping, I promise. And for that night before the test, that extra hour of sleep is way better than staying up an extra hour to read your notes one more time, I pinky promise. 

Move, stretch, dance, anything not hunched over a desk. Sitting for 12 hours straight is simply not sustainable. Take a couple minute break every hour to give your brain a rest. A lot of people use the Pomodoro technique with success but I never got into it. I downloaded the Forest app and timed myself for an hour, then took a 5-10 minute break between study sessions. You’ll feel refreshed and rejuvenated for another round of studying! 

Repetition, repetition, repetition. Repetition is key when it comes to learning and memorizing. Figure out your best way of learning and stick with it. Whether it be reading, re-writing notes, listening or watching lectures, recording yourself reading the notes, flashcards, etc. Find it and stick with it. Repeat it until you can do it in your sleep. I would literally wake up sometimes reciting notes in my head and I it was annoying, but it meant I had studied effectively. 

Questions. Always reinforce your knowledge with questions. You can memorize every page of a textbook but it doesn’t mean much unless you can apply it. And the more questions you do, the faster you get at test-taking, which is key once you get into 8 hour board exams. But I digress. Take practice tests, buy review books, invest in question banks. Some professors provide old exam questions for review. Do as many as you can. And if explanations are provided, read them! They’re just as much of a learning tool as any other resource! As I reviewed the questions, I’d take notes, simple one-liner facts, for review later. 

One pagers. This one may not be for everyone, but they came in clutch for me. My study method was a combination of re-writing notes and reciting things out loud as if I’m teaching it to a class. I talk to myself a lot. The more comfortable I got with the material, the more I condensed my notes until I had whole lectures or topics down to one page. This page would contain things that I thought were super important that I needed to make sure I knew, or those pesky facts that would not commit themselves to my memory. Because I’m a firm believe in not re-reading something you know you already know. This also held me accountable to always be actively studying. Then I would review these pages the day before and the morning of exams. 

Above all else, remember to trust yourself. Don’t panic. You put in the time and work, you will do great. If you have anxiety issues, don’t be afraid to seek help so you can learn how to get your anxiety under control because school is hard enough without that added obstacle. 

Study, take that test, go home and pass out, then melt into the couch and watch Netflix for the rest of the day. You deserve it. 

[futurephysicianassistant]

Optimistic

 My heartbeat’s rhythm is a lonesome sound Just like the rubber turning on the ground Always lost and nowhere bound

~Chris Stapleton

I can’t count how many times I have been in this situation. But, I know it’s been hundreds . Maybe, if I am really digging deep… thousands.

She was a cardiac arrest with a long down time and multiple subsequent cardiac arrests. My optimism for recovery was a zero. She had periorbital edema and her pupils were questionable to respond.  A breathing tube, temperature probe and gastric tube all crowded her mouth and pushed her swollen tongue listlessly to the side. A central line hung out of her groin and allowed the IV pumps to carry lifesaving anti-arrhythmics and blood pressure medications to her blood stream. Her body was swollen with fluids meant to save her life. Her kidneys, that had been tenuous on a good day, were no longer functioning to get rid of all the medicine and fluid we dumped into her.

I wrote report in the same short hand that I used for everyone. Another experienced nurse would understand, but many would not. A few steps from where I blankly absorbed a litany of information, my orientee stood scribbling madly. His eyes were alight with interest and his posture was one of barely contained energy.

The day before we had decided to give up our continuous renal replacement patient (CRRT) and take something more acute. He had said multiple times throughout the day, “I want a code. I need a sick patient.”  

So, as I took report I looked at him and shook my head. The patient had been coded for 35minutes in a sister hospital before transferring to us where she got shocked 12 times during the night. By 7 am she was pseudo-stable and we were supposed to fix whatever mayhem was remaining. I was less than thrilled.  

After 8 years in an ICU, I like to have the same patients for days. And, I may be shunned for saying it, but I like the sedated intubated ones. I like the control I have over them. I like that no matter what is happening with them- I am 100% in charge. Awake patients can muddy the water with meaningless complaints that are benign. A sedated, intubated patient can’t. If their body does something- it is a true blue symptom needs to be addressed. 

Instead of the stable patient we had the day before, we found ourselves knee deep in this cardiac arrest patient. We talked about pressors and doing thorough neuro exams. We talked paralytics and vent dysynchrony. We talked… we talked. As the day went on, though the patient did not cardiac arrest, I was less than optimistic. My orientee surprised me though… As sure as I was that she wouldn’t wake up, he was just as sure she would.

“She turned a corner” he said many times through the day as we turned, cleaned and treated her.  I smirked at his sweet naivete and shook my head. I had seen my share of surprises in this job. But, an elderly individual with multiple co-morbidities and multiple arrests? That was something that was usually a direct recipe for anoxic brain injury.

At 1600, when we went to turn her, we both jumped when she turned her head to our voices. A few moments of talking to her elicited a slight but very present nod of her head. We exchanged a look and walked from the room.  I looked at the young new grad before me and felt a sense of sadness. I missed those days. The days of endless hope and optimism for every patient that came through.  The feeling that you saved people and made a true difference. The feeling that death wasn’t a given.

These days I distance myself from patients.  It is almost like I see them as time-bombs waiting to go off.  They may not die this minute… but they will die. Patient’s like the one we had, in my experience, rarely wake up… let alone leave the ICU alive.

But, there was a time when I believed it could happen.  A time before death after death hammered my soft heart into something unrecognizable. Something hard and yet brittle. Something I keep hidden from my patients now. Something I feel jolt when a new nurse with wide expressive eyes and an earnest heart reminds me of how I used to feel.

I don’t know if the patient will leave the ICU. I don’t know if she will survive this horrific ordeal her body has been subject to.  But, I do know, if she does it isn’t because of me. 

It’s because of the optimism and hope of a new grad. 

[futurephysicianassistant]

“Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.”

— Swami Sivananda

[futurephysicianassistant]

i think one of the biggest problems i have with getting stuff done is i assume it’s easy for other people. like “she gets up at six every morning because she’s a morning person” or “yeah, he can run five miles every day but he likes running” or “she knows five languages, her brains just wired differently than mine” when in reality it’s all about discipline for everyone. like yeah, some people have natural aptitudes for some things but anyone that’s accomplishing anything is putting in the work. achievements don’t come easy, and i think if i start acknowledging that it’s like that for everyone i can stop making excuses

[futurephysicianassistant]

Top 5 PA schools

University of Florida Towson University NOVA Southeastern University Eastern Virginia Medical School Specialties to pursue: Emergency, Trauma-Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Intensive Care, Dermatology ?

[futurephysicianassistant]

2016-2017 Medicine year one notes

After 1 year as a Medical Scribe in the emergency department as well as having the opportunity to shadow PA’s across various specialties I have decided to document some notes gathered during my experiences in this first year of true first hand exposure to medicine.

1) Emergency Department

15% Critical, 30% Medical, 30% Urgent Care, 15% Psych, and 10% B.S (drugs/ridiculous stuff)

I’ve learned general cardiac work up for chest pain and MDM of rule out pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis. EKG CXR Troponin and repeat all within 3 hrs. DDimer and CTA Chest as needed

Admission criteria is pulmonary embolism, or myocardial infarction

Location of abdominal pain and past Surgical hx can lead to appropriate CT or US abdomen and obtain lipase, UA

Admission criteria is cholecystitis, appendicitis

Dyspnea, lung exam, breathing treatments, supplemental O2 as necessary, endotracheal intubation if pt becomes hypoxic

Admission criteria is respiratory distress or hypoxia

Headaches, blurry vision, dizziness, recent head trauma, photophobia, unilateral weakness, new numbness, can all render CT Head/Brain which 85% of the time is negative but otherwise could signal Acute CVA

2) Neurosurgery Transphenoidal Pituitary Gland Tumor Removal Craniotomy for aneurysm repair Anterior cervical discectomy with fusion

Lots of follow up and PT recommended after surgery, may need Surgical re-intervention

3) Intensive care Gross Medical managing of deteriorating conditions. Requires whole body system analysis and treatment. Multiple diseases at a time common. Only the critical pt’s.

4) bariatric surgery

Laparoscopic gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomies

[futurephysicianassistant]

Resiliency

I recently read an article detailing how laughter is the key representation of resilience among professionals in the emergency department setting. How the ability to make light in an environment so high strung and surrounded with negativity demonstrates the extraordinary strength within ED staff to have the resilience to not only heal people but to do so on their darkest days. To make light of the worst times, on a full-time basis. Working as an ED Scribe I witness this first hand, and can say with utmost certainty that the health care professionals I have had the pleasure to work with in the past 2 years are some of the most incredible, intelligent, and badass people I have ever met.

[futurephysicianassistant]

“I wanted to be able to live in the world so that I could live with myself. I wanted to do something practical to relieve the suffering of others, while at the same time striving to understand the circumstances of such suffering.” ― James Orbinski

[futurephysicianassistant]

Life Imitates Art

an exhibition of me getting board and drawing organs on silk

[futurephysicianassistant]

GUYYYYS!

If anyone is studying chemistry I found this free app that I use on my laptop called Elements: The Periodic Table

It is sooo easy to use and super helpful as it has loads of information on each element and has a feature to compare elements

I thought I’d share this as I hate needing to search for information about elements on the internet and having like a million tabs open, plus it has relative atomic masses for each element which I find a lot easier to find than searching through my data book.

Hope this helps!! 

[futurephysicianassistant]

9 Tips for a better morning!

For me mornings are very important, without a productive morning I lose the day, I could even stay in bed all day. Now, you may not be that extreme, but definitely productive mornings will play a huge role in being productive throughout the day.So, here are a couple of tips to make your morning nice, and to keep you going: 

1. Try to get up once you hear the alarm. I know it’s hard, but by time it will get easier and it would be a habit. 

2. Set your alarm on the same time everyday, even if you don’t need to get up that early. If you want it to be a habit, you’ve got to repeat it everyday until you don’t need the alarm to wake up at that particular time.

3. Now that you’re awake, what is it that you’re longing for? Not breakfast, not yet. You have to brush your teeth first. I know some people prefer to wash their teeth after breakfast, but personally I prefer to wash my teeth first thing in the morning. 

4. Now it’s time for BREAKFAST. Breakfast is very important, and preferably, have it before 7:00 am to make the most use of it. Also, try to have a different breakfast everyday. At least for me, breakfast is pretty much what motivates me to get up in the morning, so I don’t wanna get bored with it, and I try to be creative. There are a few breakfast recipes on Pinterest and Youtube, maybe you should give them a try.  

5. Sometimes, especially in winter, I get lazy and think about skipping shower. In  order to avoid that, I use nice products, for body and hair, they not only smell good, but they also make you feel very good about yourself, maybe even confident. They don’t have to be expensive, just make sure that they do their job and smell good. 

6. Pick a nice outfit. Sometimes I like to get creative with my outfits, so I either come up with a new idea for a particular outfit, or I just pick up my favorite one. Point is, don’t get out of your house if you don’t like what you’re wearing. 

7. Before you leave, make sure that everything is organized, and that you didn’t forget anything. And try to make a to-do list for the day, to stay both organized and motivated.

8. If you’re late, you can get a nice coffee from a coffee shop on your way. If you’re not late, then maybe enjoy your home-made coffee with a book, or maybe the newspaper or podcast, to follow what is going on in the world. 

9. If your school/college is near, maybe you can walk or take a bicycle instead of a car. You could use that time by listening to an audiobook, or even just a nice music, to start your day right. 

I hope this helped, and although most of you guys know these things, I thought it would be a nice reminder for you and me to start the day right. 

[futurephysicianassistant]

[futurephysicianassistant]

The coolest coloring book/study guide…

[futurephysicianassistant]

But that’s not all it can do. Microsoft and NASA teamed up to “bring” you, yes you, to Mars.

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