Customer Reviews

How to Excel in Medical School

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

The book is a somewhat helpful review of study skills. The authors break it down into the Basics, Acquistion, Maintenance, and Proficiency. Later in the book they cover specific strategies for various classes. Some of these are helpful and probably make the book owning.

The book's biggest weakness is that it tends to be a bit vague about improving study skills and never really presents an organized and integrated methodology for improving ones study skills. They do explain the obvious, like suggesting that you should test yourself on the material, not simply read it and attempt memorize it, but that is about as far as they take it. Lots of tidbit tips that are valuable but they are presented in a chaotic manner.

This book would not be my first choice for a study guide book and certainly can not be considered a definitive guide. I would buy it again for the study tips relating to particular courses as I hope these will be useful, but for developing/improving general medical study skills it would be best to look at other texts as well.

I'm starting medical school in a few months, and i first got this book to try to improve my study habits in anticipation of things to come. I have to say that for $30+, this book is overpriced. There is not very much "info" or "tips" here.. it's mostly just vague repition about studying a lot and testing yourself, and there is no clear study method presented.
One of my friends recommended a smaller and cheaper, yet BETTER book called "How to study in Medical School".. I found it much more useful, with a clear, defined study method presented, and even more tips for doing well. If you're going to get a book to help you spruce up your study skills for med school, there are better options out there.

The suggested techniques for studying and remembering information come out of cognitive psychology and, in my opinion, have a solid basis. The authors provide practical, easy-to-implement techniques for information acquisition, maintenance, and proficiency -- small things like previewing material, condense notetaking, and error analysis on practice exams for self-monitoring your understanding. Of course, none of this is groundbreaking for the bright student, but who couldn't use a focused, concise manual to remind them of effective strategies. If you've got the money, this book is not a waste.

I am going to be a 1st year in the fall and I have had some trouble with my study skills. After reading the first half of this book(in 2 days),I am already comprehending and remembering more information. The tips and examples are specifically geared toward medical students and they really work! There is a sample study schedule, tips for how to study for different subjects, and pros and cons of all types of study approaches. A must read for any medical student!

This book is ok, but i agree with the previous post; "How to Study in Medical School" is a much better read, and a better bang for your buck regarding med school preparation.

The book is filled with great strategies for medical school courses. I particularly liked the chapters donated to the individual subjects. And it's an easy read too.

The content is so non-specific and vague, the book is useless. Thats because the authors do not write anything that is not already common sense. If you have common sense, why waste your money on reading something that does not add any additional detail or specificity. There are other much better resources. As a fourth year med student, the great emptiness of this book is unavoidable.

Any person interested or already in med school should not hesitate in buying this book. The book is very well written, easy to read but full of useful information.

This book is a good read for any neurotic med student who wants to bone up on study skills. The advice is useful, but it seems like they say practically the same thing in each chapter. It gives some great references, though. Worthwhile, but reading the first couple of chapters is enough to get the gist, in my opinion.

I would never have made it through Harvard Med School without this book by my bed.