It’s a known fact, the course in MBBS is vast and managing it alongside clinical postings, dissection classes, practical classes, demonstration, and more need a strategic approach rather than just jumping into learning it from cover to cover. Keeping in mind that everyone has different ways to study, it is okay to follow whichever way you are comfortable with, but upgrades can and should be welcome. Some of us are visual learners, and some are auditory learners, while others prefer direct person-to-person learning.

No matter your learning preferences, the textbooks, recommended reading and notes are the most important source of learning. They, however, can and should be supplemented by videos and lectures. Most MBBS students take notes when listening to the professors in class and then go through the textbooks to supplement them. 

However, since the course is humongous, one must also rely on quick review content towards the end of the year. Some students prefer annotating these books with different coloured pens and studying them alongside regular textbooks, PowerPoint presentations, and online material. Similarly, previous year question papers are highly significant to the preparation, and students should refer to them to know which topics are essential and study accordingly. It is vital to know the frequency of important topics from the chapter when learning and quickly revise it before the tests to remember sufficient details to write in the limited time of the examination.

Here are a few quick tips to make your study hours efficient and effective

• Supplement your answers with lots of diagrams, graphs, and flowcharts 
• Make a mini questionnaire for active recall in the margins or space in the corners of the textbook.
• Always use many colours to annotate and take notes. This helps draw attention to important points and keywords
• Practice diagrams. They are a great way to learn and retain knowledge visually
• Discuss with your friends or teach a friend who couldn’t understand a concept. You’ll see that you’ll put in more effort to train like a pro and end up remembering it better
• Participate in taking revision topics when teachers assign them. When you explain it in front of your batch mates, you’ll first overcome your stage fear as well as remember that experience and the portion you explained a lot better
• Do not skip small group discussions or self-directed learning as introduced by the new competency-based medical education curriculum
• When you cannot take in more information, take a break, and return to your study place. I’m sure you’ll learn 10xtimes better than when your brain is saturated
• Please, don’t skip meals. Eat nutritious meals and keep a day or two for your favourite cheat meals too
•  Save yourself some time for moving those shoulder joints, elbow joints, and hip joints. It will help your mind be fresh and help exercise out the stress