Passing your anatomy class is paramount if you aspire to make a career in healthcare. It is one of the core subjects in medical school, so there is no other way of going around it but to study and pass. However, you probably find it difficult like most students because of the difficult medical terms and complex concepts that you have to memorize. This is in addition to other subjects that you have to study for and pass as well. But, that doesn’t have to intimidate you. This article will outline five ways that you can study anatomy effectively to ensure that you understand the concepts so that you can pass the test. Let’s get started.
Watch videos
Reading notes taken during lectures is probably one of your study techniques. However, you can agree that reading books on your own can get boring and tiring to a point that it can even slow down your comprehension of the topic. Watching videos on different topics helps you learn quicker, especially by giving you a different perspective or approach to different topics. Videos are also engaging and fun to watch, which enhances your learning.
Wondering where to get videos teaching anatomy? There are plenty of online sources where you can find videos for your study. Scouring through the internet can lead you to videos from renowned lecturers of anatomy. YouTube is also a great place to find videos. If you have a particular professor in mind that you would like to learn from, try searching to see if they have videos that you can watch.
Use online learning platforms
As said above, finding extra resources from your books can spice up your study time and improve your understanding of anatomy. The good thing about online learning platforms is that they usually include visuals in their study materials. And, visuals enhance learning and can have a positive effect on your learning process. Another good thing about online learning platforms is that they use structures that are easy to follow and that make it easier to understand concepts. You can also find platforms that divide their resources according to levels of knowledge such as beginner, intermediate and expert level.
Another good thing is that online learning platforms are popular among medical students. Look for platforms where students frequent, especially those that allow students to ask questions. Going through frequent questions from other students can help you to be more specific in your reading. Moreover, medical questions and answers can help increase your understanding of anatomy.
Whenever you prepare yourself for USMLE, NCLEX, PANCE, or any other medical exam, incorporating various study techniques such as watching videos, and utilizing online learning platforms, can greatly enhance your understanding and retention of anatomy concepts. When it comes to specific resources, you can explore a wide range of options such as USMLE study materials, NCLEX exam prep, PANCE preparation guide, NXLEX- RN exam study guide, NRMP Match study guide, or others, which can provide comprehensive content and practice questions to reinforce your knowledge of anatomy.
Create flashcards
Flashcards are a variable resource in studying difficult subjects such as anatomy. They provide an interesting way to learn and make it easy to memorize different anatomy concepts. Flashcards in anatomy include an anatomical structure on one side and information about the structure on the other. What you do is see the structure and then attempt to recall the information on the other side such as its name, functions and the like. This makes it easy for what you learn to stick in your mind.
You can find anatomy flashcard sets for purchase or some free ones that come with anatomy atlases. Moreover, you can make yourself several sets. Besides saving you money, it can be a learning process for you.
Use quizzes
Just like flashcards, quizzes are also great for memorizing difficult concepts. Quizzes allow you to revise what you have learnt and to gauge your level of understanding. Quizzes can also provide insights onwhich topics are difficult for you so that you can devote more time to them and you can use quiz maker for creating quizzes.
You can find quizzes online on different anatomy topics with answers at the end of them. Additionally, you can make your own quizzes. Try making them with your friends to make it more engaging and fun. You can create a study group to learn together and quiz each other.
Create mnemonics
Anatomical terms can be difficult to memorize. Mnemonics provide an easy approach to remember those big names. Mnemonics use auditory or visual techniques to encode information in a way that our brains can store and retrieve easily. The technique uses keywords that help associate difficult anatomic terms and concepts with things that are accessible to us. For instance, to remember the parts of the brachial plexus, Read That Damn Cadaver Book makes it easy to remember Roots Trunks Divisions Cords Branches. You can make your own mnemonics to make it easier to remember, or find a library of anatomic mnemonics online.
Conclusion
Anatomy can be intimidating, but that doesn’t mean it is difficult to pass. You can find simple study approaches to enhance your learning and make it easy to recall information during the test. On top of reading books, find videos to watch, utilize online learning platforms, and make use of quizzes, flashcards and mnemonics. A combination of these techniques will make you feel confident and prepared for that test.
