Med school became virtual in March of 2020 for the college I attend. COVID-19 has changed the way people interact and the way our educational systems are structured to teach. It has proposed a challenge to the educational system, especially in Pakistan where the right infrastructure for online teaching is yet to exist. Effective online teaching is an irony. Online teaching cannot replace what’s real, in fact, it doesn’t even come close to it. The number of technical, and electrical issues in Pakistan makes it even bigger struggle to overcome. The challenge is overwhelming for both students and universities. This is especially true for clinical students in their third through fifth years. Around four precious months have gone by with online school, and it will continue until September as of now. To describe to you this experience in two words: independent learning. Students have to take charge of all of their learning which is assumed to be an inherent quality of students once they enter university. However, this is more challenging when you’re not on campus. Asking questions, working in the library, studying with your friends, meeting your professors, and attending labs are more feasible on campus than online. Additionally, being a part of the physical experience in a classroom is irreplaceable. There are certain aspects of being on campus that cannot be replaced in online schooling. This gap is what makes online school ineffective. It attempts to ‘replace’ the real experience, when in fact virtual school is another form of learning. Using the same old methods to replace real schooling will not do justice to our online systems. There has to be more creative approaches to make online schooling effective, something on its own, distinct. Online schooling is not a replacement for real schooling. It’s an alternative schooling method that can aid students in keeping up with their studies. But before throwing this responsibility on students, they must be taught how to take charge of their own learning. Complete charge. Independent learning is a skill, every student needs to learn and practice this skill throughout high school to better prepare for university, where this is expected.
Online medical school for first and second year is not as damaging as it is for years after. The primary reason for this is clinical experience which is not accessible online. As a first-year student, school has been all about learning to do the learning on my own. I have to answer the questions for myself with the resources I have. Time management is a weapon during this time. Effective independent learning involves planning your day, your week and how you’ll achieve your goals. It also involves knowing the content you need to study, the objectives. With efficient time management, focus oriented study area, and a willingness to complete all tasks for the day, online learning becomes manageable. As far as lectures go, I only attend those that are of use to me. I have familiarized myself with the professors and know which ones can teach the best (in terms of my learning style). I’m a visual learner so I lean towards professors who can teach in a visual, and interactive manner. 3D and 2D videos are great for improving my understanding of physiologic processes and anatomy. My study schedule is organized subject wise, I follow along with my own schedule, but also touching upon topics covered in lectures. I try to make my learning USMLE focused. Towards exam season, I look into my review books and read/understand the concepts again. I use MedAngle and past papers to practice questions and check my understanding of concepts learned. For important or difficult concepts, I spend more time and make my own personalized reviews. High yield reviews are very helpful when exam season comes near which makes the review books a must resource to have. As I’m doing all of this, I’m consistently reviewing through Anki and my huge questions document for each module. This allows me to put concepts into my long-term memory. Anki is an amazing invention. It’s a flashcard making software that uses spaced repetition to test you consistently on topics so that it sticks in your long term. Lastly, the space you study. Your work area is where you’ll spend many hours in your day, make it a place you’re comfortable in. A quiet space is ideal to allow you to focus. If you want, put some relaxing music, open the blinds and study early morning. If this is not your cup of tea, then study with the lamp on. Whatever environment is optimal for the most effective studying in the shortest time. Time yourself for short tasks if you need to. This will force you to complete it within a time frame. Most importantly, take breaks when you’re tired. We’re all humans, we will get tired and its better not to push yourselves during those times. Breaks are great brain refreshers. If you want, take a short 30-minute nap (it’s great for transferring things from your short term to long term memory). Since I can’t take 30-minute naps (I need 2-hour naps) this is not a part of my studying routine. That practically sums up the routine and some helpful tips for online learners.
These skills take time to develop and turn into habits, but I promise they are life changing for your study routine. So, keep hustling. Learning is a lifelong process, there’s no formula or answer key. Learning how to learn is important as a life skill. I encourage everyone to learn and continue learning.
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