Surviving the 1st year studies

Study Guidelines For The Freshers

By Umama Ameen (D’18)
(With some contributions from Muhammad Faizan Ali - D’18)

Assalam-o-Aleikum all the freshers, the DOWITES' 19, "the doctor-to-be" out there !:)

Kudos on your selection to your dream place "DOW MEDICAL COLLEGE !" (Don’t kill me if this proves a nightmare at some points in the upcoming years. :p ) We hope you're enjoying your tafreeh days, exploring places, making new friends and being ragged mercilessly jovially by your seniors. :D

Now, as everybody who is going to enter this field of medicine would know, this is recognized to be one of the longest and the toughest undergraduate course taught worldwide. But take a breath! This is the most rewarding one too! Trust me; this is going to earn you, not just riches, but respect & a place in Allah's eyes, if you do it honestly and righteously. And to be able to achieve all this, first a thorough medical knowledge would be required; and this is what you are going to learn theoretically as well as practically in the forth-coming years.

What I've tried to tell you in this article (pardon me if this gets too long :D) is sort of a study guideline that might help you survive your upcoming modules and semester exams, and hopefully get over with them with flying colors I.A.

Pattern of studies

As you became aware in your orientation, DUHS has acquired an integrative pattern of studies instead of a subjective one. So, you would be doing all the basic science subjects (Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry) from the very first module (Foundation module) along with clinical subjects (Pathology, Microbiology, Immunology and Pharmacology) and accessory subjects (Community Medicine and Behavioral Sciences.)
 

The chapters covered in each subject will be divided according to the system being taught in that particular module. So make up your mind to take everything and every subject along as you move on.

Study Tips

• Try to attend most classes in the beginning, and then you'll easily figure out with time, which lectures are worth attending.
• Go and give a read to the topic taught TODAY at home. Leaving them till tomorrow is going to be the BIGGEST mistake ever!! 
• Studying on a daily basis really would save your time and energy. You'll have to study, whether today or tomorrow, so better do it today, and make things easier for yourself! :) 
• Use other means of acquiring knowledge too besides books: surf over internet, go through video lectures, and arrange group discussions whenever you need; discussion would especially help you memorizing the tedious stuff. 
• Help yourself with 'Kaplan video lectures for USMLE Step 1' for revision. 
• Go for Dr. Najeeb's video lectures preferably for the incomprehensible topics that come your way. 
• You need to take some time out for refreshing yourself every now and then. Don’t just burry yourself into book always as this isn't going to help... GET SOME LIFE DUDE! :D

Books choices

Which books to buy is one of the biggest challenges that you'll be faced in your initial days. I hope you guys will have your online lecture outlines that might help you as well.

GROSS ANATOMY

-           For GENERAL ANATOMY, go for "HANDBOOK OF GENERAL ANATOMY BY B.D.CHURASIA"; according to me this is the most helpful and handy book to carry for your beginner (foundation) module.

-           Since there is great emphasis on nervous system in all the modules, be it foundation or any other, make sure you have a nice grip over this. I did this from "KLM CLINICALLY ORIENTATED BOOK OF ANATOMY" and found it quite conceptual.

-           Go for "NETTER'S ATLAS OF ANATOMY" to help you with diagrams.

-           I won't go into discussions for your gross anatomy book choice that you'll come across in your 2nd semester. Do it from Gray’s for Students (pretty diagrams man!), KLM (clinical) or BD (especially for osteology) whichever you feel comfy with.

-           And yes, I would recommend BRS (board review series) anatomy when you'd come to your gross anatomy revisions later on.

HISTOLOGY

-           For an easy start, facilitate yourself with "LAIQ HUSSAIN's HISTOLOGY", I've found it quite a student friendly book so far.

-           For OSPE, better go through "WHEATER's COLOR ATLAS OF HISTOLOGY" briefly too. (especially if you've been bunking your histo labs off and on :D)

EMBRYOLOGY

-           I personally liked "LANGMAN's EMBRYOLOGY" for its compactness and colored illustrations. Its summaries are quite implementable.

-           "KLM's EMBRYOLOGY" is by no means inferior to Langman, for it teaches you in the simplest possible manner. So with this, the choice is yours.

PHYSIOLOGY

-           Go for GUYTON, it’s the easiest one to start with.

-           GANONG, quite a smart book. It would work, I guess, only for the smartest kids out there.

-           When you've got your exams round the corner, you could also use short revision books: "POCKET GUYTON" and ‘’BRS Physio’’ would be a good choices.

BIOCHEMISTRY

-           "LIPPINCOTT's BIOCHEMISTRY" is a very comprehensive book for this completely dry subject.

-           “HARPER”is quite a lengthy and difficult book. It would help you sometimes, but I won’t suggest it for regular use.

PATHOLOGY

-           No doubt a VERY lengthy book, "ROBBIN's PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASES" still would be my suggestion.

-           To help yourself, keep "POCKET COMPANIAN TO ROBBIN's PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASES" by your side too and concern it to conclude the topics.

-         "ROBBIN's PATHOLOGIC BASICS OF DISEASES" is yet another option.

PHARMACOLOGY

-           GOD!!! The most horrible subject of medicine you are expected to know well; again "LIPPINCOTT's PHARMACOLOGY" is going to ease you like none other.

-           Keep "KATZUNG REVIEW" by your side too, go through its tables, it’s quite a nice and precise book. I love it!

 MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY

-           Mainly you have to worry about these subjects in your Blood, Inflammation, Neoplasia and Immunity Module (Yes, this is the name of a single module :p ). The most popular book used is LEVINSON.

COMMUNITY MEDICINE AND BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCES

-           Since they are sort of minor subjects, going through lecture outlines would be enough.

-           "MUHAMMAD ILYAS's CM" would be the text book for CM and ‘’ASMA HUMAYUN’S INTEGRATING BS IN HEATHCARE’ would be for BS, though hardly anyone studies these subjects from books, if at all.

 Examination Preparation Strategy   

• Plan your preparation leave thoughtfully. 
• Your concepts should all be clear by the time you begin with your preparation leave. Utilize this time for revising the stuff and memorizing the important clues and facts. 
• Don’t leave much of the stuff on the last days before exams. 
• I won't advise you to solve every random BCQs books available, just go through the questions and their explanations given at the end of each chapter in your textbooks. 
• Most importantly, keep your nerves under control on the exam day; don’t let yourself puzzled-up when you look at the question book, otherwise your efforts could go all in vain and your paper a complete mess, even if you were well-prepared.

Go, give a try and conquer it. Just do your topics on a daily basis and relish all your spare time. The forth-coming moments of your life are going to be the most amazing and wonderful time you've ever had or you'll ever have!

Make them memorable.

GOOD LUCK! :D

End of First year -Nostalgic Already

By Anum Zehra Raza - D'18

I dedicate this post to my dearest friends: 
the ones who made me bunk classes,  

the ones who were the reason I remained Kangaal all year,  

the ones I used to come to college for, even when my timetable had two self studies, 

the ones without whom I would have had a terrible time.  

Last to last Saturday marked the end of my 1st year- MBBS. As many folks cherish the fact that we are 20% doctors already and that 1/5th of the torture is over, I find myself feeling increasingly overwhelmed by nostalgia. This very realization that an entire year has passed by makes me sad (or probably it's just that I have a habit of reminiscing too much).  

The memories are all jumbled up. I cannot recall chronologically and being inherently lazy I am not even in a mood to try. So, I'll just write as it comes to my mind.

The Campus 

The first few days were spent exploring the campus, which was at first a letdown due to its limited expanse. Most of us had had bigger college campuses! 
"Shuru hote hi khatam hojata hai", Maanu sighs every time. But soon salvage came as we discovered all our campus’ ‘hotspots’.  

It was the Anatomy museum that carried the greatest attraction for freshies. Almost everyone got their pictures taken with those skeletons. Some later added effects to give them an added haunted appearance.  

Then there was the 2nd floor Library/reading area which remained flooded with Firsties throughout the year. I broke up with the place right after the first module and hardly went there again. 

In summers, when the weather became intolerable, every heat tormented soul of Dow would take refuge in the Digital Library owing to its better air conditioning. DL (as it’s commonly referred to) had an extra charm because of wi-fi availability.  

My group's mainstay remained the stairs of the Admin block throughout, after its initial shift from the stairs of Moin auditorium. 

Amongst other popular places for the crowd, besides the very obvious canteens, common rooms and the PG, is the DMC garden, which literally serves as a breath of fresh air amidst all the towering buildings of the campus. 

Ragging 

All of us were afraid of this, more or less. I didn't get ragged so I do not have a firsthand experience to share. But I constantly got to hear ragging stories.  

A crazy friend of mine volunteered herself for ragging. They made her ask lame questions from seniors such as, "Which hair oil do you use? Why do you have this same hair style every day?’’ etc. 

Then there was ragging done in medical style: 

Friend : Oye! How were you ragged?
 Dowite: They asked me to lie in supine and prone positions. 
(source: Dowite Tips- facebook page) 

As the myth about medical students being 'shareef' goes, there weren't any serious incidents of ragging to report, none that came to my knowledge for that matter. 

NLH-1 

NLH-1 remained our home for the entire year owing to its selection as the venue for all our lectures. 

Initially, it was very difficult to sit there for 1/1.5 hours continuously. Just after 20 minutes or so, most of us would feel mentally saturated apart from the front benchers whose concentration level miraculously remained optimum at all times.   

Like Mary O, many of the students were found sleeping at the end of the lecture. Some, like me, slept with open eyes (an art it is, I tell you) and zoned out frequently.  

Attendance in the lecture hall remained appreciable during the first few months. A large number of students used to take notes in the beginning, but later realized it doesn't help much (as everything is given in books+ lecture outlines available online). Towards the end of the year, attendance fell greatly because Dowites'18 had important realizations such as  "Parhai tou ghar mein hoti hai, University tou hum party karne jaate hain"  

For some odd reason, all the air conditioners of NLH-1’re fixed to one side of the room (which naturally attracted students towards that side.) This caused right axis deviation every single time (seen more in summers).  

The lectures usually went boring. It was only when someone got scolded by the professor or someone was asked to come in front of the hall, when smiles appeared and giggles could be heard.  

This reminds me of the time I had been sent out of the class for drinking coffee in a class by Professor Saud. It must have been entertaining for others. I laugh at it now but back then I felt really ashamed and I had thanked God that there were less students in the class that day for it was raining outside. 

What else was there for fun in the lecture hall? Umm..Tablets and cell phones! Every bench had at least one student playing games on these gadgets like a boss. Then there were some, like me, who would idly draw "not-so-artsy-doodles" to kill time without bunking class.  

Some times Maanu, Mary O and I had written conversations in order not to disturb the neighboring students, who would be engorged in studying, or in some cases, snoring. 

Modules and Semester exams 

Towards the exams it always became hectic. Not leaving anything from the syllabus before exams has remained a dream. After leaving entire Biochemistry and Micro biology in the first and second modules respectively I have been leaving C.M and Embryology in the last two modules.  

Things are not getting any easier but I feel we are getting better. 

First module's question paper and the result was a real shocker, considering how tough the paper was for our first module experience.   

  What's amazing is that those who never scored less than 90s even in their board exams, eventually became content at 50s and 60s and in some cases even lesser (out of 100).  

Semester and module result treats and celebrations remained mandatory. The one who got the highest was to to treat the rest. Aik tou bechara mehnat bhi kare and looto bhi uss he ko. *Such injustice*  

The Dharna for the extension of the First Semester exams’ date is another epic memory. A large number of emails were sent to the VC and pro-VC (to no avail) and desperate attempts were made to get an appointment with the VC who deserted us even after promising us a Skype session. 
                                        

Confession Pages Saga 

The time that marked the end of our first semester exams also marked the beginning of confession season. Confession pages were sprouting from every nook and corner of facebook. So, naturally, a few pages were made for our university as well. But soon these pages, which were initially created for fun, became the source of public mocking.  

While some people confessed about themselves and their friends, there were others who took these pages as a platform to express ill sentiments towards fellow batch mates. This started to create rifts in our batch and people went mad on the anonymous admin.  

There was a heated debate in favor or against such pages, which ultimately ended up convincing most people against them.  

PWA 
PWA remained the best part of first year as it engaged us as a batch. Without it we wouldn't have had such a wonderful time. From the orientation to the duties in the drug bank to road side campaigns to handicrafts to banners to the bake sale itself to the Blood Donor Day to the countless other events, everything is so memorable. 

I remember how I used to take half an hour to give one single prescription to the people queued up at the Drug bank. I had to ask several times before I could find the medicine on my own. I miss the time when we used to make friendship bands in class, breaks and even in points.
  

Our PWA seniors made us feel special with all the "best of luck mujahideens" text messages before the modules and "ghazis" and "shaheedon’’ messages after. 

Not only was PWA fun, it also satisfied the soul like no other! It brought us closer to our real purpose of becoming doctors. It involved us in helping save lives in all possible ways. 

And above all, PWA family is love. They be our bajis and bhais and we be their bachay =')  

(There is so much more to write about PWA but it will consume the whole post. So, I am leaving it here for now.)  

DOW Management 
You cannot expect much from a Government institution. DMC administration kept disappointing us throughout the year. From our ID cards (which we received after a month or two from our admission) to our enrolment cards and admit cards. Then there were hardly ever clear cut procedures for form/fee submissions which created a lot of confusion every time.  

I had heard stories about the infamous Admin in-charge long before my admission in DMC. The very first time I saw him was on the second day at university, when he stopped my point midway and gave a bashing to the driver. He is THE FIGURE of DMC, always threatening to snatch our cards. I am sure each one of us has had at least one not-so-nice encounter with him. 

But maybe the Dow admin isn’t as bad as we think. (Just saying!!) . Once, I was bunking Patho, when  Ahmed Sahab appeared suddenly.  

Sir: Why aren’t you in class? 

Me: Sir! I don’t understand anything in class. It’s of no use.  
Sir: Which class?  
Me: *mortified* Patho 
Sir: *laughs* No one understands Patho. It’s okay.  
Me: o_O  
Just then, the H.O.D was passing by. Sir called him.  
Me: *gasps*  

Sir then talked to him about changing the teacher and he agreed.  

*What's going On moment* #NotAlwaysShitHappens :D 

Then there were Guard aunties who had a problem with virtually everything. "Lab coat please" "Lap coat pehnen" "Aap log yahan kyun kharen/bethen hain" "Class me jaen".  

Probably they suspected us of planning to bombard the campus whenever we were found outside the lecture hall. (source: Dowite Tips- facebook page) 

Once she even snatched a flower khushfehmist had. I mean, what potential danger can a flower cause or how was the flower violating any rule?  

In birthday bashes, these aunties used to ask us for their share of cake, which we did give happily.  

Chote Chote Maslay  

• B.D or KLM or Grays or Snells? 
• Basic or Basis? 
• Dr Nasar’s demo or Dr Sabahat’s?  

• Dr Fahad’s CBL or the CBL of your respective group teacher?  
• Self study in the DL or class OR nothing in both? :P 

These were more than chote motay maslay for me (read: Peer Pressure), and there’s more to come on these in future posts in this blog.

Hangouts 

Atrium Mall is to DMC as Dolmen Mall (Hyderi) is to KMDC. 

Although Hyperstar, Portgrand and Boat Basin were frequently visited, Atrium mall remained the most popular and easiest to visit spot for our hangouts.  

DMC's immediate vicinity didn't have much to offer except Food centre, Fresco’s dahi bare, Dilpasand’s ice cream and if nothing else, gan'na (sugar cane) ka juice (available right outside the university gate).  

The only batch hangout was the Nashta at Boat Basin. It was followed by our batch’s one month completion celebrations. The cake was later distributed to the patients at Civil Hospital, much to the torment of the admin. :p   

These were some flashbacks of the Good Old times. My friend, Mary O has reservations on that. She corrects me every time, "It's still all good and it's not even old. Things will remain the same, In sha ALLAH.