There’s a lot to balance during Year 2 of medical school. However, with proper time management skills, effective studying techniques, and a desire to continuously improve, you’ll be on the path to success in no time! Get the details in today’s Osmosis blog.
After making it through that first year of medical school, you’re likely curious and maybe even a bit anxious about what lies ahead. Year 2 of medical school aims to prepare students for their future clerkships by laying the foundational knowledge necessary for taking part in hospital rotations. And while you’ll still spend most of your time in class, the focus will begin to shift toward acquiring clinical knowledge and developing clinical skills.
Medical School in Year 2: What to expect
Year 2 medical students are introduced to the different organ systems through pathology, learn about treatment options during pharmacology, and begin honing their clinical skills by getting trained in taking a detailed patient history and physical exam. And, of course, they also need to prepare for the USMLE® Step 1 Exam.
Year 2 also includes the fundamentals of clinicals, like providing a thorough physical exam and learning what pertinent questions to ask while taking a patient history. You will practice taking a proper blood pressure reading, auscultating the heart and lungs, palpating the abdomen, and more. Each of those skills will be useful when you begin clinical rotations and throughout your career, should you choose to be involved in patient-facing clinical care.
Build a Foundation: Don’t forget what you learned in Year 1!
First and foremost, take some time to regularly review what you’ve learned by accessing the library of helpful Osmosis videos, flashcards, and questions designed to refresh your instruction from Year One while expanding your knowledge in Year 2. Regular quizzes (weekly, at least) will reinforce the learning you’ve done and help you pass the USMLE Step 1 exam.
Aside from studying for your courses and the USMLE® Step 1, Year 2 is also a great time to get familiar with the match process. Determine the individual characteristics and scores programs are looking for, how the matching algorithm works, and develop a good sense of the overall timeline. Elements such as your academic transcript, USMLE® scores, extracurricular activities, and letters of recommendation are all considered by residency programs during the matching process. To help orient yourself, take a look at the free Osmosis comprehensive guide to the NRMP Match.
The Basics: Staying motivated in medical school
In addition to effective study strategies, great study habits, and carving out time for self-care, motivation, and discipline are crucial to success in medical school.
To stay on track, make sure you’ve got the necessary tools and time management skills to focus on your classes and prepare for the USMLE® Step 1 exam. For example, Osmosis has an automated Step 1 Study Schedule tool that allows you to input different resources, study days, exam dates, etc., to create a helpful plan for the term. And to keep that knowledge top-of-mind, you can regularly review what you’ve learned using the Osmosis Daily Quiz tool.
Because preparing for the USMLE Step 1 exam is stressful enough (while juggling classes, homework, work, and life), you’ll need to take some time to slow down on occasion and look for signs of burnout. Taking time to recharge is essential, and there are days when the most productive thing you can do is prioritize your mental wellness and peace with some downtime. If you’re having a rough day and questioning your choice to take this path, take a moment to reflect on your “why” (aka your reason for entering medicine); it can be the shining light to guide you through the dark moments.
Heading into Year 3: What you need to know
Each year of medical school comes with lots of changes, and Year 3 is no exception. Year 3 is your first clerkship, where you’ll be going to different hospitals to complete your clinical rotations and get some hands-on experience. Your schedule will depend on the specialty you are rotating through; each rotation requires different responsibilities.
Transitioning into Year 3 gives you a firsthand view of what it’s like to be a working resident or an attending and puts the knowledge you acquired during Year 1 and 2 of medical school into practice. Invest in a comfortable pair of shoes because instead of sitting in class, you’ll be walking around the hospital during rounds, attending to patients, learning how to write clinical notes, and maybe even getting sent to the lab to check on the status of results for a patient.
Year 3 is when you lay the groundwork for how to work with patients and adapt to new settings. Each rotation means joining a new team and taking on different clinical responsibilities. Being adaptable, providing excellent patient care, and knowing when to ask for help are wonderful qualities to work on during this stage of your medical education. It’s also important for you to continue studying the latest information so you’re up-to-date with the best treatments and prepared for the many questions residents and attendings will ask throughout your rotations.
During Year 3, you’ll also want to prepare for your shelf exams and USMLE® Step 2 exam. Osmosis has you covered with high-yield notes that help you master your clinical reasoning and a large Step 2 question bank to test your knowledge.
As of March 2024, we’ve launched a new Clinical Sciences library designed to help learners feel more confident in their clinical diagnosis and management decisions during medical clerkships. The CS library will cover seven core specialties and include hundreds of new topics using a video-first curriculum with decision-making trees to explain key concepts and the reasoning behind making clinical decisions.
Check out this Year 2 checklist to help you stay on track and excel during Year 2 of medical school:
- Understand your learning style and utilize resources that work best for you.
- Manage your time effectively by balancing your classes and preparation for the USMLE® Step 1 exam.
- Focus on learning clinical skills, which will be vital during your clinical rotations and beyond.
- Begin learning more about the NRMP Match process.
- Make time to rest, recharge, and replenish yourself.
- Enjoy the journey, and don’t be afraid to ask questions along the way!
Curious about Osmosis? Give it a try with a free trial today.
Leave a Reply