Nuggets of Wisdom
Study Tactics
Don’t procrastinate, like I do.”
-Kyle Stroda, Class of 2022
I recommend going over the material that you’re taught THAT DAY, so it doesn’t accumulate.”
-Mitsu Bueno, Class of 2022
Mental Wellness & Recreation
In the beginning, I always felt guilty when I wasn’t studying, but I learned that mental health is so important if we want to stay sane in medical school. It’s okay to take a break and just do something that makes us happy, I promise you it’ll be worth it in the end!”
-Monica Shah, Class of 2022
Medical school is the best kind of torture. That’s what I tell everyone who asks me “how’s it going” if they aren’t in med school. Keep focused on your Why and the “torture” will be worth it. You have probably heard that med school is different than anything you’ve ever done, and that’s true, but you can’t imagine it until you’re living it. Make time for your most important relationships and hobbies that keep you sane. There will never be enough time to learn it all, so carve out time for your mental and physical health!”
–Amy McMellon, Class of 2022
In my opinion there’s not really any one specific way to prepare for medical school until you actually go through it yourself. My advice is to have a really strong support system that you’re able to lean on during the times when you’re physically and emotionally exhausted. Even though you won’t feel like you can, take time away from studying. It’s so important to have a healthy balance!”
-Aleigh Quickle, Class of 2022
Miscellaneous
Your success is NOT dependent on the failure of others.”
-Emily Hudspeth, Class of 2022
Don’t measure your success or failures against others in your class, remember the ultimate goal is to be the best doctor for your future patients, not to beat your classmates. Collaboration is much more helpful!”
-Nicolette Stanton, Class of 2023
Practice typing fast if you are slow over the summer before you come! This is VERY important!”
-Shylet Chengedza, Class of 2022
Full-Length Articles
Pre-Clinical Years (1 & 2)
Possibly Helpful Ramblings About Studying – Seth Bayird, ARCOM Class of 2022
My Path to Board Study – Dr. Kali Riley DO
Advice for Incoming Students – Lauren Griffin, ARCOM Class of 2022
Advice on Mental Wellness – Angel Shavalier, ARCOM Class of 2022
Clinical Years (3 & 4)
-Coming Soon-
-Open to contribution!- contact us at sbayird@arcomedu.org
The Match, Interviews, and Residency
-Coming Soon-
-Open to contribution!- contact us at sbayird@arcomedu.org
Restaurants
Mexican
- El Zarape
- La Huerta
- Joe’s Grill and Cantina – $1 taco Tuesdays
East Asian and Sushi
Pizza
- Papa’s Pub – a MUST try in Downtown Fort Smith!
- Gusano’s Pizzaria
- Geno’s Pizza
- Hideaway Pizza
Exercise
Best 24-hour Gyms
Need a New Box to Call Home?
Looking for an alternative to Cross Fit?
The Most Bang for Your Buck Gyms
- Planet Fitness
- Mercy Fitness (especially when they have promotions going on for students!)
- Marvin Altman Fitness Center
- 10GYM
Hiking, Camping, & Fishing
- Devil’s Den State Park (45 min drive)
- Lake Fort Smith State Park (30 min drive)
- Petit Jean State Park (2 hour drive) – It’s a long drive, but so worth it!
- Nature Center (2 min drive) – It’s small, but close! Good for a trail runs or some therapeutic fishing
- And MANY more! See https://www.arkansasstateparks.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What color scrubs do I need for anatomy? How many should I buy?
Surgical Green. Two pairs should be plenty. Buy cheap ones because you will be burning them (literally) at the end of the semester!
Should I buy hardcopy versions of the required textbooks?
Firstly, let’s start by saying that the library will provide you will an online version of all of the required textbooks. That being said, buying hardcopies is all about personal preference. Most students I know don’t read the textbooks to prepare for class (not to say that they don’t prepare for class, just not in the traditional sense). If you didn’t read your textbooks in undergrad, this is NOT the time to completely reinvent the wheel. If you know reading textbooks is not how you learn, why start now? Do what works for you. If you read your texts religiously in undergrad and prefer hardcopies, then by all means spend the money. It will be well worth it! But otherwise, do not do it. Having said this, there are three texts that are pretty essential to buy as hardcopies. Make sure to get your anatomy atlas and dissection guide. You will need to be able to bring these books into the lab, so having a hardcopy will be necessary. Also, many students highly recommend buying the most recent version of First Aid.This will be a resource you will use on a regular basis and having a hardcopy will make annotation much easier.
What should I be doing the summer before to prepare for medical school?
Well, this all depends upon you. But the #1 answer you will hear from most students is to RELAX. There is simply no good way to really prepare for what is to come. The best thing you can do for yourself is to enjoy the free time you have, while you have it. Having said that—here are some small things you can do if you want. If you plan on utilizing textbooks, practice speed-reading. When you have 50 pages of assigned reading for the day, you won’t have time to spend 3 hours pre-reading. There are simply more important things to do. Speed-reading, if you are good at it, can be a great help. An additional skill to acquire is being able to type quickly. Why is this important? Well, when you have to write your first SOAP note in 9 minutes, you will thank us for it. Typing is an essential skill to have in order to do well in FOPC (Foundations of Osteopathic Patient Care). However, it’s something few of us have time to practice when classes start. There are bigger fish to fry! So practice now 🙂