Memory Techniques for Med School #2 (Visualization)
People remember better when they visualize.
Visualization
People remember better when they visualize. Forgot where you left your glasses? If you make a point of visualizing them when you put them down, you are more likely to remember where you left them. It is similar with learning anatomy. Try to spend a few more seconds visualizing, fixing in your head, the anatomy, or for that matter any other picture, before going on.
It is easier to first learn anatomy through conceptual line drawings than through photographs of dissected specimens, with all that fascia to muddy the conceptual view. When I was an ophthalmology resident, I found books that showed photos of actual ocular anatomy dissections relatively useless compared with books that showed conceptual pictures, particularly line drawings. We are very visual learners, and it helps when we can visualize things as a whole.
The Goldberg Files
The Goldberg Files is based on the struggles of Dr. Goldberg as well as those of his many students which he observed while teaching medical school for 25 years. This extensive blog is dedicated to assisting students in dealing with the stresses of medical education. Want to learn more?
