Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ PhotoReading, Memory Optimizer photoreadng and med. school

Hello everyone,

I am finishing up my last pre-req science classes so I can get into med school. This summer I am taking Organic Chemistry I&II.

I was wondering if anyone had any experience photo-reading hard-core science textbooks or the like.

I want to gain whatever edge I can.

My second question is, how long does it usually take to start reaping the benefits of photo-reading? I really want a technique like this for a variety of reasons and I will even invest up to an hour a day on it.

Thaks

Hi there.
I started PRing at the start of my second year at med-school. I haven't mastered it yet but I'm slowly getting there. But what i will say is that I've found PR to be an excellent tool for med-school because:

1. As you approach info non-linearly you get a much more integrated overview and so understanding of the subjects.
2. As you read several different texts on the same subject, PR helps you selectively zoom in on the areas you haven't come across before.
3. Because PR is an active learning system (you set your learning agenda) you can spot issues that are often 'side stepped' in the text more easily (so you look boffy ).

But what i will say is though, don't try to learn to PR on med-text books they're way too complicated for a beginner (trust me-been there). Also don't save it all up for the exams.
One last thing, I tried to PR in the 1st semester, was doing a lot of things wrong but still managed a respectable pass (and half the year failed)
You gotta make your own mind up.

All the best!!

Nick

Nick, how did PRing help you prepare for the USMLE?

Bill

Hi there!
It didn't, I live in England (hence nick-uk).
Sorry I can't help. Although I'm led to believe (mostly from ER) that the american exams are intensely hard. Although was encouraged to see them using Robbin's pathological basis of disease on ER a while ago (so the US courses can't be that different to ours).
Anyway, I reckon I'm currently at the lower end of what PR can achieve, but still the other day, when i was regular reading, i noticed how quickly i was burning through the text (Edelman's Bright air, brilliant fire; a top notch read).
Once again sorry I can't say anything more about USMLE, but i am chuffed by the number of med students frequenting this forum.
Nick