How to Study Pharma — Your Suggestions!

I have pharmacology this year, and people constantly tell me how terrible, awful, overwhelming, difficult, impossible it…

I have pharmacology this year, and people constantly tell me how terrible, awful, overwhelming, difficult, impossible it is. So I decided to ask for tips from those who have already survived, and this is what they said. I edited some for clarity and combined some similar answers:

  • Always learn the names of meds using mnemonics
    • Make a pocket notebook with just the name of the drugs and study it while commuting
  • Make a chart and attach it to your desk/wall
    • “tables are a lifesaver”
    • Word doc with generic/trade names, a color for each pathway, side effect, considerations and updated it along the way
  • Use diagrams to understand the mechanism of action
  • Schematize using different colors for certain kinds of drugs
  • Pay attention in class and follow along
  • Make flashcards early on, with drug class, mechanism, side effects, etc.
    • Anki “without a doubt”
    • Quizlet!
    • Revise every day for 30-60 minutes
  • Use YouTube videos to learn it as a story
    • Speed Pharmacology
  • Sketchy Pharm x4
    • combined with First Aid (great for Step 1)
  • Little doodles help
  • Read read read read read and read
  • For pharmacokinetics: list all the definitions in one place

Bonus answer: “And THINK before answering 😄✌😜”

Someone recommended this website:

www.freemedtube.com

. I’ve never heard of it, but you’re welcome to try it out!

In about a year, I’ll be done with pharma and I’ll share my own experiences. For now, I’m so grateful to have this helpful community. I got so many answers within minutes, so thank you guys!

(Note, if you made a recommendation and you’d like your account to be mentioned next to your suggestion, send me a DM and I’ll edit it!)

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