Guide to Surviving Your First Year at SGU

The journey through the first year at St. George’s University (SGU) is uniquely demanding yet immensely rewarding. As an SGU student, I’ve experienced the highs and challenges firsthand. While I’ve chosen to remain anonymous to speak candidly, my aim is to provide you with practical insights and strategies that worked for me. From exams and study techniques to tackling the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), this guide offers a term-by-term breakdown to help you thrive during your first year. For a deeper understanding of the difficulties Caribbean medical students face and why attrition rates are higher than in U.S. medical schools, check out our companion blog, “The Reality of Caribbean Med School Attrition: Why It Happens and How to Succeed.” This piece builds on that foundation, offering practical tips to thrive academically and personally during your Caribbean medical school experience.

The first year at St. George’s University (SGU) is both challenging and rewarding, with each term presenting unique learning opportunities. In this guide, I’ve broken down essential tips and strategies by term, focusing on key exams, study techniques, and resources that helped me succeed. Both Term 1 and Term 2 are packed with material, culminating in the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), where you’ll perform a patient encounter and physical exam. While the OSCE might sound daunting, your small group sessions and regular practice with peers will have you well-prepared. Supplemental videos can also help reduce anxiety and build confidence.

Term 1: Laying the Foundation

Term 1 at SGU sets the stage for your medical education, covering fundamental subjects like anatomy, biochemistry, and cell biology. Here’s how to approach these courses and their exams:

Foundations of Medicine (FTM):

The first FTM exam at SGU may feel overwhelming, but it’s a great opportunity to excel and give yourself a buffer for the rest of the term. Although the adjustment to medical school and online learning can be tough, FTM 1 is arguably the most straightforward place to score high. FTM 1 involves a lot of undergrad review, but you’ll be tested at a deeper level. Don’t get too caught up in what you learned previously. Pay attention to the new details and expansions on those concepts.

Memorization is Key

FTM requires a lot of rote memorization, particularly for anatomy and biochemistry. Start early, and be consistent in your review to avoid last-minute cramming. I learned this the hard way during my first anatomy exam, where I underestimated the sheer volume of material and found myself cramming in the last few days. Since then, I made it a point to review a little bit each day, which made a significant difference in my retention and performance.

Note-Taking Strategy

Effective note-taking is crucial. During lectures, focus on writing down high-yield points and clarifying complex concepts. Summarize your notes after each session to reinforce your understanding. Personally, I found that color-coding my notes by topic helped me visualize and organize information better when it came time to review.

Practice Questions

Incorporate practice questions regularly to test your knowledge and identify weak areas. This is particularly important as the material builds quickly. I used to set aside time every weekend to go through a set of questions related to that week’s material, which not only reinforced what I had learned but also prepared me for the style of questions on the exams.

Musculoskeletal (MSK)

MSK requires a different approach than FTM. It still involves a lot of memorization, but you may need to change up your study methods. There’s no shortcut here—repetition is key. Go over the material multiple times to commit it to memory. Utilize Gray’s Questions – start early to familiarize yourself with how the material will be tested. MSK questions often focus on clinical scenarios, so it’s important to understand the pathologies as well as the anatomy.

Visual Learning

MSK is heavily anatomy-based, so visual aids like diagrams and models are invaluable. Spend time in the anatomy lab and use resources like Gray’s Anatomy Questions to test your knowledge. During my MSK block, I spent extra hours in the lab, using the models to repeatedly trace the pathways and connections, which helped solidify my understanding.

Active Recall

Use Anki flashcards or similar tools to reinforce the details of muscle attachments, innervations, and vascular supply. This will help with both understanding and retention. Looking back, I wish I had started using Anki earlier in the term, as it became a game-changer that helped me retain a vast amount of information.

Consider Getting a Tutor

If you find yourself struggling with anatomy, consider getting a tutor early on. A tutor can provide personalized guidance and help clarify difficult concepts. Waiting until a week before the exam will only contribute to the confusion. I had a peer tutor during MSK who was instrumental in helping me understand the more complex anatomical relationships that I initially struggled with. Reach out to Elite Medical Prep to learn more about our tutoring services.

Cardiopulmonary & Renal (CPR)

Understanding Mechanisms: CPR covers complex physiological processes. Focus on understanding the mechanisms behind cardiovascular and respiratory function rather than just memorizing facts.

Clinical Correlations

Link what you learn to clinical scenarios. Understanding how diseases affect the cardiovascular and respiratory systems will be crucial not only for the exam but also for your future clinical practice. This module shifts away from rote memorization. If you don’t grasp the underlying physiology, you’ll struggle. Reach out for help if needed.

Regular Review Sessions

Given the complexity of this subject, frequent review sessions are essential. Group study can be particularly beneficial for discussing and reinforcing difficult concepts. I vividly remember how my study group would meet every Wednesday evening to discuss tricky concepts, and those sessions were invaluable in helping me grasp the material more deeply.

Term 2: Building on the Basics

Term 2 at SGU builds on the foundations laid in Term 1, diving deeper into subjects like pathology, pharmacology, and endocrinology. The exams in this term require a more integrated understanding of the material.

Endocrine and Reproductive (ER)

Integrate Concepts: ER involves understanding hormonal pathways and their physiological effects. Integrate your knowledge of biochemistry and physiology to fully grasp these concepts.

Application to Clinical Scenarios

Apply what you learn to clinical cases. Understanding how hormonal imbalances manifest in patients will enhance your ability to remember and apply this knowledge. One of the most memorable experiences I had during the ER module was diagnosing a simulated patient with Addison’s disease. This hands-on application made the theoretical knowledge much more tangible.

Consistent Memorization

Like FTM, ER demands significant memorization. Keep up with the material daily to avoid being overwhelmed before the exam. I started using Anki with ER, and it was fantastic, especially for learning congenital adrenal hyperplasias (CAHs). If you’re not already using Anki, consider it for this module.

Pathology and Pharmacology

Focus on Pathophysiology: Understanding disease mechanisms is critical. Rather than memorizing isolated facts, focus on how diseases develop and progress at the cellular level.

Drug Mechanisms

Pharmacology requires a strong grasp of how drugs work. Pay special attention to drug mechanisms, side effects, and interactions, as these are commonly tested. I remember a moment during my pharmacology block where a solid understanding of drug interactions helped me navigate a particularly difficult exam question that many of my classmates found challenging.

Clinical Integration

Both pathology and pharmacology are highly applicable to clinical practice. Consider how diseases and drugs affect the body as a whole, which will be crucial for both exams and your future as a clinician.

Neuroscience and Behavioral Science

Comprehensive Understanding: Neuroscience can be one of the most challenging subjects in Term 2. Ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and behavioral science.

Study in Layers

Start with the basic anatomy and physiology of the nervous system before moving on to more complex topics like neurological disorders. This layered approach will help solidify your knowledge. Neuroscience was particularly challenging for me, and I found that revisiting the basics multiple times before tackling more advanced concepts made a huge difference in my comprehension.

Use of Practice Questions

Incorporate practice questions that cover clinical scenarios, as these will test your ability to apply theoretical knowledge to patient care.

General Study Tips for Success at SGU

Note-Taking

Effective note-taking is essential throughout your time at SGU. Develop a system that works for you, whether it’s summarizing lectures, creating flashcards, or annotating textbooks. The key is to review and condense your notes to reinforce learning regularly.

Memorization Techniques

Memorization is a significant part of medical school, especially for subjects like anatomy and pharmacology. Techniques like spaced repetition, mnemonics, and active recall are invaluable. Tools like Anki can help manage the large amount of information you need to retain.

Consider Getting a Tutor

If you find yourself struggling with specific subjects, don’t hesitate to seek help. A tutor can provide targeted assistance, clarify difficult concepts, and help you develop effective study strategies.

Time Management

Managing your time effectively is critical to succeeding in medical school. Create a study schedule that allows you to cover all subjects without overwhelming yourself. Prioritize difficult topics, and ensure you have time for review and practice questions.

Preparing for Exams

Each exam at SGU requires a tailored approach. Understand the format and focus of each exam, and adjust your study techniques accordingly. For example, FTM and ER require extensive memorization, while CPR and Neuroscience demand a deep understanding of physiological mechanisms and clinical applications.

Group Study

Studying with peers can be incredibly beneficial. Group discussions can provide new insights, reinforce learning, and help you tackle challenging topics together. Use group study sessions for difficult subjects and to quiz each other before exams.

Clinical Skills and OSCE Preparation

Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) are a critical part of your medical education. To prepare, practice clinical skills regularly, role-play patient scenarios with peers, and review clinical guidelines. Familiarize yourself with common OSCE stations and tasks to ensure you can perform them confidently under time constraints.

Final Thoughts

The first year at St. George’s University is challenging, but with the right strategies and resources, you can succeed. Focus on understanding the material, not just memorizing it, and make sure to integrate your knowledge across different subjects. Consistent study habits, effective note-taking, and utilizing tools like Anki can make a huge difference in your academic performance. Don’t be afraid to seek help if you need it—whether it’s through tutors, study groups, or professors. The key is to stay disciplined, manage your time effectively, and always strive to understand the bigger picture of medicine.