The Most Practical Illustrative Guide to Medical Student Conduct Ever Created

If you want to have half the medical school skills that I possess... You will take these lessons to heart.

It's the holiday season and while many of you medical students and me wannabees out there are sitting on your fat keisters and losing your competitive edge. I have been doing research on how to be even more awesome at medical school (it may not be possible for me because I've already reached the pinnacle of greatness... twice). My search was turning up very little in the way of advice that is actually superior to something my giant brain has already conceived, but then I ran across this little gem. It's nothing I don't already do, but the drawings are great for memorization purposes.

It is such a perfectly distilled set of practical medical student skills that I might have cried while reading it if I was prone to such pansy things as crying. If you do not read this twice, momorize it, and put into practice ever skill it espouses... you are a cad and a fool! You should also check out the website from wence it came. I  do not personally approve of all the techniques that are illustrated on the site, but at least Dr. Fizzy McFizz actually created a website and wrote the book "A Cartoon Guide To Becoming a Doctor". Looks great on her CV and will only serve to propel her to a new level of personal greatness (even if that level will always be directly below the level I have already acheived in medical school). If you have any tips as sweet as these (hardly likely) that I could use to launch myself to further greatness, leave a comment above.

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Medical Specialty Aptitude Test

As every medical student knows, first year of medical school everyone is talking about all the funny new words you get to learn; Tenesmus is my favorite.

Second year is all about studying and USMILE step I. And third year is about deciding what type of doctor you will become. The classic surgery vs medicine approach is a good place to start, but beyond that most things begin to fall apart for a lot of people.

Advice on the subject is almost endless and I have found that the more people you ask the more answers you will get. Never-the-less, it’s good to ask lots of questions and find out as much as possible about your areas of interest. The Univeristy of Virgina has this snazzy Medical Specialty Aptitude Test that may steer you in a good direction. If you are still not sure however, here are son alternative ways you can choose a specialty.

The British Medical Journal published an article in 2005 by Boris Veysman called Physician, Know Thyself, it includes the algorithm, posted above, to use as a guide when choosing a residency. I’m not sure of the sensitivity and specificity but I think most physicans say it's pretty accurate. If that algorithm didn’t solve all your problems this video may help. ZDoggMD and Dr.Harry gives a nuanced break down of a few different types of doctors and what to expect if you decide to join their ranks. Don't let the beatboxing and Justin Bieber impressions distract you from the pearls.