Hi Littlehelper,
This ended up being longer than I thought- I hope it helps!
I think it comes down to being dedicated and having an aim of succeeding (not just for getting into med school) but my aim was to keep my academic transcript 'pretty', even after 1st semester I had 7 papers done ( 2 summer school, 5 in S1) I still worked hard to keep my grades when I all I needed to graduate was a bare minimum (pass). Just try to set a goal you know you can achieve and work hard for it. Even if it takes forgetting about social life (its just a mere 2 years anyway) and if you don't party for (8 months in 2 years, the world is not going to end, trust me its more fulfilling and rewarding to get good grade than you party). I think just set a goal and work your best. Another thing may be part of this is you have to be patient with yourself, sometimes you get good grade and sometimes bad but thats life (like internals, don't be disheartened, internals count for less so put in you extra 110% in the finals and you should be fine).
2. Trust me I make NO notes- I study directly from slides, perhaps because they are colourful ( I never print them- because I think its hard to manage paper- at least for me). Find a way that suits you and stick to it. writing notes? takes time but if it suits out go for it? flashcards? posters? scribbling while studying? yes I do the scribbling, and heaps of it!
3. Make a timetable and manage your time well- try to finish your assignments a day or 2 before the due date so that you can come back and review it before submitting (cant emphasize this enough)- I usually set a deadline 3-4 days before its due (usually the weekend before the actual date)-you don't have to, but I like being organised and done with things.
4. Make sure you study from day 1..WHAT? yes go over every lecture within 24 hours (just for 10-30 mins). Trust me you will remember the stuff forever and would take much less time to revise if you did it a week or two later. And then review it in the weekend. Two- four weeks before finals start the real studying! most of the stuff you will already know by no, like 70% if you have been doing the above, just fresh up your mind with them and a week before, learn the details. Coz they matter! Especially in essays, for e.g in immunology I would learn the cytokines released by specific cells and other such details.
5. Textbook reading are there for a reason- read them asap after the lecture- you don't have to memorise it, it will just help you understand the stuff really well. Go to the relevant figures (I love figures in textbooks)- they are a mini summary of the stuff so learn if they are relevant- its easier to remember the process with figs than a whole block of text. You don't have to read everything and definitely not to buy all those expensive books- they EXIST in the science library or somewhere or get a pdf version. I kind of skim them again a day or two before the final exam so that I can reference them in the essay and perhaps show that I have done the reading? maybe? I don't know!
6. There are always clues in the lectures of what is likely to be the essay questions- predict them- but HOW? Well, when you are in the lecture, if you hear something like "make sure you learn this" or anything along those lines, I would suspect it or perhaps "exam" word anywhere is a potential clue. Also look for these words in lab intros and conclusions!
7. If you think you don't understand something, be it APC interaction with T cells or what bones are involved in the knee joint, make sure you ask!Your classmate, lab partner, Dems or lecturers! ask anyone and the sooner the better! Or Google it, Youtube it, whatever, but make sure you learn it and don't leave it to last minute to ask someone at the gate for the exam room (I know a bit exaggeration but it happens a lot)
8. Be prepared and have confidence in your preparation- I know this may be a bit of arrogance, but just don't talk to anyone outside the exam room, it freaks me out when people ask their mates what is the biggest sesamoid outside the functional Anat exam... when I know the answer or don't I feel like I'm getting confused and that I don't know stuff... Trust me you know it, its just fear.. try to separate yourself and stand in the corner and think about your best holiday you had, or getting A+ on every exam you do. Just think of something else forget about others there! Just calm yourself down ' tell yourself- you know it, it will all come out when you will spit on the paper and ace it, God willing'
9. Pray- pray, despite which religion you are from- ask for help from your Creator and one who plans your life before you do.
10. Don't become arrogant after you get good marks
(just joking- but be down to Earth)
11. All the best for your future (make sure you have a goal and work for it!)