Looking for study advice

[Mike et al]

I failed 3 of 5 exams in my first med school semester even with support services and heavy Anki use. I'm taking a LOA, redoing the year, and hoping to improve. I struggle with second-step clinical reasoning questions, any study tips will be appreciated

 

[StethoNerd]

It looks like you're really zeroing in on single facts instead of seeing how everything ties together. In med school, exams often mix a bunch of different ideas, just knowing the answer isn't enough. You need to get the bigger picture, like how things work, treatment choices, their side effects, and any other factors at play. What other methods are you using apart from Anking?

 

[Doc Strange]

I went through something similar in med school, I failed a few exams despite studying hard with flashcards. What helped me was joining a study group focused on clinical reasoning, discussing cases aloud, and practicing question explanations instead of just memorizing. It made a big difference

 

[AllenxMD]

I failed 3 of 5 exams in my first med school semester even with support services and heavy Anki use. I'm taking a LOA, redoing the year, and hoping to improve. I struggle with second-step clinical reasoning questions, any study tips will be appreciated

I'm sorry to hear this, but don't be discouraged!
You're not alone with those challenging second-step clinical reasoning questions.
What I can suggest is that you try to really solidify your understanding of the foundational sciences before moving on to the clinical application.
Beyond memorizing, focus on why things happen.
Like when you encounter a clinical scenario, actively try to link each symptom or lab value back to the underlying physiology or pathology.
Practice explaining your reasoning out loud, even to yourself.
Qbanks are invaluable here.
Don't just get the right answer, understand why the others are wrong and what the thought process is behind the correct one.
Don't worry, you got this!