Clik here to view.
Photo credit: by Xavier Snelgrove. Date: 2005-06-24 {{cc-by-sa-2.5}} (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
One of the core components of learning as a resident is through the “noon lecture”. Many programs don’t necessarily have the lecture exactly at 12 noon, and it can vary throughout the day, but the core principal of 1 hour of dedicated didactic learning is a cornerstone of medical training. As IMGs many of us are unfamiliar with the concept of noon lecture and this can be a huge disadvantage. In fact, to be fully able to take advantage of noon lecture you should know what to expect going in. Here are my tips on how to master the art of noon lecture and really get the most out of it before going in.
-
Stomach Sacrifice. So many of the lectures that take place are at noon – which is also lunchtime. But we all know what happens when we eat and then sit in a large room in comfy chairs listening to lectures. We fall prey to the Alkaline Tide! Yes, that massive exchange of hydrogen ions into the stomach leads to alkalosis and subsequent lethargy. Therefore, I always had a big breakfast and ate my lunch in the last 15 minutes of noon lectures in order to stay awake. This way you get all the facts and remain respectful to the lecturer.
-
My Little Bookie Wookie. We all take notes everywhere, on napkins, on our hands, even on our scrubs. But in reality if you want to ace the lecture you need to have a small, dedicated notebook that you write in everyday. Just think if you take notes in the same small book everyday then by the end of the year you will have a book full of pearls. My tip: get one that fits into your lab coat, otherwise you will have trouble keeping it on you at all times.
-
Closer is Better. Sit closer to the lecturer. Although Powerpoint is the mainstay of lectures, many people still hold noon lectures in a Socratic method and open discussion format. Being closer to the front ensures you will hear everything and get all the information.
-
Review Again! The next best step to learn from noon lectures is to review your notes the evening after the lecture. This is the best way to reinforce the information you learned. You don’t have to write everything down, but if you learn even one new fact, you are better for it. So review those pearls and make them your own.
-
Ask Questions – LOTS! The doctors who lecture are doing it because they love to teach. They love answering questions even more, so ask questions about items you don’t know or need more clarification. Remember, if you have a question it is likely that other people do as well, so be brave, and get that little extra bit of information. Who knows, you may use it to save a life someday!
For more tips on residency and USMLE®, subscribe to our blog!
All of the opinions expressed here are the author’s and his alone, and do not represent necessarily those of Kaplan or its employees.
Test names are the registered trademark of their respective owners
