Before reaching the college itself, I had an impression that anatomy would the most difficult

subject to deal with and first year MBBS syllabus would be very difficult. Later it was proved
true. Initial days didnt trouble me much as the portions were simple (general anatomy and
physiology). Sleepless nights and nightmares started with the commencement of upper limb
part completion test. I thought only bones and attachments will be asked in the theory
examinations. No seniors were there to advise me. I still remember that evening when its
answer sheets were distributed. I got only 12.5 out of 40.I couldnt even score 50%.
Physiology department conducted one open book examination out of 50 marks. Albeit having
an open book in front of me, I couldn't score 50% marks in that also. Later I improved bit by
bit and performed fairly well in the final exams.
Our dissection started after a small delay as our cadavers reached late. I was little
apprehensive when I reached the dissection hall for the first time. The smell of formalin was
eliciting nausea.One of my friends fell down because of that pungent smell.He later wrote the
article "Cadaveric Nightmare". But later I understood that the smell of the cadaver is better
than the smell of some human beings. The mistakes that I made in gross anatomy were so
funny. I gave so much importance to cutaneous nerve supply because it was coming in the
startup pages of each chapter. Neither the teachers nor the god himself gave me any idea
about the examination pattern. What to study and what to be skipped????Always this was in
front of my mind. Later I realized that cutaneous supply is just 10% important as far as
examinations are concerned. Nerve supply, actions and clinical applications of large,
prominent muscles are very important, like Pectoralis Major, Sternocleidomastoid and
Trapezius.I observed my teachers repeatedly asking certain clinical terms. Those clinical terms
are well explained in the BD Chaurasia textbook of gross anatomy and the Vishram Singh text
book of gross anatomy. One of my teachers told me without Cunningham anatomy is
incomplete. Later I realized that advice is valid for a PG student and rather than UG. For an
undergraduate B D Chaurasia or Vishram Singh is sufficient. Certain diagrams of these
textbooks are weird. For diagrams I used Grays Anatomy Students version. If you want to
read Cunningham, well and good. But dont get disheartened if you are not able to follow it.
Attending the dissection classes is very important. That will give you a fair idea about the
total anatomy. But you cannot see all the structures that have been described in your
textbook. That requires time and a magnificent dissector. So it will be good if you collect
dissection videos of Auckland or any other. Video of upper limb itself costs around 3000 INR.
Dont worry. It is available on YouTube.
I still consider histology as a boring subject. The reason for this aversion is the headache that I
felt while observing slides under microscope for long. But you should practice diagrams by
drawing because a diagram will be asked to draw and explain in the final exam. I feel Di Fiore
is the best textbook to study histology for an undergraduate. But to build good theoretical
knowledge about the microanatomy InderBir Singh textbook of histology is good. For
osteology no need to purchase a separate textbook as it is well given in the gross anatomy
text book. Do give more importance to those bones which are used to identify the sex of a
person. Holding the bone in anatomical position and its attachments are very important. Try to
learn the ligaments attached on each bone. Dont forget to learn the relation between nerve
and bone if any because injury to the bone at that site can cause the damage to that nerve
which can ultimately lead to muscle paralysis (ex. Radial nerve in spiral groove). Ossification
is not that important, but still ossifications of certain bones are the favorite questions of
professors, especially those ossifications which can give a clue regarding the age. Those who
are more interested in osteology can purchase IB Singh textbook of osteology.
Embryology is interesting. If you learn it well then you will find it easy to understand the gross
anatomy also as both are closely linked. Models are very useful to understand embryology.
Take help from teachers to understand certain portions like folding and formation of the
peritoneal cavity. IB Singhs text book of embryology is sufficient for an undergraduate.
Lanngman is also good. Radiology also comes under anatomy. No need to go in depth
because you will be dealing with the same in the coming years also. Just learn to tell whether
the given x-ray is a P-A view x-ray or A-P view and some more basic things. Surface marking

needs practice. Group study is helpful here. Practice in friends body those questions given
towards the end of the gross textbook.
Without diagrams anatomy answers wont be complete. Dont waste time by drawing
diagrams for 2 mark questions, but do remember to draw diagrams from 3 mark question
onwards. Some teachers consider the size of the answer also. So elaborate your answer and
ask for discussion of the questions after each exam. That will make you understand how to
write an answer. Dont forget to write clinical applications for each long answer question
which can fetch more marks.
Physiology is very interesting.Without understanding the concepts of physiology properly it is
almost impossible to learn second year subjects like Pharmacology and Pathology. Immunity
and respiratory physiology were my favorite topics. The only problem that I faced in
physiology was everything for an undergraduate was not given in one textbook.
Endocrinology was well given in Gannong but for respiratory physiology and immunity Guyton
was better. The style of illustration in Gannong is not student friendly rather teacher friendly.
Guyton is one of the best textbook I had ever seen. So simple that even a kid can understand.
Students may face little problem in understanding the complementary system of immunity
chapter. But dont get disheartened. The same will become clear when you sit for
microbiology chapter. In medicine everything will get repeated again and again. Immunity is
very important as it is one of the branch in which a lot of researchers are going on and if you
search more you can see that so many Nobel laureates did their research in immunity. Best
and Taylor even though is a PG book is good for UG also.Understand the physiology of glands
well because the number of patients coming to the hospital with hormonal problems are huge
especially thyroid and Insulin. Play with BP apparatus, spirometer, ECG instrument and other
instruments of physiology lab and try to become an expert. After all, medicine is not a
theoretical profession. You need skills and should know how to deal with these instruments.
Those skills will come only with practice and experience. First time when I used stethoscope I
couldnt even get heart sound (obviously I didnt get lung sounds also). Give more importance
otherwise equal to physiology practical against theory.
Biochemistry was my most favorite subject out of the three. For me, the molecular basis of
the diseases was the most interesting thing to learn. Do give more importance to those
hormones and metabolic pathways which you would encounter more in clinics like
Insulin,Gout,Glycolysis etc. Understanding the molecular basis will help you a lot to
understand the disease and to become a good clinician.Many hereditary diseases that you
study in biochemistry will be repeated in pathology next year. I used Harper and Vasudevan
during my first year for biochemistry.Both are good books and I rate Harper ahead of
Vasudevan. Cholesterol synthesis pathway and LDL, HDL metabolism are very important,
especially in this era of atherosclerosis and other coronary artery diseases.
Since the time is short and the syllabus is vast, the best way to understand each subject is by
paying maximum attention to lectures. This will help to build an image about the important
topics and the decrease the time needed to spend for each topic when you revise it. But life is
not very simple. For me it was the most difficult thing. Even if you couldn't understand some
topics or concept, dont get disheartened because you have plenty of time to understand it.
Group study is an effective tool. You may think it is a wastage of time because group studies
usually end up in group talks.But believe me, you will remember more those sentences and
facts which your friend taught you during the group study time while you are in the exam hall.
Second year medical studies are much more interesting, courtesy to early clinical exposure.
Seniors will be a great helping hand especially in a medical college. Never hesitate to take
help from them because their advice at times can be more useful than your teachers advice.
Before concluding, I would like to tell the first year medical students one more thing. Dont
forget to enjoy your life. Dont hesitate to bunk a class once in a month to watch a movie, but
dont miss a practical class.
LIFE OFAN MBBS STUDENT

Aakriti Ranabhat
I have acclimatized myself to the world of books and illness and hospital smells and the
tongue twisters of names of tablets and pills and patient and medicines. To the world where
people bleed to death like a gentleman and death comes in as a lady. To the world with gifted
hands.
What do you want to become when you grow up? A doctor.
I am living my words today. Well, technically living the initial phase of marching towards my
answer. When I first answered this question, well I dont quite remember the details on the wh
part (who asked me, when, where?), I said so just for the sake of it. Or was that because it
seemed like the correct answer to the question? I was never fascinated by the white coats or
the hospital smells. Surprisingly, I was the kid who didnt fear the injection either.
The nineteenth year of my life, a first year MBBS student, seems like I really did say the
correct answer. Well there are still four and a half years to go before I actually write up a Dr. in
front of my name. After discovering and rediscovering myself, after the metamorphosis I tell
myself I went through, I have completely changed. However, buying a MBBS degree isnt a
joke. Its human life that is to be dealt with after all.
As I wake up with the rays, I actually have a table attached to my bed, I freshen up and then
the pen bookmarked in the books is left up and the train moves. I try to race with the words
and build up understanding with the leftovers of the aftermath I did yesterday. After the
breakfast, there are the long tiring puzzling lectures, followed by lunch and the library date.
Some more studies. Dinner. Walk. Movies, networking, globalize. Chit chats sometimes. The
myth is quite true, indeed medical students are techno savvy. They are updated with the
gadgets. Some more studies. And few hours of sleep.
12- 18 long hours of study, permanent absence in the times when friends of other stream are
having fun, it is true and medical students compromise fun and sleep with studies.
The initial phase is the air charged up with electricity. Lost in the maze of medical terms,
being introduced to a completely new language (the medical English feels outlandish), new
world, maturing way too soon and then, the adaptation phase squeezes through. Sighs and
shudders becomes niche soon. Its amazing how human body and brain works, a part of the
mystery, everyday is a challenge for the medical students.
There is whole lot of first times in the medical student life. The first entrance on the anatomy
lab of the first dissection class, the adrenaline rush, the bulging of query eyes, the chill runs
down the spine flanking with the goose bumps. And the first time a naked dead man is seen
all readied to be scrutinized to study the viscera, tears stream down worse than chopping a
bucket of onions; the formalin, it stuck up in the sinus making it difficult to breath and see.
(Its an aroma now, the sweat accompanies however). Injections, stethoscope,
sphygmomanometer are the play kits, bones and skeleton are toys that convoys. The first
time of community visit, the first time of survey, the first time of practical interaction.
Students of Bachelors in medicine and bachelors in surgery, they are the people who respect
their seniors more than the teachers. The first time of being ragged (which used to be fun in
the golden days, now a dreary ritual) and yet the digestion is a medical students prerequisite.
MBBS students, they burn their midnight oil and study like crazy. Theres always a risk of
forgetting own name, for trying to remember those of pharmacological drugs so hard. Mulling
over notes and buried beneath the books, people call the medical students nerds. And we
have to study like crazy, uphold the title of a geek so that we wouldnt accidently remove the
kidneys instead of appendix. Long hour woes of focusing on black fonts on white sheets,

trying to solve the Rubiks cube of entangled subjects, cutting off of the fun part we need to
sum up the whole world to the medicine. Nothing scares us more than the viva voce and the
exams. Wardrobe malfunctioning is not a problem anymore as the fashion is limited to
whitened aprons and the stethoscope. MBBS student must be a pro at cooking. Cooking
answers with the very right ingredients of course. It is inevitable that answers are required on
the tip of the tongue. Studying the reports, cutting up bodies, these stuffs are tangible. There
is no room for compromises and second chances.
Being a medical student, it teaches that hard work never hurt anybody. It is but the
knowledge that is power. The pursuit of really achieving something, going beyond what can
be seen, the hand eye coordination, to a medical student, there is so much to life, so much to
learn, so much to give, so much to realize, so much to understand. And after 5 years,
somehow we are the ones who will be keeping you safe for honking during the traffic jam for
tomorrow. It may be a slow start with hardships, but these are the person who will always
have the satisfaction of saving a life, making world a healthy and better place to live.
Epitome of status quo and bank balance and prestige, having a medical degree defines it all.
However, MBBS, five years of courtship of dedication, determination, contemplation, constant
pressure, the depression calls, symptomatic to every disease read, whines and regrets and
occasional thought of giving up and walking away. Licensed to have the satisfaction in saving
Homo sapiens, saving a life, saving an existence only makes it worthwhile and those five
years of agitations ephemeral.
How is the life/experience of a student at MBBS college?
I'm only in second year now so I'll describe my experience.
1st year is tough. You are in a college and you have just aced your entrance exams and you
spent 2 months doing absolutely nothing and it is hard to pick those heavy books up and
study.
It's the year where you rush to the library because that very strict and impressive professor
mentioned an author's name and you rush to read that book. You are all new and shiny and
you want to know everything about everything so you start to read about stuff like General
anatomy and general physiology from the heaviest books on the subject. It takes you a couple
of months and most probably an entire semester to really find your pace. You learn that while
it is noble to want to know everything, you are only human. So you start to pace yourself and
when you have to study a topic, tryout start to think along the lines of 'why is this topic being
taught? What am I expected to know about it?' You start to eliminate the not-so-important
information and focus on what's important (maintain good relations with your seniors as they
will will help you by marking the important topics and often, tutor you when the professor's
monotonous drone will lull you into deep slumber!)
You will also realise that your when you were an aspirant you never thought you'll be sleeping
in lectures, but you will, so stop berating yourself)
First year portion is huge. It's the basic and it's important. Do not neglect it. You will study
hard for exams and you will still fail them or just manage to pass them (for most people),
you'll learn that this is college and good marks come with an unbelievable amount of hard
work.
You will nearly have a nervous breakdown preparing for the finals and in the one month break
before you start second year, you will do nothing but relax yourself.
First year is not all about studying, you will find yourself in a friend's room watching movies all
night long, you will go out to enjoy and take part in extra curricular sand enjoy like there's no
tomorrow during fests.
Second year is the party year. You will find that there'll be phases where you'll barely be
touching your books but still not drowning like you were in first year. 3rd sem is the party
time, where everyone goes for Pulse, (Pulse is the ultimate experience. Every medico should
experience the 7 day non stop partying!) class trips, catch every movie, watch new shows.
There will be times when a lot of your class will circulate hard disks and watch shows like

Friends, House, Grey's Anatomy etc.

The syllabus is vast and you'll wonder why you were so worried in the first year. Second year
subjects are a lot about mugging up. You also start visiting hospitals and you'll learn from
doctors as they treat the patients. You'll learn to take history and you'll encounter all kinds of
doctors and make all kinds of resolutions from 'when I'm a resident or a professor, I will make
my students sit instead of just standing in my cabin for 3 hours and take notes' to 'I'll never
be this rude to a patient'. You'll have thoughts like 'OH MY GOD! This patient came to the
doctor now?? Why not before?' And 'I'm so clueless. There's so much to learn. Am I ever
gonna know enough to be a great doctor?' To 'I'm standing in a frikkin OT and this awesome
surgeon is using these awesome instruments and cutting into people and oh my, lemme take
a selfie in my scrubs'
That's all I know right now!

Rishi Singh, I'm a medicine student

In first year all seems very interesting you have the dissections the biochemical tests and plus
physiology
In 2nd year though which is of 1.5yrs it becomes irritating cuz it seems like a never ending
year and when it's about to end the portion to cover for the finals is humongous.
3rd year is slightly better and easier but.you gotta prepare for the final year
You get to see patients and get the feeling of being a doctor in 3rd year
4th year is like 2nd yr but you have only 1yr to study so it's a bit frantic to be honest
Fun is surely there but when exams come you gotta study like ANYTHING
A lot to study and learn
My experience was a mixed one.
Being an meritorious student, I failed in my first internals, almost most of our batch mates
failed the first internal, we all laughed and it was our first failure in our exams. I learnt how to
manage it with the help of friends.
In our biochemistry lab practicals we mix some chemicals randomly and heat it. Most of the
times, the test tubes broke or something like colour change will occur.
Before my college time, I dont go for movies and I enjoyed going movies with friends at late
night and had a memorable experience.
I learnt to drive, It was my friends who taught me how to drive the two wheelers in my
college.
I donated my blood for a patient for first time and It was a most memorable and happiest
memory.
We as a team had successfully treated a patients with snake bite , cow dung poisoning and
acute pancreatitis patient under the guidance of my postgraduates during medicine posting.
We got screwed in our forensic practicals, It was the longest practical exam we ever had.
Started at morning and ended at night.
I had got some good friends whom I can trust forever.

My experience in my college is, I went as a naive young 17 year boy and returned with lot of
memories, good knowledge and good friends!
Thank you!!

Experience in Mbbs life is Unique for every individual...

I am doing my CRRI now...
ill explain year wise
1st year:- CHALLENGING...
As it was new to college life it was quite difficult to step in...I was finding it very difficult cz i
didnt have any friends...Bt in studies i was quite comfortable as my mentors were best...They
are so sweet...Their scoldings and insults to make me better really worked out..it took almost
8months to find my frds...After that my depressing life turned upside down....1st year studies
ya it is difficult,bt when you get into right track it will be the easiest...So 1year went on with
both ups and downs...8months Only studies no friends so no entertainment bt last few months
both studies and much relaxed life
2nd Year:1 and half years..4subjects..Well set in college...It is the year to expose your talent out...I
never missed it...Studies apart let me talk about the fun side..I participated in every culturals
and over all experience...60% extracurricular alone was my life...We went for tour to Manali
and it was the best experience..2nd year is full of fun...Last 6months back to studies and
check...Passed out
3rd Year:It is the Golden Year...Yes we are the organising batch for our college culturals and sports
fest...One Level Ahead...We faced so much obstrucles and yet we proved our best....3rd year
you gain experience, matured and become responsible....Kind of best year for every medical
student were our enjoyment remains to 75% and rest of the time for studies..Exams over and
check...passed...
4th year :Time to role the tail back in...Fully challenging and ype mind burgerking :D Fully
stressfull...If you dont start your preparation from day 1 then god only knows :D Lol just
kidding....Yup very stressfull bt when u have ur frds beside nothing can ever stress you...For
me i really enjoyed my final year..Somehow it went on...
And now in house surgeoncy Unique for differnet postings...Difficulty and stress levels are
different for different postings and story to be continued after i finish...
Over All it depends on how you make use of it and how you write your diary... For me it my life
in mbbs is kind of mixed...99% i enjoyed and rest 1% stressed....

Tips for 1st Year MBBS Students

I was just browsing through the net and came across these Tips for the first year MBBS
Students. I thought that these tips were pretty practical and sounded like they came from an
experienced person the one who knows what he/she is talking about.

1) Dont rest on your past laurels, achievements, PMT or CET rank. Its a clean slate from day
one and ultimate laurel belong to the consistent hard workers and not the talented.

2) Dont be overwhelmed by the course, size of books, big talk by seniors. Before you,
students of all backgrounds, intellects, I.Q.s and E.Q.s have sailed through this ocean called
MBBS. You too will reach the other side. Just keep up your efforts and sprits.
3) Dont believe every word your seniors tell you. Empty boxes make the most noise.
4) Dont spend the year with question banks and guides. These are to be used in the last five
or three months, depending on your grasping power. It will serve you better in the long term if
you start with a knowledge based attitude, rather than a marks based attitude.
5) Dont be repulsed by the library, if you want to be a knowledgeable doc. You can go
through different books on a subject, before deciding which one to invest in. A good rapport
with the library staff is invaluable.
6) Dont while away time when you are supposed to be dissecting. There a lot to see and
learn, when the air is heavy with formalin vapour and odour of cadavers.
7) Cunningham is not to be ignored. It is a good book and is really helpful, if properly utilized.
Some really good dissections and line diagrams. Makes of the boring diagrams of Chaurasia.
8) The microscope in histology is not to be used as a telescope. ( Many realize this folly in
second year, when they find that all pathology slides look the same,).The words in I.B.
Singhs histology textbook bears an uncanny resemblance to Grays Anatomy, at a fraction of
the cost and weight. A good option for the Grays fanatic.
9) Dont Ignore Guyton, else your fundas in many aspects will be perennially weakened.
Guytons textbook of Physiology is very much readable and the book that could make a
difference in your goal towards a PG seat if read and assimilated properly in the first year.
10) Ditto for biochemistry. Chose the book that suits you, there are many good ones out there.
11) Dont just creep into books. Theres a new and exciting world out there. Be there and join
the fun. These coming five years will be the best of your life.
LIFE OF AN MBBS STUDENT
life of an MBBS STUDENT in a case form
Hello everyone, I just want to explain the happenings in our college in a case format. Hope
you guys enjoy it .

An 17 year old male patient by name Mr RNK, presented to Dr PESIMSR (that's my college)
with chief complaints of an ambition to become a doctor since childhood. He was apparently
asymptomatic before the thought, and the presenting complaint was sudden in onset after
seeing, gradual in progression, with an ever increasing severity since the past 2 years and
was stimulating in character, aggravated by seeing the successful doctors, and relieved after
enjoying with the non medical friends.
His past history - No similar complaints in the past. He is not a known ratta master/MUG POT .
There were no similar complaints from the other members of the family. On general
examination, he was conscious, coherent, co operative, well oriented to time, space and
person, but is little disturbed. Higher functions - normal. Attitude - ambitious. No abnormality
was detected on clinical examination. He was admitted, for observation to relieve his
complaint, and was subjected to a battery of investigations spanning over a 5 and a half
years, involving all the senior members of the college.

At first he was reluctant to get treated (ragging), but gradually was cooperative. He was put
under tremendous pressure in the later part of the first year. Complained of palpitations and
nausea the day before the exam. Was not prescribed anything. He ultimately cleared the first

year exam. This phenomenon continued till the third year, and a good response was noted as
his chief complaint started to show some sort of improvement. All of his engineering friends
were well settled. He was aging. He was feeling insecure. Somehow, by god's grace, he was
able to clear the final mbbs exam. BUT, that journey-- was filled with a lot of pressure, tension,
insercurity, etc. He became tired of the investigations and even questioned his mind during
the announcement of results. He did not have any previous experience of doing this.
Ultimately he did it.

Today he doubts, he doubts of his intellectual curiosity, whether he really needed this. He is
even more confused than before about his ambition. He wants to achieve and prove it to the
world that he is something in the world. He realises that the journey which he faced is just a
preview of the future. Digging his own road, he found himself landed nowhere. Now he wants
to go back to that very time, and then change everything, but then he is confused again as
what to change. The treatment and investigations the college gave were too much for him.
And suddenly he realises one thing. ... it is this journey which makes him unique. it is this very
journey that makes a man out of you, that gives you all the stress needed in the world, and
top of all the individuality which is also a by-product of this arduous journey. He did a bit of
soul searching and realised that this is the way life here is and hence his complaint grew in
terms of severity. He realised that every person who joins medicine and is ambitious in
finishing the journey is a successful person. Every doctor represents a success story. There is
nothing like an unsuccessful or a successful practitioner. A physician is always a physician.
This chap now realises that he was just grinded mentally and physically ,,,, and finally he
became a doctor, without realising.

MORAL - MBBS TEACHES YOU A LOT OF THINGS, SOME OF WHICH LIKE EXAM FEAR GET THE
HELL OUT OF YOU. ENJOY THE JOURNEY AND FORGET ABOUT STRESS. RESULT WILL BE A BY
PRODUCT OF YOUR UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY.

but it is after your mbbs life starts part of which is an awful lacuna which gets filled up with
joy when u get thru ur entrances and embark towards ur final destination.....
Posted by NAVEED Khan at 10:09 PM