Read Histology text early?

[DK FTW]

A friend of mine gave me a digital version of the Histology text that SGU uses for its class (Basic Histology text and atlas, by Luiz Carlos Junqueira and Jose Carneiro). Since I'm starting in August and histo is one of the classes for term 1 should I start reading the text in the hopes of having a head start in histo? On the other hand I could just relax and enjoy my summer off...

Ok that's not really the question; the question is is it worth it to read the text book or is it not going to help at all? I mean when class starts you have a professor explaining it to you along with powerpoint presentations etc. Do I stand a chance of understanding it on my own and will it really help or will it be a waste of time? I've heard a lot of people say they don't even use their text books so Idunno. Any and all opinions are welcome :)

[RedBird]

Don't bother reading it, unless you're just curious. While the class does actually follow the atlas (the spiral-bound one) very closely (though not in the same order), it moves slowly enough that there isn't much to worry about for the first couple of weeks. Of all the classes, Histo is the closest to spoon-feeding you're going to find, and generally considered pretty straight-forward. Take your time to relax now and have fun!

[5Ws]

What Redbird said.

HIsto was the class everyone put off til the last minute. It's rather strait forward. You shouldn't strain yourself reading a chapter that will be explained in a week's worth of classes (with emphasis on important points to boot). If you do insist, I wouldn't suggest go past the first intro chapter(s).

GL

[orthonut]

Enjoy your freedom while you have it :)

But, even though histo is spoon fed (ok, I'm vet so I'm just going by what others have told me) DO NOT get behind. I know someone who passed everything but histo b/c they put it off too long (was too worried about anatomy etc)

[EhJJ]

Back when I took Histo (Fall 2007... not that long ago) as in previous terms, we were essentially told what would be on the midterm and final (Dr. P's so called "Walk in the park", "I have a dream", "Signposts", or equivalent speech). From what I have heard, the Spring 2008 class found that Histo has gotten much more difficult. Granted, I heard this second hand, but you'll quickly find out how news spreads on an isolated campus! ;) In short: don't underestimate Histo based on how easy it used to be, but at the same time, still probably easier than Anatomy or Biochem. Most students manage just fine without needing to study before getting to SGU, and it lessens the burnout factor.

[canman]

If you were to study from any text now, for histo, anatomy, embryo, or biochem, make sure you memorise and understand and every single paragragh and are able to reiterate it to a friend 5 days later. that is the depth of knowlegde you need in medical school. So good luck with your studies

canman

[DK FTW]

Thanks everyone I guess if anything I'll just glance at it when I'm bored, but other than that I'll enjoy my time off.

[BSeay-MPH]

It is true that histo is straight forward. Mr Dr P., G., and S. are good professors. I hardly used the Histo text and just used teh companion, atlas, and HIsto time/quiz bank and did fine.

For eveyone's info, Mr Dr P no longer writes the exams for histo, G. does. Also the "i have a dream" speech is no lnger given. there is a good review for the lab portion of the course, and some for the lecture portion. The class as a whole is getting harder, but it is still the easiest out of the 3 major casses you take first term

[Dr_Killpatient]

you really shouldn't use the professors names here... doc

[Kongakut]

I thought the text was too much information. The companion was more pointed, though as someone said, the labs are not in order. I also thought the lab portion of the companion was outdated - they were set up as if we were using microscope slides. Supposedly, the histo manual has not been updated in many years.

[rokshana]

dang bseay...a newbie busted you on TOS.....:D

[shadyhtown]

Frankly, I find it amusing that we're allowed to refer to professors by initials, but not by name, as if it's some top-secret information that would threaten their security if it were leaked. Come on - their names are all over SGU's website!

[BSeay-MPH]

I did not even know it was againsgt the rules. I will accept my defeat on knowledge of TOS. Not like if I put Dr. P, G, And S it would make much of a difference. Everyone knows who i am talking about.

[TraperJohnMD]

Big waste of time reading histo book over the break

[Ishie1013]

Yup. Only preparatory advice I would give if you're bored is possibly to meander through Netter flashcards to help with anatomy.

I used the histo book once when I was feeling particularly industrious on renal (not that it stuck), and that's it. For the atlas, I like it but wouldn't pre-read it, and find I use it more in path than I did in histo.

Even with them making things harder, it's just not going to be easy to get a jump on it to get it the way they want you to get it.

[Dr_Killpatient]

If you are to study anything, go over the staining techniques and what they stain (e.g. H&E, osmium, etc.). This will make you look smart in you lab discussions and help you identify the plethora of slides more readily (a VERY important skill). Plus it's quick and interesting.

Oh, and use this site exclusively for Histology: www3 . umdnj. edu/histsweb/ (remove spaces, vMD won't let me post links :-(
for practice Qs, use the histo bank on the mac daddies (Histotimes, I think). The recent histology final had almost 50% of Qs directly from it. I hope they will change this in the future tho.
In the end you'll be fine! Histology is a 4 hour per week study effort at most.

[PartyInMyHead]

NO (message has to be at least 10 characters, otherwise I would have just written NO)

[TraperJohnMD]

If you are to study anything, go over the staining techniques and what they stain (e.g. H&E, osmium, etc.). This will make you look smart in you lab discussions and help you identify the plethora of slides more readily (a VERY important skill). Plus it's quick and interesting.

Oh, and use this site exclusively for Histology: www3 . umdnj. edu/histsweb/ (remove spaces, vMD won't let me post links :-(
for practice Qs, use the histo bank on the mac daddies (Histotimes, I think). The recent histology final had almost 50% of Qs directly from it. I hope they will change this in the future tho.
In the end you'll be fine! Histology is a 4 hour per week study effort at most.

I don't remember a single question on staining anywhere! Are you serious?

While you are out it why don't you make flash cards for all the clinical tutors names? It's just about as useful as learning staining.

Just do Netter work like Ishiee said, if anything at all.

[argazul]

or get your post count on VMD up like your truly....very productive i tell you. ;)

[RedBird]

I think there was one question on a stain, but it might have been on the practice practical. Either way, it was an easy one.

[cooolguy]

dont prestudy, it doesnt do anything for you...trust me

[yogibear]

i keep hearing not to prestudy also but ahh im bored!

[argazul]

oh i'm already halfway through netters, and i finished gray's like a month back. Embryo i think i'll skip. Oh yeah already went through Mark's Basic Biochem and Mark's Essentials of Biochem. Gonna start on Illustrated reviews soon.:rolleyes:

[yogibear]

haha wait are you being sarcastic?

[argazul]

it depends, do i mean reading or looking at pictures?....:D

[argazul]

or carrying the netter around the house trying to impress others.....haha.

[cooolguy]

yeah well i did the falcon physiology review so that i wouldnt fail physiology next semester

yeah that falcon guy had the audacity to say that to the entire class for his sales pitch

[shadyhtown]

I pre-read Anatomy and Biochem for a month, then realized I'd already forgotten most of the intensive parts. Figured if I needed to cram, I'll do it in Grenada where I'll be stuck in a room with nothing better to do, than burn myself out in what is possibly my life's last real summer vacation.

[BSeay-MPH]

yeah well i did the falcon physiology review so that i wouldnt fail physiology next semester

yeah that falcon guy had the audacity to say that to the entire class for his sales pitch
hahahaha...now I know who this is. So glad I missed the first part of that lecture where the falcon guy came in. BAsically telling us that if we did not take the course then physio was impossible.

[rayhans1282]

yeah well i did the falcon physiology review so that i wouldnt fail physiology next semester

yeah that falcon guy had the audacity to say that to the entire class for his sales pitch

I am surprised that you gave into the climate of fear that Falcon guy was cultivating. ;)

Every time you give in to the Falcon guy, a kitten dies.

[cooolguy]

its a waste of time dont do any studying its stupid

[rokshana]

I am surprised that you gave into the climate of fear that Falcon guy was cultivating. ;)

Every time you give in to the Falcon guy, a kitten dies.

that falcon guy always reminds me of some smarmy used car guy....

[Meesh83]

That's what i was thinking too, used car salesman. I remember his whole "You guys are going to be hurting next semester!" speech... ugh. Hideous.

[tin]

That's what i was thinking too, used car salesman. I remember his whole "You guys are going to be hurting next semester!" speech... ugh. Hideous.

i felt like throwing a book at him.

[Mattttw]

don't read it
you're about to be slammed and u wanna enter 1st term as fresh as u can
so have fun n relax this summer

histo is gonna be that extra class thats a thorn in your busy side -- squeeze it in between anat n biochem when u can

long term: theres very very little histo on the boards (and yes...its "important" for path....but not terribly so)

[Dr_Killpatient]

I don't remember a single question on staining anywhere! Are you serious?

While you are out it why don't you make flash cards for all the clinical tutors names? It's just about as useful as learning staining.

Just do Netter work like Ishiee said, if anything at all.

read my post again "Doc". i never said there were questions on staining, only that they help you identify the structures the pointers may point to (stuff like reticular fibers, myelin, etc.). It's a good starting point. grow up.

[cooolguy]

we got a couple staining questions in the practical this past term
not high yield though
one q at most

[Katya1909]

Yeah, and I think there was one or two on a midterm practical as well.

we got a couple staining questions in the practical this past term
not high yield though
one q at most