Category Archives: Student Insights

08/18/2017
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Motivation, Student Insights

Stay Humble: Advice from a third year student

By Brian Bush, COM 2019

Brian Bush PhotoHi, my name is Brian Bush, and I’m a third-year medical student from Touro University. Having just finished my first clinical rotation in pediatrics, I can safely say that the third year of medical school is quite different from the first two. Instead of going to lectures or labs in the morning, I am going to the clinic or the hospital. Instead of my laptop, pens, and papers, I am now armed with my white coat, stethoscope and reflex hammer. I have a real hospital ID badge that says ‘Administration’ on it—which is a nice change of pace from the volunteer badges I am used to wearing.

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08/15/2017
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Student Insights, Study Strategies

How do we get you from where you are now to graduation?

By Megan McCaleb, MSPAS/MPH 2016 Class President 

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PA school requires a whole new set of study tools from your tool belt. Maybe you thought you had finally figured out what worked for you in undergrad, or while completing another master’s program. Don’t freak out, but welcome back to the beginning. The pace is faster, the materials are more difficult, and the standards are higher. It’s okay, have your moment of freak out. But then take a step back and try and understand what Touro will help you become. Bigger, better, faster, stronger (wait wait wait…. that’s Kanye.) Retract that. In all honesty, at the end of this program you will be faster. A faster thinker, a quicker test taker, someone whose synapses are firing and connecting more rapidly than the med students’ standing next to you on rotations. You will be stronger. Mentally, emotionally, and quite possibly physically (depending how many times you run up and down the stairs from Lander hall). And best of all you will be better. A better person. A better caregiver. More emphatic. More tolerant: because your classmates are a diverse group of individuals who will challenge you, push all of your buttons, and who you will walk away from after three years as family. Okay. So now that we have that settled… How do we get you from where you are now to graduation?

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02/16/2017
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Resources, Student Insights, Wellness

W.A.R.M. Up to Avoid Burnout

by Yasmin Bains COM 2020

yasmin-bains-photo“Burnout” has unfortunately become a popular buzzword within the medical community. I didn’t realize how real this problem was until I encountered it myself before starting medical school. When I decided to change careers and pursue medicine, I felt assured that years of working in a high stress environment with varwarm-logo2ious start-ups had prepared me adequately to deal with the challenges that lay ahead.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.

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08/30/2016
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Memorization, Student Insights, Study Strategies

Student Insight: Hiroe Serves a ‘Big Picture Sandwich’

Hiroe Hu is a student in Touro University California’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. 

“Know the big picture.” Despite its simplicity, this was one of the best pieces of advice that I ever received in medical school (thank you, Dr. Lin!). Over the past year, this has become my mantra that served me well in both my academic and personal life.

My study strategy almost always involves the “big picture sandwich.” First, I listen to lecture or watch YouTube videos to grasp the summary of the material. My second pass would be a more in-depth look into the materials: reading the slides, referencing textbooks, memorizing facts, and taking notes to put the knowledge into my own words.

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08/02/2016
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Student Insights, Study Strategies

Student Insights: Christina’s Successful Experience with Free Speed Reading Tool

No sooner did we post an item about a free speed reading tool than we found out the program had helped a current Touro student!

Christina Choy is a first-year student in the College of Pharmacy, class of 2020.

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Legentas was very helpful at introducing me to speed reading. I had always thought that I read quite quickly, however after starting the program I realized that I was reading inefficiently.

This program offers various eye gymnastics exercises and trains you to increase your visual span, as well as read in a rhythm that allows for better retention. Before I started Legentas, I was reading 204 words per minute. By lesson three, I was reading at 334 words per minute!

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07/06/2016
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Student Insights, Study Strategies

Student Insights: How to Get the Most Out of Your Time at Touro

Me and Nova

Mey and her feathered friend, Nova.

We asked recent MPH alum Mey Saephan some questions about her time here at Touro — What did you find helpful? What did you find not helpful? What do you wish you knew before starting? — and this is what she had to say!

Public health is a broad field. Graduating with an MPH enables to you help people and hone in your skillset. Here are a few tips for how to be successful while you are here at Touro, finding your career path.

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06/28/2016
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Student Insights, Study Strategies

Student Insights: Letter to a New PA Student

Megan McCaleb is the Joint MSPAS/MPH program 2016 Alumni & Class President

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Megan and friend.

PA school requires a whole new set of study tools from your tool belt. Maybe you thought you had finally figured out what worked for you in undergrad, or while completing another master’s program. Don’t freak out, but welcome back to the beginning.

The pace is faster, the materials are more difficult, and the standards are higher. It’s okay, have your moment of freakout. But then take a step back and try and understand what Touro will help you become: Bigger, better, faster, stronger — wait wait wait . . . that’s Kanye, retract that! In all honesty, though, at the end of this program you will be faster. A faster thinker, a quicker test taker, someone whose synapses are firing and connecting more rapidly than the med students’ standing next to you on rotations.

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06/21/2016
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Resources, Student Insights, Study Strategies

Student Insights: Summer Tips from D.O. Students

A few tips from fellow D.O. students on how to relax and reorganize yourself during the summer before the school year starts up again.

From Naveetha Nandakumar, College of Medicine 2019, 2nd year student:naveetha-for-web

  1. Rest & relax should come first and foremost. It is important for us to re-find our humanness and recharge for the marathon of second year/board studying.
  2. Set a realistic goal and stay consistent. This may be reading something for 1-2 hours a day from 1st year material or previewing for next year. This may be doing 15 questions a day from a question bank. Whatever the goal is, don’t make it so demanding that you’re resistant to follow through. Start small and build on that. Continue reading →
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06/15/2016
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Memorization, Student Insights, Study Strategies

Student Insights: Jonathan Teaches to Learn

touro jonathan laiWe asked Jonathan Lai, the COP Academic Tutoring & Academic Services Coordinator, “What do you recommend to students in regards to studying and tutoring?” His tips:

During my high school days, studying meant sitting in a room by yourself and staring at a book until you memorized all of the words or steps to solve a problem. In college and pharmacy school, this approach was less than forgiving. Through studying in groups, I came to realize that I learn best by teaching material to my fellow peers.

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06/07/2016
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Memorization, Student Insights, Study Strategies, Time Management

Student Insights: Alumna Maren’s Tips for All Stages of Your Graduate Education

Maren Hackbusch, PA-C, MPH is an alumna in the Touro University California’s MSPAS/MPH Program.

We asked Maren to reflect back to her time here at Touro and to answer a few questions such as: What worked for you? What didn’t? What do you wish you knew now before you started? Any tips to recommend to the incoming class? Or to those going on rotations?image1

Pre-“Professional” School:

  • Take some time off! Go on a “school”moon! In hindsight, one of the most valuable pieces of advice someone gave to me was to take a vacation before going into graduate school. I know you’re probably thinking, “I don’t have money to go on vacation; I have school to pay for!” But, in the long run, not only are you giving your brain one last “hurrah” before a 3 or 4-year-long, intense program, but $1-2K is not going to make a difference when you have over $$$K of loans. School will be expensive, but it is an investment, and your mental health is worth more.
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