Essential Tips for Taking Physiology Notes in the First Year of MBBS

To excel in the first year of an MBBS program, particularly in physiology, it's essential to have a strategy for taking effective notes. Traditional methods, such as handwritten notes, have been proven to improve understanding and recall. Here are some valuable tips for creating high-quality physiology notes that will help you score well in your exams.

Focus on Conceptual Understanding

Unlike anatomy or biochemistry, physiology is more about understanding concepts than memorization. Clear and strong foundational concepts will make it much easier to score good marks. Ensure that your focus is on understanding the concepts thoroughly rather than just passing through the material.

Handwritten Notes Over Typed Notes

Studies have shown that taking notes by hand can lead to a deeper understanding of the material and better recall. Instead of using a computer, try writing your notes by hand. This process helps engage the brain in a more meaningful way, leading to better retention.

Utilize Tables, Flowcharts, and Diagrams

Your notes in physiology should be more in the form of tables, flowcharts, and diagrams. Graphs and charts are particularly important. This visual representation of information can make it easier to understand and remember complex processes.

Effective Note-Taking Structure

Use clear headings and subheadings to structure your notes. This organization will not only make your notes more presentable but also more memorable. It will help you quickly find specific information when you need it.

Abbreviations for Speed and Clarity

A good strategy to save time while taking notes is to use abbreviations. Here are some common abbreviations that you might find useful:

h/o - history of Tx - therapy or treatment HTN - hypertension SE - side effects N/V/D - nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea Vaxx - vaccine CT - connective tissue

Abbreviations can help you capture key information more quickly and efficiently.

Color Coding for Effective Highlighting

Highlighting is a useful technique to differentiate between different sections of your notes. However, it's crucial to use this technique wisely. Instead of highlighting everything, try using different colors to highlight different types of information. For example, in diabetes notes, you could use:

Yellow for definitions Orange for locations Purple for pathophysiology

This approach makes it easier to find specific sections and distinguish between different types of information.

Strengthen Your Foundation with Video and Lectures

For stronger foundational concepts, engage with high-quality video resources. I personally recommend Dr. Abirami Manipal Medace for detailed and well-structured lectures. Their notes are also highly specific and exam-oriented, making revision before exams much easier.

Manipal Medace Notes as a Reference

Instead of making your own notes, you can use the well-structured and exam-oriented notes provided by Manipal Medace. Here are some key benefits:

Highly specific and exam-oriented notes Concise explanations of complex topics Linker videos that integrate different subjects via case studies Key points highlighted at the end of chapters Option to purchase notes for in-depth study

Another valuable resource is the Q Bank from Manipal Medace. This includes:

21 subjects covered Organized according to the CBME curriculum Segregation of content into Must Knows, Nice to Knows, and May Knows Problem-solving applicative and recall-based MCQs Audio explanations for critical MCQs

To get a free 14-day trial, download the app now.

Additionally, you can watch selected lectures from YouTube to get a glimpse of their teaching style and content.