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Here’s a much better way to take notes from powerpoints (alternate version)

Hey guys, heres a quick tip to help improve your note taking ability in classes that use powerpoint. As I mentioned in my article , the proper way to take notes , you absolutely shouldn’t be copying down words on the powerpoint if they post them online. This is a waste of your time and doesnt lead to better notes. Instead you should be focusing on what the professor is saying ABOUT those powerpoint slides. I showed a method of how to do that in the article , the best way to take notes in a powerpoint class , where you are able to print out three powerpoint slides on one page with a section for notes next to each slide. This method is for those of you who bring a laptop to class. If you like actually writing something down then I would suggest go reading the other article.

 

This one is super easy! Simply take the notes straight in powerpoint! Under each slide there is a section for notes. Like this:

 

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Simply add in bullet points in for each of the main things your professor says about the slide. Or you can add notes however you want, thats up to you!

 

The advantage to this method is that it is faster to type than write. However, the major disadvantage is that you won’t be able to draw. This means you won’t be able to draw structures, reactions, draw out math equations, pictures.  As with the other method that I showed in this article , you can draw on the slides. The only downside to that method is that it will cost you some printer paper (not too much) and it is slower to write than to type. So whether you use this method for taking notes on powerpoints or using the other method will be up to you to decide! Think about what kind of class you have and if it would be more beneficial to type what your intstructor says or being able to draw out structures, pictures, reactions, etc.

 

I hope this helps! Comment down below if you use this method of note taking and if it helped you! Also please share this page with your fellow pre-meds! Stay tuned for more articles!

 

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(You definitely want this!)

 

 

Here’s the BEST way to take notes from powerpoint classes

Hey there pre-meds! Today I got a quick tip for you that will most likely change the way you take notes from powerpoints for ever! As I mentioned in my article, the proper way to take notes , you shouldn’t ever be copying down whats already written on the powerpoint slides. That would be a waste of your class time as you already will have access to those powerpoints online. Just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t mean you should too. You should be using your class time instead to clarify those powerpoint slides and write down things that the instructor is saying about those slides. And thats exactly what this easy technique will help you do! With this you can take notes on the powerpoint slides in a convenient way that allows you to add what your professor says for each slide. (There is also an alternative method too! Check it out here!)

 

So how do you do it?
Step 1: Open your slides. And go to “Print”.
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Step 2: Click on “Layout” and choose “Handouts (3 slides per page)

premed, pre med, pre-med, medical school, med school, science, chemistry, biology, physics, organic chemistry, Biochemistry, MCAT, GPA, tips , advice, tutorial, doctor, physician, surgeon, college, undergrad, university

 

And now it should look like this.premed, pre med, pre-med, medical school, med school, science, chemistry, biology, physics, organic chemistry, Biochemistry, MCAT, GPA, tips , advice, tutorial, doctor, physician, surgeon, college, undergrad, university

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And there you go! Now just print out the slides and you will have a nice notes section to each slide! The way to use this is to just take notes on what the professor is saying about each slide. This will save you alot of trouble in class and make sure you don’t miss anything important your professor is saying! If this tip helped you please make sure to share this page with your pre-med friends!

Check out the alternate version where you use your laptop!

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For more pre-med tips and advice, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, twitter, and pinterest!

Download a comprehensive medical school rankings report and get the free ebook, The Pre-Med’s Beginner Guide, right now! Download here! Don’t miss out!

pmcbg ebook small

 

Get your Free Pre-Med ebook! Download now!

(You definitely want this!)

MCAT Question of the Day

Hello Pre-Meds !! I hope that studying is going well and if you haven’t already taken the MCAT that those preparations are going good as well. We have added a new resource to our site , called “MCAT Question of The Day”. This is just a good and little simple way to keep on top of your MCAT content. There will also be on there a link to all the previous MCAT questions of the day too! So you can look through them all and test your knowledge! Good luck!

Check out our MCAT Question of the Day resource! 

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Here is an example question. If you want more check out our page. It will be updated regularly.

Check out our MCAT Question of the Day resource! 

 

 

 
 
 
 

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How to get great recommendation letters for medical school

Pre-Med Guide: How to get great recommendation letters for medical school 

 

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One thing which is often underrated when it comes to getting accepted to medical school is the recommendation letter. Many pre-meds are too focused on maintaining that good GPA and getting a high MCAT score that they can sometimes forget the other aspects of  application. A good recommendation letter can be the difference between you or someone else getting called up for an interview. Between applicants of similar GPA and MCAT, things like recommendation letters can be what make the difference. Just imagine if you are one of the people on the admission’s board for a medical school. You get two applicants who have almost identical GPA and MCAT, but one of them has a powerful recommendation letter that paints you in a great light. You will probably choose the one who has the powerful recommendation letter! In this article, we are going to go into: Who to get a recommendation letter from, how to ensure you get a good one, and how to ask.

 

What are the recommendation letter requirements for most medical schools?

Each medical school has its own requirements for letter of recommendation. So make sure you learn the specifics when it comes to who your recommendation letters should be from and how many you will need. Typically most medical schools want around 3-5 recommendation letters. These should normally come from a science professor, non-science professor, pre-med committee, and a physician. Make sure you check the requirements of the school you are applying to ahead of time for its recommendation letter requirements!

 

Who do you want recommendation letters from?

When it comes to recommendation letters, quality and diversity is everything. You have to check for the specifics for your school, but usually they want something like: two recommendation letters from science teachers, one from a non-science teacher, one from your pre-med advisor, and one from a physician. Each school has their own requirements.  But in general these are the people you should be asking for a recommendation letter. Each can add something different they can say about you and help paint a better picture overall for the people reviewing your application. You want to make sure those who are going to ask for a letter of recommendation are knowledgeable about: The demands of medical school and the medical profession, and your unique characteristics and credentials that would make you a good fit for being a physician.

 

People you want recommendation letters from:

  1. Physician
  2. From a manager in a job or volunteer work related to school or medicine
  3. Teacher(s) (Science teacher ideally)
  4. Research Professor
  5. Pre-med advisor (If your school has it)

 

How to ensure you get a good recommendation letter:

The most important part to getting a good recommendation letter is having a relationship with the person who is writing it. You want them to get to know you well and be able to have a lot to say about you. Let them know your dreams, aspirations, and how much getting into medical school means to you. You should have spent building a relationship with them for atleast a few months before asking for a recommendation letter. It is important that they have had enough time to get to know you and can say many great things about you. Before asking someone for a recommendation letter, ask yourself this. “If I ask them for a recommendation letter, would they be able to speak well about me personally? Do they have any personal examples that showcase well my characteristics and abilities?”

 

Specific tips:

Professor/Teacher: Spend extra time going to their office hours. Talk to them after class. Ask more questions in class. And obviously make good grades.

 

Physician: Get there early. Be prepared before shadowing. Ask many questions. Show your enthusiasm for learning. Try and get to know them more personally.

 

Job/Volunteer Manager: Make sure you overperform at your job. Others have good things to say about you. Good feedback from co-workers or customers.

 

The specific characteristics that most medical schools want to see in an applicant:

  • adaptability
  • critical thinking
  • integrity
  • logical reasoning
  • oral communication skills
  • personal maturity
  • reliability
  • self-discipline
  • work habits
  • compassion
  • cultural competence
  • intellectual curiosity
  • motivation for medicine
  • persistence
  • professionalism
  • resilience
  • teamwork

Make sure to consider these characteristics when interacting with your potential letter writers!

The key to a great recommendation letter is finding someone who can speak on behalf of you personally and can emphasize your individual characteristics that make you shine. Start building relationships with those you might want a recommendation letter from now!

 

I hope this helps! Please share this article with a fellow pre-med!

I hope you found this advice helpful! Tell us what you think by leaving a comment down below! For more pre-med tips and advice, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, twitter, and pinterest!

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