The Better Pill Podcast: Recent Episodes
Adrian Teves & Michael Sibulo
Young Filipino doctors Adrian Teves and Michael Sibulo discuss anything related to premed, med proper, clerkship, internship, PLE, USMLE and beyond. Welcome to the Better Pill–your weekly prescription of tips and insights to become better students, better interns, and better doctors.
You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
Youtube: The Better Pill Podcast
In this episode, we talk about walking the talk. We, doctors, advise our patients to adopt healthy lifestyles. But do we even practice what we preach? Doc Steffani is living proof that it is possible to keep a sound mind in a healthy body even in the thick of med school and residency training.
Dr. Steffani Someda is a graduate of ADMU with a degree of BS Biology and of St. Luke’s College of Medicine for her Doctor of Medicine program. Recently she just finished her ophthalmology residency training program at the St. Luke’s Medical Center, where she served as the chief resident. Aside from being a doctor, other activities include being a rhythmic cycling coach and a practitioner of veganism.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. He devotes his leisure time reading and engaging in physical activities. He hopes to one day become a radiation oncologist.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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Links:
Try indoor cycling and join the pack!
https://perigon.co
For Steff's favorite vegan food places (found in IG):
@thevegetariankitchen
@gf_veg (100-150 per meal)
@skimpy.vegan (delicious food trays and they also have meal plan)
https://www.facebook.com/Good-Food-Vegetarian-1547050948904233/
YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/th1rhjF8Dp0
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You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
If there is one thing you should never sacrifice for premed and med school--it's your hobby. Adrian and Mike talk about how it is normal but wrong to feel guilty when you spend time for your hobbies, even if you have a long list of exams for the upcoming week.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/KGTNjOvBYSQ
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You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
For us Better Doctors, the "-ber" months are not only about the fast approaching holiday season, but also about last minute requests for documents, cramming for entrance exams, pre-residency rotations, and of course interviews. Mike and Adrian share 6 high-yield tips that will help you prepare for your interview, and make you stand out among a swarm of other applicants.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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Chapter Marker:
00:00 Introduction
03:24 Tip 1- It's not enough to "just be yourself"
06:10 Tip 2- Study your CV
07:51 Tip 3- Review medical ethics
10:32 Tip 4- Know how you function in a group
13:19 Tip 5- Prepare for the question "Why should we hire you?"
16:51 Tip 6- Prepare for the question "Tell me about yourself"
20:45 Recap
21:20 Learning points
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YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/D3ytGvlW_Hs
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You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
Picking a medical specialty is one of the biggest decisions a doctor makes in his or her journey. Dr. Robespierre, a renowned cardiologist, shares insightful and high-yield pieces of advice on how to pick a residency after passing the boards.
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Aside from being a cardiologist, Dr. Don Robespierre C. Reyes is a faculty member of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine & Surgery of the University of Santo Tomas. He is also the head of Emergency Services of the UST Hospital and at the same time the scientific coordinator of BLS-ACLS Training, Section of Cardiology, UST Hospital. Currently he is the Editor in Chief of My Heart Ph, the official digital magazine of the Philippine Heart Association and is also the chair of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Council of the Philippine Heart Association.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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Chapter Markers:
00:00 Introduction
03:27 Was cardiology always your first choice? If not, what got you into it?
07:24 Factors that affect on choosing specialty
10:53 How can you see yourself at age 60
19:22 Advice on students who are not yet sure of their specialty
25:15 Aside from having interest to a particular specialty, what are the other considerations in choosing?
27:54 Think of the future
30:18 Can we just be contented?
33:10 Why it's good to talk with mentors
35:28 Any regrets?
37:55 Final message
39:58 Your Heart PH App (Free)
41:15 Outro
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Links:
Your Heart PH app for Android (Free):
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bizooku.mypha&hl=en≷=US
Your Heart PH app for iOS (Free):
https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/your-heart-ph/id1483180958
YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/9dFrLg3RmSo
You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
Achieving a razor-sharp focus in studying starts from within. In this episode, Michael discusses how the Hawthorne effect, a phenomenon in clinical research, can be utilized in becoming a better student.
Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawthorne_effect
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-hawthorne-effect-2795234
You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/RYQgBEZFVUg
In this episode, Kayne shares her experience with the online NMAT–from registration to exam day. The manner in which the NMAT is conducted has changed considerably to adapt to the new normal. Grab a cup of coffee as you listen to Kayne, Adrian, and Michael discuss high-yield tips to help you achieve your ticket to your dream med school.
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Kayne Hernandez is currently a freshman at the UST-FMS. She entered medical school through the LEAPMed Program, a highly selective 6-year accelerated medical program. She is the Deputy Officer for Partnerships at AMSA-UST. Not only is she a full-time med student, she is also an active content creator/Youtuber.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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Chapter Markers:
3:30 What is the NMAT?
8:00 How do you register for the NMAT?
10:07 How much did you spend for the registration?
12:57 How is the NMAT scored?
15:40 How did you prepare for the NMAT?
28:02 How did you balance academics, NMAT preparation, and vlogging?
31:25 Describe the events on the actual exam day.
41:35 Can you rate the difficulty of the NMAT?
45:25 How many weeks should you spend to prepare?
51:05 Any regrets ?
54:17 Is it more important to answer questions than read text?
55:15 Final tips/message for NMAT takers.
Links:
Kayne's YT: https://www.youtube.com/c/KayneHernandez
CEM: https://www.cem-inc.org.ph/nmat/
Sparknotes: https://www.sparknotes.com/
Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/
Notion: https://www.notion.so/product
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You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
In this short episode, Adrian talks about three important reminders that put him back on track when he feels like quitting.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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Chapter Markers:
00:12 Introduction
01:53 It’s a normal feeling.
06:12 Life is not meant to be easy.
9:00 It’s not okay to quit, but it’s okay to take a break.
14:00 Summary
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You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/OALzT6xK02Y
In this episode, Adrian and Michael talk about 5 high-yield techniques they used to help them stay focused in med school and beyond.
Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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Chapter Markers:
00:00 Introduction
04:02 #1 Limit your social media usage.
09:51 #2 Use pomodoro technique.
14:58 #3 Maintain good health.
17:48 #4 Engage in non-med activities.
23:31 #5 Find a motivation. But more importantly, build self-discipline.
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You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
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Links:
Adrian's Apps:
Newsfeed Eradicator: https://tinyurl.com/bzzfnsc4
Selfcontrol App: https://selfcontrolapp.com/
Mike's App:
Freedom.to: https://freedom.to
YouTube Mirror:
In this episode, Adrian and Michael share their insights on a life-changing book they read–”How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie. It is a very high-yield book whose principles they were able to apply during their clerkship and internship years.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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Chapter Markers:
00:00 Introduction
06:11 #1 Don't criticize, condemn or complain
10:05 #2 Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing
13:50 #3 Show respect for the other person's opinions. Never say, "You're wrong."
18:27 #4 Praise the slightest improvement and praise every improvement. Be "hearty in your approbation and lavish in your praise."
24:18 #5 Be a good listener
28:50 Summary
You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
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Links:
How to Win Friends and Influence People: https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034
YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/mbExD88oNj0
In the Audio Samplex Series, Adrian and Michael, together with guests, dissect, analyze, and rationalize med school, PLE, and USMLE questions.
In this very first episode, Adrian and Kym dissect five questions on cardio-pulmo physiology.
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Dr. Kym is a Filipino IMG who hailed from the humble city of Zamboanga. He is an advocate of Gender Equality. His interests include marine life, and world history. On his spare time he enjoys cooking and solving Sudoku puzzles.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Chapter Markers:
00:00 Introduction
03:14 Question 1
04:01 Choices 1
05:41 Answer 1
09:55 Question 2
10:42 Choices 2
12:55 Answer 2
20:35 Question 3
21:32 Choices 3
24:05 Answer 3
28:53 Question 4
29:38 Choices 4
31:12 Answer 4
39:00 Question 5
39:21 Choices 5
41:20 Answer 5
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You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
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Links:
Amboss: https://www.amboss.com/us/
Egophony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RqrBf242mk
YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/vm-YnqiZ13s
In this episode, Arvin, Adrian, and Mike discuss the study methods and strategies they used in medical school, and in preparation for the PLE and USMLE. They also give their inputs on a few research studies on the most common study methods.
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Arvin is a young physician devoted to providing equal access to holistic wellness and health services. His mission is to empower individuals to make healthy choices in their everyday lives. He enjoys cooking, weight lifting, and playing music.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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Chapter Markers:
00:00 Introduction
00:38 Introduction of guest and episode
04:35 Given a handout, how will you approach your study?
16:05 Thougths on highlighting
19:36 Do you take notes?
22:35 Are you a fan of flashcards?
31:44 Few key points
34:06 Is recording lectures and watching it helpful?
38:55 Other sources you use?
42:29 Podcasts as tool
43:34 The best podcast
43:43 Comments on the 4 research papers about studying (see description)
51:26 Any regrets?
54:12 Sumary and learnings in this episode
55:54 Outro
You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
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Links:
Study #1:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26173288/
Study #2:
https://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2016/06/learning-memory
Study #3:
https://www.gwern.net/docs/spacedrepetition/1939-spitzer.pdf
Study #4:
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/331/6018/772.full
YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/e0vbcvbd6Ro
In this episode, Doc Kirby shares his experience taking an alternate route towards becoming a doctor. Getting into an MD program straight out of high school, he talks about the rigorous selection process, his transition, some regrets, maturity, and important life lessons.
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Kirby Plando is a medical doctor currently serving in his hometown of Cotabato City. During med school, he advocated for maintaining a healthy work-life balance, participating in various extracurricular activities and was a member of numerous college organizations. He is also an amateur film critic, action figure collector and die-hard pop culture geek, squeezing in time for his interests in between studying and hospital duties.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
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Links:
YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/sqcnmBj5ZEs
Are you planning to take multiple high-stakes examinations in a short period of time? In this episode, Dr. Arvin Tan shares his experience on how he endured taking the PLE, USMLE Step 1, USMLE Step 2 CK, and Occupational English Test in less than 8 months! -Dr. Arvin Tan was also featured on our very first episode–
Arvin is a young physician devoted to providing equal access to holistic wellness and health services. His mission is to empower individuals to make healthy choices in their everyday lives. He enjoys cooking, weight lifting, and playing music.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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Chapter Markers:
00:00 Introduction
00:35 Introduction of Episode
01:16 You Took 4 High-Stake Exams in Less Than 8 Months
03:50 Comparing Preparation for PLE, and USMLE Steps 1 and 2
10:03 Which is More Time-Consuming?
14:24 Doing Qbank is Gold
17:30 Difficulty of Step 1 vs Step 2 vs PLE
22:00 USMLE Step 1 Prep Helped in PLE Prep
22:19 Final Message
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You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
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Links:
YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/-IC9haiOHEU
In this episode, Dr. Aaron Lao talks about his non-traditional journey towards becoming a doctor. He was an active freelance musician in the US, and completed two world music tours, prior to entering medical school. Now a doctor and CEO of his own company, he shares the difficulty of the transition, how he coped, and the lessons he learned along the way.
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Dr. Aaron Lao earned his bachelor’s degree in classical music performance from Rutgers University in 2006. He completed two world music tours and was an active freelance musician in New York City, New Jersey, and Connecticut before deciding to pursue medicine. Dr. Lao graduated from the University of Santo Tomas, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in 2020, where he was the Medical Student Council External Vice President. He is currently in the United States preparing to take the USMLE. Additionally, Dr. Lao is the Chief Executive Officer of his own company, LMG Homes Inc, a corporation which operates two intermediate care facilities for the intellectually disabled. Dr. Lao is also one of the founding board members of the 501(c)(3) non-profit ZBM International Foundation.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
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Chapter Markers:
00:00 Introduction
00:37 Episode intro
01:23 Guest intro
03:45 Tell us about your story before medical school.
06:38 Did you take science subjects in college?
08:43 Were you required to take science subjects before enrolling into med?
10:00 How was your transition into medical school?
12:00 When did you get the hang of medicine?
12:58 Was the first quarter of first year med hard?
13:23 How were your grades?
13:37 Can you take us through your routine in med school?
15:40 Did you ever think of quitting medical school?
17:57 How did you manage to find the time for extracurricular activities?
20:05 Would you recommend non traditional medical students to join orgs and clubs?
22:07 How do you manage your time?
23:20 How many years was the gap between your college graduation and med school?
27:00 Top 3 challenges you faced in med school
29:40 Do you have any regrets?
30:28 Looking back, would you have done anything differently in medical school?
31:47 Final message
YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/DV09suEKJrc
In part 2 of this episode, Gab talks about the pros and cons of distance learning, realizations, and practical advice. He also shares some philosophical insights he has gained throughout a year of medical school online.
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Gab Paragas is a Medical Student in the Philippines. Prior to medical school, he has had various experiences in the academe, clinical pharmacy, and public health. He is passionate in advocating for reforms in the country's healthcare system and transforming medical education to one that is community-change driven. He has previously taken on various leadership roles in professional societies, and also in the medical school he is currently in. He enjoys watching and analyzing movies; also watching and performing in some music acts.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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Anki was featured on Episode 6!
You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
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CHAPTER MARKERS:
00:00 Introduction
00:39 Episode introduction
03:38 Pros of online learning
09:15 Cons of online learning
13:21 What happens if you lose internet connection in the middle of an exam
18:18 Realizations
21:55 Would you have done anything differently with how you approached first year med?
40:45 Recap of parts 1 and 2
48:17 Final message
Links:
YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/lkBBMX2RfvY
Subconsciously, we pace ourselves to finish a task based on how much time we’re given. In this episode, Mike discusses Parkinson’s Law, which explains the relation of allocation of time to completion of work.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
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Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_law
https://effectiviology.com/parkinsons-law/
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3xN1RNy
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3qaj2pf
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3wGITGI
YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/TxKPJRT5GbI
In the next month or so, the academic year will be opening. Incoming med school freshmen have a lot of questions in mind, especially that classes will be done in an unconventional setup. With very limited experience in distance learning, Mike and Adrian have only so little to share. Fortunately, they were able to invite a friend, Gab, who is an incoming second year med student. Gab shares in detail his first-year med experience, the many challenges he faced, and how he was able to cope.
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Gab Paragas is a Medical Student in the Philippines. Prior to medical school, he has had various experiences in the academe, clinical pharmacy, and public health. He is passionate in advocating for reforms in the country's healthcare system and transforming medical education to one that is community-change driven. He has previously taken on various leadership roles in professional societies, and also in the medical school he is currently in. He enjoys watching and analyzing movies; also watching and performing in some music acts.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
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CHAPTER MARKERS:
00:00 Introduction
04:57 What was it like doing first year med online?
06:15 How different are online vs onsite classes in terms of learning?
08:33 Do you have more free time with the online setup?
11:48 In terms of content, is there a difference in online vs physical classes?
12:35 Do you think kulang yung natutunan mo with online learning?
14:59 How did you adapt to the online setup in terms of learning style?
19:15 What is an average day in online medical school like?
25:11 Are the lectures live or recorded?
26:45 How do your SGDs go?
29:42 How do you raise your hand during recitation?
31:41 How did you develop rapport with your classmates? How do you bond?
37:52 What are the things/essentials incoming freshmen have to prepare for online first year med?
43:03 Are you required to wear uniform?
43:38 Google calendar
45:27 Do you need a printer?
46:35 Pomodoro timer technique
50:39 Do you need a laptop? Is an iPad enough?
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3hx4opl
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3qaj2pf
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3AQHPU9
YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/Xxex-17iIms
Anatomy is arguably the most challenging subject in first year. In part I of this episode, Mike and Adrian shared specific and helpful tips to approach Anatomy. This time, they discuss and answer frequently asked questions on how to study this “difficult” subject.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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Chapter Markers:
00:00 Intro
02:09 Recap of Part 1
02:33 Is highlighting text useful?
04:11 How do you study for practical exams?
07:35 Is using flashcards helpful?
09:07 How do you memorize OINA?
11:15 Importance of a good foundation
13:51 How do you memorize images and parts
19:10 Summary
21:25 Useful resources
29:23 Take home message
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You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
–
Links:
Mike’s Video on Image Occlusion (Anki): https://youtu.be/SR_b7VEuDO4
Snell Clinical Anatomy by Regions: https://amzn.to/36aVffy
Clinical Anatomy: An illustrated review (Snell): https://amzn.to/3jIj0DD
Netter’s Atlas of Human Anatomy: https://amzn.to/3dJW0jY
3D4Medical Complete Anatomy: https://3d4medical.com/
Anatomy Knowledge YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiKmGJwryBga9bWTdDzn-OQ
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3hDZiGm
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3qaj2pf
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3qJam9y
YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/YQozRLIatI8
In this short, Adrian talks about how it could be counterproductive to focus so much on goals.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
–
You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
Links:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3heG7Ek
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3qaj2pf
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3hiWOyx
YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/VrP33hF2heI
In this podcast, Michael shares his recording with her friend who inquired about her USMLE Step 1 progress. After learning of her concern that her question bank scores plateaued at 60-70% for each block, Michael shared his techniques on how to improve. At the end of the recording Michael will also share Dr. Kym Sirilan's comments on this episode.
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Dr. Kym Sirilan was featured on the previous episode (Episode 8). Anki was featured on Episode 6. Dr. Arvin Tan was featured on our very first episode.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health
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Chapter Markers
00:00 Introduction
00:40 Introduction of Episode
01:37 Start of Episode
01:51 Problem: Question Bank Scores Plateaued
03:34 Use Boards and Beyond with Anki
05:38 UWorld: Random or By Systems?
06:30 How to Use Premade Deck for Weak Areas
07:45 How Many Days To Watch Boards and Beyond?
08:33 Reschedule the Exam?
10:00 Comments on New NBME Exams
16:39 Cons of 2nd Pass in Qbank
16:52 Weak in Genetics and Biochem
17:40 Amboss Qbank
19:17 How much is Rescheduling?
20:00 Burnout
21:02 Block Scores
22:33 Some Don't Use Anki
24:00 New NBMEs are hard
24:49 Self-Esteem and Self-Assessment Scores
27:19 Dedicated Period
41:07 Post-Recording Thoughts and Comments
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You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
–
Links:
Mike's Introduction to Anki Video: https://youtu.be/GvzXVyQbG1k
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3h8R1dl
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3vVxTFT
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3qBBV4G
YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/NQLiTdqh3Dg
In this episode, Michael interviews his classmate, Dr. Kym Yves Sirilan who just took his USMLE Step 1. Dr. Kym gives a quick glance on how it feels like to take the arguably one of the hardest exams in medicine.
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Dr. Kym is a Filipino IMG who hailed from the humble city of Zamboanga. He is an advocate of Gender Equality. His interests include marine life, and world history. On his spare time he enjoys cooking and solving Sudoku puzzles.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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Chapter Markers:
00:00 Introduction
00:34 Introduction of Guest
01:15 How are you post-Step 1?
02:03 Interactions with fellow USMLE takers at test site
02:34 How would you compare Step 1 format vs PLE format?
04:54 Which was harder: Step 1 or PLE?
06:40 Some Advice for USMLE takers
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You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
–
Links:
https://www.ecfmg.org/
https://usmle.org/https://medical.uworld.com/usmle/usmle-step-1/ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3zLESDJ Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3qaj2pf Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3ADpl9x YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/_tfEGzPJrfo
Anatomy is arguably the most challenging subject in first year. This time, Michael and Adrian share useful tips on how to approach this subject in medical school. Michael also discusses what he would have done differently if given a time machine.
Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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Chapter Markers:
00:00 Introduction
00:41 Episode intro
04:38 Right mindset
07:48 Study with pictures
13:45 Mnemonics
16:29 Samplex
23:47 Clinical correlation
30:15 Summary
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You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
–
Links:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2Sdz1Gl
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3qaj2pf
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/2Sdz30V
YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/MmhALU1uyqI
In this episode, Michael introduces Anki, a very powerful spaced repetition software for learning anything from guitar chords, languages, and to med school stuff!
Since time is very precious in medical school, learning more efficiently is a must to survive and achieve our goals. Are you preparing for numerous exams at the same time? Anki makes this possible -- by using evidence-based algorithm and other useful add-ons that maximizes active learning.
At first, using Anki may be daunting but we will guide you along the way to use its maximum potential.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
--
Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
--
Chapter Markers
00:00 Introduction
00:47 What is Anki?
01:12 How does Anki work?
01:56 When did I start using traditional flaschards?
02:43 I started using Quizlet
03:02 Cons of Quizlet and traditional tlaschards
03:26 I discovered Anki
04:18 Huge development of Anki in 10 years: Add-ons
05:27 Premade Decks
05:43 How Anki helped me in my goals?
06:56 3 Take home points
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You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
--
Links:
Anki website: https://apps.ankiweb.net/
Anki database: https://ankiweb.net/shared/decks/
Journal About Anki: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4673073/
Mike's Introduction to Anki Video: https://youtu.be/GvzXVyQbG1k
Mike's Video about Learning Mandarin Using Anki: https://youtu.be/nKDR3y0Jnbs
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3gGXixQ
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3qaj2pf
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/35GDmF4
YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/QWkOIPHeQ6s
In this episode, Adrian and Michael discuss their opinions on how best to approach Pharmacology in medical school. Adrian, with little pharmacology background upon entering med school, talks about his struggles and how he dealt with them. On the other hand, Michael, who holds a degree in pharmacy shares invaluable tips and strategies to tackle this dreaded med school subject.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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Chapter Markers:
00:00 Introduction
00:39 Episode intro
03:25 How to prepare before a lecture
03:50 Establish a positive mindset
05:41 Review relevant physiology
08:23 Study drugs by class
09:50 Weird drug names
10:57 Don't ignore figures and diagrams
12:50 Drug classification diagram
14:28 Summary of what to do before a lecture
14:47 What to do during a lecture
15:00 How to focus during class
18:00 Understanding vs memorization
22:05 Should you take notes?
25:10 Flash cards
26:25 How to study for a quiz
31:03 How to study for long exams
35:53 Using samplexes
39:50 Importance of investing time and effort in pharma
42:38 Resources
48:23 Summary
–
You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
–
Links:
Sketchy: https://sketchy.com
First Aid USMLE (Amazon link): https://amzn.to/3q917za
Katzung (Amazon link): https://amzn.to/2SQ2OFj
AMBOSS: https://amboss.com
Quizlet: https://quizlet.com
Anki: https://apps.ankiweb.net/
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3qcc56R
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3qaj2pf
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3zIfXAT
Youtube Mirror: https://youtu.be/HnCqmMTNs4w
Adrian talks about how time management is key for success in med school. He busts the myth of the common notion that you will have absolutely no time for non-med activities. Using a planner is one of the most practical ways to manage your time efficiently, and have extra time for family, hobbies, and other interests.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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Chapter Markers:
00:00 Introduction
00:36 Episode intro
02:01 Whom this episode is for
03:39 Benefits of using a planner in med school
03:50 Time management is life
06:40 Gives you a greater sense of control over your life
08:59 Exercises planning skills
11:03 Increases self awareness
13:21 Digital or physical planner?
19:38 How I used my planner in my daily med life
26:53 How did using a planner affect my med life
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You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
–
Links:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3qakDey
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3qaj2pf
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3j0rEgF
Youtube Mirror: https://youtu.be/4-0mPVClZCk
Adrian talks about how a simple list can make a night and day difference in productivity, efficiency, and safety. He also talks about how a list can save limbs and lives, literally.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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Chapter Markers:
00:00 Introduction
01:12 Helps me remember
02:18 Saves a lot of time
03:30 Clears my mind
04:15 Helps me prioritize tasks
05:23 Saves limbs and lives
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You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
–
Links:
Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande: https://amzn.to/35CNC19
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3zEFISL
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3qaj2pf
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3gKCZOT
Youtube Mirror: https://youtu.be/rKxOrArALVM
In this episode, Mike and Adrian introduce themselves and The Better Pill Podcast. They talk about their past experiences that made them start this podcast. In the latter half of the episode, they give a brief overview of the different series and topics in their lineup.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
–
Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health
–
You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
–
Links:
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3fSSvcs
Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3vVxTFT
Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/2U94aLF
YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/jnjnEUHQoH0
In this pilot episode, Adrian and Michael discuss USMLE for Pinoys with Dr. Arvin Tan. The USMLE Step 1 is arguably the most difficult and important exam among the USMLE Steps. For Pinoy MDs it can be daunting at first, but these doctors will try to dissect the process on how to start preparing for Step 1 and achieve the scores you desire.
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Arvin is a young physician devoted to providing equal access to holistic wellness and health services. His mission is to empower individuals to make healthy choices in their everyday lives. He enjoys cooking, weight lifting, and playing music.
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Adrian Teves is a young Filipino doctor. While in medical school, Adrian served as a peer mentor, helping freshmen and sophomores adjust smoothly to the rigors of med school life. Adrian is also a passionate mental health advocate, having suffered from anxiety. It is his objective to have a community that can freely talk about mental health without reservations. He devotes his leisure time reading, working out, or playing golf.
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Michael Sibulo is both a pharmacist and a physician. After struggling throughout his four-year stay in medical school, he started advocating the use of Anki, a spaced repetition software for time-efficient active learning. Other interests include playing the piano, jogging, learning Mandarin, and promoting eye health.
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Chapter Markers:
00:00 Introduction
04:00 When should you start studying for the USMLE Step 1?
08:14 How do you juggle USMLE prep and med school?
10:00 How do you incorporate USMLE prep into med school?
16:50 How do you register for USMLE Step 1?
22:05 How much do you spend for Step 1?
23:05 Where do you take the exam?
26:46 When is the best time to take Step 1?
28:25 What is UWorld?
35:28 Summary
–
You can reach us at:
Email: thebetterpillpodcast@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebetterpillpodcast
–
Links:
https://www.ecfmg.org/
https://usmle.org/https://medical.uworld.com/usmle/usmle-step-1/ Spotify: https://spoti.fi/35I1BTe Google Podcast: https://bit.ly/3qaj2pf Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3vIONXm YouTube Mirror: https://youtu.be/g_gr7oQDhIQ