TIPS

AND TRICKS TO SURVIVE JUNIOR YEAR (Section C-centric)

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on earning that much coveted V-NECK uniform. Looks good on you, doesnt
it? After a years worth of struggles memorizing all those drugs for Pharma & identifying things under the microscope
for Pathology & Lab Med, you are finally one step closer to fulfilling your dreams.

However, EARNING that V-neck is only half the battle. Making sure you DESERVE it is another. So consider
this my little contribution to the future generations of incoming juniors with my sincere wish that may you all have a
great year learning all the things you need for the wards. I dont guarantee that this is a DEFINITIVE guide but I hope
that it will help you find your way throughout the year.

Good luck & God bless!

**DISCLAIMER: This tip sheet does not intend to preempt the usual introductions given by the various departments at the start of the year,
semester or module so make sure you attend the first meeting of each subject to be properly oriented to the different activities.


ADVICE REGARDING QUIZZES AND USE OF SAMPLEX:
I DO NOT recommend you rely heavily on previous samplexes since, most of the time, some quizzes are not
samplex-based (unless stated otherwise in this tip sheet). However, I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE everyone to RECALL
QUESTIONS especially if the facilitator will discuss the answers to the class or if there is a day dedicated to returning
of test papers. I recommend this because although they dont use questions from PREVIOUS YEARS, some questions
asked in the quizzes might show up in the shifting exam

YEARLY SUBJECTS

I. MEDICINE
A. GI/Hema-Onco (Module 1)
i. This is your first module for the year and appropriately, you must have STRONG GUTS to
face the workload ahead
ii. Activities
1. Quizzes based on the reading assignments and/or lectures
2. BGD
a. GI a cluster of subsections will be assigned a particular CLINICAL
MANIFESTATION (e.g. Upper GI Bleeding, Lower GI Bleeding) and will be
given topics which are the differential diagnoses for each manifestation
(e.g. Diverticulosis, Colon CA) and guide questions to be answered in the
presentation
b. Hema/Onco each subsec will be asked or assigned by a Hema/Onco fellow
to interview one patient with a particular disease that is part of the topics
for discussion (e.g. IDA, Breast CA, ITP, etc.). Then the data obtained will be
presented to the class, MPPRC style.
3. SGD, Lectures & Grand Rounds for GI module only; theres also a post-grand
rounds quiz
4. Ward work Hx & PE now including Salient Features, Differential Diagnoses, Work-
Ups & Management. Also, depending on your facilitator, you MAY be asked to visit
patients beforehand and know about their case which you MAY be asked to discuss
during Ward hours. Oh, also, it MAY be done RANDOMLY so make sure you discuss
among your group ALL the GI cases in the ward
iii. What to read:
1. Harrisons they will give out reading assignments
2. Sleisenger & Fordtran you MAY use this for the GI BGD but they STRONGLY
PREFER you stick to what is discussed in Harrisons
3. Other Hema/Onco books additional reference for the Hema/Onco BGDs
iv. TIPS
1. Quizzes make sure you have a YELLOW FOLDER which you will use to cover your
paper during the quizzes
a. GI
i. Case-based so make sure you really have read the reading
assignments
ii. Sometimes, it looks like samplex but make sure to read carefully
because they might change one or few data
iii. Not always MULTIPLE CHOICE especially during long quizzes so
again, read the reading assignment
b. Hema/Onco
i. Almost always TRUE or FALSE type and its almost always TRUE
c. Shiftings may also look like samplex but you have to read carefully.
2. BGD
a. As Ive mentioned earlier, make sure you have STRONG GUTS to stand up
there and present because EVERYONE will present & be graded. They have
a grading sheet with all your names on it. Why the need for strong guts?
Because the facilitators are very FIERCE. Just make sure you know the topic
& if asked, know how to answer. If you cant, just be humble to accept your
shortcomings & learn from it. Dont take anything personally.
 B. Infectious Disease/Rheumatology (Module 4)
i. Less toxic, activity-wise but you will have to work VERY HARD to read all the reading
assignments for both ID & Rheuma
ii. Activities
1. Quizzes based on the reading assignments
2. BGD a bit similar to the Hema/Onco BGD
3. Grand Rounds with post-grand rounds quiz
4. Lecture for both ID & Rheuma
5. Workshop for Rheuma; each subsec will be assigned to a patient partner who will
teach basic musculoskeletal PE as well as share their experience as a person living
with a Rheumatologic disease. Use this opportunity to enhance your interview skills
because you might be surprised by how much the patient knows about his/her
condition
iii. What to read
1. Silencer Notes chapter summary of the reading assignments; it will save you A
LOT of time
2. Harrisons for topics that are not on Silencer Notes
iv. TIPS
1. Quizzes
a. Never forget to read the samplex of recalled quizzes and if possible, the
most current recalled quizzes from Section D
C. Pulmo/Endo (Module 3) and D. Cardio/Nephro (Module 2)
i. From hereon, you will have a very smooth time during Med 2
ii. Activities
1. Quizzes based on 4. SGD
the lectures 5. Ward work
2. Lectures 6. Grand Rounds
3. Workshops
iii. What to read
1. Lecture notes or powerpoints quizzes are usually scheduled on the next meeting
after a lecture is given so make sure to attend the lecture & take down notes
2. IM Platinum a nifty little pocketbook that summarizes all the must-know concepts
from Harrisons. You may ask AMSA-UST if they are still selling these.
iv. TIPS
1. Pulmo
a. Quizzes There are some important calculations that they FREQUENTLY
ask so make sure you know them by heart (e.g. P/F ratio, ABG, O2 sat etc.)
2. Endo this will test your knowledge of Physiology so make sure you understand the
basic concepts of Endocrine physiology (e.g. negative feedback, hormones, etc.)
3. Cardio
a. Quizzes/Shiftings dont forget to read samplexes but more importantly
for SHIFTINGS than quizzes
4. Workshops for Cardio & Pulmo
a. Just be attentive and participative to maximize the learning experience
II. PEDIATRICS
A. Section C has the unique advantage of having most of its subjects aligned with each other during each
shift. Therefore, the arrangement of modules for Pedia is quite similar to Medicine II
i. GI/Hema-Onco/Cardio
ii. ID/Neuro/Rheuma
iii. Pulmo/Endo
iv. Neonatology/Genetics & Metabolism/Nephro
B. Activities
i. Lecture
ii. Quizzes
iii. SGD
iv. Team-based learning - given at the end of each module; a case will be posted a few days
before for you to analyze & study. On TBL day, a pretest will be given after which you will
submit the answer sheet & retain the questionnaire for discussion among your subsection.
After an hour or so, you will be given the same test and the average score of the two tests
will be recorded.
C. What to read
i. Lecture powerpoints
D. TIPS
i. Didactic Pediatrics is your standard lecture then quiz subject so just make sure you attend
the lecture, take down notes & review for the quiz
E. SEMESTRAL SUBJECTS UNDER PEDIATRICS II
i. Family & Community Pediatrics (1st sem)
1. Activities
a. Lectures no-post lec quiz but they check the attendance every time
b. Community visit conducted twice for the entire sem
i. 1st visit usually family interview. Just make sure you try to
complete your Hx & PE and dont forget to take pictures with the
family
 ii. 2nd visit you will conduct a mothers class about topics of your
own choosing.
c. Seminar
d. Final exam
ii. Pediatric Clinical Correlation (2nd sem)
1. Very similar to Pedia I so your BLUE BOOK is a very important reference
2. Activities
a. Lectures
b. Quizzes
c. Practical exam/OSCE
d. Case discussion
e. Finals
III. GENERAL SURGERY
A. Modules
i. GI Tract (Esophagus, Stomach, Duodenum, Small Intestines, Colon, Rectum, Anus)
ii. Accessory GI organs (Liver, Bile ducts, Pancreas, Spleen)
iii. Head & Neck, Oral Cavity, Thyroid, Endocrine tumors
iv. Breast, Abdominal Wall, Retroperitoneum, Hernia
B. Activities
i. Lectures ATTENDANCE IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED because you will definitely have a hard
time learning these concepts on your own.
ii. SGD very FACILITATOR-BASED
iii. Quizzes
C. What to read
i. Lecture powerpoints
ii. Notes
D. TIPS
i. Be participative during SGD because it is a huge contributor to your grade
ii. As long as you attended the lecture & studied your notes, you will do fine during the quizzes.
DO NOT rely so much on samplexes for Modules 1 & 2 but it may help for Modules 3 & 4.

SEMESTRAL SUBJECTS

FIRST SEM

I. GYNECOLOGY
a. Similar format as OB 1
b. What to read:
i. Lalala notes
ii. Comprehensive Gynecology, 6th ed. by Katz, et. al. most of the facilitators already know
about the Lalala notes so as much as possible they refrain from basing their discussion on
the previous lectures or powerpoints that were the basis for the Lalala notes
c. TIPS
i. ATTENDANCE, PUNCTUALITY and SGD PARTICIPATION is an absolute must. Some
facilitators can be considerate to students who are not doing well on their quizzes but are
very participative. They will try to give a higher SGD grade to boost the pre-final grade.
Conversely, if you do not participate, they will give the lowest possible grade.
ii. DO NOT buy the Gyne PGH or Synopsis of Comprehensive Gyne or any similar materials
because they are USELESS. Youre better off reading Lalala. Or just use an ebook of Katz
iii. If you need a boost in your grade, consider participating in the Gyne Clinical Correlates given
near the end of the semester when all the topics have already been discussed
II. LEGAL MEDICINE
a. Divided into Legal Medicine & Medical Jurisprudence
b. Considered to be a very lax subject but dont be lulled into a false sense of security. Just because its
manageable doesnt mean you can slack off or use common sense, you still have to study the topics.
c. Samplex is helpful but dont rely on it heavily.
III. BEHAVIORAL MED 2
a. Easier to understand & more fun to learn than Beh Med 1 but you will need to analyze the topics
carefully and consider the DSM-IV (or V) criteria to make an accurate diagnosis.
b. Additional activity
i. Case Discussion You will be divided into 5 subsections and will be given a case & guide
questions to discuss on a particular day. Just make sure you actually READ and ANALYZED
the case and not just repeat what is written on it during the discussion.
c. TIPS
i. Quizzes are not very samplex-based
IV. DERMATOLOGY
a. This is a ONE SHIFT subject so do not take this for granted. Every quiz COUNTS.
b. Activities:
i. Reports
ii. Quizzes depending on the facilitator, it may be given before the reports so make sure you
have studied the night before. Also, it may not be multiple choice.
iii. Grand Rounds no post-grand rounds quiz
 c.
What to read:
i. Lalala mega table
V. RADIOLOGY
a. Interesting subject but very difficult to understand & imagine the radiographs on your own
b. Activities
i. Lectures
ii. Interactive Case Discussion each subsection will be given a case with radiographs & you
will discuss it to the class MPPRC style
iii. Quizzes
c. What to read:
i. Lecture notes/powerpoint
d. TIPS
i. First few long quizzes are not samplex but they might repeat questions for the 1st shifting
exam. The succeeding long quizzes, however, might be samplex-based but by then the topics
are already somewhat easier so study up before SBL.
VI. CLINICAL EPIDEMIOLOGY 3
a. This is the true test of what you have supposedly learned during CE 1 & 2.
b. Activities
i. Critical Appraisal
1. Each subsection will be assigned a case wherein they will need to search & appraise
journal articles about Diagnosis, Treatment, Harm & Prognosis in order to give the
best advice for the patient
2. After each article & appraisal, a panel of facilitators will ask questions to the
subgroup presenting which they will answer at the end of the entire presentation
ii. Shiftings
c. TIPS
i. If possible, consult with the panel members a few weeks or days ahead of your presentation
so that you will have an idea if youre on the right track
ii. MAKE SURE TO SUBMIT YOUR WRITTEN REPORT ON THE MONDAY OF THE WEEK YOU
ARE SUPPOSED TO PRESENT. Failure to do so will ensure a low group grade.
iii. Also, be kind enough to provide handouts for the students attending the class so that they
can follow you during your presentation. (Guidelines on how to make the handout will be
discussed during the orientation)
iv. BRUSH UP on your CE 1 & 2 especially on the appropriate study design for a particular topic
(e.g. RCT for treatment) and the computations involved (e.g. Odds ratio, 2x2 table, best
case/worse case scenario analysis)
VII. SURGERY SUBSPECIALTIES
a. TOPICS
i. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
ii. Neurosurgery
iii. Pediatric Surgery
b. GENERAL TIP
i. Plastics & Neurosurgery
1. Very LECTURE-BASED
2. Samplexes are not very helpful
ii. Pediatric Surgery
1. If section C is still under Dr. Regal, you will have to REPORT. But its not your usual,
lecture-style report. Be creative and have fun while learning at the same time. You
may opt to do games after the discussion to ensure class attendance & participation
2. Quizzes are taken via eLeap; sort of samplex based on quizzes given by the other
facilitator

SECOND SEM

I. OB 2
a.Similar format with Gyne & OB 1 but WAY MORE DIFFICULT
b.What to read:
i. APMC all the topics before the medical conditions associated with pregnancy
ii. Williams Obstetrics all the topics under Medical Conditions associated with Pregnancy
iii. Lalala least useful now that most facilitators know about these & they are definitely
refraining from using the emphasized items found on these notes
c. TIPS same as Gynecology but unlike Gyne, there is no clinical correlates that will help boost your
pre-final grade.
II. NEUROLOGY
a. Easier to understand & more fun to learn than Neurosciences because youre now tackling the
different neurological disorders.
b. TIPS
i. Quizzes are somewhat samplex-based. Just make sure to recall quizzes to review for the
shiftings
III. OPHTHA
a. One of the most feared subject in Third Year but in reality, its all just hype. Just stick to the reading
assignments and youll do fine.
b. Activities:
 i. Quizzes a 10-item, multiple-choice quiz that is a combination of the topics discussed
previously (post-lec) and topics to be discussed on the day (pre-lec).
ii. Lectures
iii. Case Discussion dont take this for granted just because you only need to submit a written
output.
c. What to read:
i. Vaughan & Asburys General Ophthalmology, 18th ed. they give reading assignments so
make sure to read ONLY the pages outlined in the reading assignment
ii. Supergroup notes only if you dont have time
IV. ENT
a. Similar reputation as Ophtha but again, mostly hype. Just remember to always attend the lectures &
take down notes.
b. What to read:
i. Boies Fundamentals of Otolaryngology
ii. Lecture notes & powerpoint some lecturers are kind enough to give students a copy of
their presentation. Just ask nicely
c. TIPS
i. SOME answers to the quizzes form a PATTERN. If all else fail, figure it out
V. PREV MED 3
a. TOPICS
i. Family Med
1. Requires a video project about a certain health topic. Make sure its informative as
well as entertaining.
2. You only have one quiz for this module and its somewhat difficult, hardly samplex-
based, may not be multiple-choice and more importantly, automatically converts to
20% of your module grade so study up!
3. What to read: Sheep notes
ii. Healthcare in the Philippine Setting
1. Just make sure you comply with the requirements. This module is your chance to
improve your overall Prev Med grade.
2. Samplex is very helpful for the quiz & shifting exam
iii. Applied Epidemiology
1. What to read: Dr. Chans lecture powerpoint
2. Depending on the facilitator, you may be asked to compute during quiz so bring a
calculator. Also, depending on the facilitator, the quiz may be samplex-based
VI. REHAB MEDICINE
a. Like Derma, its a ONE SHIFT subject therefore you need to take this seriously
b. Activities
i. Lecture
ii. Quizzes given after the lecture
iii. Ultrasound/Skills Lab you need to attend in order to learn the basics of MSK PE as well as
the special tests, both of which might be asked during the OSCE
iv. OSCE
VII. SURGERY SUBSPECIALTIES
a. TOPICS
i. Urosurgery
1. BOOK-based so try to read the chapter summaries
ii. TCVS
1. Considered to be the most samplex of them all but youll be surprised at how you
do in the end. You pass but you dont get the high grade that you think you might get
"
iii. Orthopedic Surgery
1. Lecture-based but sometimes samplexes are helpful


As I said, I dont promise that this is the DEFINITIVE GUIDE for survival but I do know that with these tips
coupled with your own personal diskarte, you will definitely have a smooth time during junior year.

If you have any questions, feel free to approach me or message me (if you know who I am) and I will try my
best to accommodate you.