The HippoCampus Podcast

In episode 8, we share tips and insights on approaching anatomy learning. We discuss the challenges of acquiring the anatomy "vocabulary", the importance of going beyond just memorisation and the need to build up "personal" 3D mental representations of anatomical understanding. We also highlight the myth of 'learning styles' and the risks this belief can present for learners approaching certain topics, such as anatomy.

We share the strategies we've found effective for learning anatomy and suggest some helpful go-to resources, include some that may help mitigate potential restrictions to med school anatomical resources (e.g. models, anatomy lab) due to COVID.

Don't forget, you can see who the podcast hosts are or send us a message by visiting our Instagram page (give us a follow!) @thehippocampuspodcast and Twitter @hippocampus_pod
You can also email us any thoughts or comments on this episode or for future episodes ([email protected])!

Recommendations from the episode: all open source (free!)
-SketchFab:a fantastic site with searchable and freely available anatomically accurate 3D models. Have a look at Bluelink Anatomy from University of Michigan and Dundee's School of Dentistryfor some great examples!
-RealAnatomy 2.0 great free resource for cadaveric images of the entire body

In this episode we pick up the second half of our conversation with Dr Jared Cooney Horvath, an Educational Neuroscientist and brain expert. We continue to explore the mechanisms of the brain in learning and talk about the role emotion and environment (including listening to music! while studying!) can play in memory.

If you haven't caught the first half of this conversation, do visit Episode 6 and give that a listen first!

Don't forget to visit  us  Instagram @thehippocampuspodcast and Twitter @hippocampus_pod, give us a follow and leave us a comment!

You can also email us thoughts or comments on this episode or for future episodes - [email protected]

Recommendations from the episode:
- Book- "Through the Language Glass: Why The World Looks Different in Other Languages" by Guy Deutscher
- Book: "Stop Talking, Start Influencing: 12 insights from brain science to make your message stick" by Dr Cooney Horvath

This episode is the first of a two-part series taking a deep dive into the mechanisms of the brain in learning and how we can exploit this understanding to optimise our studying. We are joined by Dr Jared Cooney Horvath, an Educational Neuroscientist and brain expert whose enthusiasm and insights in this area will have you hooked!

In this first part we talk about why the brain has a limited capacity for learning 'new material' in a day, how we actually experience and interact with the world through 'predictions', and the implications of this for learning. We also discuss what the current scientific thinking is on 'memories' and the strategies we can use to make them last.

Don't forget, you can see who the podcast hosts are or send us a message by visiting our Instagram page (give us a follow!) @thehippocampuspodcast and Twitter @hippocampus_pod
You can also email us thoughts or comments on this episode or for future episodes - [email protected]

Recommendations from the episode:

- Book: "Stop Talking, Start Influencing: 12 insights from brain science to make your message stick" by Dr Cooney Horvath

In this episode we are joined by special guest Dr Al Abdaal a medical doctor, YouTube influencer, content creator, and a huge advocate for effective and healthy approaches to studying and medical school life. Ali shares his journey from pre-clinical and clinical medical school years to a now qualified doctor and shares tips and reflections on the strategies that worked for him. He also discusses how life priorities change over time and introduces us to the concept of the 'third door'...
 
Don't forget, you can see who the podcast hosts are or send us a message by visiting our Instagram page (give us a follow!) @thehippocampuspodcast and Twitter @hippocampus_pod
You can also email us thoughts or comments on this episode or for future episodes - [email protected]

Recommendations from the episode:
 - Book: "The Third Door"
- Dr Ali Abdaal's YouTube Channel

In this episode we are joined by special guest Dr Hannah Bonfield, a Lead Clinical Teaching Fellow at Leicester Medical School. Together, we discuss learning in small groups, a form of teaching and learning common to many educational settings, but particularly Higher Education.

We ask what value small group work learning can bring, how to get the most from it and also share personal insights and practical tips on navigating potentially tricky situations that can arise.

Don't forget, you can see who the podcast hosts are or send us a message by visiting our Instagram page (give us a follow!) @thehippocampuspodcast and Twitter @hippocampus_pod
You can also email us any thoughts or comments on this episode or for future episodes ([email protected])!

Recommendations from the episode:

- Hichki (film)- watch a short trailer here [select closed captions for English subtitles]

In this episode we discuss some practical tips to help you get the most from your lectures (face-to-face or online). We think about the 'before', 'during' and 'after' phases and how certain steps can help ease the risk of cognitive overload.

Don't forget, you can see who the podcast hosts are by visiting our instagram page (give us a follow!) @thehippocampuspodcast
and email us if you have any thoughts or comments on this episode or for future episodes ([email protected])!

Recommendations from the episode:
— Samuel Suresh's approach to lecture preparation and note-taking
— Myth of multi-tasking-  Daniel Levitin (Author of The Organised Mind)
— Feynman Technique- a 'how-to'

If interested in a simple overview of cognitive load theory and working memory, have a read of this article.

Time stamps:
— (01:36): Before lecture
— (11:27): During lecture
— (31:30): After lecture
— (40:56): Recommendations

In this second episode of our podcast opening two-part theme we continue to demystify studying medicine. This time we discuss the different types of exams in the early years, what's expected from you and ask whether being at University means you're expected to figure most things out for yourself...

Don't forget, you can see who the podcast hosts are by visiting our instagram page (give us a follow!) @thehippocampuspodcast
and email us if you have any thoughts or comments on this episode or for future episodes ([email protected])!

Recommendations from the episode:
—"The Dark Room" metaphor blog
—"Kharma medic" YouTube video

Time Stamps 

1. Med School Exams (early years)

(01:50) Written exams
(04:45) How do exams reflect future clinical practice?
(06:30) Should we just focus on passing?
(12:47) Formatives and value of practice questions
(16:20) OSCEs..being put on the spot, importance of practice & feeding good dogs

2. Support & Transition to Medical School Learning

(21:20) Figuring Things Out: barriers, support and importance of questioning
(34:46) Tips if Struggling with Studies: dark room metaphor
(40:09) Recommendations

In this first episode of a two-part theme we open the conversation on demystifying studying medicine, with valuable insights from our six medical student and staff hosts.

We discuss some of the questions and anxieties that students may have just before starting medical school, focusing particularly on the transition to higher education learning. We ask whether studying medicine is 'hard', how to manage the volume and pace of the course yet still achieve a work-life balance and the importance of a malleability to old habits. 

See who the podcast hosts are by visiting our instagram page (give us a follow!) @thehippocampuspodcast
and email us ([email protected]) if you have any thoughts or comments on this episode or for future episodes!

Recommendations from the episode:
—Film- Three Idiots
—Book- 'Make It Stick' by Peter Brown: watch this book summary video for its key messages

Time Stamps
(01:29) Is medicine hard?
(12:44) Is a work-life balance achievable?
(17:08) Changing learning and study approaches and seeing the bigger picture
(29:53) Comparison to and competition with others
(36:05) Key take home messages
(36:56) Recommendations