Disclaimer: This survival guide was created for students by students and is not officially sponsored by the university. If you find the rating of a coffee shop to be blasphemy or the restaurant list to be not up to your standards we are open to constructive criticism and want to make this as great as it can be for you all! This is the second year we have put this together so we know there will be plenty to improve upon and we want to hear what those are! This is a culmination of anecdotal evidence and opinions of current med students that helped author it. See your official student handbook for official information about the University of Toledo. Also don’t sue us, we like it here and only have old furniture to our names.00 WELCOME CLASS OF 2025 First of all…… CONGRATULATIONS!!!! This is a huge step in becoming the physician you always dreamed of.
Your M1 year starts to lay the foundation of knowledge you will use for the remainder of your career. You’re going to meet so many great people along the way and these relationships will help you through those difficult times that are inevitable in medical school. It’s going to be a roller coaster of emotions and challenges along the way and that’s all part of the fun. Here at the University of Toledo there is a very collaborative and supportive culture and we, Medical Student Council Class of 2024, want to provide you with every resource that you can use to be as successful as possible.
By no means do you have to read through this entire thing in one sitting. There is a lot of information here that can be overwhelming, boring, poorly written, and occasionally snarky. This is designed as a “one-stop-shop” for any information you may need so bookmark this page and reference it as needed. You are all amazing and are well deserving of your position here in medical school and we look forward to seeing you guys on campus and can’t wait to meet you all!! Good Luck! - Medical Student Council - Class of 2024 - 2 Table of Contents WELCOME CLASS OF 2024 2 Table of Contents 3 Key Tips 5 School Resources 7 Academic Coordinators 7 Academic Enrichment Center 7 Medical Education 7 M.
Admissions Office 7 Office of Student Affairs 7 Office of Financial Aid 8 Office of Diversity and Inclusion 8 Student Health Services 8 Rocket Launch 8 Academic Resources 9 Books 9 Online/Outside Resources 9 Anki 11 Computers 16 Note Taking Apps 16 Intro to Curriculum 17 Team-Based Learning (TBL) 17 In-Class Learning (ICL) 17 Learning Modules (LMs) 17 Pathology Book Club 17 Interprofessional Education (IPE) 17 Electives 18 Grading 18 Remote Learning 18 M1 Courses 20 Student Testimonials 24 Medical Student Council 26 3 Clubs and Activities 31 Student Orgs 31 Lifestyle 31 Academics 31 Maintaining Your Mental Health 32 Relaxation 32 Exercise 32 Run with the Dean 33 Running Stuff/Triathlons/Biking Extra Info 33 Campus Life 34 Parking 34 Tunnels 34 Lockers 34 Student IDs 34 Wi-Fi 34 Food and Drink on Campus 34 Recreational Activities 35 Printing Areas 35 Study Areas 36 Prayer/Meditation Spaces on Campus 37 Housing 38 Things to do in/around Toledo 39 Zoo 39 Art Museum 39 Live Sports 39 Parks 39 Bike Paths 41 Restaurants & Bars 41 Coffee Shops 43 Things Further Away From Toledo But Still Not Too Far 49 Professionalism 50 For Out of State Students 51 Contact Information and Special Thanks 54 4 Key Tips 1. A parking pass does not equate to a close parking space. Medical students are not the only ones who park on campus. We have pharmacy, nursing, PA, etc.
so PLAN AHEAD ON EXAM DAYS! 2. Exercise!!! Keep your physical health in check 3. Obtain a real adult toolkit (hammer and screwdrivers at the very least) if you plan on assembling your own furniture. Or ask the UTCOM Brute Squad 4.
Set a monthly reminder on your phone to pay rent and utilities. If your apartment complex offers it, spend the extra money to get a carport or garage for your car. Can also install remote start on your car. Helps in the morning when you need to get to campus in the winter.
Always be ready for a sudden rainstorm. Even in the summer, the classrooms and buildings can get really cold, so wear layers. Saves time and a whole lot of money. Get a reliable coffee-mug/tea-cup or mug and a solid water bottle.
Carry granola bars or snacks in your backpack for the extra boost of energy. Identify stress outlets (things you find enjoyable) before you start school. Have a functioning laptop or tablet (preferably with a stylus) to take notes on. Spiral Bound your First Aid and your Pathoma.
Don’t read Lippincott unless you have a dying urge to do so. It is NOT worth it to stay up past 2:30 AM to study for an Exam or Quiz. Never be afraid to ask questions, we are all students. That being said, you are student physician-in-training.
DON'T BUY ANYTHING before orientation. They give you a stethoscope that is dang good. Wait for discounts for buying study resources. Do not feel like life is over if you aren’t getting the grades you think you should be.
Everyone struggles with different topics. Professors, peer leaders, and upperclassmen are there to help you out, JUST ASK! 5 19. Shadow in different disciplines that you never would have thought that you would enjoy. You learn something new.
Your stethoscope is just fine. Don’t overcommit to things. Learn to say “NO” (in a professional way obvi). Stretching yourself too thin is setting yourself up for failure.
Keep your blinders on. You are here for you and your career. Comparing yourself to other people is actually useless and a huge burden that only hinders you. Find people you love and friends that treat you with nothing but the utmost respect and dignity.
Find the people that gas you up and roast you out of love. Hold them close. They will get you through the dark days. Medical School is supposed to provide you the tools and the knowledge to adapt to the changes and hold true the fundamentals of medicine.
Though some things may be “unnecessary” or the subject matter may be “low-yield,” I can promise you SOMEONE is dealing with that very subject matter in their real life, all the time, as a patient. Learn to enjoy and value the process. Time: Being a medical student is about being responsible. If you get lazy, it will catch up to you! Remember, what works for one student does not mean it will work for you – learn your study type and above all, learn to manage your time.
Medical School is temporary. Family is forever. Use TikTok and social media in moderation (or end up like Elon). Get a warm coat and quality waterproof snow boots.
Do what works for you. Have fun! It’ll be over before you know it. 6 School Resources Academic Coordinators Kristen Mckeown: Kristin.Edu Saraya Parnell: Saraya.Edu Zowe Danya Hamizadah: zowe.edu Academic Enrichment Center Location: Mulford Café (basement of Mulford Library) Hours: Monday-Thursday 8:00am – 5:30pm Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm Phone Number: (419) 383-6118 Contacts: Jessica Faber, Director Jessica.edu Stacie Nowak, Learning Specialist Stacie.edu Kristie Stu-McCarthy, Student Tutor Coordinator Kristie.edu Sarah Cullum, Wellness Coach sarah.edu Website: https://www.edu/med/depts/aec/ Medical Education Contacts: Dr. Coral Matus, Associate Dean for Foundational Sciences coral.
Jeremy Laukka, Interim Chair, Department of Medical Education jeremy. Stephanie Mann, Associate Dean for Clinical Undergraduate Medical Education stephanie.edu Website: https://www.edu/med/depts/medical-education M. Admissions Office Contacts: Dr. Randall Worth, Associate Dean of Student Affairs & Admissions randall.
Yvette Perry, Associate Dean for Admissions and Strategic Enrollment Yvette. Akeman, MPH, Director of Admissions Tiffany.edu Website: https://www.edu/med/md/admissions/ Office of Student Affairs Location: 1st Floor, Mulford Library, MS 1044 Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am-5:00pm Email: HSCstudentservices@utoledo.edu Phone Number: (419) 383-3600 Website: https://www.edu/med/studentaffairs/ 7 Office of Financial Aid Location: 1st Floor, Mulford Library, MS 1044 Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30am-5:00pm Email: HSCstudentservices@utoledo.edu Phone Number: (419) 383-3600 Contact: Anne Yeager, Assistant Director, Financial Aid – HSC anne.edu Website: https://www.edu/financialaid/hsc/ Office of Diversity and Inclusion Location: Mulford Library Building, Room 105 Hours: 8:30am - 5:00pm Email: diversityinclusion@utoledo.edu Phone Number: 419. Kimberly Jenkins Website: https://www.edu/med/diversity/ Student Health Services HSC Student Health and Wellness Center Ruppert Health Center Room 0013 (lower level) Appointments: (419) 383-5000 Student Mental Health and Wellness Services Kobacker Center 1400 E. Medical Loop Toledo, OH 43614 Phone: (419) 383-3815 Family Practice Center 3333 Glendale Ave.
Appointments: (419) 383-5555 Main Campus University Health Center 1675 West Rocket Drive Appointments: (419) 530-3451 Rocket Launch This is a non-mandatory formal mentoring program that will pair a couple of M1s with an M2. Take this opportunity to learn from someone who has been there and gone through what you had just a year prior. There is a wealth of knowledge to be shared and it’s a great opportunity to meet students in the class above you. There will be a required number of meetings with your small group per year as well as two large meetings with the entire RocketLaunch cohort.
You will receive an email informing you how to participate in this program in the early fall semester. 8 Academic Resources Books Throughout the curriculum there are many great books that can be used. The first place to check is the Academic Enrichment Center (AEC) as they have many books that are handed down from year to year that are free to use. Mulford Library also has many books and you may be pleasantly surprised what they have in stock.
Online/Outside Resources These will be discussed in sessions in the beginning of the year in further detail and give everyone an opportunity to hear from multiple students on what they prefer using and why. There are so many to choose from between Boards & Beyond, Pathoma, Sketchy, Anki, etc. Do not buy anything right off the bat! Take advantage of free trials and discounts and see what suits you. The Medical Student Council will get discounts to the class in the beginning of the year through group purchasing.
To give a little description of the main resources people use: USMLE First Aid - Step 1 A lot of students call this book the medical school bible. Basically everyone has it, but basically no one buys it. You can get it for free when you sign up for the American Medical Association (AMA). Buy the 4 year membership.
It’ll be worth it. This book has a ton of information in it about just about any subject you will learn in medical school. Be wary though it is NOT everything you need to know for Step 1, but is an amazing resource for memory tricks and a quick look at major points to know about various topics. Osmosis Osmosis is a wide-ranging resource that is totally FREE to us.
There are tons of illustrated videos covering basically every big topic you’ll come across. They vary quite a bit in length (anywhere from 3-25 minutes), but you can increase the speed of the videos. Many professors create their own video playlists relating to their material that you can optionally watch. You can also create flashcards and a customized study schedule through Osmosis’ calendar.
There are pre-made flash cards and questions relating to most videos. There is also a Workspace function, where everyone in the class can share cards and notes. You can even drop PDF’s of notes and it’ll scan the text to link relevant videos/cards. Did I mention it’s free? Boards and Beyond Over 400 videos by Dr.
Jason Ryan gives a 3000 ft view of the important topics, but summarizes those key topics really well. These videos are on average like 15 minutes in length and explain things in a simple manner that makes it very easy to grasp more difficult concepts.