Welcome to the first block of medical school: Ground School!

Don’t worry if you feel like you are being pummeled by a hose with information overload, everyone is in the same boat! This is the busiest block you will experience in your preclinicals, with a full-day of classes five days a week and lab twice a week. But don’t fret - after Ground School, the schedule calms down significantly! This is just the first taste of all the different elements of the med school experience at UCSF. It is meant to help you build a strong foundation that will carry you through the rest of the year!

Some advice from upperclassmen:

• Get comfortable with using a planner, because time management is everything when it comes to keeping all the Ground School elements in order. Use what works best for you, whether its a digital calendar or a physical planner.

• PTP PTP PTP! The MS2 Peer to Peer instructors present the highest yield information to help you succeed and not get lost in the weeds.

• Plan to go to the anatomy lab during the open-lab times if you want extra practice with identifying structures for your Ground School lab practical.

• Get your Small Group/CMC/CIC/Anatomy Lab group members phone numbers and/or start a group chat with your new friends! Community is what gets us through the tough times.

• Go to Office Hours if you need any extra support.

• Keep calm and have fun :)