My Absolute FAVORITE Study Resources
The internet is a black hole of study tools. One minute you’re searching for “best anatomy flashcards,” the next you’re watching a TikTok about goat yoga or finding local food joints. After years of trial, error, and way too many abandoned productivity apps, I’ve narrowed down the resources that saved my GPA, sanity, and social life. No gatekeeping—here’s the good stuff.
1. Anki: The Flashcard Godfather
I used to hate flashcards. Then I met Anki. This free (yes, FREE) app uses spaced repetition to bully information into your brain. Translation: It shows you cards right before you’d forget them.
Why it’s elite:
Customizable AF: Add images, audio, even GIFs. My microbiology deck has memes for every pathogen. Clostridium difficile?Here’s a dancing poop emoji.
Syncs everywhere: Pull out your phone during a boring lecture? Boom, review cardiac pharmacology.
Community decks: Don’t have time to make your own? Download decks like “Dope Medical Spanish” or “Brutal MCAT Psych/Soc.”
Downside: The interface looks like Windows 95. But once you learn the shortcuts, you’ll evangelize it to strangers.
2. Notion: The Overthinker’s Playground
Notion is where Type-A chaos meets productivity. I use it to track assignments, plan MCAT prep, and even meal prep (lol).
My setup:
Pre-Health Dashboard: Tabs for shadowing hours, course schedules, and a “Why Medicine?” journal that’s mostly rage comics.
Templates: Stole a “Zettelkasten Method” template from Reddit to connect lecture notes.
Embedded Calendars: Syncs with Google Calendar so I can panic about deadlines in real time.
Pro tip: If you’re easily distracted by customization (guilty), start with a basic template. Perfection is the enemy of done.
3. Khan Academy: The OG Hero
When organic chemistry feels like hieroglyphics, Khan Academy’s free videos are my lifeline. Sal’s soothing voice explaining SN2 reactions? Chef’s kiss.
Best for:
Visual learners: Their MCAT prep videos break down amino acids with doodles even I can understand.
Crash courses: Need to relearn allof physics in a weekend? Their “High School Physics” playlist is gold.
Guilt-free gaps: Forgot how to do basic algebra? No shame. They start from “What is a number?”
4. Quizlet Live: For When You’re Sick of Your Own Brain
Quizlet gets flak for basic flashcards, but Quizlet Live is secretly a banger. You team up with classmates to match terms against the clock.
Why it’s fun:
Chaotic collaboration: Nothing bonds people like screaming “GLUCONEOGENESIS IS NOT GLYCOLYSIS” at 1 a.m.
Competitive edge: Losers buy boba. Suddenly, everyone cares about enzyme kinetics.
Warning: Can devolve into meme-making (see: “Krebs Cycle = Giant Circle of Suffering”).
5. Papier Planners: For the Analog Addicts
Some days, screens make me want to live in a cave. Enter Papier: sleek, customizable planners that feel like adult sticker books.
Why I’m obsessed:
Undated pages: Miss a week? No guilt.
Pen-friendly paper: No bleeding, even with my aggressive highlighter stabs.
Vibe check: My “Botanical Dreams” planner makes me feel like a Victorian scholar.
Pro tip: Use washi tape to mark exam weeks. It’s functional and pretty.
6. YouTube Channels That Don’t Suck
Ninja Nerd
For when textbooks fail. His 40-minute deep dives on renal physiology include doodles, mnemonics, and dad jokes. I owe him my A in pathophysiology.
Ali Abdaal
The productivity guru for normal humans. His “Evidence-Based Study Tips” video changed how I approach finals.
The Strive to Fit
Med student vlogs that balance hustle with humor. Her “Study With Me” videos are oddly motivating (and her coffee setup is goals).
7. Libby: For Free Textbooks (Legally)
Libby lets you borrow e-books and audiobooks from your local library. Saved me $200 on a genetics textbook.
Hack: If your library doesn’t have a book, request it! Most librarians add it within days.
8. Grammarly: Because Your Brain Is Fried
After writing 5 lab reports in a row, my grammar resembles a toddler’s. Grammarly’s free version catches passive voice, typos, and my accidental threats (“The specimen was violently dissected” → “The specimen was carefully dissected”).
These tools aren’t magic—they’re just the ones that stuck after endless trial and error. But here’s the real advice: The best study resource is the one you’ll actually use. If bullet journals stress you out, ditch them. If Anki feels robotic, try Quizlet. Your system should fit you, not some productivity influencer’s aesthetic.
Now go forth and conquer. And if you relapse into goat yoga TikTok? At least you’ll be zen.