Each week, you will have the opportunity to take a self-assessment to test your comprehension of the material you have learned. Take these seriously, as they can show you the areas where you need to improve. There’s no way to memorize every single thing you’ll read in medical school. To help you determine which facts are the most important, ask your instructors, tutors, or older students what information is most important to the test. Also pay special attention to what your instructor emphasizes in class. You don’t have to get a full understanding of the lecture material before class, but if you have study notes or a summary, take the time to read it before your lecture starts. If not, skim through the assigned reading to find any main points. This will help you have a much deeper understanding when your lecturer is explaining the text. Take detailed notes in your own words during the lecture and while reading your textbook. Try to capture the big picture as well as anything your instructor seems to think is important. Organize your note-taking in a way that makes sense to you, since these notes will become your study guide.  Dedicating a column down the page for questions and cross-reference information. If you cross-reference something in your earlier notes, make sure to write down the cross-reference in both your old and new notes to help you connect ideas when you're studying.  After class, use your textbook to go back and fill in any important details you missed during class. Using a different color pen, circle key terms and their definitions. This will help you easily refer back to them when you are studying. First, re-read the previous day’s notes, then your new notes. This will help you connect what you learn each day to what you have already learned. If you’ve been studying regularly throughout the term, this week will help you to assimilate everything you’ve learned. Spend the first day organizing your notes, then use study tools like flashcards and online quizzes for the next several days. Once you’ve determined where you need the most help, meet with your tutors or study groups. If you have spent enough time preparing, you should be able to take the last day of this week to rest. This will help you to feel relaxed as you go into your exam.

Summary: Treat your weekly self-assessments as though they are real exams. Identify which information is the most important. Study notes or reading material for about 10-15 minutes before class. Practice active note taking during lectures. Spend 5-10 minutes each day reviewing lecture notes. Take a week at the end of each block to study for your block exams.


When stored properly, any lingering moisture should evaporate overnight. Your sponge will then re-harden and be ready for the next soak. Because of the high amount of humidity in the air, the bathroom where you take your daily shower may not be the best place to keep your Konjac sponge. If you don’t have a suitable place to hang up your used sponge, stick it in a lidded Tupperware container or plastic bag and stash it in the fridge. The cool, dry air will slow the growth of mold and bacteria in the spaces inside the tightly-knit fibers.  It’s normal for the sponge to still be a little damp when you first take it out of the refrigerator. Keeping your Konjac sponge in the refrigerator as opposed to hanging it up may cause it to wear out faster. After a while, your sponge will lose its original texture and begin to disintegrate. When this happens, it’s time to pick up a new one. Getting in the habit of switching out your sponges as soon as they begin to deteriorate will ensure that your skin stays clear, healthy, and radiant.  Your Konjac sponge may enjoy a longer lifespan if you don’t use it every single day. When it comes time to dispose of your sponge, you could simply toss it in the trash, or you could add it to a potted plant or compost heap. That’s how natural it is!

Summary: Hang your Konjac sponge in a well-ventilated area to dry between uses. Store your sponge in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Replace your Konjac sponge every 4-6 weeks.


Go to a lumber yard, a construction supply store, or a home improvement store to buy a piece of 4x4 wood. If you have some wood already, use that, even if you don’t have a single piece that’s 20 inches long. If you use multiple pieces, be sure to have at least 20 inches.  Note that “4x4” is a standard measurement for a size of wood boards. The boards don’t always measure exactly four inches by four inches. If you want to create dice that are larger or smaller than a 4x4 inch square, you can use a different size of wood. However, a 4x4 is easiest to use because it is a standard board size. Since 4x4s are not always exactly measured,  use a measuring tape to check the length of each side. At the end of the piece of wood, measure two adjacent sides of the square. For example, the board may be 3.8 inches (9.6 cm) by 3.8 inches. Using the exact measurement of the board, mark off sections for 5 dice. For example, if your board measured 3.8x3.8, add a little bit to the measurement to account for the width of the saw blade and make marks on the board every four inches. With these measurements, you’ll have five equal sections of board. Saw blades tend to be about ⅛ inch or ¼ inch thick, so you lose some of the board when you make the cuts. Marking the board every four inches will give you sections that are roughly 3.8 inches long after the cut. Using an electric saw will give you the straightest cut in the shortest time. Use a circular saw or a chop saw. If power tools are not available, use a hand saw but make sure to keep the cut as straight as possible.

Summary: Get a piece of 4x4 wood that is at least 20 inches (50 cm) long. Measure the wood. Measure a length for each die. Use a saw to cut the wood into five cubes of equal size.


If you and your friends share the same taste in music, this shouldn’t be too hard. Maybe you also know someone who has taken a class in the past who can give you some tips.  You can also ask around, post a facebook or twitter status, or gather friends who you know are up for anything. You should never be too forceful with your friends.  If they are too uncomfortable, no one will have any fun. This might mean that you aren’t dancing with your closest friends, but rather your friends who are the most up for dancing. That’s okay! You can have more than one type of friend. If you or one of your friends has previous experience with dancing, this can be very valuable to the group.  The best thing about doing things in a group is that you suddenly have the knowledge of multiple people. There are multiple ways to dance in a group, so decide on the one that best fits the group that you have.  There plenty of group routines that you can copy just by watching videos.  If you want to do something more formal, like a performance, this would be the way to go. Maybe you just want to dance as a group in a club.  In that case, it would be better for you all to learn hip hop moves or solo routines, so that you can switch off. There are plenty of youtube videos for individual moves that you can learn together. You don’t have to wait until everybody is 100% confident in him or herself.  That’s the beauty of working in a group! You always have everyone’s support and the knowledge that everyone you are with wants to dance with you too.
Summary: Gather friends who you know are interested. Pool your knowledge. Decide on a style. Take the clubs by storm!