Obviously subjects change each year. The depth of the subjects increase. So even the reference books change accordingly. Don't know in detail about the later years but can guide you for the books needed in first year.

Hello, this answer is according to Indian medical colleges.

During my mbbs 1st year, the books I've studied were

For physiology- AK JAIN ( you can prefer yours but pick an easy one because you've to clear mbbs first exams not MD.)

For anatomy- VISHRAM SINGH (best in every context, good clinical points , easy to draw diagrams, very well information added in the diagrams itself)

For biochemistry- Vasudevan (best)

And the ways to take notes are described below -

First Let's talk about physiology,

This the the subject of which I had made notes but not of the whole book.

And what I've made is “FLOWCHARTS” of every topic .

Google it.. like “CARDIAC OUTPUT flowchart “

Click on images , pick the best one , draw it in notes.

70–80% of the physiology you can put in flowcharts. EAsy to read, easy to learn , quick revision .

It's the strategy that works very well.

Try to put topics into flow charts. It'll be really easy.

In the Answer during exam, if you just draw a flowchart it'll get you full marks .

No need for theory here.

Now BIOCHEMISTRY,

Again biochemistry is all about flowcharts.

Same you can get the topics flowchart online and match them to your book, add information, draw it in notes, one nice big flowchart can be revised in only one minute.

Add all the information precisely, so you don't need to open book while revising.

And biochemistry tip is “ in exams while writing answers , first draw a flowchart then write down exactly that in language “

Answer = flowchart + theory ..

Answer will be long enough , it'll look impressive and by flowchart teacher can interpret that you know the answer.

This is the way it goes .

Now comes the anatomy-

Trick to study is , always be ready to draw diagrams,

Like for the first you're studying anatomy topic.

Draw its diagram by watching from the book, just draw , don't try to mug it up,

then draw that diagram again , try by yourself, check with book if you forget something

Now you'll be able to draw it without looking in the book .

So you've to draw diagrams thrice when you learn first .

Now comes the anatomy revision,

Never read anatomy, always draw diagram once in revision .

Anatomy doesn't need much theory , when you read vishram Singh you'll get to know that everything needed is already in the diagrams.

No need for theory.

Now the TIP-

Always read related clinical anatomy after every topic.

Your answer should be like

diagrams (as much as possible)

Few theory points if any

Then at last , heading “Clinical anatomy” write at least one point of clinical, this will get you extra mark ;)

That's all, smart way to study, less and interesting hardwork. :)

Good luck.

Thank you.