To actually retain the memory hooks (the "purple jacket," the "candle," the "peacock feathers"), you have to use the method. This turns a 10-hour passive watch into a 30 to 40 hour study commitment.

If you are a medical student preparing for Step 1 or your microbiology shelf exam, you have likely heard the gospel of SketchyMicro . The question is not if you should watch it, but when will you find the 10+ hours required to get through it all?

Plan for 30+ hours of active study time if you want to actually remember the difference between Klebsiella (thick capsule = fat man) and Pseudomonas (water = hospital sinks) on test day.