I am entering into my second year and much like you I was eager to get started building my resume as a first year. My advice would be to start trying to make connections in the department of orthopaedics for research. Probably a good place to start would be to read the professors bios and see which guys are the most involved with research and start emailing them. Chances are that most of them will not respond, but if you are like me one kind soul will respond. Also, if you can find away to meet some of the residents most programs require research and most residents are not interested in research so they love to get help from med students. You have a pretty sweet deal having already completed most of your coursework so knocking out some research and getting people to like you should be your number one priority. I do think it is a good idea to start using First Aid, Goljan and maybe Pathoma, but you still have a bunch of time for boards so I would focus on finding people who will contend for you when you apply to residency. Keep in mind I am only a second year, but this is what I would do if I was in your position. Check out orthogunner.com they have suggestions of what you should be focusing on each year of medical school to better your chances of landing the ortho residency of your choice.
