USMLE STUDY UPDATE

Ok, so a while back I said that I would be taking the Step 1 in December. I am now studying for a January test date. I reserve the right to change that based on my NBME practice exams that I am taking at the testing center. I am using a study schedule made out by Topher for my last six weeks of study. His blog is fantastic! I know the exam has changed a little since he took it, but the concepts are the same and most of the material is the same. Plus, it is a huge encouragement when I know that he made a 240/99.

My study materials, Goljan audio coupled with a little rapid review, First Aid Organ Systems, Kaplan for each subject (provided as part of my tuition) and the Qbank. Uworld Qbank. First Aid.

I took two months off between finishing my fifth semester and beginning my serious studying. I began reviewing all of biochem, slowly. I made my own notes and drew out pathways. I then went to Immuno, and then I kind of got off track and started bouncing around. I have come back together and I am studying all of cardiovascular including blood disorders, and continuing with the schedule that I mentioned above. I am also using my Kaplan Qbank to help guide me to where I need more review as well as my Uworld assessment. I have been annotating my first aid with everything. I plan to try to write out the notes that I need to review eliminating the stuff that I know I know. Maybe Ill just mark through them in the first aid so that I have a visual of my progress.

My biggest "aha" moments have been understanding material that seemed so foreign in my Medical classes. For instance, I had a terrible time learning cell signaling ("This is important, you better know this"). I didn't understand Gq, Gs, or corticosteroids vs hemorrhoids. Just kidding. But you get the point. It was incredibly difficult for me to understand. Now I completely, well almost, understand and I can tell you which drugs use which receptors and the cell signaling mechanism.

Another area when I thought I would never understand the material was ANS. I thought I would die before I ever understood it completely. I get it! (mostly).

There are many other areas where I can tell you that during the classes I struggled to make sense of it, and now it just all comes together and makes so much sense.

My advice is to take it slow (as slow as is possible in four weeks) and learn it well. You may not feel like you know it, but trust yourself. Do the end of chapter questions and review the material if you don't understand it. The best way to learn is to get questions wrong. Prepare well for your exams on the island, and you are preparing well for the Step 1. I haven't seen anything in the text books that wasn't covered at some point in my time on the island.

Others suggest making a schedule and sticking to it. I am trying, but it is very hard to study all day everyday. I am away from my family with another family who is a great support. They make dinner every night and I make my own breakfast. They do the dishes and clean the house, and buy the groceries-pretty much everything. I cannot emphasize enough that that it is exactly what you need. It is imperative to have your mind clear for studying.

I am cutting it short, but I hope you can glean a little information from this short entry.

Until next time,
Amy