Incoming M2

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Hi All -

I want to make a year-long plan for myself. It seems too easy to become over resourced, and I want to figure out a game plan ahead of time so that I do not fall into this trap.

I'll be an M2 in the fall, and I want to review M1 year this summer in a boards-focused manner, as well as spend a few hours each week as an M2 doing questions and reviewing for boards. I don't want to 'get ahead' on the things I haven't yet learned in school.

I know this may be over kill and gunnerish but I struggled with the MCAT for a long time before I mastered it, so I know that I'm going to need the extra time for Step 1 as well. I'm looking at a competitive specialty so I want to do truly well on Step 1 and I am willing to put in the time - I just need to figure out what it is best to put my time into.

I'm thinking to start Gunner Training and Kaplan Qbank (followed closely with FA) this summer and to continue this throughout the M2 year, and to do Uworld closer to test day. Does anyone have any better suggestions for what I could start doing this summer and to continue throughout next year, or a better method of reviewing M1? Also - is Kaplan Qbank a better choice than UsmleRx?

For path next year, I'm definitely going to do Goljan audio. Between pathoma audio and textbook, RR Goljan textbook, and Robbin's textbook - which would be the best combination? I'm thinking that all of these resources done thoroughly as well as keeping up with class, a question bank and Gunner Training is just not realistic. Seems like Robbin's is very dense and perhaps not the most high yield source to use, at the same time I keep hearing about how it is by far superior. Maybe pathoma + RR Goljan ? Even this seems like too much in addition to a Qbank and GT, though.

What would you all recommend? Does anyone have experience with a year-long study plan and what has worked for you best? I'm not 100% sold on GT yet either, so I'm open to advice - just has seemed like the most reasonable option for a longterm plan.

I'm sorry for all the questions, but I thought knocking it all at once was better than constant posts. Thank you in advance!

admittedly, I didnt read your entire post it was just too long.

I think you should acquire resources and study from them second year so you know where things are once you sit down to actually crack the boards. If you spend an entire year studying hard core you are going to burn yourself out and forget things that you studied in the beginning of the year (even at 8 weeks prior to the exam most people forget a ton of stuff)

Damnit now i read it; i felt bad for being a dick. OK here are my answers:

Hi All -

I've been reading these forums for a while now, so I feel like I have gathered a lot of information from all the helpful resources and knowledge that has been shared. Now - I want to make a year-long plan for myself. It seems too easy to become over resourced, and I want to figure out a game plan ahead of time so that I do not fall into this trap.

I'll be an M2 in the fall, and I want to review M1 year this summer in a boards-focused manner, as well as spend a few hours each week as an M2 doing questions and reviewing for boards. I don't want to 'get ahead' on the things I haven't yet learned in school.

see my above response

I know this may be over kill and gunnerish but I struggled with the MCAT for a long time before I mastered it, so I know that I'm going to need the extra time for review, memorization, and technique for Step 1 as well. I'm looking at a competitive specialty so I want to do truly well on Step 1 and I am willing to put in the time - I just need to figure out what it is best to put my time into.

I'm thinking to start Gunner Training and Kaplan Qbank (followed closely with FA) this summer and to continue this throughout the M2 year, and to do Uworld closer to test day. Does anyone have any better suggestions for what I could start doing this summer and to continue throughout next year, or a better method of reviewing M1? Also - is Kaplan Qbank a better choice than UsmleRx?

if you must study during this summer (which i think is a waste of time) I guess you could do pathoma which would provide you with a nice pathology overview and will help you with second year too..............GT and kaplan will expose you to too much new material to be useful..................i like Rx instead of kaplan but to each their own

For path next year, I'm definitely going to do Goljan audio. Between these resources - pathoma audio and textbook, RR Goljan textbook, and Robbin's textbook - which would be the best combination? I'm thinking that all of these resources done thoroughly as well as keeping up with class, a question bank and Gunner Training is just not realistic. Seems like Robbin's is very dense and perhaps not the most high yield source to use, at the same time I keep hearing about how it is by far superior. I'm thinking maybe pathoma + RR Goljan ? I'm even struggling with this idea as being too much in addition to a Qbank and GT, though, because as an M1 I only rely on class notes and don't find a lot of excess time for the textbooks.

goljan audio is never to be used alone, use it with RR........... pathoma can stand alone. robbins is overkill -- my roomate read it twice second year and KILLED the boards but there is a concept called diminishing returns. if you really can only live with a 270+, by all means read robbins but if you're cool with a 250, don't.

What would you all recommend? Does anyone have experience with a year-long study plan and what has worked for you best? Are there any other review books for non-path subjects that I should use as well, or is covering the information in Gunner Training and question banks and FA going to be enough? By the way, I'm not 100% sold on GT yet either, so if anyone has advice otherwise I'm totally open to it - just has seemed like the most reasonable option for a longterm plan.

i dont have experience with year long study plans because i would forget everything. i think you should study hard and hit step 1 with a 6 wk plan....... study hard second year and you'll put yourself in a better position

I'm sorry for all the questions, but I thought knocking it all at once was better than constant posts. Thank you in advance!

Originally Posted by doctoritis

I want to make a year-long plan for myself.

If you're looking to do a competitive specialty - or at least think you are - this is a good plan.

Originally Posted by doctoritis

I know this may be over kill and gunnerish but I struggled with the MCAT for a long time before I mastered it, so I know that I'm going to need the extra time for Step 1 as well.

Sure it's gunnerish, but if you struggled before and you know you may struggle again, it's good that you're looking this far ahead.

Originally Posted by doctoritis

Does anyone have any better suggestions for what I could start doing this summer and to continue throughout next year, or a better method of reviewing M1? Also - is Kaplan Qbank a better choice than UsmleRx?

As far as your summer is concerned, I have heard nothing but good things about GunnerTraining. I didn't personally do it, although I wish I had. From what I hear it is a pretty big time commitment, but I've seen some of the highest board scorers on SDN (like 270 or higher) attribute much of their success to the program. There is a thread on SDN completely devoted to GT, so you might check that out. I also think that, aside from taking some time off, if you're serious about doing something over summer, it should be to really *understand* the big concepts from first year. Don't worry about the minutiae; you can cram all of that later. Make it a point to understand physiology on a fundamental level. Have your introductory pathology principles down pat. If you go into second year with a solid understanding of first year material, it will be much easier for you to integrate information, understand the pathophysiology of disease, and apply what you know to new situations (e.g. diseases). This is what I would focus on if I could do it again. You should never underestimate the importance of having a true understanding for big-picture concepts and being able to integrate information across multiple organ systems (which I honestly think this is probably one of the toughest tasks).

As for qbanks: I did Kaplan Qbank starting in January and it was a good choice for me. I also think it would be a good bank to do along with M2 classes. It's pretty detailed so you'll definitely be prepared for the minutiae of classes, but it doesn't really get into the big picture as much as UWorld (which I would save until your dedicated time simply because it is hands-down the best bank out there). I can't speak to USMLERx, but you might want to hit up Phloston for some reviews on that one.

Originally Posted by doctoritis

For path next year, I'm definitely going to do Goljan audio. Between pathoma audio and textbook, RR Goljan textbook, and Robbin's textbook - which would be the best combination? I'm thinking that all of these resources done thoroughly as well as keeping up with class, a question bank and Gunner Training is just not realistic. Seems like Robbin's is very dense and perhaps not the most high yield source to use, at the same time I keep hearing about how it is by far superior. Maybe pathoma + RR Goljan ? Even this seems like too much in addition to a Qbank and GT, though.

Here's what I did:
I bought FA and RR Path at the beginning of second year. I only used FA while in systems to see what would be emphasized during my dedicated time later on; I never used it to study or as a primary resource. I used RR Path extensively throughout the entire year, sometimes reading the chapters upwards of two times for a particular system. I also read *almost* all of the chapters we covered in path in Big Robbins. It's dense, and you'll have many people say it is way overkill, but it was good for me. If I could do M2 over again I would still read exactly what I read. I only read Robbins to get a solid foundation because RR is tough to learn out of; it's much better for a review (just like the title states). Now that I'm in my dedicated time, I'm going over each of the chapters in RR again and it might take me an entire 8-hour day if it's a really long chapter. There are many questions in UWorld that I am getting correct (where the answer isn't in FA) simply because I am familiar with and read RR. I personally think it is a vastly underestimated text, especially for Step 1 preparation. RR is good at integration of pathology into other disciplines. You'll learn microbiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology, as well as some Step 2 patient management and diagnostic testing, all in the same textbook and in a systems-based approach. I can't speak to Pathoma because I've never even seen the book, but if you're looking for that high Step 1 score, I personally think RR is your best bet.

I hope this helps you a little.

for path: Pathoma + RR. Follow along with coursework. also use goljan lectures to help understand RR

for biochem, micro, immuno, PHARMACOLOGY, neuroanatomy, behav science, renal physio ---> kaplan videos

and do kaplan Q bank questions with your sequences.

if you use those, you wont need first aid. i personally didnt like first aid. the above resources will cover what you need to know in much greater depth


robbins is a waste of time. i used to read it, but its useless for boards

Originally Posted by doctoritis

Hi All -

I want to make a year-long plan for myself. It seems too easy to become over resourced, and I want to figure out a game plan ahead of time so that I do not fall into this trap.

I'll be an M2 in the fall, and I want to review M1 year this summer in a boards-focused manner, as well as spend a few hours each week as an M2 doing questions and reviewing for boards. I don't want to 'get ahead' on the things I haven't yet learned in school.

I know this may be over kill and gunnerish but I struggled with the MCAT for a long time before I mastered it, so I know that I'm going to need the extra time for Step 1 as well. I'm looking at a competitive specialty so I want to do truly well on Step 1 and I am willing to put in the time - I just need to figure out what it is best to put my time into.

I'm thinking to start Gunner Training and Kaplan Qbank (followed closely with FA) this summer and to continue this throughout the M2 year, and to do Uworld closer to test day. Does anyone have any better suggestions for what I could start doing this summer and to continue throughout next year, or a better method of reviewing M1? Also - is Kaplan Qbank a better choice than UsmleRx?

For path next year, I'm definitely going to do Goljan audio. Between pathoma audio and textbook, RR Goljan textbook, and Robbin's textbook - which would be the best combination? I'm thinking that all of these resources done thoroughly as well as keeping up with class, a question bank and Gunner Training is just not realistic. Seems like Robbin's is very dense and perhaps not the most high yield source to use, at the same time I keep hearing about how it is by far superior. Maybe pathoma + RR Goljan ? Even this seems like too much in addition to a Qbank and GT, though.

What would you all recommend? Does anyone have experience with a year-long study plan and what has worked for you best? I'm not 100% sold on GT yet either, so I'm open to advice - just has seemed like the most reasonable option for a longterm plan.

I'm sorry for all the questions, but I thought knocking it all at once was better than constant posts. Thank you in advance!

I'm also a rising MS2 and was thinking of creating a plan too. Just thought you might be interested in comparing...

For the summer, I was going to review through some of the MS1 material. I'm going to get GT starting next week (when my summer vacation starts) and run through as much MS1 material as possible. I also plan to read through Lippincott Biochemistry (the pictures are great), BRS Physiology, and BRS Gross Anatomy (would anyone say High Yield Gross Anatomy is better?). I was going to wait until later in the year to start with the more common QBanks such as USMLEWorld or Kaplan. If and once I finish reviewing those three books, I plan on going through Goljan RR.

At the start of MS2 for all courses minus Path, I'm going to go through them while reviewing the appropriate material in GT and First Aid. I was planning on getting First Aid 2012 instead of waiting for FA2013, which isn't until Jan 2013 (WTF?!?!?! ). When FA2013 comes out, I'll borrow or buy it and annotate the missing info into FA2012. Any opinions on that?

For Pathology, I'm going to order Pathoma sometime over the summer. I have only heard great things about it from everyone that tried it. Having said that, Goljan RR is still the gold standard. So I'm going to go through Goljan RR and annotate into Pathoma. I'm hoping to do this while also using GT and FA (as well as those pesky notes my school expects me to go through). I want to go through Goljan audio too but I think i'm going to save those the gym and long car rides.

I would really appreciate any suggestions/comments on this plan

Originally Posted by jekyllish

I'm also a rising MS2 and was thinking of creating a plan too. Just thought you might be interested in comparing...

For the summer, I was going to review through some of the MS1 material. I'm going to get GT starting next week (when my summer vacation starts) and run through as much MS1 material as possible. I also plan to read through Lippincott Biochemistry (the pictures are great), BRS Physiology, and BRS Gross Anatomy (would anyone say High Yield Gross Anatomy is better?). I was going to wait until later in the year to start with the more common QBanks such as USMLEWorld or Kaplan. If and once I finish reviewing those three books, I plan on going through Goljan RR.

At the start of MS2 for all courses minus Path, I'm going to go through them while reviewing the appropriate material in GT and First Aid. I was planning on getting First Aid 2012 instead of waiting for FA2013, which isn't until Jan 2013 (WTF?!?!?! ). When FA2013 comes out, I'll borrow or buy it and annotate the missing info into FA2012. Any opinions on that?

For Pathology, I'm going to order Pathoma sometime over the summer. I have only heard great things about it from everyone that tried it. Having said that, Goljan RR is still the gold standard. So I'm going to go through Goljan RR and annotate into Pathoma. I'm hoping to do this while also using GT and FA (as well as those pesky notes my school expects me to go through). I want to go through Goljan audio too but I think i'm going to save those the gym and long car rides.

I would really appreciate any suggestions/comments on this plan

I'm incoming ms2 as well and this is my plan. Sounds hardcore though. I want to hear opinions about this to see if it's doable/necessary. My school is not pass/fail. I'm really really highly ranked and I want to try to maintain it. Obviously boards come first, but still

Also, how much does the first aid change from year to year? It seems annoying having to redo everything in a new edition

Originally Posted by doctoritis

Hi All -


For path next year, I'm definitely going to do Goljan audio. Between pathoma audio and textbook, RR Goljan textbook, and Robbin's textbook - which would be the best combination? I'm thinking that all of these resources done thoroughly as well as keeping up with class, a question bank and Gunner Training is just not realistic. Seems like Robbin's is very dense and perhaps not the most high yield source to use, at the same time I keep hearing about how it is by far superior. Maybe pathoma + RR Goljan ? Even this seems like too much in addition to a Qbank and GT, though.

Ok, I think I can at least help you here to check out the pros/cons of Path review resources: http://medstep1prep.blogspot.com/2009/07/pathology.html

Best of luck!!!!!

Originally Posted by doctoritis

Hi All -

I want to make a year-long plan for myself. It seems too easy to become over resourced, and I want to figure out a game plan ahead of time so that I do not fall into this trap.

I'll be an M2 in the fall, and I want to review M1 year this summer in a boards-focused manner, as well as spend a few hours each week as an M2 doing questions and reviewing for boards. I don't want to 'get ahead' on the things I haven't yet learned in school.

I know this may be over kill and gunnerish but I struggled with the MCAT for a long time before I mastered it, so I know that I'm going to need the extra time for Step 1 as well. I'm looking at a competitive specialty so I want to do truly well on Step 1 and I am willing to put in the time - I just need to figure out what it is best to put my time into.

I'm thinking to start Gunner Training and Kaplan Qbank (followed closely with FA) this summer and to continue this throughout the M2 year, and to do Uworld closer to test day. Does anyone have any better suggestions for what I could start doing this summer and to continue throughout next year, or a better method of reviewing M1? Also - is Kaplan Qbank a better choice than UsmleRx?

For path next year, I'm definitely going to do Goljan audio. Between pathoma audio and textbook, RR Goljan textbook, and Robbin's textbook - which would be the best combination? I'm thinking that all of these resources done thoroughly as well as keeping up with class, a question bank and Gunner Training is just not realistic. Seems like Robbin's is very dense and perhaps not the most high yield source to use, at the same time I keep hearing about how it is by far superior. Maybe pathoma + RR Goljan ? Even this seems like too much in addition to a Qbank and GT, though.

What would you all recommend? Does anyone have experience with a year-long study plan and what has worked for you best? I'm not 100% sold on GT yet either, so I'm open to advice - just has seemed like the most reasonable option for a longterm plan.

I'm sorry for all the questions, but I thought knocking it all at once was better than constant posts. Thank you in advance!

Really really really study well for your second year courses. I think that's the best advice. I went above and beyond this year (first year I didn't really care) with a focus toward studying for boards, and that really helped. By studying well for your courses I would say do as many questions as possible-- not necessarily from a question bank, but Utah Webpath, Pretest, Robbins, etc. to get into the mode of answering questions. Kaplan is good year round. I would save USMLERx for dedicated study time.

Start studying for boards for real in January. Or maybe start Christmas break. Anything more than this would probably be too much work & not enough payoff in the end.

Get kaplan me and first aid if you havent all ready. Review biochem/molecular bio and start studying immuno and if you have time microbiology. And if you still have time get a head start on hematology. This will make your second year easier and you will have reviewed first year material. Dont waste time studying phys right now. You will keep being exposed to that second year when you do pathophys

Where are people getting the kaplan Q bank? I'm considering using this throughout 2nd year as well and save UWorld and RX for dedicated studying time.

>I'm incoming ms2 as well and this is my plan. Sounds hardcore though. I want to hear opinions >about this to see if it's doable/necessary.

This might sound weird, but my recommendation is not to study to death this summer. MS2 through boards is a tough stretch, and you don't want to start it exhausted/burnt out. And honestly, I find that much of what was presented in MS1 (that shows up again in boards) is "learned better in context" during MS2.

If you haven't done it already, I'd recommend flipping through First Aid and noting which stuff sounds familiar from MS1 and memorizing those boxes/diagrams.

>Also, how much does the first aid change from year to year? It seems annoying having to redo

I'd say over 85% (if not more) is identical. I annotated a version as I was doing MS1. I bought the updated version when it came out for MS2 - I didn't bother transfering my notes from my MS1 version, I just started annotating the new version.

>>> I don't want to 'get ahead' on the things I haven't yet learned in school.

You might consider searching Youtube for "HelpHippo" (Don't laugh.) They make these super-simple (and short) tutorials that introduce an MS2 topic. Each video is an easy way to learn one box/diagram from First Aid. And it's a (relatively) painless way to get ahead of the game for MS2. (Twenty minutes of Epidemiology lecture and I only really got "Sensitivity/Sepcificity" after watching the 2 minute HelpHippo tutorial....)

Thumbs up for helper hippo...but yeah i recommend gunner training man, its a lot of work but the spaced learning grills material into you and they rephrase the question the second time around...very helpful source. You may not rralize this but im sure about 50% of your stuff from first year can be banked hence you'll have a step up. People say studying is futile but thr ocean of info will only continue to flow 2nd year. At the very least, in covering 1st yr stuff, youll be prepared long term for the step and short term by being fully prepared and not having to relearn a physio, micro, or biochem principle in path and can focus solely on path. At the same time workout, drink, and do fun stuff this summer as well

...

Originally Posted by msIngrid800

>I'm incoming ms2 as well and this is my plan. Sounds hardcore though. I want to hear opinions >about this to see if it's doable/necessary.

This might sound weird, but my recommendation is not to study to death this summer. MS2 through boards is a tough stretch, and you don't want to start it exhausted/burnt out. And honestly, I find that much of what was presented in MS1 (that shows up again in boards) is "learned better in context" during MS2.

If you haven't done it already, I'd recommend flipping through First Aid and noting which stuff sounds familiar from MS1 and memorizing those boxes/diagrams.

>Also, how much does the first aid change from year to year? It seems annoying having to redo

I'd say over 85% (if not more) is identical. I annotated a version as I was doing MS1. I bought the updated version when it came out for MS2 - I didn't bother transfering my notes from my MS1 version, I just started annotating the new version.

>>> I don't want to 'get ahead' on the things I haven't yet learned in school.

You might consider searching Youtube for "HelpHippo" (Don't laugh.) They make these super-simple (and short) tutorials that introduce an MS2 topic. Each video is an easy way to learn one box/diagram from First Aid. And it's a (relatively) painless way to get ahead of the game for MS2. (Twenty minutes of Epidemiology lecture and I only really got "Sensitivity/Sepcificity" after watching the 2 minute HelpHippo tutorial....)

i would look at immuno/hematology and a little microbio. it will help you a lot in 2nd year having some exposure to the terminology beforehand

Originally Posted by msIngrid800

>I'm incoming ms2 as well and this is my plan.
> I don't want to 'get ahead' on the things I haven't yet learned in school.

You might consider searching Youtube for "HelpHippo" (Don't laugh.) They make these super-simple (and short) tutorials that introduce an MS2 topic. Each video is an easy way to learn one box/diagram from First Aid. And it's a (relatively) painless way to get ahead of the game for MS2. (Twenty minutes of Epidemiology lecture and I only really got "Sensitivity/Sepcificity" after watching the 2 minute HelpHippo tutorial....)

I'm giving a THIRD "Thumbs Up" to HelpHippo on Youtube. Their videos are awesome - especially their cardiac auscultation tutorial. I could never hear the difference between S3 and S4 (luckily my exam question also provided the keyword "Kentucky/Tennessee" - which I never could hear, but at least I could memorize.)

The mnemonic from HelpHippo FINALLY got me so I can hear the difference b/w S3 and S4, which will come in handy, since my patients won't be providing keyword clues when I'm praciticing medicine....

And sorry MsIngrid, but I totally laughed