1st year going to 2nd how to prepare for USMLE / COMLEX Step 1

[Doctorman]

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Hey

I am first year going to second year, what is the best way to prepare for COMLEX/ USMLE step 1?

Kaplan Homestudy book?
Kaplan Lecture books?
Kaplan Step 1 2007 videos?
USMLE World?


How early to start doing what?

 

[Instatewaiter]

take it easy.

If you really want to do something buy MMRS, FA and one of the path books (I liked goljian). Dont study them now; use them along with classes 2nd year.

2nd semester second year start reviewing. Until then, enjoy your summer

 

[Doctorman]

take it easy.

If you really want to do something buy MMRS, FA and one of the path books (I liked goljian). Dont study them now; use them along with classes 2nd year.

2nd semester second year start reviewing. Until then, enjoy your summer

Thanks for the reply,
what is MMRS?

I already have FirstAid it is just outline of the subjects.

how is the Kaplan home study + videos compared to the course books. now I have time to find them cheaper, which one is the way to go?

 

[Instatewaiter]

MMRS is micro made ridiculously simple. It is the one to get for micro.

I used a bunch of the subject review books (FA neuro, RR path, BRS phys etc). This was recommended to us by our school. Some people like kaplan and swear by it. I used their pharm for a reference and it was only so-so. Sorry I couldnt be more help on this but i didnt really use kaplan

 

[Doctorman]

Thank you...

 

[Helo]

Heyy,

Yea, I agree. Take it extremely easy in the summer. I didn't open a book, and only purchased a few resources towards the end of summer. Some students try to review their weak areas from 1st yr (like physio) but I definitely do not think it is necessary. It's important (read: REALLY IMPORTANT) to do well in your classes, you can attempt to review with a review source with the class.

Truthfully, I tried this but I found out that for me personally, it wasn't working so well in the beginning of the year. I am a horrible memorizer so microbio was better spent reviewing my class notes than trying to also follow along with a new source (clinical microbio made ridic simple, CMMRS). When Path started, I kicked it into slightly higher gear. I would review the relevant chapters in Goljan and go thru the BRS physio to refresh my physio. I thought this worked out ok for me...good luck, and have a great, relaxing time this summer!

 

[Doctorman]

Heyy,

Yea, I agree. Take it extremely easy in the summer. I didn't open a book, and only purchased a few resources towards the end of summer. Some students try to review their weak areas from 1st yr (like physio) but I definitely do not think it is necessary. It's important (read: REALLY IMPORTANT) to do well in your classes, you can attempt to review with a review source with the class.

Truthfully, I tried this but I found out that for me personally, it wasn't working so well in the beginning of the year. I am a horrible memorizer so microbio was better spent reviewing my class notes than trying to also follow along with a new source (clinical microbio made ridic simple, CMMRS). When Path started, I kicked it into slightly higher gear. I would review the relevant chapters in Goljan and go thru the BRS physio to refresh my physio. I thought this worked out ok for me...good luck, and have a great, relaxing time this summer!

What is BRS?

So far I have
FirstAid for USMLE 1
clinical microbio made ridic simple
I am trying to get Kaplan Videos for step 1 2007
and kaplan notes

yeah I should make sure not to fail any course in 2nd year that would kill me.

 

[Helo]

BRS = Board Review Series

Definitely try to kick some a** in 2nd yr, because it will just start you at a nice baseline. without worrying too much about boards, i worked decently hard in class and did very well. when I took the CBSE mock board I ended up doing very well...i was very very shocked since the gunnerish students in my class had been studying hard for boards (and not so much for classes) since the summer and they did not get anything close to this. personally, i feel that learning as much as you can during the year is the best thing you can do, but everyone is different.

 

[Re3iRtH]

BRS = Board Review Series

Definitely try to kick some a** in 2nd yr, because it will just start you at a nice baseline. without worrying too much about boards, i worked decently hard in class and did very well. when I took the CBSE mock board I ended up doing very well...i was very very shocked since the gunnerish students in my class had been studying hard for boards (and not so much for classes) since the summer and they did not get anything close to this. personally, i feel that learning as much as you can during the year is the best thing you can do, but everyone is different.

Let's say that your school has a below average overall board average.
I think its a very good chance this is due to the nature of the institution
and not bad instruction, but still. Would relying on doing well in the school's
classes be a safe bet to bank on in that case? Or is independent board
study required with some sacrifices in doing well in class.
Thanks for the comments.

 

[medicomel]

I echo the sentiments of the prior posters. Bust your butt to learn the material 2nd year so it will truly be review by the time board studying comes around. Also, read Robbins for pathology. It can be dense at times, but immensely helpful when you're trying to (a) honor the course and (b) study for boards in the Spring.

good luck!

 

[Doctorman]

I echo the sentiments of the prior posters. Bust your butt to learn the material 2nd year so it will truly be review by the time board studying comes around. Also, read Robbins for pathology. It can be dense at times, but immensely helpful when you're trying to (a) honor the course and (b) study for boards in the Spring.

good luck!

well in our school we do system based, I like it in a way but all my notes are all over. maybe it gives me a better understanding of the system but not very helpful for board.

I tried reading books and that killed my grades.

Robins is huge book, how you decide what to read?

 

[medicomel]

The sections in the book are divided into organ systems. I would read the entire chapter, usually on the weekends. It took about 8 hrs. If you can't read the whole chapter, then you can pick and choose which sections. The book is well organized. Flip through a Robbins and you'll see. People also look the Goljan Rapid Review as a primary text, but I read that for Step I studying. Ask around. Your school's curriculum is different from mine.

 

[Blesbok]

Don't even bother studying. You will just waste your time and spin your wheels until you start second year. Start doing some question banks around christmas of next year, but at this point the best thing that you can do is sit on your ass and veg out so that you are prepared to bust ass in second year.

 

[lord_jeebus]

The most useful thing you could do now is to spend a few hours browsing the old threads in this forum, and coming up with a review plan for the future that you think would match your style.

 

[Tristy]

My humble suggestion:

Study hard during MSII. Learn things well because when Step 1 prep comes around you don't want to be learning things from scratch.