230+ Step I Scorers- 2nd year- What did you do for path?

[bostonguy911]

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I have searched for this before but do not have a clear answer.

People swear by Goljan and yes I understand he is good. But I have realized that it is a REVIEW book, where as Robbins lays it all out there for you to understand the concept.

It takes so much time reading Robbins, Class Notes, and then if having times going through the tough question in Contrans Review, and finally getting a glimpse at Goljan (4th edition). Plus listening to goljan lectures.

For those of you that scored well 230+, what did you do?

 

[MaybeADoc]

only BRS path

 

[ChronicAnxiety]

I find the last sentence of your post highly discriminatory.

 

[bostonguy911]

sorry, i did not mean to be at all. All i am trying to find out, is how people mastered the materials. Some people say only goljan and did great, but fail to mention that they also studied robbins along the way during 2nd year, or some just use class notes, ect.

I would like to get a 230+, and was just wondering how people in the higher percentiles study. Anyone can give feedback...was just asking a specific group of which almost seems to be the majority on SDN.

 

[Entgegen]

Used class notes/powerpoints and did readings from Robbins (at least in the beginning). Eventually outlines of Robbins chapters began to circulate throughout the class, and I just used those instead of actually reading Robbins from that point on. I also used the Robbins Review of Pathology (question book) before the path-heavy exams (we generally had one exam over path, then another over more clinical stuff for each system). Also used WebPath for more questions.

Clinical stuff we had assigned readings from Cecil's. Never did them, but read through outlines of those when I could get my hands on them. Other than that, used class notes/powerpoints. I never used any review books for anything during 2nd year, except maybe for the occasional BRS phys when I needed to look something up.

Studied hard and usually did well on my exams. Kicking ass 2nd year is the best way to prep for boards.

 

[SomeDoc]

I have searched for this before but do not have a clear answer.

People swear by Goljan and yes I understand he is good. But I have realized that it is a REVIEW book, where as Robbins lays it all out there for you to understand the concept.

It takes so much time reading Robbins, Class Notes, and then if having times going through the tough question in Contrans Review, and finally getting a glimpse at Goljan (4th edition). Plus listening to goljan lectures.

For those of you that scored well 230+, what did you do?

Primarily studied the relevant material in BRS Path and FA (essentially long-term board prep) throughout year 2 for each course, and then filled in the extras (useless/non-standardized details) missing from those two resources using course lecture ppts for course tests.

 

[McGillGrad]

4 Step Plan

1. Go to class, take notes, read lecture notes
2. Read corresponding section in Robbins for understanding
3. Read corresponding RR Goljan and and audio
4. Do questions on that topic in UW USMLErx or another decent source

 

[SeminoleFan3]

I didn't really go to class, but I did study class notes. RARELY did I read Robbins, and it was really just a couple of pages here and there to prep for small groups. I used Goljan & FA for path during my Step 1 studying, and that was sufficient.

 

[SomeDoc]

I would also like to add that I did not go to class for second year for the most part. That lopened up a huge chunk of the day to study time (memorizing time, basically), in the comfort my own home. I was much more productive this way than wasting time in class. PPT's are great for their brevity and their ability to highlight what's important. Lectures fluff them up and take up time. This approach might work for some, might not work for others. The key is to study board relevant material early on, and not miss on the extraneous/non-standardized details for your coursework. Essentially you're doing two things at once-but they both lend themselves to a common end- preparation for the boards.

 

[bostonguy911]

Great..keep the advice coming, i really appreciate it and im sure others do as well...

Specific question, I have started saying home and skipping lectures.
How long does it take you to read?
I feel I read very slowly and it takes me maybe 2 hours or so to cover 10 pages of robbins, highlight and have a general understanding of whats goin on and the pictures/diagrams. I could read through it quickly, say 30 minutes and then remember very broadly what I read.

I stay home and read the books, and then go to the lecture notes. Staying home allows me to read the books, so in essence im giving up lectures to read. Im assuming, i just have a low comphrension rate while reading? any tips?

 

[Whats_up_doc]

Great..keep the advice coming, i really appreciate it and im sure others do as well...

Specific question, I have started saying home and skipping lectures.
How long does it take you to read?
I feel I read very slowly and it takes me maybe 2 hours or so to cover 10 pages of robbins, highlight and have a general understanding of whats goin on and the pictures/diagrams. I could read through it quickly, say 30 minutes and then remember very broadly what I read.

I stay home and read the books, and then go to the lecture notes. Staying home allows me to read the books, so in essence im giving up lectures to read. Im assuming, i just have a low comphrension rate while reading? any tips?

I didn't skip lectures when I was in 2nd year. For me, it was important to listen actively and participate in class. This varies according to everybody's style.

As for your question, I used BRS during the whole year and supplemented it with RR path after I read my class notes (looking for what I did'nt understand in a source as Rubin's). Listen to corresponding Goljan Audio, if time permits. After having a clearer picture I tested myself with: Robbin's and Rubin's question books. Do not use USMLE world now, save it for boards prep. Also remember, you cannot review what you haven't learned. Foundations first, then review. Best of luck.

 

[ChronicAnxiety]

Also remember, you cannot review what you haven't learned

Them's true words.

 

[smiley737]

I had Goljan's RR Path, but I personally don't think it added much. Everything you need to know Path-wise you get from reading First Aid and doing the question banks (UWorld, USMLERx, or Kaplan). In the question banks, you'll get all the histology pics you'll need to be able to identify

 

[studentologist]

4 Step Plan

1. Go to class, take notes, read lecture notes
2. Read corresponding section in Robbins for understanding
3. Read corresponding RR Goljan and and audio
4. Do questions on that topic in UW USMLErx or another decent source

How would the Robbins and Coltran review question book compare to USMLERx? Is one better than the other for your study plan?

 

[McGillGrad]

How would the Robbins and Coltran review question book compare to USMLERx? Is one better than the other for your study plan?

They each serve a different purpose. Robbins gives you a full explanation of the pathology. USMLErx and other question banks allow you to apply the topic and the knowledge. You won't have time to look at Robbins after basic sciences, so look at it now and use review books for step.

 

[Pinkertinkle]

RR+ webpath+ goljan lectures= off the charts usmle

robbins works well as a doorstop

 

[bostonguy911]

i am studying very hard, and actually am retaining a lot of details, but i have learned that i have forgotten soo soo much from last year, just learning fetal circulation, i forgot which ones shunt blood where...

did you guys keep refreshing or is this is something that you guys just maintained, and only had to briefly review to get it all back for the boards?

 

[SomeDoc]

i am studying very hard, and actually am retaining a lot of details, but i have learned that i have forgotten soo soo much from last year, just learning fetal circulation, i forgot which ones shunt blood where...

did you guys keep refreshing or is this is something that you guys just maintained, and only had to briefly review to get it all back for the boards?

You have to keep refreshing it. The review gets shorter and shorter as you keep revisiting it on a daily/weekly basis. Do this while learning new material as well. If there is no review, all the initial effort is as good as none.

 

[ObamaCare]

4 Step Plan

1. Go to class, take notes, read lecture notes
2. Read corresponding section in Robbins for understanding
3. Read corresponding RR Goljan and and audio
4. Do questions on that topic in UW USMLErx or another decent source

i'd adjust it to:

For any course
1. Do NOT go to class, and don't prepare for small group discussions
2. Read corresponding section in Big Robbins (1 day)
3. Read Goljan, then listen to goljan (1 day)
4. Do Webpath and then Robbins Review questions on that topic (0.5 days)
5. Do Kaplan Qbank questions on that topic (save UW for study period) (1.0-1.5 days)
6. 2 days before class exam, BEGIN to look at class syllabus or whatever. (2days)

6 days and you're money for the boards and won't have any troubles doing above average in courses.

 

[Deferoxamine]

Pathology was surprisingly my best section on the Step 1 score report.

Only went to class when necessary.

Used Goljan RR Path concurrently with courses, along with First Aid with most courses. Robbins Review of Pathology questions with most 2nd-year courses - gets you used to questions that are harder than Step 1. Also used Robbins Review Chapters 1-8 questions when reviewing general pathology prior to Step 1.

Pathology is everywhere. Don't treat it as a separate "course" or subject - incorporate it into all your classes. The repetition is what helps you most in the long run.

 

[sebsvenmdc]

I read RR path about 5 times. I used a lot of other review books too though. I didn't do that well on the path shelf (600s) oddly enough, but I always got a star on path on practice exams and the actual step. I got a 255.

 

[Elixir86]

I read RR path about 5 times. I used a lot of other review books too though. I didn't do that well on the path shelf (600s) oddly enough, but I always got a star on path on practice exams and the actual step. I got a 255.

Holy cow! 5 times! That book is no joke. How did you space out the reading? I'm hoping to at least read it 2x or 3x and listen to Goljan audio as many times as I can (walking to class/apart. and while exercising).

 

[sebsvenmdc]

Holy cow! 5 times! That book is no joke. How did you space out the reading? I'm hoping to at least read it 2x or 3x and listen to Goljan audio as many times as I can (walking to class/apart. and while exercising).

I started like a year out reading at least 10 pages a day. Sometimes I missed days, sometimes I read 20 pages. I don't memorize as I go...I try to read as fast as possible and understand, but not memorize...memorization comes on the 4th or 5th attempt. I think it's critical to point out that other review books are important! The Step is NOT just path!

 

[RenshawCell]

I'm a big fan of the new RR. Although I wish the pages weren't so glossy. It makes it hard to run under the cheap halogen lights.

 

[lildave2586]

I have no problem learning the material, but I do have problems with applying it to questions. Does anyone recommend using a question bank for study during the semester? If so, I would prefer to use the "best" one for board prep in a couple of months. I don't want to waste the best bank right now. So what question bank would be recommended for this type of studying, if any?

 

[studentologist]

I have no problem learning the material, but I do have problems with applying it to questions. Does anyone recommend using a question bank for study during the semester? If so, I would prefer to use the "best" one for board prep in a couple of months. I don't want to waste the best bank right now. So what question bank would be recommended for this type of studying, if any?

word on the street is to save UWorld for later

 

[psammomabody]

I went to about 75% of pathology lectures - pretty much the only class I went to during 2nd year. I kept up in class, which was good because we had quizzes every 2-3 days. I used big Robbin's online as a reference only. I flipped through Goljan occasionally, but definitely did not read the whole thing. I also listened to Goljan 1x during the year (and not at all during board study).

My main thing was to really understand and then memorize class notes. You just have to put in the hours. Books did not help me much, if at all.

 

[HOKIEdoc0684]

Pathology is truly the most important subject to master if you have plans on scoring well on USMLE. here's what I did that worked very well my first 2 years, and helped get me a 250 on step 1.

I got a tablet PC becuase I am a slow typist, and wanted to take all my notes right on my powerpoint slides. This turned out to be the best decision I made, not only because of the handwritten notes, but because I found this free flashcard program made for tablet PC's.
http://daveyraymond.blogspot.com/2008/03/inkbuddy.html

I studied goljian almost exclusively for path. I read medium Robbins in the beginning when I was still young and enthusiastic, but later found it to take too long and be full of minutia way beyond the scope of step 1.

now I don't know how other people feel about flash cards, but for me it was the best way to keep current on material. by the time I was finished with year 2, I had close to 2,000 cards and would do about 20 cards per night. The great thing about this program, is the more times you get the card right, the longer it takes to show up again, so you don't have to keep going through those basic concept cards from block 1 when you are towards the end of year 2!

I cant stress enough that you have to find some system that allows you to quickly, easily and continuously review previous material. Do not wait until 8 weeks before step 1 to look over your notes from biochem! practice writing Vignettes about what YOU think is important. I'd say that as I got better with information, my cards stopped being simple question/answer, but more complex vignettes.

Anyway, that was what worked well for me. Flashcards DO NOT replace hard core study, they are simply an easy way to continuously reinforce important concepts.

Good luck! I am SO GLAD step 1 is over!!!!

 

[cleverwebb]

My scores just got in like a half hour ago. 250/99! 😀

Pathology was among my FAVORITE subjects in med-2; I was rather hypomanic about the whole thing. So, i religiously attended classes, STUDIED class notes like the fate of the world depended on it, read through robbins at first (general principles, but then things got too hectic, though i'd always make it a point to at least look at all the pictures in whatever chapter we were doing and read the captions), and lathered/rinsed/repeated said class notes at least 4 times pre-exam. + labs and whatnot are incredibly important too, and i owe a lot of my knowledge/skills to the oft-dissed H&E's. I bought BRS but didn't open it (not even for the actual thing)--I hated BRS Gross Anatomy beyond the telling of it back in med-1; it just isn't for me.

When it came time to actively study for the real thing, I used FA, Goljan (though, since my hypomania does not stem from any sort of organized behavior, i only had time to listen to half. do them all, though, they're fantastic. i plan on listening to them over the coming year), some class notes to supplement FA (see, I spent my second year adding stuff from robbins/the interweb to my class notes, so I had a pretty wholesome view of patho by the end, which turned out to be useful), and the interweb for things i'd NEVER heard of (which, thanks to my hardcore studying, were very very few). + Uworld.

(Sidebar: you'd do well to keep a stringently manic work-ethic for the entirety of your second year. it's a CRITICAL, hellish 9 months, but it's absolutely worth it come steps.)

good luck!! 🙂