2nd Year: Research vs More Step1 Study Time

[FunnyCurrent]

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Should I pursue research over 2nd year or just spend my time studying for step1?

Long history of interest in Ophtho:

• Some ophtho pubs in low tier journal during undergrad
• Poster in ARVO during undergrad. Various other posters at undergrad
• No fruitful research during medical school yet
• Started studying for step1 already

Do research or continue to focus on step1?

 

[Tiburon]

I did research my 2nd year until Christmas break. Then I left it and focused solely on Step 1. If you can do both, it's better. But my hard core studying didn't start until the new year for Step 1 and I got some good research in during the summer/fall/early winter of 2nd year.

 

[swamprat]

Sure why not its early to rlly study for step 1 trust me.. I wouldn't start going at it till after the new year.. maybe just use kaplan qbank from extra questions during the year, save uworld for dedicated study time. The key to doing very well on step1 is learning the shi* out of ur courses now.

 

[FSU2013]

Should I pursue research over 2nd year or just spend my time studying for step1?

Long history of interest in Ophtho:

• Some ophtho pubs in low tier journal during undergrad
• Poster in ARVO during undergrad. Various other posters at undergrad
• No fruitful research during medical school yet
• Started studying for step1 already

Do research or continue to focus on step1?

The short answer is to do both. It's hard, but not impossible. The best thing you can do during the school year for step 1 is to just do a block of UWorld questions every day - 46 questions plus review shouldn't take you more than an hour and a half, maybe less. Depending on what your lab schedule is, you could spend 1-2 half-days a week in lab, do 5 uworld blocks during weeknights and still have plenty of other time for school/life.

Good luck.

 

[dantt]

Depending on what your lab schedule is, you could spend 1-2 half-days a week in lab, do 5 uworld blocks during weeknights and still have plenty of other time for school/life.

working in a lab would be a huge mistake

 

[sharklasers]

yeah i dont know about working in a lab either lol. if it is clinical research where you spend some time going through charts and gathering data, that is one thing..

but literally in a lab? that is way too much of a time commitment to get anything fruitful from the experience

 

[FunnyCurrent]

It is difficult to find chart review studies in Ophthalmology

 

[FunnyCurrent]

🙁

 

[FSU2013]

working in a lab would be a huge mistake

I respectfully disagree. I spent several half-days a month working in a lab during my second year. I was first author on a poster that I presented overseas, got a research stipend and learned a ton.

 

[sharklasers]

I respectfully disagree. I spent several half-days a month working in a lab during my second year. I was first author on a poster that I presented overseas, got a research stipend and learned a ton.

wow working in a lab a few days a month got you a first author paper??

that is actually incredible man, congrats.

any tips on finding a good lab?

i'm sure most of us on here have spent entire summers in lab without anything to show for it, which is why i was hesitant about suggesting lab work.

 

[FSU2013]

wow working in a lab a few days a month got you a first author paper??

that is actually incredible man, congrats.

any tips on finding a good lab?

i'm sure most of us on here have spent entire summers in lab without anything to show for it, which is why i was hesitant about suggesting lab work.

I was in a bit of a unique position - I go to med school at which I did undergrad. I worked in the same lab......

But there's always someone that needs help in their lab if you look hard enough.