Advice Please! Question for those who used Goljan, re:study plan

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keeping-it-real

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Ok, so here's some background. I just finished Goljan's distance learning lecture series (read: i followed along in rapid review and listend to all of the audio). It took me just over 6 days b/c i was annotating and cross referencing just about everything that i didn't know or understand. So now i have a heavily annotated Rapid Review Path book and i'm on to the next phase of my studying.

I was planning on next doing 3.5 days of physiology (BRS phys), followed by 3.5 days of Micriobiology (Redic. simple), 2 more days of Path, then 4 days to do all of anatomy, neuro, biochem, and human behavior, then i have 3 days of pharm, and then 3 more days of path.

The problem I'm having now, however, is that I really enjoyed the RR path book and it seems like it does a pretty nice job of covering many aspects of phys, micro, and biochem. I am currently thinking about cutting down some days of these other subjects in favor of re-reading RR path. Here's where i have some questions for you Goljanites and would like to request some advice.

First, does the RR Path book do an adequate job of covering many of the biochemical, physiological, and microbiological aspects of the USMLE? For example, if i were to focus on and be very familiar with the microbio contained in his book, would this cover much of the microbio on the Step?

Next, on the last three days of my study, should i give up the RR path book and use his HY notes instead? What about his course notes that supplement the audio?

I was surprised at how much micriobio, phys, and biochem was contained in teh RR path book, so this is why i have this new dilemma. For all of you guys/gals who enjoy(ed) Goljan, if you could please give me some imput as to what you think is best, i'd really appreciate it. thx.

oh, and if it helps tailor your advice, Path is my weakest subject (and really the only one i'd say i have gaps in knowledge). Strongest subjects are Pharm, Anatomy, Neuro. Intermediate = Phys, Microbio, etc.

-kir
 
I love Goljan's RR path. It is an amazing book. From your post I don't know exactly how many days you have left (I didn't add up all the individual days to get the total time left). Judging by the NBME's I have taken, I would suggest knowing this book really well. It does have a lot of path-relevant biochemistry, but it is missing several important areas, such as the whole molecular biology slant on DNA/RNA replication, etc. However, if you are solid on these concepts then first aid can help round it out. Also, the book is strong on systems-related micro, but it doesn't say that the diptheria toxin is carried on a phage, for instance.

Micro made RS is probably overkill at this point in the game if you haven't gone through it once yet, since first aid has most of those little details that you need. Good luck.

keeping-it-real said:
 
nrosigh said:
I love Goljan's RR path. It is an amazing book. From your post I don't know exactly how many days you have left (I didn't add up all the individual days to get the total time left). Judging by the NBME's I have taken, I would suggest knowing this book really well. It does have a lot of path-relevant biochemistry, but it is missing several important areas, such as the whole molecular biology slant on DNA/RNA replication, etc. However, if you are solid on these concepts then first aid can help round it out. Also, the book is strong on systems-related micro, but it doesn't say that the diptheria toxin is carried on a phage, for instance.

Micro made RS is probably overkill at this point in the game if you haven't gone through it once yet, since first aid has most of those little details that you need. Good luck.
thanks a bunch. also, it's about 21 days left now...

so micro redic simple isn't really worthwhile over just learning the stuff in FA micro?
 
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