Almost Failing Classes and STEP 1

[younghaile]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'm getting by my in house exams by the skin of my teeth. I'm worried. I think that if I'm barely getting by these classes that Step 1 is going to be even more difficult. Compared to the in-house exams, I've been doing performing better on the NBME's. Still, nothing to write home about.

I use Goljan, Robbins, First Aid, Kaplan Videos, and World Qbank. I want to try to get some type of control but I feel like I'm doing the same wrong things each time thus not getting any better. I don't really have any specific questions but any comments or questions that you have for me to guide me a little bit more in the right direction would be greatly appreciated.

(My posting cherry has been popped 🙂

 

[BigRedder]

If you really put in the effort when studying for Step 1, it all comes together.

 

[younghaile]

I guess that is what I was hinting at. I am putting in the time but it is obviously not very efficient. Maybe I'm doing something intrinsically wrong. Is there anything that you did in particular that made you say "...I see now"?

 

[OveractiveBrain]

You have listed a ****-ton of resources. One of the most damning things you can do (especially if you are not an excellent student to begin with) is chose too many resources.

Goljan + FA + 1 Qbank can usually land people in the 220s. Ive got friends that got 260s using only this method.

By Goljan I hope you mean the audio. The book is good, the book and audio together are best.

The first thing I can say is that if you are preparing for Step 1, and thats all, get rid of Robbins. Robbins is a great resource to learn material in pathology, but garbage for step 1.

The second thing I will say is that I presume you have access to the Kaplan videos legally. Path is great (though most approve of Goljan more), Biochem and Pharm with Lenoil are excellent. Anatomy is great. Physio is rubbish, Immuno/Pharm unnecessarily long (FA covers it sufficiently).

 

[cpants]

If you are passing your classes, you shouldn't have a problem passing step 1. Just study your butt off preparing. If you are asking whether a high score is possible, the answer is that it's possible but unlikely. If you want to nail step 1 your best bet is to modify your study habits now in order to start honoring classes. Without a strong grasp of the material on the first go around, it is very difficult to catch up in the short time alotted for step 1 prep.

 

[EagerCraft]

So you are actually pasing all of your classes, and doing better on NBME shelf exams than exams your school gives and you are worried about passing Step 1? What do you mean "barely passing?" Are you constantly getting "Marginal Pass" grades or are you just upset because you are not "High Passing" every course?

Definitely stop drowning yourself in resources. Many of the things you listed have the same information, so you are just going to confuse yourself by trying to memorize different takes on the same subject. Do you go to class? If not, why put yourself in a similar situation by staring passively at videos for hours? You could be doing questions or taking some time for yourself instead.

You need to get through the information multiple times so you can begin to integrate it. Studying is not just reading all of the information, but reading it, rereading it to begin to internalize it and pick up overlooked details, and then rereading it at least one last time to really integrate the new info into the pool you already have.

Do you actually get through everything multiple times? Can you actually explain and apply the figures that correspond with the subject matter? If not, you should start to do that. Golajan, First AID and your lecture notes should be enough. If your lecture notes are awful, then use the little form of Robbins to clarify things -only as needed. Questions, questions, questions after that. BRS physiology is also a much quicker reference for physiology (than Kaplan) when needed.

People think they need to read more stuff when they don't understand things. Most of the time, just carefully studying a couple of comprehensive sources will be more than enough. You need to be able to create a differential in your mind and begin to actively compare diseases with similar features

 

[OveractiveBrain]

SDN has a great article about P=MD but P does not = Residency.

Obviously the concern is not to get a 198, but to score well enough to compete for a half decent residency, requiring a minimum of 220, hopefully a 240, settling for a 230. That can be easily accomplished with the right study habits.