annotating first aid/pathoma during MS1?

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fivelikes

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MS1 here in an accelerated pre-clinical program (meaning we take step in around march). we just started organ systems so i've been following along with first aid and pathoma but am finding it difficult to balance classwork with these outside resources. i was wondering how much annotating of first aid/pathoma i should be doing right now as i follow along with my courses. my main priority is still the lecture content, but i'd like to at least somewhat follow along with step books to hopefully reduce some stress during dedicated study time. i was wondering if/how you would recommend annotating? should i be highlighting or writing in the margins? should i be writing in notes from the pathoma videos into the textbook? and are there any other resources i should be using? thank you!!
 
Okay, good to know, thanks everyone. My school is P/F. Not sure I can completely drop class lectures since there's A LOT of material in our classes that isn't in first aid But I'll definitely focus less on lecture and start incorporating more step prep into my studying

I have the 2017 version of first aid and I'm annotating it now, I'm wondering when/if I should upgrade to the 2018 version?

Also, are there any other resources you would recommend that I incorporate? I use Costanzo for physiology and used sketchy during micro but that's about it
 
Okay, good to know, thanks everyone. My school is P/F. Not sure I can completely drop class lectures since there's A LOT of material in our classes that isn't in first aid But I'll definitely focus less on lecture and start incorporating more step prep into my studying

No need to totally drop class lectures. Just de-emphasize them. There are definitely minutiae that you learn in class which aren't emphasized in board review material but are still relevant for boards. Unfortunately the balance of minutiae is definitely shifted in the favor of irrelevance.

Remember, passing your classes is significantly more important than cramming for boards. Your 270 Step 1 will be hamstrung by a pre-clinical fail or remediation.

Also, the goal of board review right now is NOT to study for Step 1. It's to prepare yourself for dedicated. The more content you review now, the less you need to review during dedicated, and the more you can focus on applying and mastering the material.

I have the 2017 version of first aid and I'm annotating it now, I'm wondering when/if I should upgrade to the 2018 version?

Nope, it's pretty much the same book, same content.

Also, are there any other resources you would recommend that I incorporate? I use Costanzo for physiology and used sketchy during micro but that's about it

If you're having trouble balancing Pathoma/Sketchy/FA with your classes, why would you look to add even MORE outside resources? Focus on what you're working with first.

If it gets easier, other resources to consider would be Kaplan/USMLERx and Boards and Beyond. QBanks would really be best for board prep. Boards and Beyond is a great resource to fill in knowledge gaps either as a primary resource or a review tool. B&B isn't the type of resource you want to make a full pass through like Pathoma, but rather something you should use PRN. Some sections are more useful than others. Dr. Ryan can certainly explain very difficult concepts in very simple terms.
 
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