Step I Any tips for memorizing first aid?

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MD-iwish

MD-iwish

Senior Member
15+ Year Member
Ok so I've spent abt 2 months going over everything in detail, RR Path, CMMRS, UW, etc etc. Now that I have abt 2-3 wks till my test date, I'm just re-doing UW and trying to hammer in First Aid. But, I'm having the worst time "memorizing FA." Like I understand the concepts, but there are some things that you really just need to memorize. I've tried reading over each section multiple times, writing it out, reviewing with a friend, but I'll remember it for a couple of days and then I'll be an empty slate. I know ppl have mixed opinions abt USMLERx flash facts, but I was wondering if someone had used them right before their test to really finish off FA. Any other suggestions on "memorizing FA" are greatly appreciated! 🙂
 
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I'm struggling with a similar problem. The best (and most cost-efficient) solution that I've found is flashcardexchange.com. I lot of people have posted flashcards that they've made from FA (and other sources). Every person seems to have their own style, so you'd have to go through a couple of different decks to find one that you like, and actually it's somewhat helpful b/c you get to look at the info presented in different ways. And it's free! Just do a search for "usmle first aid" or "usmle biochem" or whatever.
 
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The best way most people learn is through association --usually with visual cues--.

Thus, whenever you find something that is hard to remember, look it up in a book or the web and associate a person or image with it and it should be locked in.

Ideally, your profs should have helped you with this in basic sciences, but watching some of the Kaplan or Pass or listening to Goljan helps a lot too.
 
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I always enjoy making up quick and silly ways to remember things and writing them in.

IE: [dont flame me for this] I differentiated Hurlers from Hunters by thinking: Well, most hunters are male [x-linked] and you gotta see to hunt [no cataracts].
 
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Richspiders07 said:
I always enjoy making up quick and silly ways to remember things and writing them in.

IE: [dont flame me for this] I differentiated Hurlers from Hunters by thinking: Well, most hunters are male [x-linked] and you gotta see to hunt [no cataracts].
Click to expand...


HAHA! That is exactly how I kept mine straight 😀
 
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