Anybody else struggle to turn the pages in FA during their final pass?

[Sheldor]

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Its crazy, but before if I didn't completely, 100% understand something you could just think, "Its okay cause I'll pick it up next time!" Crazy, now there is no "next time." As a result I'm finding it takes me forever to build up the nerve to flip the page and declare it done.

Anybody else?

 

[Fillabuster]

I can relate to what you are saying. There were instances during my 2nd run through where some material didn't even look remotely familiar. But at the time of my third trip through FA, things really started to click. I was soaking up the material at a really good rate. What pass are you on? If this is your second pass, I would suggest you try to squeeze in one more round after this.

For me the break down was:

FA 1st run through = 22 days (probably retained about 40 % of FA)
FA 2nd run through = 10 days (probably retained about 65 % of FA)
FA 3rd run through = 5 days (retained over 90% of FA)

 

[quepatho]

Its crazy, but before if I didn't completely, 100% understand something you could just think, "Its okay cause I'll pick it up next time!" Crazy, now there is no "next time." As a result I'm finding it takes me forever to build up the nerve to flip the page and declare it done.

Anybody else?

Yeah. I feel exactly the same way. You fixate on things because you're not sure you're going to remember them for the test. Just try to believe that you can retain it for at least a few days (before your exam comes up).

The more you learn, the higher your bar becomes for what you need to learn and understand. :-/

 

[dude1344]

I'm losing my mind going through FA for 2nd time. I feel like I have to know every word in there and that's just impossible... I can feel my white hairs sprouting now.

 

[Sheldor]

I can relate to what you are saying. There were instances during my 2nd run through where some material didn't even look remotely familiar. But at the time of my third trip through FA, things really started to click. I was soaking up the material at a really good rate. What pass are you on? If this is your second pass, I would suggest you try to squeeze in one more round after this.

For me the break down was:

FA 1st run through = 22 days (probably retained about 40 % of FA)
FA 2nd run through = 10 days (probably retained about 65 % of FA)
FA 3rd run through = 5 days (retained over 90% of FA)

I totally agree, its my third pass through most of it as well and I'm definitely retaining a ton. I'm currently in my 5 day, 3rd pass and its great! Its just knowing that as soon as that page is turned I won't be seeing it again before I take the real deal. Just knowing its the last time makes it more stressful then it needs to be!

 

[Step1Hash]

This thread gives me relief! Finishing 1st run through today and I feel like i'm forgetting everything. Glad this is normal.

 

[DrDrToBe]

Do you guys do questions daily as you are going through FA, or do you finish a chapter, then do questions? I have such a hard time reading for hours and hours, so I break it up by doing questions. However, this just lengthens the time it takes to read a chapter. 🙁

 

[winkleweizen]

Do you guys do questions daily as you are going through FA, or do you finish a chapter, then do questions? I have such a hard time reading for hours and hours, so I break it up by doing questions. However, this just lengthens the time it takes to read a chapter. 🙁

I like the random questions. Doing block specific questions is for earlier in your study period (lots do it during the school year or perhaps the first pass of FA).

 

[bobsagat]

For my money, a final pass of First Aid close to your test day is 90% for confidence purposes. I would say for the majority of diagnoses I have to come up with during an exam, I wouldn't be able to rattle off half of the symptoms on command, but I CAN recognize them.

The only thing I'm super worried about seeing on my last pass is an entire heading that looks mostly foreign to me. At this point, the thinking should be, "Can I pick this out of a line-up?" or "Can I pick a symptom of/treatment for this out of a line-up?" or "Can I distinguish this from other pathologies in the same category," rather than, "Can I name every single potential symptom of lupus?"

 

[deleted387928]

I've been making flashcards out of first aid as I go along. I've got about 100-200 per section. They focus on the parts I don't know very well, so it helps direct my study.

maybe you could make a short list of things that aren't sticking as you go through your "final pass". You could probably review that material for your "final final pass" in a short amount of time.

 

[tco]

For my money, a final pass of First Aid close to your test day is 90% for confidence purposes. I would say for the majority of diagnoses I have to come up with during an exam, I wouldn't be able to rattle off half of the symptoms on command, but I CAN recognize them.

The only thing I'm super worried about seeing on my last pass is an entire heading that looks mostly foreign to me. At this point, the thinking should be, "Can I pick this out of a line-up?" or "Can I pick a symptom of/treatment for this out of a line-up?" or "Can I distinguish this from other pathologies in the same category," rather than, "Can I name every single potential symptom of lupus?"

This is what you'll do as a physician. Who cares if you can name EVERY side effect of some god forsaken drug that hasn't been used in 30 years? What matters is if you can pick it out of a lineup when confronted with strange symptoms that your patient is presenting with. Being aware of the severe side effects of commonly used drugs is necessary, as well.