Average OMS2 looking for advice

[sabsaf123]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Now that first year is over, I’ve realized that I am an average student. I studied pretty much everyday, with small breaks built in, and that put me near the average in most classes. However, at the end of the year I didn’t do too hot on our comprehensive final exams. For example, I averaged an ~85% in cardio physiology, path, and pharm but when it came time to recall this material on the final (~3 months after it was taught) I struggled to remember details and got low 70s/high 60s on finals. Fortunately finals weren’t worth much and I still got B’s in most classes.

My question is, what can I do in second year to aid me in long term recall? My best final exam grade was in pharm and that was probably cuz I used Sketchy pharm. My current plan is to start doing zanki for path and phys as much as I can during m2, My thought is that even if I don’t get through all of it, the stuff that I do get through with zanki should put me in good position to not have to relearn stuff when February of second year rolls around.

As an average student, I just want to make sure that I put myself in position to at least get an average (~500) COMLEX. Is there an easier way of doing this? Does my plan seem reasonable?

 

[DrWhozits]

Now that first year is over, I’ve realized that I am an average student. I studied pretty much everyday, with small breaks built in, and that put me near the average in most classes. However, at the end of the year I didn’t do too hot on our comprehensive final exams. For example, I averaged an ~85% in cardio physiology, path, and pharm but when it came time to recall this material on the final (~3 months after it was taught) I struggled to remember details and got low 70s/high 60s on finals. Fortunately finals weren’t worth much and I still got B’s in most classes.

My question is, what can I do in second year to aid me in long term recall? My best final exam grade was in pharm and that was probably cuz I used Sketchy pharm. My current plan is to start doing zanki for path and phys as much as I can during m2, My thought is that even if I don’t get through all of it, the stuff that I do get through with zanki should put me in good position to not have to relearn stuff when February of second year rolls around.

As an average student, I just want to make sure that I put myself in position to at least get an average (~500) COMLEX. Is there an easier way of doing this? Does my plan seem reasonable?

Knowing the way you learn is really important, and it sounds like you have at least part of that already down. If Sketchy Pharm worked for you, make sure you try Sketchy Path and Micro and see if those also work well for you.

If I could start M2 over and change anything, I would watch the entire Pathoma and entire Boards and Beyond chapter for the block we were on. If you’re school is anything like mine, the teaching leaves a lot to be desired 2nd year, and these guys make everything so clear. And when dedicated rolls around, you will be breezing through a second pass, rather than trying to make it all fit in at the last minute.

Finally, don’t worry yourself to death with being an “average” student. Youll be fine as long as you take your boards seriously.

 

[QueenJames]

Screw everything.

Hammer FA, Hammer Pathoma, and aim for 75% on each class exam.

Get thru USMLE-RX to get through that book once.

Then run thru UW as many times as you can.

First time on tutor, organs system based mode.

Second time, do it all on random.

Third time, do it all on random.

 

[sabsaf123]

Screw everything.

Hammer FA, Hammer Pathoma, and aim for 75% on each class exam.

Get thru USMLE-RX to get through that book once.

Then run thru UW as many times as you can.

First time on tutor, organs system based mode.

Second time, do it all on random.

Third time, do it all on random.

The thing is that I can learn stuff well enough the first time around but then a few months later I can't remember what something like "metabolic alkalosis/acidosis" is. So I'd think that a longterm review program like zanki would help...?

 

[Goro]

Now that first year is over, I’ve realized that I am an average student. I studied pretty much everyday, with small breaks built in, and that put me near the average in most classes. However, at the end of the year I didn’t do too hot on our comprehensive final exams. For example, I averaged an ~85% in cardio physiology, path, and pharm but when it came time to recall this material on the final (~3 months after it was taught) I struggled to remember details and got low 70s/high 60s on finals. Fortunately finals weren’t worth much and I still got B’s in most classes.

My question is, what can I do in second year to aid me in long term recall? My best final exam grade was in pharm and that was probably cuz I used Sketchy pharm. My current plan is to start doing zanki for path and phys as much as I can during m2, My thought is that even if I don’t get through all of it, the stuff that I do get through with zanki should put me in good position to not have to relearn stuff when February of second year rolls around.

As an average student, I just want to make sure that I put myself in position to at least get an average (~500) COMLEX. Is there an easier way of doing this? Does my plan seem reasonable?

You're in a good zone. Most med students are also average.

Repetition drives learning.

Do as many practice questions as possible.

read this:
Goro's Guide to Success in Medical School (2017 edition)

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Spaced repetition (ie. ANKI) is king.

 

[IntheClouds4ever]

Don't sweat it. Make sure to do bank blocks for the subject you're in and start making an Anki deck from FA. Im not a fan of the premade decks and find it more beneficial to make them yourself. Also, forget where you are in rank or compare to class averages (as long as you aren't barely passing) and focus on boards. You have a ton of time

 

[Spectreman]

Can we talk for a sec about review questions?

I’m at the same spot in my program as OP. I do a few Fire Cracker patient cases per day to just get random stuff thrown at me that will keep me thinking, but I don’t do much of ther other stuff. OP, if you have FC, those cases are fun little refreshers to keep you thinking.

I’m wondering about what other Qbanks to do outside of UW. My thought is find another source of questions that I can hit by subject as I review material, that way I don’t blow through UW before using it random/timed.

If I want to play that game, should I just use like BRS questions or something? Or is there a good additional Qbank I should grab that I can hit by topic?


Sorry to take over the thread, figured this might be good for OP.

 

[MrTaco92]

Can we talk for a sec about review questions?

I’m at the same spot in my program as OP. I do a few Fire Cracker patient cases per day to just get random stuff thrown at me that will keep me thinking, but I don’t do much of ther other stuff. OP, if you have FC, those cases are fun little refreshers to keep you thinking.

I’m wondering about what other Qbanks to do outside of UW. My thought is find another source of questions that I can hit by subject as I review material, that way I don’t blow through UW before using it random/timed.

If I want to play that game, should I just use like BRS questions or something? Or is there a good additional Qbank I should grab that I can hit by topic?


Sorry to take over the thread, figured this might be good for OP.

Starting uworld without a bit of foundation just won't be that helpful. Kaplan or RX will serve you very well prior to starting uworld. I'm sure firecracker would help with that too though.

 

[Spectreman]

Starting uworld without a bit of foundation just won't be that helpful. Kaplan or RX will serve you very well prior to starting uworld. I'm sure firecracker would help with that too though.

So I’ve been reviewing 1st year material out of FA and going back through Sketchy. Just things like that. I could use UW questions by direct topic to make sure I’m getting the info, but I’m worried that will hurt me when Jan rolls around and I start my initial pass with random/timed. Does that make sense?

So either Kaplan or Rx would be good for hitting questions by specific topic while I’m reviewing 1st year stuff? Does that seem like a good plan?

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I think people have an obscure fetish for doing uworld 40 times. Uworld is as much a teaching tool for content as much as a teaching tool for test taking skills. Doing it early without really knowing any pathophysiology just means you're going to be learning things that otherwise are easily acquired from a quick read of first aid. I recommend using RX or Kaplan up until you know you're ready to start hammering away at boards.

 

[MrTaco92]

So I’ve been reviewing 1st year material out of FA and going back through Sketchy. Just things like that. I could use UW questions by direct topic to make sure I’m getting the info, but I’m worried that will hurt me when Jan rolls around and I start my initial pass with random/timed. Does that make sense?

So either Kaplan or Rx would be good for hitting questions by specific topic while I’m reviewing 1st year stuff? Does that seem like a good plan?

Under the assumption that you make sure you actually retain the things you learn from whatever qbank you do, definitely do kaplan or rx prior. You won't regret it. I'd recommend going about using it in a cumulative fashion so everything stays relatively fresh in your head and there won't be any need for any kind of comprehensive review/serious panic once you really begin dedicated. I'd say if youre already using a resource like zanki/bros that helps hammer in first aid, then you should go with kaplan questions. If not, then I'd recommend rx for hammering in first aid. I actually had a couple of concepts tested in rx/kaplan that never showed up in uworld pop up on my actual usmle last week (literally just about 2 though). And chances are if you did 1 qbank prior, you'd do well enough on your first pass of uworld to the extent that a second pass would be absolutely useless. I could only see uworld 2x being useful for someone who only does uworld. I could see uworld 3x being useful for a ham sandwich, but not for any human being on this planet.

 

[DocWinter]

You're in a good place. I was in your place with a similar story and matched where I wanted in the field I wanted as an average student.

Don't try to reinvent yourself if things are working. I personally saw great gains with sketchy and highly recommend any and all materials from them.

Don't rock the boat, don't hyperfocus on grades or class rank or burn out on board study too soon. Stick to the basic study materials, know your OMT cold and do questions during devoted study time.