Best use of winter break for m2

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What to do over m2 winter break?

  • Study

    Votes: 29 35.8%

  • Relax

    Votes: 52 64.2%
  • Total voters
    81
Start UWorld so you can get in a groove if you haven't started at all. Do 40Q max a day and review them. That shouldn't take more than 4-5 hrs. Get that done in the morning and spend the rest of the day catching up on hobbies, working out, and netflixing. If you find that you can't maintain that balance, just forget it and relax knowing that no one really regrets not studying over break even if it helps a bit. You could also just go all out and travel. Really up to you! Good luck on your exams before break!
 
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sinombre said:
One day when you're a resident with no breaks you're going to look back at this post and shake your head.
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This. And similarly, I think that when I look back on my life, I'm not gonna say, "Dang, I wish I had spent more time studying for step 1 and less time celebrating the holidays with my family and friends and enjoying life". Step 1 is a big deal, but there are more important things.
 
I would say relax and get ready for the 5 to 6 month sprint to the summer. Step burn out is real.
Also you won't be going home for spring break (at least I didn't) in order to study, so take the time to enjoy home, family, and doing nothing. If you must do something then plan your study schedule and get all of your resources in line that way you can hit the ground running.

Started studying in January and did as well or better than people who studied all through winter break. Some people started in March and killed it as well although that would make me anxious as hell lol
 
gapyearguppy said:
I would say relax and get ready for the 5 to 6 month sprint to the summer. Step burn out is real.
Also you won't be going home for spring break (at least I didn't) in order to study, so take the time to enjoy home, family, and doing nothing. If you must do something then plan your study schedule and get all of your resources in line that way you can hit the ground running.

Started studying in January and did as well or better than people who studied all through winter break. Some people started in March and killed it as well although that would make me anxious as hell lol
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I started in May. Scored in the 240's (in 2005 FWIW though the board was hardly less neurotic then)

I think SDN posters psych each other out.
 
My school is dumb and did neuro at the end of first year. I'm 400 Qs deep in Uworld so my plan is to keep up with Uworld/reviews most days and do a review of neuro in FA and Pathoma so I can add it into Uworld once school starts. Plan to mostly ski everyday winter break and spend a few hours a day on this.
 
Imo it depends on your personality and how much you can balance. I know that when im on break i wake up at 9 and mope around doing nothing for hours. Then maybe ill go to the gym or hang out or whatever. So for me, yea i did a lot of chilling/hobbies, i used that moping around time to do uworld cardio (300+ qs) and thanked myself for it later.
 
piii said:
My school is dumb and did neuro at the end of first year. I'm 400 Qs deep in Uworld so my plan is to keep up with Uworld/reviews most days and do a review of neuro in FA and Pathoma so I can add it into Uworld once school starts. Plan to mostly ski everyday winter break and spend a few hours a day on this.
Click to expand...
This is very similar to what i did as well. Also went thru a bunch of pathoma chapters in a kind of leisure review. But dont forget to relax and enjoy your break. You can do both. And i dont buy that studying 3 hours a day during the break isnt productive.
 
gapyearguppy said:
I would say relax and get ready for the 5 to 6 month sprint to the summer. Step burn out is real.
Also you won't be going home for spring break (at least I didn't) in order to study, so take the time to enjoy home, family, and doing nothing. If you must do something then plan your study schedule and get all of your resources in line that way you can hit the ground running.

Started studying in January and did as well or better than people who studied all through winter break. Some people started in March and killed it as well although that would make me anxious as hell lol
Click to expand...
Step burnout is real. Thats exactly why you take the free time you have and use it productively. Dont just push it off til dedicated - theres too much to learn.
 
Newyawk said:
This is very similar to what i did as well. Also went thru a bunch of pathoma chapters in a kind of leisure review. But dont forget to relax and enjoy your break. You can do both. And i dont buy that studying 3 hours a day during the break isnt productive.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Yeah, I'm pretty maxed out right now as it is between board review/class/gym/hobbies. Studying a few hours a day and chilling the rest doesn't sound that bad!
 
gapyearguppy said:
Also you won't be going home for spring break (at least I didn't) in order to study,
Click to expand...

😵 most people I've talked to said they took spring break off. Maybe cuz our spring break is at the beginning of March and we take step in June? I dunno. But it seems like it's probably a good idea to take the time off when it's given to you.
 
Lannister said:
😵 most people I've talked to said they took spring break off. Maybe cuz our spring break is at the beginning of March and we take step in June? I dunno. But it seems like it's probably a good idea to take the time off when it's given to you.
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We take step in April :/
 
Newyawk said:
Step burnout is real. Thats exactly why you take the free time you have and use it productively. Dont just push it off til dedicated - theres too much to learn.
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Hey! I'm just advocating for January which is definitely not dedicated.

Lannister said:
😵 most people I've talked to said they took spring break off. Maybe cuz our spring break is at the beginning of March and we take step in June? I dunno. But it seems like it's probably a good idea to take the time off when it's given to you.
Click to expand...

Our school interrupts us during dedicated with mandatory review courses so I wanted to make up for the wasted time.
 
DokterMom said:
Are you gunning for Ortho or Plastics?
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Not gunning for any particular field. Interested in surgery or some kind of procedural specialty. Would like to do academic so looking to do semi well on step. I usually get out of the study groove and have a hard time getting back into it so didn't want to do that over break.
 
sinombre said:
One day when you're a resident with no breaks you're going to look back at this post and shake your head.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't say that is always the case. I live with my significant other. I still do the things I enjoy (lift, play some Xbox) but those could be done even on busy study days. I think I will regret not spending the time reviewing a subject I have a hard time with when it comes to step. I also don't retain stuff long term as well so I thought this would be a good time to review everything we have done so far this year.
 
I'm glad to hear that a lot of people didn't study and still did well. Makes me feel fine about not going too hard over break. I appreciate all the replies and input.
 
gapyearguppy said:
I would say relax and get ready for the 5 to 6 month sprint to the summer. Step burn out is real.
Also you won't be going home for spring break (at least I didn't) in order to study, so take the time to enjoy home, family, and doing nothing. If you must do something then plan your study schedule and get all of your resources in line that way you can hit the ground running.

Started studying in January and did as well or better than people who studied all through winter break. Some people started in March and killed it as well although that would make me anxious as hell lol
Click to expand...
I just wouldn't say I'm the best student (I do relatively well in class, usually above average but don't know what that means since each school is different) so I wanted to make sure I give myself a slight leg up. I know that a lot of people say the number of practice questions we do plays a huge role in the score so I thought maybe doing questions based on the material this year so far would be good.
 
Syncrohnize said:
Start UWorld so you can get in a groove if you haven't started at all. Do 40Q max a day and review them. That shouldn't take more than 4-5 hrs. Get that done in the morning and spend the rest of the day catching up on hobbies, working out, and netflixing. If you find that you can't maintain that balance, just forget it and relax knowing that no one really regrets not studying over break even if it helps a bit. You could also just go all out and travel. Really up to you! Good luck on your finals.
Click to expand...
I have USMLERx and was thinking of using that all up before I start uworld.

Do you take notes on the questions you do or make anki cards off them? Haven't figure out a good way to organize and best utilize the practice questions yet.
 
Levrone said:
Wake up at 6am,study until 6pm. Then enjoy the rest of your day 🙂
Click to expand...

That’s 12 hours studying and if you’re a serious lifter, subtract 1 hr for lifting, 8 hrs for sleep, and 1 for meal-prep /miscellaneous. I’d hardly call those remaining two hours “the rest of the day to enjoy” 😛
 
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theonlytycrane said:
off topic- is neuro at the end of M1 not normal?
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It’s normal. They do it that way at my school and it doesn’t affect anything. You’ll cover abnormal Neuro in second year. For now, enjoy your M1 break after Physio. It’s the last really nice winter break you’ll have.
 
theonlytycrane said:
off topic- is neuro at the end of M1 not normal?
Click to expand...

We did neuro at the end of M1. They switched it from M2 to M1 last year because apparently it's lower yield than other blocks (cardio, renal, pulm, GI).
 
anonymousdoctobe said:
I have USMLERx and was thinking of using that all up before I start uworld.

Do you take notes on the questions you do or make anki cards off them? Haven't figure out a good way to organize and best utilize the practice questions yet.
Click to expand...

Get through it fast. I don’t know how to advise you I don’t really like Rx so I can’t give much advice on it but many people who’ve done better than me have done 1 Rx Pass and 1 UW pass. I’d say just get right to UWorld and get going but based on the # of times I’ve said that on this forum, people have started to think I’m the Uworld spokesperson. As for notes, it honestly varies. I’ve done a lot of introspection and I really don’t think anything as systematic as Anki helps me because I lose focus of the big picture as I start to make cards. The best for me was to try to use regular flash cards (quicker) to track what I thought were useful facts. Sometimes I’d just copy charts on printer paper. I think the process of writing was better than the process of using it for recall. Then again there are tons of people who are able to somehow make Anki or some other system work for them. I never found such a system.
 
Syncrohnize said:
Get through it fast. I don’t know how to advise you I don’t really like Rx so I can’t give much advice on it but many people who’ve done better than me have done 1 Rx Pass and 1 UW pass. I’d say just get right to UWorld and get going but based on the # of times I’ve said that on this forum, people have started to think I’m the Uworld spokesperson. As for notes, it honestly varies. I’ve done a lot of introspection and I really don’t think anything as systematic as Anki helps me because I lose focus of the big picture as I start to make cards. The best for me was to try to use regular flash cards (quicker) to track what I thought were useful facts. Sometimes I’d just copy charts on printer paper. I think the process of writing was better than the process of using it for recall. Then again there are tons of people who are able to somehow make Anki or some other system work for them. I never found such a system.
Click to expand...
I've just never gotten any utility out of a second pass on things because I remember the questions. If I got it right the first time, I'll usually get it right the second time. If I got it wrong, I'll almost certainly remember it. For example, I tried to retake a practice MCAT back in the day, and I'd start reading the passage, get a sentence or so in, and then go answer the questions from remembering the wording, so I stopped. Sadly, it doesn't mean I remember the content, just the particular phrasing/questions.
 
theonlytycrane said:
off topic- is neuro at the end of M1 not normal?
Click to expand...

Syncrohnize said:
It’s normal. They do it that way at my school and it doesn’t affect anything. You’ll cover abnormal Neuro in second year. For now, enjoy your M1 break after Physio. It’s the last really nice winter break you’ll have.
Click to expand...
We do neuro phys and path/pharm 1st year and not second year.
 
mehc012 said:
I've just never gotten any utility out of a second pass on things because I remember the questions. If I got it right the first time, I'll usually get it right the second time. If I got it wrong, I'll almost certainly remember it. For example, I tried to retake a practice MCAT back in the day, and I'd start reading the passage, get a sentence or so in, and then go answer the questions from remembering the wording, so I stopped. Sadly, it doesn't mean I remember the content, just the particular phrasing/questions.
Click to expand...

Are you saying that from experience with Uworld or surmising based on MCAT experience? If the former, you may have not started UWorld early enough and is the second pass random? If the latter, just try it. If not I’ve seen people succeed with using RX instead and that’s the one I suppose id recommend. Ever since middle school I’ve never used Kaplan because I felt their sources tried to teach the material rather than simulate the exam and for the USMLE I heard they test tons of minutiae whereas Rx is from the makers of First Aid so once you finish, you’ll atleast be more familiar the the F of UFAP.
 
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this isn't a difficult question. it comes down to this: are you willing to sacrifice some break time to probably gain a few points on your step I?
you can't listen to people who "didn't study over break and did well anyway" because 1. you have no idea how prepared they were otherwise. 2. you don't know if they got a 250 and perhaps could've gotten a 255 if they used their break time wisely. do I know this for a fact? no, but neither does anyone else. one things for sure: anyone who says studying over break is a complete waste of time is either lying or just plain wrong (assuming you actually study and don't just **** around).
 
Newyawk said:
this isn't a difficult question. it comes down to this: are you willing to sacrifice some break time to probably gain a few points on your step I?
you can't listen to people who "didn't study over break and did well anyway" because 1. you have no idea how prepared they were otherwise. 2. you don't know if they got a 250 and perhaps could've gotten a 255 if they used their break time wisely. do I know this for a fact? no, but neither does anyone else. one things for sure: anyone who says studying over break is a complete waste of time is either lying or just plain wrong (assuming you actually study and don't just **** around).
Click to expand...

The topic has come up many times over the years and the consensus is pretty much always "it's not very useful."
 
VincentAdultman said:
The topic has come up many times over the years and the consensus is pretty much always "it's not very useful."
Click to expand...
this is impossible to prove. what we do know is that the more effort somebody puts into something the better their personal outcome will be.
you don't want to study over break and you'd prefer to use it to enjoy life? you have everyone's blessing. but don't sit there and convince others that their effort is useless. I had classmates tell me "oh I'm not studying for step yet until dedicated it really doesn't matter before that" and "why do you do so many questions they're so repetitive and anyway its so far from step it won't help you"
result? I crushed step and those naysayers bombed it.
I think this is a perfect time for a pursuit of happyness reference.
p63sznfyu38y.jpg
 
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Newyawk said:
this is impossible to prove. what we do know is that the more effort somebody puts into something the better their personal outcome will be.
you don't want to study over break and you'd prefer to use it to enjoy life? you have everyone's blessing. but don't sit there and convince others that their effort is useless. I had classmates tell me "oh I'm not studying for step yet until dedicated it really doesn't matter before that" and "why do you do so many questions they're so repetitive and anyway its so far from step it won't help you"
result? I crushed step and those naysayers bombed it.
I think this is a perfect time for a pursuit of happyness reference.
p63sznfyu38y.jpg
Click to expand...

I'm not telling you or anyone else to do anything. If you want to study for boards over M2 break, you do you.

Congrats on crushing Step One though.
 
Taking step1 mid march. I feel like break is a little closer to dedicated for me and it might be "higher yield" to study a solid amount. Anybody else taking/took step earlier and have thoughts on this?
 
Half of break i'm taking completely off to spend with family and loved ones.

The other half I am gunning hard. I already started my dedicated (mentally) and have stoped caring about classes + doing pure step prep. I am a step machine cranking cranking cranking. Winter will only make me stronger.

Muahahahaha :cigar::cigar::cigar::boom:
 
sinombre said:
One day when you're a resident with no breaks you're going to look back at this post and shake your head.
Click to expand...

I think we're trying to get to that point first haha

I'm making my step schedule and intend to start *casually* getting through sketchy/FA before our dedicated starts in March.
 
I'll probably study a little. At this point I can't fully turn it off even if I try. Planning on finally looking over sketchy a bit and glancing over the systems we went over in FA.
 
intubesteak said:
Taking step1 mid march. I feel like break is a little closer to dedicated for me and it might be "higher yield" to study a solid amount. Anybody else taking/took step earlier and have thoughts on this?
Click to expand...

Took step 1 in early April, so just a bit later. Didn’t study over winter break and didn’t regret it - I felt burnt out enough by the time I took my test. But it depends on what feels best for you.
 
I appreciate everyone's input. Seems like the consensus is that relaxing should be guilt free. I was still hoping to study a bit but it seems like research will actually take up most of it.
 
Should I:
-prestudy the summer before M1
-preview first aid in summer of M1
-review things in any of the winter breaks
Answer is “no, just relax” for all of them. (Please note the pattern here)
 
iBS1972 said:
Should I:
-prestudy the summer before M1
-preview first aid in summer of M1
-review things in any of the winter breaks
Answer is “no, just relax” for all of them. (Please note the pattern here)
Click to expand...

No sense made here. Theres a big difference between prestudying for med school and studying for an exam thats less than 3-6 months away.
 
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