There are a number of threads about big vs baby robbins and about Goljan RR path, but I was wondering if people have found it more helpful to have big robbins (for path classes) and baby robins (for reference and Step I so that there is more continuity) or Goljan RR for Step I (so that there is a wider range of high yield material) along with the big robbins. Either way I will get big robbins I just feel that it would be too much to use for board review.
Big Robbins with Baby vs RR Path
- Thread starter RWillan
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I like big robbins, it's just too time consuming.
I'm currently using Medium Robbins w/ Robbins Review (the question book) for my coursework. I haven't looked into Goljan RR.
Not sure about how I'll hit step I but I swear by Robbins Review.
For path, i like to give a quick read to the disease presented in class in Big Robbins, make my own notes, from robbins and teachers notes. I then read the chapters in Goljan and revise my notes. do Robbins questions a week or so before the exam. Listen to Goljan audio at night before bed as well. RR Path an awesome book, use it during your path class and use it for Step 1.
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The baby robbins is only $1.81 on Amazon if you don't mind the older edition.
I read the RR again and again and again with my classes, makes understanding class notes that much easier. The baby is almost completely redundant but before opening the question book, I scan the relevant chapter to pick up on the histological presentations lacking in Goljan and just get a different angle on things. Whatever I find in the question book that wasn't in RR gets written in the margins. I score the highest in Path at my school with my plan if you're looking for some street cred. Step 1, who knows?
Tried the biggun for a while with classes. Got nothing out of the experience.
I read the RR again and again and again with my classes, makes understanding class notes that much easier. The baby is almost completely redundant but before opening the question book, I scan the relevant chapter to pick up on the histological presentations lacking in Goljan and just get a different angle on things. Whatever I find in the question book that wasn't in RR gets written in the margins. I score the highest in Path at my school with my plan if you're looking for some street cred. Step 1, who knows?
Tried the biggun for a while with classes. Got nothing out of the experience.
Big Robbins is almost impossible to read as a first source. It would take me forever to get through one paragraph and I would frequently fall asleep.
I found that if I read Robbins the week before exams 2nd year, after I've already learned the gist of the material, I got much more out of it. It was actually a much easier, enjoyable read because you're not as overwhelmed by the underlying concepts and you can focus more on the little details.
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So basically you're saying that the baby robbins, robbin's question book and RR are good to use all together? We're supposed to be using big robbins as our text but I don't think that using it as my main source is a great use of my time. I am just in intro to path right now but next year I am sure I will use all of these books next year in path and for the boards.
I always used Big Robbins for class, then baby robbins for review before tests, they are AWESOME together. For USMLE review both are prob too much, better to use FA, Kaplan Lecture notes, and BRS pathology.
