Dealing with 'life stressors' whilst studying for USMLE

[hj0517]

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Hey guys wondering if you have any advice on this - I was planning to take step 1 at the end of August/start of September giving me roughly 10 weeks of prep time.

The thing is that I've found the end of this year quite tough and to use a better word to describe it - I feel drained. I have never had this kind of stress/issues before and at the moment I'm worried that I won't bring my A game to the table when it comes to studying and taking the thing.

What do you think I should do? Its a bit of a predicament I find myself in 😕

 

[R_C_Hutchinson]

I wish I had some really good advice on this, but I'm sure some other posters do. All I can say is that I totally understand the feeling and all of my friends here have felt much the same way, so at least you're not alone.

 

[SOUNDMAN]

ten weeks is forever in preparation time, most people are burned out by 4-6 weeks to be honest.

 

[strongsoul]

hey, i think i understand what your going through.
I've been going through very similar things myself, as i am studying for this exam.
I feel that everything comes down right when we plan it all out.

My best advice to you( what i try to do)...
is to every day/morning whenever you can before studying try to either pray, medidate, do yoga, even exercise/gym...anything for a little while to get your mind off of everything in life @ the moment( the best you can do).

Although these life stressors wont stop and they come @ the worst times or bring us down,we have to be a bit selfish and try our best to block out what we can...I dont mean selfish in the negative sense, i mean selfish to get our things done..such as this exam..

Sometimes you have to turn off your phone or change the number( yes, i had to do that and it works to some extent)...the people who need to reach you or that you need to reach you can get a hold of somehow and for the few months or 6 weeks u are preparing..u can focus on yourself & eliminating all this unwanted mess.

Trust me i understand what your going through, and i really have been there..

I just think its our time to focus and try to put our best efforts into this..

This means you need to do whatever it takes, ...pray hard...pray everyday..clear your mind...and just try to be happy...

I hope things get better!!

Best of luck!! Best Regards,

--SS😀

 

[The Angriest Bird]

First, I thought I was one of those people who were so mentally-tough that while everyone else could not stand the pain of Step 1 preparation, I could.

It turned out I'm just as psychologically vulnerable as everyone else is.

10 weeks is way too long. I'm not saying it hasn't been done before. I know one person who did 4.5 months and got 273.

How long you want to study depends on 3 things:

1. Your goal (most important factor)
If you want to nail a 250+, I say you definitely need 6 weeks. If you just want a 220, 4 weeks is probably enough.

2. How many hours a day
IMO, everyone should study at least 5-6 hours a day. 4 hrs/day X 10 weeks does NOT equal 10 hrs/day X 4 weeks. Because, we forget what we learn. If you stretch it to 10 weeks, without very efficient repetition strategy, you wouldn't remember what you learned on Day 1.

3. What's your starting point
It depends on how well you've studied in MS1 and MS2. Taking a diagnostic NBME is the best to estimate where you are (Do not use Form 1. It's too easy. Form 5+6 are said to be very hard). A lot of people start with around 200, but some start with sub-passing score such as 160ish.

 

[hj0517]

Thanks for that advice, I think you are right - I should just take an NBME and just crack on with it - my school year hasn't finished yet (I study in the UK) once its done I'll do a form and see how I get on.

 

[Knicks]

When you guys say things like "10 weeks is too long", are you guys referring to U.S.-schooled students? or are you including Caribbean-schooled students as well?


Because I know a lot of Caribbean-schooled students who needed like 10 months to study since their foundations weren't built to begin with.

 

[jbone]

ten weeks is forever in preparation time, most people are burned out by 4-6 weeks to be honest.

👍
Right on the nose. I was burned out a month ago.

 

[hj0517]

I think they are yes. The only way I can find this out is if I do a form so I'm going to go ahead and do it. I dont have 10 months because of rotations and next summer I want to go to Yale for a program they offer and then after that in 2010 its finals (equiv. of step 2 and CS) so thats just how it is.

The main reason I put this up is because I'm having to juggle quite a few things at the moment - writing a piece of research, moving in with GF, dealing with ill close family etc. Nothing to do with questions on prep time or study scheduling, I just wonder how people 'juggle' basically because literally quite a lot rides on one exam and the balance needs to be just right.

 

[BrisketAttack]

10 wks is too long. you'll be solid in 4 weeks. anything more will only muddy the waters.

 

[GynGuy1983]

When you guys say things like "10 weeks is too long", are you guys referring to U.S.-schooled students? or are you including Caribbean-schooled students as well?


Because I know a lot of Caribbean-schooled students who needed like 10 months to study since their foundations weren't built to begin with.

Insecure much?

 

[Knicks]

^^ I guess so, ask them, not me.

(Thanks for addressing the question, though)

/sarcasm

 

[Anaphylactic]

I think they are yes. The only way I can find this out is if I do a form so I'm going to go ahead and do it. I dont have 10 months because of rotations and next summer I want to go to Yale for a program they offer and then after that in 2010 its finals (equiv. of step 2 and CS) so thats just how it is.

The main reason I put this up is because I'm having to juggle quite a few things at the moment - writing a piece of research, moving in with GF, dealing with ill close family etc. Nothing to do with questions on prep time or study scheduling, I just wonder how people 'juggle' basically because literally quite a lot rides on one exam and the balance needs to be just right.

The worst thing you can do is move in with your GF. You are better off moving to a monastery and focus. Women = distraction = failure.

 

[eur]

The worst thing you can do is move in with your GF. You are better off moving to a monastery and focus. Women = distraction = failure.

Amen to that...stick to your left hand instead for the next couple weeks...does the same job without all the bs.

 

[Knicks]

The worst thing you can do is move in with your GF. You are better off moving to a monastery and focus. Women = distraction = failure.

This.

 

[hj0517]

haha thanks for that! unfortunately that is not an option + we'll both be studying as she is doing her MSc thesis, as well I'm not one to sit for 15h but the time I do work is very productive. I'm not particularly worried about wasting time studying etc I guess just the magnitude of the exam just hit me which is weird as I am an extremely chilled person. Thanks for the input! All there is left is to soldier on - book in hand, Taus' plan in the other 🙂

 

[Instatewaiter]

How long you want to study depends on 3 things:

1. Your goal (most important factor)
If you want to nail a 250+, I say you definitely need 6 weeks. If you just want a 220, 4 weeks is probably enough.

2. How many hours a day
IMO, everyone should study at least 5-6 hours a day. 4 hrs/day X 10 weeks does NOT equal 10 hrs/day X 4 weeks. Because, we forget what we learn. If you stretch it to 10 weeks, without very efficient repetition strategy, you wouldn't remember what you learned on Day 1.

3. What's your starting point
It depends on how well you've studied in MS1 and MS2. Taking a diagnostic NBME is the best to estimate where you are (Do not use Form 1. It's too easy. Form 5+6 are said to be very hard). A lot of people start with around 200, but some start with sub-passing score such as 160ish.

There are diminishing returns and sometimes losses after about 6 weeks. More time will not get you a better score. Those who are going to score in the 250s will do so with 4-6 weeks of studying or with 10.


while certain NBMEs may be heavy on certain topics, they are scaled accordingly. We had an administrator at my school take all the NBMEs. She scored the same on all of them.

I feel 1 is a good baseline b/c it wont scare you too much and you will go in with a pretty good idea of where you stand. It's better not to get discouraged from the get-go.