Discouraged - thinking about quitting...

[RP1987]

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I am a new MS3. I just completed my second year a couple of months ago. I did OK my first two years (my school is P/F) - never failed a test. I was scheduled to take my step 1 exam about 2.5 months ago, but was able to get an extension because my practice exam scores were very low (<150). I am now scheduled to take my exam in 4 days, but my scores (from a few days ago) have not improved much (~180). I am extremely discouraged and at this point I am just thinking about dropping out. I entered medical school with the goal of becoming an opthomologist but I know that with my score, it is out of the question now. I don't think I want to do anything else and have just lost all my motivation to study and have basically done nothing since seeing my last exam score. I just don't know what to do...

 

[mdeast]

I'd consider taking this year off. Step 1 is a difficult exam, but anyone can do well on it with the right amount of effort. Just take the time. You've already put in a lot of effort, see it through. In the meantime, arrange for some optho clinical research you can do in your spare time or for after boards studying.

 

[officedepot]

.

 

[mdeast]

Never say never. We had a student a few years ago who failed Step 1, retook and didn't do so hot (low 200's). He killed clinics and did some away rotations, then got a great Step 2 score and ended up with a optho residency at his top choice. Step 1 isn't the only thing they judge you on. But yes, avoid failing or getting a really low score if it just means investing a few more months into studying.

 

[gman33]

If all you want to do is optho, I'd think about dropping out.
Even with a great board score, it is very difficult to match.
The chances of you getting such a score seem pretty slim.

Now if you think you'd be happy with something else, I'd take time off until you are ready for Step 1. Just do tons of questions and carefully read the explanations.
With enough practice you will begin to learn the tricks they like to use.
If you are doing this poorly, I'd start with USMLERx and FA. They work well together.
The questions reinforce the material in FA.

After doing this, go back to UW and do all the questions. Maybe do them all twice.
Not just speeding thru, but really learning all the material.

It will suck, but it's just part of the process.

 

[Shnurek]

I entered medical school with the goal of becoming an opthomologist but I know that with my score, it is out of the question now.

You wanted to become an ophthalmologist but you don't know how to spell it? Something is wrong here, sorry couldn't resist.

 

[CBG23]

You wanted to become an ophthalmologist but you don't know how to spell it? Something is wrong here, sorry couldn't resist.

Geez, give the guy a break. It's called a typo...

 

[Shnurek]

Lol if s/he missed one letter then it is a typo, otherwise its just ignorance.

 

[LoveandHate]

Some people call it (phonetically) Optho. So perhaps the poster's brain had trouble deciding whether to use an abbreviation or not. The brain can get tripped up like that and accidentally combine things. For example, I am notorious for calling Canada, Canadia. Lol

 

[qmcat]

Don't look too far ahead into the future or the past. Focus on what's in front of you right now, and that's passing Step 1.

Contacting the Dean and asking for another extension or a year off is a good idea. Talk to your dean and see what kind of advice he/she can give you with the situation that you're in. Tell them you don't want to fail and that you're open to any advice or help they can give you.

If you can get more time to study, you should think about what worked and didn't work so far. If you find that you can't stay on track, then I would consider signing up for a formal program like Kaplan or DIT. If you know the material but just have a hard time with questions, then build a schedule around UWorld with your goal to do every single question and read ALL the explanations until you know exactly why you got a question right or wrong.

If you can't get more time to study, then you have to force yourself to buckle down and study hard for the remaining time you have. Get enough sleep and adjust yourself to wake up early so you can be alert at whatever time you're supposed to be testing. Be ready for test day and do your best.

In any case, you should definitely call your school to see what they can do for you.

 

[J ROD]

You wanted to become an ophthalmologist but you don't know how to spell it? Something is wrong here, sorry couldn't resist.

Optho.... 0
Optometry 1