dont understand how to study!?!?

[TY06]

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okay...so i dont understand how to study for step 1. everytime i crack open a book just to look, e.g., hy series or first aid, its filled with info!!!! how the heck am i supposed to learn all this and how do i approach it???

i dont know how you guys got started. thanks for any advice.

 

[saco]

okay...so i dont understand how to study for step 1. everytime i crack open a book just to look, e.g., hy series or first aid, its filled with info!!!! how the heck am i supposed to learn all this and how do i approach it???

i dont know how you guys got started. thanks for any advice.

For myself, getting started is always the hardest. The most important is to DO START. One you are rolling along it will become easier. Start reading and keep reading. Make a schedule and keep to it.

 

[gagolden]

Agreed, the hardest part is starting. What I did was make a schedule. Do what works for you. Block off each day for a certain subject, and what material(s) your going to cover that day. Block off time each day for questions. Don't forget to block off meals and break times.

Dont forget to have some fun time as well, go see a movie or watch the Family Guy every day. If you don't schedule fun time, you'll go nuts

 

[dynx]

Agree with the above. I know a lot of people who spent a lot of time talking about how much they had to learn and how many books they were going to use etc etc and never got to it all. This is why FA is a GREAT GREAT GREAT thing. Let it guide your studies. Start a subject and make sure you know AND understand the subjects in FA, if you dont...use another resource and annotate. This keeps you from being overwhelmed by text book level detail. Good luck. Just get to it, don't let your fear of not being able to cover all the material make you freeze up, it will become a self fulfilling prophecy.

 

[tatabox80]

Hi there, also don't forget how you learned during your first two years of medical school. I learn best by repetition, however I understand how it can be daunting just to cover everything once. Don't worrry, once you get in your groove it won't be so bad.

 

[novacek88]

The best advice I can give is

Understanding > Memorization

Step I will rarely ask you a question in a direct manner which merely asks for one to recall a random fact and plug it in. Step I requires that you know background information related to a question so you know what the question is asking. The only way you will understand the context of a question is to really be familiar with and UNDERSTAND a concept well. And by understanding, I mean you have to be able to explain the subject in a conversational manner or draw out easily to a friend. Understanding doesn't mean just understandng something while you read it. If you can't draw something out or casually talk it out, you don't understand it well enough. If you don't have that level of understanding, you won't score high on Step I.

If you just memorize the lists in First Aid, you would be lucky to pass the exam. And doing a lot of questions won't help if you are completely lost when approaching each question. Memorizing is important and vital to success on Step I. But if you don't understand the subject matter well, memorizing random facts won't help you at all. Only memorize after you understand it well.

Start preparing early. The earlier you start the less stressed you will be and the more time you will have to learn subjects you didn't have a firm understanding of the first time you approached it.

 

[DOCTORSAIB]

Start preparing early. The earlier you start the less stressed you will be and the more time you will have to learn subjects you didn't have a firm understanding of the first time you approached it.

I'm banking on this. I've used BRS path extensively during the latter part of 1st year when we started general path and systems (Cardio, Renal/Pulm). Got my copy of FA during 1st year and used that when studying for pharm.

2nd year at my school is all systems. Plan is to continue using FA and BRS books this year and start doing questions as early as possible. Perhaps Dec/Jan. Incorporate Goljan audio, HY series, an BRS behavioral in the next few months and up the intensity 6-8 weeks before the exam. Thats the plan. Lets see what happens in reality. 🙄

 

[Long Dong]

I'm banking on this. I've used BRS path extensively during the latter part of 1st year when we started general path and systems (Cardio, Renal/Pulm). Got my copy of FA during 1st year and used that when studying for pharm.

2nd year at my school is all systems. Plan is to continue using FA and BRS books this year and start doing questions as early as possible. Perhaps Dec/Jan. Incorporate Goljan audio, HY series, an BRS behavioral in the next few months and up the intensity 6-8 weeks before the exam. Thats the plan. Lets see what happens in reality. 🙄

Sounds good, OP try this plan. You guys are gonna rock it this time next year. 👍

 

[dynx]

If you just memorize the lists in First Aid, you would be lucky to pass the exam.

I would change this to say if you memorize and understand firstaid you'll easily break 240.