Feeling like I'm learning this stuff from scratch

[BeastInfection]

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Maybe I haven't worked hard enough over the past year and half, or maybe I simply have a terrible memory (perhaps both), but I feel like I don't know any details about...anything. And not in a "oh it will come back to me when I review it" sort of way. As I'm looking at practice questions, and going through First Aid, it feels like, yes I've seen this, it looks familiar, but I don't think I ever memorized it.

The problem is, due to the large volume of material covered on the exam, it seems like--even if I start right now--I won't be able to go over the material more than three-ish times, and simply going over something three-ish times seems insufficient to cram it all into my head on a semi-permanent level.

tl;dr: It's too late to take the most frequent bit of Step I advice to "learn everything really well the first time," and now I'm feeling a bit screwed. Any advice on how to tackle this problem and what sort of resources to use (while still trying to keep the number of books fairly low)?

 

[hrain]

I definitely know the feeling. If you haven't already, I'd check out Pathoma. It doesn't cover everything, of course, but in my opinion it's gold for Path. I actually just took a Kaplan Diagnostic test thing and my highest score was in an organ system that I have NOT done in school and have only used Pathoma for...and I haven't even finished the Pathoma chapters for it, I've probably just done like 2/3.

Definitely makes a huge difference to me. He teaches it in a way that makes it stick, even if you feel like you've never learned it.

 

[tortuga87]

Yeah... I didn't even know what a complement was... lol

Pathoma - same as above. The book & lectures explain why

DIT - ties the material together into a coherent "story." Just take it slower than the 8 lectures per day

 

[BeastInfection]

Thanks a lot guys. I will definitely get Pathoma. Any suggestions for the other (non-path) subjects, or did you find a path resource + FA + Qbank to be enough?

 

[FIREitUP]

Thanks a lot guys. I will definitely get Pathoma. Any suggestions for the other (non-path) subjects, or did you find a path resource + FA + Qbank to be enough?

BRS physio
HY Neuro
CMMRS
Levinsons Medical Microbiology

 

[tiedyeddog]

BRS physio
HY Neuro
CMMRS
Levinsons Medical Microbiology

I agree with all of these except Levinsons. Just use CMMRS.

 

[doctoritis]

I agree with all of these except Levinsons. Just use CMMRS.

i know he typed medical microbio - but i think this source is great for immuno, where as stick w/ cmmrs for microbio

 

[tiedyeddog]

i know he typed medical microbio - but i think this source is great for immuno, where as stick w/ cmmrs for microbio

gotcha

 

[normtheniner]

BRS physio
HY Neuro
CMMRS
Levinsons Medical Microbiology

I think BRS phys is a must. Its a fairly quick read and makes most of path make more sense.

 

[BeastInfection]

Cool, thanks. We just started micro so hopefully I can avoid getting behind in that. Is it suggested I pick up an anatomy review if I'm weak in that, or do you get enough through path/physio review?

 

[lulu5831]

I am starring a study schedule next week. So far, I've been reviewing as we go through systems with Pathoma, FA, and CPMRS. I am trying to narrow down my resources and start a doing some sort of a Qbank. I figure I do x number of questions per day related to what I am covering in lecture. However, I have no idea what qbank to use. Any thoughts?

 

[normtheniner]

I am starring a study schedule next week. So far, I've been reviewing as we go through systems with Pathoma, FA, and CPMRS. I am trying to narrow down my resources and start a doing some sort of a Qbank. I figure I do x number of questions per day related to what I am covering in lecture. However, I have no idea what qbank to use. Any thoughts?

The third years told us (the second years) at my school to not use UWorld until you get to your dedicated study time. With that said I've used USMLERx since this past fall and its pretty helpful. I only test myself on systems that I've covered already (the qbank lets you choose what subjects to test on) and for every explanation it will usually reference where it is in first aid.

 

[lulu5831]

The third years told us (the second years) at my school to not use UWorld until you get to your dedicated study time. With that said I've used USMLERx since this past fall and its pretty helpful. I only test myself on systems that I've covered already (the qbank lets you choose what subjects to test on) and for every explanation it will usually reference where it is in first aid.

Thanks. I was already considering getting USMLERx and supplementing with pathoma. We only get 6 weeks of dedicated study time, that means 100+ questions a day to make one pass at the qbank. I am planning to start dedicating 1 hour a day to review (matching what I am doing in class) and 15 questions per day, just to get used to the format and how to apply my knowledge base. Again, thanks for the reply.

 

[BeastInfection]

Would something like the Kaplan videos be useful in my situation, or is Kaplan like DIT (i.e., they just go through FA for you)?

I ordered some review books like BRS physio and HY Neuro, but am worried that A) looking at them, they do seem a bit like outlines, designed for someone who has a strong foundation and just need a review, and B) I'm still concerned about other topics like anatomy, biochem, etc.--working my way through individual review books for every category seems like a daunting task.

 

[happykid]

Kaplan is good for building a foundation. As everyone always says, it's more detail than you need, but that's not so bad when you feel particularly weak in something.