Group Studying For Step I??

[PocketAces]

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Just wondering if anyone has found group studying to be helpful when studying for Step I? Apparently, this is what Kaplan recommends. For the people who have done this, could you please talk about how you structured your group (what you concentrated on working together) and how productive it was? Any info is appreciated!

 

[ckent]

I had several classmates who used to study in groups. I would reccomend that you study with people you are friends with for sanity and break-taking purposes, but just be careful that you guys aren't spending too much time talking during your study sessions. Most of your study sessions should be you both studying your own material IMO. A good usage of a group study session by a few of my classmates was to go over underground clinical vignettes in a group setting. One person would read the case while others would discuss their differential and treatment plan, then they would all read what UCV said. I think that this can be a good usage of a group study session, since it forces you to make sure that you are beginning to think in a clinical setting as opposed to looking for a key word in a multiple choice answer list because a lot of the USMLE step I is clinical vignettes with tricky mutliple choice answers (eg they throw in key words that are meant to mislead you). I suppose that my main recommendation would be just to continue what has worked well for you during second year. You have a limited amount of time to study for the USMLE, and you don't want to waste 2 weeks with a study group learning that you don't study well with groups.

 

[Gibby Haynes]

I think it depends on what works better for you. I don't know of anyone at my school that has done any group study. Personally, group study never worked for me b/c I could cover material 10 times faster on my own. And with all the material that you need to cover for board exams, this may be the best route.

 

[doc05]

group study isn't a bad idea for ms1 or ms2; I wouldn't recommend it for step-1, however, because you are very limited with regard to time.

 

[Kosmo]

I tend to agree with the above posters. My feeling is that group study has limited benefits. Perhaps a once/week type thing to review (and commiserate) with fellow students might be helpful, but I think the bulk of your learning should come from studying on your own.
That's not to say it isnt' ok to study with fellow classmates at the library or whatnot, that way you can go grab lunch at the approprite time, and you can ask for/give help should the need arise; but you're still studying on your own. Just make it someone you don't have too much fun with. 😉

 

[PocketAces]

Thanks for the input. I have talked to people who said that they met once a week and went over clinical cases together (UCV's). They said this really helped with the clinical application of things.

 

[babinski bob]

I am current studying with a group of people for step 1 and have found it enormously helpful. Basically we try to get thru 1st year subjects in anywhere from 1-3 sessions that last 2-3 hours (we meet weekly). I think it's useful if you can get in w/ a group of people who are motivated like yourself and can stay on track and keep it productive. In addition, no matter how smart you are, one of your study partners probably knows something you don't so you can all contribute to each others' learning. Obviously, these sessions will only work if everyone comes prepared and have studied the material beforehand. Don't just glance over the material an hour beforehand and expect yourself to know your **** or be able to contribute. Generally, you should spend 3-5 hours beforehand reviewing and memorizing the pertinent details. From what i've heard, the people that do best on step one tend to use study groups. Good luck.