I know I am over zealous but....

[scrubs421]

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[cpants]

All you are doing the first two years is preparing for the step I. That's what the preclinical coursework is. Reading the NEJM won't help for the step.

 

[ZagDoc]

1) going through First Aid

Definitely reasonable to annotate FA first year. The organ systems based sections are more MSII heavy but the subject sections (esp. biochem) are more pertinent to MSI. I have FA open during my last pass through the notes the day before an exam and put in anything that seems particularly relevant. But yeah, MSI is especially low yield, you're building the foundation to learn pathophysiology, so don't expect to get a whole lot out of it. You're mainly doing work to save you work later.

You could probably do the same with BRS physiology, etc as you go through those respective subjects.

2) Do questions from QBank (I was going to use USLME World but I figure I should save those questions for closer to the exam because I have heard they're better---and I would do the questions pertaining to whatever section I am studying in school)

You won't have the fund of knowledge as an MSI to get anything useful out of QBank. Hell, even most MSII until the second half of the year. The question banks are mostly useful in the time building up to the exam itself to find the wholes in your knowledge and to get used to the feel of the exam.

3) Or try and go through 1-2 NEJM articles a week....

A good practice for your own edification, but as stated won't help your Step I score tangibly, except for maybe a question or 4 you might remember the answer to from your reading. Definitely a low yield activity. But feel free to do it anyways, its good for the sake of your own knowledge and for getting used to medical terminology as an MSI.

 

[penguin24]

All you are doing the first two years is preparing for the step I. That's what the preclinical coursework is. Reading the NEJM won't help for the step.

I had the same question, and I'm very glad I listened to this advice. There is not enough time to do something this low yield. Maybe if u're interested in a specific field u could read articles in that journal, but even then, it can wait until M3. Step 1 is way too impt.

 

[sprinkibrio]

During first year you'll get all of the practice questions wrong and barely understand First Aid. The questions on the Step are about understanding medicine and you can't really start trying to understand medicine until you have the vocabulary. MS1 is all about the vocabulary. I would at least wait until after MS1 to start studying. I think the only thing I've heard that is helpful first year is reading and annotating BRS Physio along with physiology and First Aid biochem with biochem.

Also, a lot of the first year details you will see over and over again throughout the first two years. That's kind of studying/reviewing in and of itself.

The reason people study in a month and do well is because it's possible to study in a month and do well.

 

[FoundationsFan5]

I know some students have mentioned this... but I am determined to do some step I studying throughout first and second year... so I have a number of options I was hoping people could offer me some advice for doing one of following options 1) going through First Aid 2) Do questions from QBank (I was going to use USLME World but I figure I should save those questions for closer to the exam because I have heard they're better---and I would do the questions pertaining to whatever section I am studying in school) 3) Or try and go through 1-2 NEJM articles a week.... I am only a first year and I don't have a LOT of extra time, but I would like to do some slow work for Step I over the next two years.... and before you say it Yes, I will still do well in my classes, I know that is most important... Thanks for the help in Advance. (In particular I would like advice from those that pushed 240-250+ because I am looking for a competitive specialty)

What? No. No way. Stop.

 

[badasshairday]

During first year you'll get all of the practice questions wrong and barely understand First Aid. Just try if you don't trust me.

lol. I was looking at books for biochemistry vignettes and thought... hmmm maybe I could take a look at this while we go over biochem right now. Then I quickly realized that it would be impossibly without taking pathology. I think I'll hold off on the Step 1 prep until after 1st year.

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

Do yourself a favor and devote yourself to your school-work. Even though some will tell you its all "low yield" and you should focus on QBank and First Aid, the fact is while some (read: a lot) of it is low-yield, it'll be the only time you'll SEE that low yield material that can and does show up on First AID and can be the difference between a good score and great score.

 

[coldweatherblue]

I've been using BRS Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry A LOT to supplement our lecture notes. The BRS books are generally much more high-yield and easier to understand than our lecture notes so it's good both for board-prep but also just for understanding the material.

 

[uclabruins47]

I know some students have mentioned this... but I am determined to do some step I studying throughout first and second year... so I have a number of options I was hoping people could offer me some advice for doing one of following options 1) going through First Aid 2) Do questions from QBank (I was going to use USLME World but I figure I should save those questions for closer to the exam because I have heard they're better---and I would do the questions pertaining to whatever section I am studying in school) 3) Or try and go through 1-2 NEJM articles a week.... I am only a first year and I don't have a LOT of extra time, but I would like to do some slow work for Step I over the next two years.... and before you say it Yes, I will still do well in my classes, I know that is most important... Thanks for the help in Advance. (In particular I would like advice from those that pushed 240-250+ because I am looking for a competitive specialty)

gunner alert... NEJM articles?!

 

[78222]

M1s are so ******ed

 

[Monica Lewinsky]

Goljan actually mentions reading NEJM and JAMA articles (obviously the relevant ones that are reviews on advances in the standard of care and other consensus articles)

Its not worth your time, you don't know enough about pathology and pharmacology until well into your 2nd year to really be able to get much out of those articles. Even then, they are way to esoteric.

If you want to prerpare now, just do well in your coursework. Although you will find differences in what you learn in class from FA, BRS, RR, and everything else, its generally the same material. If anything, you can supplement, but learning it well for class is the best you can do right now.

 

[plainfacts]

M1s are so ******ed

They are stupid like little babies... not as cute though 😀.
M1 = med babies

 

[Ashers]

All you are doing the first two years is preparing for the step I. That's what the preclinical coursework is. Reading the NEJM won't help for the step.

Exactly. Learn this stuff well the first time, and you'll be golden because it won't be as hard/painful to go over it when studying for step 1.

I did well on step 1 while just studying for my classes during M1 and M2 year and not putting any extra effort until AFTER my finals -- including annotating FA, but I knew most of the material pretty well (M2 better than M1).