if you are currently / already did 2011 DIT

[Step1Hash]

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For the people who are using / already finished DIT (2011) I was wondering what you thought of the different lecturers? I hear last year it was just Dr. Jenkins, but this year there is more people... are they any good?

 

[icaruswalks]

Yeah, UW + FA is money, as everyone's been saying. Personally, I think I spent too much time with DIT and not enough time with the picky details in FA, but that's just me and everyone's different. And maybe I missed a whole lot more questions than I thought I did.

DIT is a good product though, I might still use it for Step 2 but I would possibly try to do it over winter break or something so that it didn't eat up all of my time right before the exam (too nervewracking for me).

The only thing I felt like I could have used an extra resource in is anatomy; but I also did terribly in anatomy in school and it takes me forever to learn it :-/.

Also, don't be nervous! If you've put in the time, you WILL get results. You know? I believe it, that's all. Hopefully I don't get a crushing blow come July. 😛

Thanks! It's so good to hear that from somebody on SDN. Yeah I am horrible at anatomy! It takes me forever to learn it too! I'm a lot better at physio/pathophys. I gotta know why it's there... ya know?

BTW, no idea you were a girl. It's def the screen name.

 

[SirGecko]

So I took the test today and actually had a drug induced SLE question. So the stuff the stresss does show up sometimes.

 

[icaruswalks]

So I took the test today and actually had a drug induced SLE question. So the stuff the stresss does show up sometimes.

If anything, drug induced SLE has been drilled into my brain from DIT. DIT had a lot of good pharm mnemonics! That's good to hear... I guess

 

[speedyk]

Random weirdo DIT Q I don't expect anyone to know but will try anyway since it probably is a computer Q in general-

If I start a video before midnight (my sub expires tonight) will they turn it off as soon as midnight hits or if I have it loaded and playing am I good?

I am on video #5 of 6 (at 1.5 speed) for today and my brain is dying.

 

[speedyk]

Random weirdo DIT Q I don't expect anyone to know but will try anyway since it probably is a computer Q in general-

If I start a video before midnight (my sub expires tonight) will they turn it off as soon as midnight hits or if I have it loaded and playing am I good?

I am on video #5 of 6 (at 1.5 speed) for today and my brain is dying.

FYI for future users if you have it loaded before your time expires it will let you keep playing. Though right now Dr. Mcinnis is making me kind of wish it didn't.

 

[kac714]

FYI for future users if you have it loaded before your time expires it will let you keep playing. Though right now Dr. Mcinnis is making me kind of wish it didn't.

the best thing about him was that i could listen to him at 1.5x speed and still get everything he was saying haha
glad you were able to get everything in!

 

[speedyk]

the best thing about him was that i could listen to him at 1.5x speed and still get everything he was saying haha
glad you were able to get everything in!

haha yes Dr. Alvey too. Lewis and Jenkins would make my head spin at 1.5x though.

Thank you!

 

[justaregularmed]

haha yes Dr. Alvey too. Lewis and Jenkins would make my head spin at 1.5x though.

Thank you!

You actually get used to it pretty quickly actually. I was worried about 1.5 speed (1.25 would be easily manageable). But if you do a lecture or two at 1.5 its REALLY hard to go back to 1x, its so slow.

 

[DRNRPATEL]

I think it's always a good idea to listen these lectures as fast as possible( 1.5x is probably upper limit, for our human brains!!), speed is necessary because we have to stop every now and then in between lecture to keep pace with first aid written stuff or highlight or adding some info.

 

[Step1Hash]

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[Step1Hash]

Is GI worth listening to for DIT since everyone says it sucks?

 

[tco]

Is GI worth listening to for DIT since everyone says it sucks?

It's not that bad. Alvey has a relatively small part of it.

 

[speedyk]

Is GI worth listening to for DIT since everyone says it sucks?

It's not the strongest part of the course (but maybe because I was already confident with this topic before watching?) and they don't really add much to 1st aid. But if you want to just go over 1st aid and do a few review q's it's fine.

 

[kac714]

Is GI worth listening to for DIT since everyone says it sucks?

I suck at gi, and found my scores went up a tiny bit on kaplan and uworld after watching- but I'd say just listen to goljan 🙂

 

[islandCrazy]

Did you guys find the email part helpful?

 

[ThereHeIs]

Did you guys find the email part helpful?

100% .. You're forced to review 30+ facts/topics per week .. It was definitely a good refresher during my last term.

As for how I used the questions .. I would answer them and then spend time annotating a primary source into FA for that one topic ... for example, orotic aciduria in biochem .. I opened Lippincott's and went over it in detail again and added one or two things (specifically I added that Uridine treatment feedback inhibits CPS-2, decreasing the amount of orotic acid produced) .. These "one-step beyond" facts are learned in courses but may be forgotten (as in my case) .. so far this method has worked out very well for me

Whatever study method/course you choose .. stick to it and take it to the max!

 

[islandCrazy]

Thanks alot for the detailed information. I think I'm going to follow suit in that way.

 

[318038]

Anyone recommend powering through DIT one more time for a final pass of first aid? Test is in 9 days and I think it might be my best bet since I am having a lot of trouble reading.

 

[icaruswalks]

Anyone recommend powering through DIT one more time for a final pass of first aid? Test is in 9 days and I think it might be my best bet since I am having a lot of trouble reading.

I'm not sure. I have a hard time reading too, but I just try to turn some tunes on and power through... on the other hand...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dcxCK5-2Lk&feature=channel_video_title

Taco Bell Crunch Wrap Supreme for 99 cents this upcoming week!

 

[kac714]

Did you guys find the email part helpful?

that's what initially sold me on the class. I think it's the main reason I did well on our diagnostic test before starting to study. I'd answer the questions and if I didn't know one looked it up and annotated in FA.

 

[Step1Hash]

random: anyone else get annoyed when he says the word cumbersome so damn much in almost every lecture?

 

[tco]

random: anyone else get annoyed when he says the word cumbersome so damn much in almost every lecture?

"Moving on," is the phrase that annoyed me.

 

[ThereHeIs]

started yesterday .. so far, i'm liking it .. it's very beneficial if you've made one attempt to get thru FA and learn/understand/memorize margin facts before the videos, imo (otherwise, it might be a bit fast for you) .. DIT just hammers it in, esp. ANS pharm .. def gonna re-watch that one

right brain bonuses are cheezy but its a chance to sit back for 30s and laugh (or not) lol

overall though, i think it really 'completes' FA in a sense .. making connections i may have missed otherwise

DIT is a '6-star' topic

 

[Step1Hash]

for anyone who has taken the test... how helpful was the DIT notebook? Is it worth the time to go through all the questions and information again or is time better spent looking more through FA/ reviewing uworld? I'm trying to look through DIT each morning leading up to my exam but I feel like i'm spending more time on it than its worth. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Sheldor]

for anyone who has taken the test... how helpful was the DIT notebook? Is it worth the time to go through all the questions and information again or is time better spent looking more through FA/ reviewing uworld? I'm trying to look through DIT each morning leading up to my exam but I feel like i'm spending more time on it than its worth. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

For my test form, going through it again would have been overkill. I think that going through it thoroughly that first time was amazing though!

 

[Step1Hash]

For my test form, going through it again would have been overkill. I think that going through it thoroughly that first time was amazing though!

phew...good to hear. I think ill put that book down and just plow through FA. Thanks Sheldor.

 

[Sheldor]

phew...good to hear. I think ill put that book down and just plow through FA. Thanks Sheldor.

There were a couple pages in the handbook that I did reference a day or two before just because I hated the material and couldn't bring myself to memorize it from FA. So if you had a few favorite pages those could be a good tool, but otherwise I think your plan sounds great!

 

[panther42]

for anyone who has taken the test... how helpful was the DIT notebook? Is it worth the time to go through all the questions and information again or is time better spent looking more through FA/ reviewing uworld? I'm trying to look through DIT each morning leading up to my exam but I feel like i'm spending more time on it than its worth. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

The only things I reviewed again after doing it once were the HYQ labeled questions. I looked at them the day before the test, and it boosted my confidence a bit before I put the books down for good. They're pretty easy questions, and quite a few of them did show up on my test.

 

[Step1Hash]

The only things I reviewed again after doing it once were the HYQ labeled questions. I looked at them the day before the test, and it boosted my confidence a bit before I put the books down for good. They're pretty easy questions, and quite a few of them did show up on my test.

also good to know thanks! What would you say is best to do the day before? DIT HYQ + FA Rapid Review?

 

[tco]

The more I do this "final pass," the more I question if I know anything!

 

[Step1Hash]

The more I do this "final pass," the more I question if I know anything!

From what I hear, I think this is a normal feeling. Don't worry you are almost done! and once you sit down and get questions thrown at you, you will remember more than you think you know. I feel like the last pass is more of a reminder of word associations so that when you get to the test you can connect things better on the spot and fully analyze the question. Good luck!

 

[tco]

From what I hear, I think this is a normal feeling. Don't worry you are almost done! and once you sit down and get questions thrown at you, you will remember more than you think you know. I feel like the last pass is more of a reminder of word associations so that when you get to the test you can connect things better on the spot and fully analyze the question. Good luck!

I'm trying his, "Write down anything you don't know to look at again later," technique. Earth might run out of paper before I get done.

My goal is to blast through FA in 4 or 5 days, while reviewing the things I don't know, review everything and also throw in a few questions, then take most of the day before the exam off. My pace is a little slow, but biochem was slightly rough.

 

[Step1Hash]

I'm trying his, "Write down anything you don't know to look at again later," technique. Earth might run out of paper before I get done.

My goal is to blast through FA in 4 or 5 days, while reviewing the things I don't know, review everything and also throw in a few questions, then take most of the day before the exam off. My pace is a little slow, but biochem was slightly rough.

lol. I'm sure it will be the same way for me...there's just soo much to know. How long does it take you to each day to get through 1/4 -1/5 FA?

 

[speedyk]

The more I do this "final pass," the more I question if I know anything!

I felt exactly the same way and wanted to move my test date but decided I couldn't afford it. But doing the last minute review got me at least 10 more q's right I think.

 

[speedyk]

for anyone who has taken the test... how helpful was the DIT notebook? Is it worth the time to go through all the questions and information again or is time better spent looking more through FA/ reviewing uworld? I'm trying to look through DIT each morning leading up to my exam but I feel like i'm spending more time on it than its worth. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

In retrospect just the HYQs and the notes/review Qs on areas where you are weak. I had ~2 Qs on their material which was not covered in 1st aid (Something related to restless leg syndrome and some other random Q which I now forget).

 

[SirGecko]

I will agree that pretty much any high yield resource is what you want to do the day before. I always need help on pharm so I looked through that section of first aid and did some flashcards.

Big point though is don't study after dinner the night before. Try to do something else so you are able to go to sleep and actually get a good night's rest before the test. The last thing you want to do is go into the test already burnt out. The test isn't just about regurgitating information, you need to do some thinking too. Getting a good night's sleep can help minimize dumb errors and you make more intelligent guesses on those "impossible" questions.

 

[tco]

lol. I'm sure it will be the same way for me...there's just soo much to know. How long does it take you to each day to get through 1/4 -1/5 FA?

I've only done it one day...I originally wanted to get through the basic sciences by today, but I couldn't sleep last night and got a late start. We'll see how far I get.

 

[Sheldor]

lol. I'm sure it will be the same way for me...there's just soo much to know. How long does it take you to each day to get through 1/4 -1/5 FA?

Just wanted to say that my speed turned out to be very consistent. It took me an average of 5 minutes per page no matter how fast I tried to go. I stress that this was an average, some pages took less and some more, but I think this is a pretty good estimate for most people if you really want to go slow enough to absorb all the material.

So for me, it was about 90 pages per day to get through 1/5 per day. So it took me 9 hours of 50 minutes of studying followed by 10 minutes of break. Hope it helps!

 

[Step1Hash]

Just wanted to say that my speed turned out to be very consistent. It took me an average of 5 minutes per page no matter how fast I tried to go. I stress that this was an average, some pages took less and some more, but I think this is a pretty good estimate for most people if you really want to go slow enough to absorb all the material.

So for me, it was about 90 pages per day to get through 1/5 per day. So it took me 9 hours of 50 minutes of studying followed by 10 minutes of break. Hope it helps!

thanks! Now I have a better idea how to split it up. Another question.. I still have UWSA2 to do. Do you think its better to do as a test or should I just split it up into blocks and do one block a night during my final week review so I am still keeping my mind active with questions? If I decide to do this I will have 6 days of pure review.

 

[tco]

Wow. I just did a 30 question set from UWorld and it feels like I've completely forgotten how to take an exam. I'm not so sure this "one week final pass of FA" is that great of an idea.

 

[Step1Hash]

Wow. I just did a 30 question set from UWorld and it feels like I've completely forgotten how to take an exam. I'm not so sure this "one week final pass of FA" is that great of an idea.

When is your test?.. My dad recently advised me to load up the day before with questions. Even if its going over questions you already did -- you need to get your mind in the zone more than your memory.

 

[speedyk]

Wow. I just did a 30 question set from UWorld and it feels like I've completely forgotten how to take an exam. I'm not so sure this "one week final pass of FA" is that great of an idea.

I have to agree with this. I went from my average (the mid 60s for Qs in the 2 weeks) to the mid 40s. It was a real confidence shaker right before the exam too.

 

[tco]

When is your test?.. My dad recently advised me to load up the day before with questions. Even if its going over questions you already did -- you need to get your mind in the zone more than your memory.

The 30th...

 

[Step1Hash]

I'm trying his, "Write down anything you don't know to look at again later," technique. Earth might run out of paper before I get done.

My goal is to blast through FA in 4 or 5 days, while reviewing the things I don't know, review everything and also throw in a few questions, then take most of the day before the exam off. My pace is a little slow, but biochem was slightly rough.

just started my final review today....wow soo much paper. Hopefully I can keep it all in my short term memory....or else.

How'd things turn out with you? Did u decide to postpone / or are you back on track?

 

[tco]

just started my final review today....wow soo much paper. Hopefully I can keep it all in my short term memory....or else.

How'd things turn out with you? Did u decide to postpone / or are you back on track?

I ended up taking the rest of the day off when I was feeling like trash. I didn't feel a lot better the next day, but I'm starting to come back around. Mornings are still kinda miserable, though.

I'm still planning on taking it on the 30th. I'm behind in my review, however. I wanted to be through Neuro by the end of today. If I'm lucky, I'll be to neuro. I'll do my best, though. Thanks for asking!

 

[IronMan2009]

Dallas Alvey is unbearable as a teacher, I don't care how good of a surgeon he is, he should not be teaching. Dr. Jenkins needs to remove him from this program as well as the dumb ass right brain bonuses from this course. Right brain bonuses are a waste of time, nobody wants to sit through skits put on by lame medical students. Props to Dr. Jenkins, you can tell the man knows he stuff and can think on his feet while explaining things......Alvey not so much.

 

[tco]

Totally agree about Alvey, totally disagree about the right brain bonuses.

 

[tco]

Looks like I'm going to have Neuro and Respiratory left to review tomorrow. I hope there's enough time for my light review before the 30th.

 

[Step1Hash]

Looks like I'm going to have Neuro and Respiratory left to review tomorrow. I hope there's enough time for my light review before the 30th.

At least your light review wont need to consist of Neuro or Respiratory! good luck tomorrow...you got this! As SeekerOfTheTree said it best:

"You got this man, you got nothing to worry about. The only thing you should be thinking about is what you are going to do to celebrate tomorrow. Go in there knowing they throw stupid idiotic questions into every block just to mess with us but we are better than them. Don't get stuck on the stupid stuff and let your muscle memory take over. I swear that crap works. Everytime I didn't know an answer, the first thing that came to my mind I picked and bam, it was right (I double checked!).

Don't let me see you talking about First Aid later today. You need to relax and watch a movie. Don't think about opening that book tomorrow either. It's evil!

I just want you to walk in there and ask the Step 1 people one question tomorrow..."who is your daddy?" and you know what Step 1 will say...You!!!!"

 

[panther42]

At least your light review wont need to consist of Neuro or Respiratory! good luck tomorrow...you got this! As SeekerOfTheTree said it best:

"You got this man, you got nothing to worry about. The only thing you should be thinking about is what you are going to do to celebrate tomorrow. Go in there knowing they throw stupid idiotic questions into every block just to mess with us but we are better than them. Don't get stuck on the stupid stuff and let your muscle memory take over. I swear that crap works. Everytime I didn't know an answer, the first thing that came to my mind I picked and bam, it was right (I double checked!).

Don't let me see you talking about First Aid later today. You need to relax and watch a movie. Don't think about opening that book tomorrow either. It's evil!

I just want you to walk in there and ask the Step 1 people one question tomorrow..."who is your daddy?" and you know what Step 1 will say...You!!!!"

That really is great advice. Everyone has a little bit of a panic attack within a few days to right up to the exam. You just have to trust you've done your best and that it really isn't that bad. Definitely stick to the light/HY stuff the day before b/c it really is high yield, and it's better to keep your confidence high. Jenkins is pretty spot on with his advice, at least for my test.