If you could do it all over again... MS1 question

[Futuredoctr]

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I was just talking to a MS2 the other day, and was told that if they could do it all over again, they would have started their first year with a review book, and kept up during second year. Thoughts? Also, what review book(s) would be good as study material throughout second year?

 

[lord_jeebus]

I would have made flash cards of boards-worthy material for use later. For this I suppose a book like First Aid would be good to get an idea of what is "high yield" so I didn't make too many cards.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

Theoretically it's a good idea but in practice I found it just too hard. I had plenty to do during M1 w/o trying to get ready for Step1 (that's what that month off after M2 is for).

I think if you did a randomised controlled trial with FA vs. no FA during M1/M2 you'd find very little difference in Step1 score. How you do on the test is really determined by a) how you did during M1/2 and b) how hard you work for your own set study period before the exam.

Good luck!

 

[PenguinHead]

I should have used Rapid Review Path starting from day 1 of second year. I didn't start using it until after Christmas.

I should have done the BRS pharm cards for each block. They may not "exactly" overlap with what your school wants, but they are almost word for word on the boards.

I did use Micro Made Simple the whole time and that was a good decision.

 

[DragonWell]

I should have used Rapid Review Path starting from day 1 of second year. I didn't start using it until after Christmas.

I should have done the BRS pharm cards for each block. They may not "exactly" overlap with what your school wants, but they are almost word for word on the boards.

I did use Micro Made Simple the whole time and that was a good decision.

Just to clarify, when you say "boards", you are meaning USMLE Step1?

 

[PenguinHead]

Just to clarify, when you say "boards", you are meaning USMLE Step1?

I was actually refering to the NBME Pharm Board (shelf maybe), but I'm fairly sure they use some of the same questions on the step as they did on the pharm board. Also, when I took NBME 4 the other day the pharm was very close to what was in BRS pharm cards.

It's not literally word for word, but what the BRS cards tells you is important for each drug is usually exactly what is tested for each drug. They weren't quite sufficient for autonomics (lots of receptor type questions), but FA pharm intro covered that quite nicely.

 

[DragonWell]

I was actually refering to the NBME Pharm Board (shelf maybe), but I'm fairly sure they use some of the same questions on the step as they did on the pharm board. Also, when I took NBME 4 the other day the pharm was very close to what was in BRS pharm cards.

It's not literally word for word, but what the BRS cards tells you is important for each drug is usually exactly what is tested for each drug. They weren't quite sufficient for autonomics (lots of receptor type questions), but FA pharm intro covered that quite nicely.

Thanks. I was planning on just sticking to FA for pharm, your post almost makes me reconsider...

 

[PenguinHead]

I'm using mostly FA for pharm, but I go through about 50-100 pharm cards about every few days to break up the monotony, while walking, etc. Takes about 30-45 minutes.

It may not be necessary for most people. I didn't learn pharm well in class and the repetition is helpful for me to remember drug names and associations.

 

[myrtle]

..

 

[mercaptovizadeh]

I think that if you have enough time for committed board study (e.g. 8 weeks), you can do well without studying FA or any other board review book during MS1 and MS2. Just try to do the best you can in your MS1 and MS2 courses since this will hammer down the concepts and make the conceptual learning during board study more of a review. You can then assemble the details in the week(s) remaining before the test.

 

[Monica Lewinsky]

I think that if you have enough time for committed board study (e.g. 8 weeks), you can do well without studying FA or any other board review book during MS1 and MS2. Just try to do the best you can in your MS1 and MS2 courses since this will hammer down the concepts and make the conceptual learning during board study more of a review. You can then assemble the details in the week(s) remaining before the test.

I beg to differ since the concepts presented in FA and the relevant subject board review books usually condense the most important material. Its nice to go through FA before an exam to reinforce the most important points and to often pick up useful mnemonics and other facts that are emphasized differently. Classmates of mine sometimes struggle in the coursework memorizing, while I can breeze through that stuff since FA provided a very useful way to learn it.

Books like BRS Physio and Path and Micro Made Ridiculously Simple are also useful study aids during coursework. My friends and I usually get bored rereading the notes over and over, and these sources have helped to provide additional avenues to learn. Even better, we don't have to worry about being unfamiliar with these texts during board review time. Essentially since your course work is your board prep, you definitely should be using board prep books to supplement your course notes.

 

[mercaptovizadeh]

I beg to differ since the concepts presented in FA and the relevant subject board review books usually condense the most important material. Its nice to go through FA before an exam to reinforce the most important points and to often pick up useful mnemonics and other facts that are emphasized differently. Classmates of mine sometimes struggle in the coursework memorizing, while I can breeze through that stuff since FA provided a very useful way to learn it.

Books like BRS Physio and Path and Micro Made Ridiculously Simple are also useful study aids during coursework. My friends and I usually get bored rereading the notes over and over, and these sources have helped to provide additional avenues to learn. Even better, we don't have to worry about being unfamiliar with these texts during board review time. Essentially since your course work is your board prep, you definitely should be using board prep books to supplement your course notes.

That's fine. The OP asked for an opinion and I gave it.

In my view, FA is very much an outline and is useless unless the broader information and ideas it represents are well understood and have become almost second nature. The BRS physio and path books I agree may be useful ancillary tools during MS1 and MS2, but generally cover less and in lesser detail than course syllabi (at least the ones I had), and thus are of somewhat limited value. They are better organized than what faculty are able to put together, so the information is significantly more coherent and easier to learn.

 

[Futuredoctr]

Just the stuff I was looking for. I didn't want to go out and buy all kinds of review items, just to buy them. I want to know what worked BEFORE I get there, and that way I'm familiar with board study. Thanks everyone

 

[DwyaneWade]

I would do what I did except instead of BRS Path I would substitute with Rapid Review (which is my favorite medical school book now).

I skimmed BRS Phys and Path with each organ module (systems-based school). I also skimmed First Aid occasionally but didn't use it much.

I think now that I have started studying that the biggest thing is learning your material for classes really well. The things I understood are easy to relearn and don't take much effort to read over in review books. The things I blew off in my classes are what really are eating up studying time. There is no good compensation for laziness in the first 2 years.

 

[mercaptovizadeh]

I think now that I have started studying that the biggest thing is learning your material for classes really well. The things I understood are easy to relearn and don't take much effort to read over in review books. The things I blew off in my classes are what really are eating up studying time. There is no good compensation for laziness in the first 2 years.

Correct. A lot of people, especially in H/P/F or P/F systems think that grades don't matter in the first two years and that "they will really study when boards come around." The first two years, in my view, are not primarily important for grades. They are important because 1.) they train your brain to assimilate massive amounts of detailed information, something you'll need to do for board prep, and 2.) they really get down the *concepts* of physiology and pathophysiology. Details may evaporate and can always be relearned during review, but if you are trying to understand something for the first time that others have been mulling over and integrating (perhaps not even consciously) for months or even years, you are going to be way behind.

 

[mudphudwannabe]

I didn't do anything special to prepare for boards during the first 2 years, and I don't regret it one bit. Do your best to learn things well the first time around and that will make your review easier.

 

[DwyaneWade]

Correct. A lot of people, especially in H/P/F or P/F systems think that grades don't matter in the first two years and that "they will really study when boards come around." The first two years, in my view, are not primarily important for grades. They are important because 1.) they train your brain to assimilate massive amounts of detailed information, something you'll need to do for board prep, and 2.) they really get down the *concepts* of physiology and pathophysiology. Details may evaporate and can always be relearned during review, but if you are trying to understand something for the first time that others have been mulling over and integrating (perhaps not even consciously) for months or even years, you are going to be way behind.

And the thing is no one ever believes people who says it. Heck, I didn't believe it until 2 weeks ago when I hit the roadblack called cardiac phys and then flew through respiratory, renal, and GI. I remembered that I had put in more effort into learning the latter subjects and now it was paying off.

So don't waste your time with First Aid in the first 2 years, skim occasionally but really learn your concepts well.

 

[THE armada]

I beg to differ since the concepts presented in FA and the relevant subject board review books usually condense the most important material. Its nice to go through FA before an exam to reinforce the most important points and to often pick up useful mnemonics and other facts that are emphasized differently. Classmates of mine sometimes struggle in the coursework memorizing, while I can breeze through that stuff since FA provided a very useful way to learn it.

Books like BRS Physio and Path and Micro Made Ridiculously Simple are also useful study aids during coursework. My friends and I usually get bored rereading the notes over and over, and these sources have helped to provide additional avenues to learn. Even better, we don't have to worry about being unfamiliar with these texts during board review time. Essentially since your course work is your board prep, you definitely should be using board prep books to supplement your course notes.

I tend to agree. I'm just a first year but I like to use FA and BRS Path to break up the monotony of going through endless powerpoint slides. I try to learn everything in the lecture notes but like using the ancillary materials when I need a break or want a quick look at the big picture.

 

[ULTRON]

I would order the Kaplan live review lecture notes - 8 books in all including Qbank. Read them during vacations, etc.

ULTRON

I was just talking to a MS2 the other day, and was told that if they could do it all over again, they would have started their first year with a review book, and kept up during second year. Thoughts? Also, what review book(s) would be good as study material throughout second year?

 

[NRAI2001]

What about following along in your 1st year courses (anatomy, biochem, physio...etc) with BRS, FA or anyother review books?

 

[happytograduate]

What about following along in your 1st year courses (anatomy, biochem, physio...etc) with BRS, FA or anyother review books?

Yes, those are important as well, although Anatomy not so much.

Anatomy - High Yield Gross Anatomy (BRS is probably better for the class)
Biochemistry - Rapid Review Biochemistry
Physiology - BRS Physiology

 

[ULTRON]

Goljan path is way better than BRS. I've used both.

Yes, those are important as well, although Anatomy not so much.

Anatomy - High Yield Gross Anatomy (BRS is probably better for the class)
Biochemistry - Rapid Review Biochemistry
Physiology - BRS Physiology

 

[akan]

For those that do think using review books during MS I and II is a good idea, do you guys think that using Kaplan's live review lecture notes during classes in Medical school (Since it is broken down by subject) would be sufficient as a supplement? or would you guys still recommend using BRS and FA as well? Which books are best for each subject?

 

[Twitch]

For those that do think using review books during MS I and II is a good idea, do you guys think that using Kaplan's live review lecture notes during classes in Medical school (Since it is broken down by subject) would be sufficient as a supplement? or would you guys still recommend using BRS and FA as well? Which books are best for each subject?

I used Kaplan's Biochem as a supplement whenever I needed to look up something. I didn't really goto class and so it was helpful having resources around, though the number of times I had to use it were far and few between. When the occasion did arise I was glad I had it though. I'm probably the minority but I didn't like Lippincott (sp?). Out of the Kaplan ilk, I felt the biochem notes really shine.

 

[alphaholic06]

For those that do think using review books during MS I and II is a good idea, do you guys think that using Kaplan's live review lecture notes during classes in Medical school (Since it is broken down by subject) would be sufficient as a supplement? or would you guys still recommend using BRS and FA as well? Which books are best for each subject?

I used the Kaplan lecture notes, except for Gross Anatomy and Histology, this way, and I was pretty successful during classes and I murdered shelf exams. If you could get your hands on the videos that would be even better.