Incoming M1

[chicago88]

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I know that people typically do not start studying until 4-6 weeks prior to Step 1, but I was wondering what I could do right off the bat to always be reviewing the information that will be on Step 1. I have looked around a bit and can't find a thread quite like this but I'd assume they exist, so if anyone can forward me them that would be great too.

I guess I was hoping this approach would help in 2 ways, one being helping me review strategically in a focused manner for exams throughout M1 & M2, and the other being in helping me in preparation for Step 1 because come Step 1 cram time I would have already looked at this material in the same way I need to review it again. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking to actively study for Step 1 for two years straight, I'm just looking for how I could utilize Step 1 books to follow along the class curriculum and perhaps keep a light pace of reviewing Step 1 pertinent information to supplement classes. If anyone has suggestions of specifically which books to be using at which times or a recommended list of class and text correlation, or any advice at all that'd be great. Thank you! (Please, no 'gunner' comments, I realize the high level of ambition here, not trying to come off like a prick just looking for some honest advice here from those who have been through this.)

 

[RySerr21]

I know that people typically do not start studying until 4-6 weeks prior to Step 1, but I was wondering what I could do right off the bat to always be reviewing the information that will be on Step 1. I have looked around a bit and can't find a thread quite like this but I'd assume they exist, so if anyone can forward me them that would be great too.

I guess I was hoping this approach would help in 2 ways, one being helping me review strategically in a focused manner for exams throughout M1 & M2, and the other being in helping me in preparation for Step 1 because come Step 1 cram time I would have already looked at this material in the same way I need to review it again. Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking to actively study for Step 1 for two years straight, I'm just looking for how I could utilize Step 1 books to follow along the class curriculum and perhaps keep a light pace of reviewing Step 1 pertinent information to supplement classes. If anyone has suggestions of specifically which books to be using at which times or a recommended list of class and text correlation, or any advice at all that'd be great. Thank you! (Please, no 'gunner' comments, I realize the high level of ambition here, not trying to come off like a prick just looking for some honest advice here from those who have been through this.)

step 1 is honestly not something you need to worry about first year. Things like FA are only worth reviewing once you have learned thoroughly from another source. The best thing you can do to prepare you is to just try to learn the material as best as you can first time through. You will enough on your plate trying to adjust to the med school curriculum, and pace...shouldnt have to also worry about skimming step 1 review material. I promise if you just talk to your upperclassmen about what books and sources they used to do well in the 1st year courses, you will be prepared come 2nd year when you are studying for the step.

 

[CatFactorial]

If your school is pass fail, just study from board review books. You'll learn enough to pass classes and you'll be in good shape for the you smile.

 

[ProtossCarrier]

every premed came in want to do that. the best prep is to kick ass on your class

 

[chicago88]

I guess I realize that my goal is to just do awesome in my classes and that will be sufficient, but I'm wondering if using these review books will actually help me do better? I don't know, I guess the way I look at it is that it would have been nice to have my MCAT review books to supplement my classes in undergrad as they would have provided a focused high yield review prior to exams as sometimes it is easy to overlook the more important overlying concepts while getting lost in details, so maybe it is the same in med school with board review books and school exams. And then come Step 1 it will pay off to already be very familiar with these books.

 

[RySerr21]

I guess I realize that my goal is to just do awesome in my classes and that will be sufficient, but I'm wondering if using these review books will actually help me do better? I don't know, I guess the way I look at it is that it would have been nice to have my MCAT review books to supplement my classes in undergrad as they would have provided a focused high yield review prior to exams as sometimes it is easy to overlook the more important overlying concepts while getting lost in details, so maybe it is the same in med school with board review books and school exams. And then come Step 1 it will pay off to already be very familiar with these books.

if you got a hold of a kaplan set, that would be pretty nice. Kaplan is money. If i had the option i would just take the first two years at my own pace with a set of kaplan books and videos. I will warn you now though are likely going to see a laaaaaarge deviation from what you have to know for your class and what is in those books.

 

[unsung]

First year:

Gunner Training.

Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple.

How the Immune System Works.

--------------------------------------

Then for 2nd year, get Goljan's Rapid Review.

... Btw, I made the mistake of buying First Aid during my first year, which was utterly & completely useless.

Not only did I end up buying a newer edition anyway, even as I'm reading through it now, it's useless. Haha.

 

[raynor123456]

I personally think that people who say you shouldn't worry about studying for step 1 during your first year are only somewhat correct. They're correct in that you don't "need" to study for Step 1 that early. It really won't take that much time to prepare. However, considering most school's cirriculum's SUCK and the professors don't really give a rats ass about clinical or board relevance and compound that with the fact that you're likely to have a severe lack of available question sources (leaving you with rote memorization as a learning tool), I don't think it's a half bad idea to get a subscription to q-bank right off the bat and perhaps buy some used kaplan books to skim as you go through your classes.

 

[katarina90]

Depends on what classes your school teaches first year.

For me it was:

1st year:
-brs anatomy/rapid review anatomy, brs physiology, princeton review's cracking the boards.
-for neuro EITHER high yield or brs, not both, as they're by the same guy and hugely repetitive. brs is more complete and has questions, hy is thinner but seems to have some nicer pictures in it.
-either lippincott's or brs biochem, i like the brs books but everyone else seems to totally love lippincott's.
-maybe, maybe a cheap old edition of FA, just for familiarity purposes, but i think you'd want a new edition by the time boards rolls around so why spend the money now only to buy it again later...i got an old edition for 4$, perfect shape, just to get comfortable with the format. will invest in the new edition when the time comes.

summer after (based on advice i've gotten from upperclassmen):
-kaplan q book
-first aid q book
-whatever free exam banks your school offers if any, mine does exammaster.
-not worth buying one yet, imho.

 

[Transmogrifier]

I started using some board review books during second year, but I wish I would have started earlier. I'm by no means a gunner. I didn't study very much at all first and second year and I was only average in our class.

I'd recommend using the applicable sections from FA, BRS Physiology, and RR Pathology as you go through the curriculum. Your grades don't matter as long as you pass. Learn your course material well enough to comfortably pass and focus on the things you find in those books. You don't need to do extra studying from those books, just replace some of your regular study with them.

We had lots of stuff in our curriculum that went beyond FA or was more clinically focused than what FA has. So it's good to pay attention to that stuff, but you don't need to memorize it for boards.

 

[namethatsmell]

1) Find Goljan
2) Get down on thy knees
3) Barter for knowledge






....or you could enjoy being a first year.

 

[olemissbabydoc]

You're going to be waaaay too busy learning how to rock med school to worry about Step 1.

However, I did buy a First Aid and used it my first year. It made it easier to integrate FA with the material second year, and I could probably read the thing In my sleep by the time I started actual board studying. It can't hurt.

Congrats on getting in!

 

[ArcGurren]

Like others said, way too early. The problem is that you haven't learnt the big big subjects like Micro, Pathology, Pharm.

The important thing is doing well (or if you're doing pass/fail, LEARNING well) the various first year subjects - especially Physiology.