Is Boards&Beyond necessary? [New MS1 question]

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ConfusedAboutEverything

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I've spoken with upperclassmen who stated that they do not use boards and beyond and focus on lecture because there is no time to do both. The "lecture" is not really a lecture, it is heavy pre-readingings and then an in class TBL.

I was thinking of watching the lecture/pre-readings and then unsuspending anki cards from the Anking deck as I go along.

I feel an online driven pressure (from here and reddit) to use Boards&Beyond. Is this necessary for good class grades and good board scores? Should I just stick to lectures and anki?

Should I have a goal or expectation to watch all BnB videos relevant to the topic? Or only some of them?

Anki has the boards and beyond information, right? Tell me what to do. I need to create a system that allows me to have good time management.
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Honestly, I would ditch the pre-readings if possible. That is the most passive studying kind of setup. Watch the BnB vid corresponding to whatever topics you're covering for that day, read the relevant sections in Costanzo as well, and then unsuspend the relevant cards.

BnB really gives you a strong base for physiology, especially for step. The Anking deck has some BnB, but most of the phys is based on Costanzo and FA, so you're covered on the phys front. If you really want a BnB focused deck, check out Lightyear. It's mostly BnB with some FA, Pathoma, UWorld, and Rx.

I would also look for a premade deck of the pre-readings. There's gotta be one floating around. This way you should be covered for both class and step.
 
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ConfusedAboutEverything said:
I've spoken with upperclassmen who stated that they do not use boards and beyond and focus on lecture because there is no time to do both. The "lecture" is not really a lecture, it is heavy pre-readingings and then an in class TBL.

I was thinking of watching the lecture/pre-readings and then unsuspending anki cards from the Anking deck as I go along.

I feel an online driven pressure (from here and reddit) to use Boards&Beyond. Is this necessary for good class grades and good board scores? Should I just stick to lectures and anki?

Should I have a goal or expectation to watch all BnB videos relevant to the topic? Or only some of them?

Anki has the boards and beyond information, right? Tell me what to do. I need to create a system that allows me to have good time management.
Click to expand...

I highly recommend Boards and Beyond. It is likely superior to 99% of your lectures and teaches you actual medicine. Both Step 1 and contextual stuff necessary to understand the big picture. I personally think it's one of the best resources out there, and I think you should use it.

If you hate it or don't like his style, then you don't have to use it. But I think his videos are amazing for Step 1, class exams, broad foundational knowledge, and even stuff important for MS3/MS4. Definitely try using B&B.
 
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I wouldn't say any one resource is absolutely necessary. But you probably will have to settle on an outside resource or two for boards. I'm a fan but try it and see if you like it. I like BnB, and Physeo is good too (and free). Focus on staying on top of class right now and start experimenting with your studying after that.
 
BnB is a great resource. But I learned phys best from class/Zanki. BnB was good for clarification, short cuts, etc. If I could go back and redo it, I’d keep up with class and Zanki first and foremost but try to finish that section of BnB about 5 days before the test. Then rewatch it all the weekend before an exam.

MS1 is overwhelming though and getting resources shoved down your throat doesn’t help. For what it’s worth I did fine on boards and didn’t buy BnB until the beginning of second year. Still had time to watch all of it. Most of it twice. It’s not a deal breaker if it’s too much for you right now. It was too much for me to consider in first semester too.
 
I also recommend B&B. It explains what would take you hours to read in only 30mins max. As someone who likes to read/reference text books often, watching the the B&B videos first gives me a good background to be able to read through the material faster and add what details may be missing.
 
thefleetfooted said:
Honestly, I would ditch the pre-readings if possible. That is the most passive studying kind of setup. Watch the BnB vid corresponding to whatever topics you're covering for that day, read the relevant sections in Costanzo as well, and then unsuspend the relevant cards.

BnB really gives you a strong base for physiology, especially for step. The Anking deck has some BnB, but most of the phys is based on Costanzo and FA, so you're covered on the phys front. If you really want a BnB focused deck, check out Lightyear. It's mostly BnB with some FA, Pathoma, UWorld, and Rx.

I would also look for a premade deck of the pre-readings. There's gotta be one floating around. This way you should be covered for both class and step.
Click to expand...
Dr. Doctor MD said:
I highly recommend Boards and Beyond. It is likely superior to 99% of your lectures and teaches you actual medicine. Both Step 1 and contextual stuff necessary to understand the big picture. I personally think it's one of the best resources out there, and I think you should use it.

If you hate it or don't like his style, then you don't have to use it. But I think his videos are amazing for Step 1, class exams, broad foundational knowledge, and even stuff important for MS3/MS4. Definitely try using B&B.
Click to expand...
Dantes said:
I wouldn't say any one resource is absolutely necessary. But you probably will have to settle on an outside resource or two for boards. I'm a fan but try it and see if you like it. I like BnB, and Physeo is good too (and free). Focus on staying on top of class right now and start experimenting with your studying after that.
Click to expand...
Ho0v-man said:
BnB is a great resource. But I learned phys best from class/Zanki. BnB was good for clarification, short cuts, etc. If I could go back and redo it, I’d keep up with class and Zanki first and foremost but try to finish that section of BnB about 5 days before the test. Then rewatch it all the weekend before an exam.

MS1 is overwhelming though and getting resources shoved down your throat doesn’t help. For what it’s worth I did fine on boards and didn’t buy BnB until the beginning of second year. Still had time to watch all of it. Most of it twice. It’s not a deal breaker if it’s too much for you right now. It was too much for me to consider in first semester too.
Click to expand...
Matthew9Thirtyfive said:
You can also see about group discounts through your school. Some of the companies will give substantial discounts (like up to half off) if enough people sign up through the school.
Click to expand...
docmcstuffins3 said:
I also recommend B&B. It explains what would take you hours to read in only 30mins max. As someone who likes to read/reference text books often, watching the the B&B videos first gives me a good background to be able to read through the material faster and add what details may be missing.
Click to expand...


Do you guys take notes in BnB? Like handwritten detailed notes that you would for lecture material, or do you just watch/listen?
 
I personally dont bother with boards and beyond at this point. Some of the videos are just reading straight out of first aid. I can do that on my own time.

I highly recommend costanzo + pathoma + zanki.
 
ConfusedAboutEverything said:
Do you guys take notes in BnB? Like handwritten detailed notes that you would for lecture material, or do you just watch/listen?
Click to expand...

Just watch and listen. If I was to annotate anything, which I usually don't, it would be in the extra section of an anki card. This is to facilitate a more complete or greater understanding of a given topic. You'll figure out when to annotate (if you even feel the need to) as you go.

Edit: I use BnB as more of a quick and dirty first pass for the big picture. Costanzo/lecture fills in the details, and then Zanki hammers them in.
 
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7331poas said:
I personally dont bother with boards and beyond at this point. Some of the videos are just reading straight out of first aid. I can do that on my own time.

I highly recommend costanzo + pathoma + zanki.
Click to expand...
We get it. You matured Anki by 5th grade. /s

I’m all aboard the B&B hype train. Helped a ton when you aren’t one who can read things and memorize
 
I just started med school... should I buy the 2 year subscription of B&B or is there a “free” version on the internet somewhere?
 
At least in my experiences, BnB was wayyyyyy better than any of my lectures. I didn't use BnB during M1 and I really struggled to understand the material. I started using BnB during M2 to complement lectures and everything suddenly made sense. Everything was explained in a much clearer and much more succint way than my school lectures. I wish I had used it during M1, it would have made everything easier. That said, it isn't necessary, it will just make your learning easier.
 
initialize said:
I just started med school... should I buy the 2 year subscription of B&B or is there a “free” version on the internet somewhere?
Click to expand...

Just pirate off your class's google drive if your upperclassmen have been so kind.
 
The free version is whatever your classmates have pirated. Otherwise pay for it.
 
ConfusedAboutEverything said:
I've spoken with upperclassmen who stated that they do not use boards and beyond and focus on lecture because there is no time to do both. The "lecture" is not really a lecture, it is heavy pre-readingings and then an in class TBL.

I was thinking of watching the lecture/pre-readings and then unsuspending anki cards from the Anking deck as I go along.

I feel an online driven pressure (from here and reddit) to use Boards&Beyond. Is this necessary for good class grades and good board scores? Should I just stick to lectures and anki?

Should I have a goal or expectation to watch all BnB videos relevant to the topic? Or only some of them?

Anki has the boards and beyond information, right? Tell me what to do. I need to create a system that allows me to have good time management.
Click to expand...
Forget what the upperclassman says; you have to find what works for YOU.

I have a high opinion of BnB, not impressed with Firecracker.

Successful students use a variety of resources.

read this:
Goro’s guide to success in medical school
 
Do you watch BnB while taking detail notes? Is there any free ppt slides/summary outline to write on?
 
The only study aids that I would say are necessary for med school are UWorld and First Aid for Step 1. These are necessary because they are the undisputed standard for Step 1 review, and in order to be competitive today you need a strong review regimen.

The other materials are used more or less for content learning. Since there are so many options for content learning, including your school lectures, I think there is no way and no reason to say that any one is necessary.
 
longhaul3 said:
The only study aids that I would say are necessary for med school are UWorld and First Aid for Step 1. These are necessary because they are the undisputed standard for Step 1 review, and in order to be competitive today you need a strong review regimen.

The other materials are used more or less for content learning. Since there are so many options for content learning, including your school lectures, I think there is no way and no reason to say that any one is necessary.
Click to expand...

depends on your goal score. I really think that doing zanki correctly and fully is an automatic 250
 
By the way, with a 4 year membership to the AMA ($68) you get to pick a gift among them is a 9 month boards and beyond membership. While real BNB price is like 149 for 6 months and 199 for a year. Get that promo while it lasts because it wasn't an option before when I was an M1 last year.

www.ama-assn.org

Membership

Joining the AMA offers numerous benefits, including access to the JAMA Network™, discounts on various services and support tailored for students, physicians and residents. Members receive additional perks like CME options, expert advice, and special offers on loans and supplies.
www.ama-assn.org www.ama-assn.org

Sent from my SM-G973U using SDN mobile
 
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7331poas said:
depends on your goal score. I really think that doing zanki correctly and fully is an automatic 250
Click to expand...

I've heard that on its own it'll really give you a strong chance of hitting 240. Anything higher will be due to qbanks.
 
Speaking of Zanki, does anyone know how to un-leach cards?
 
thefleetfooted said:
I've heard that on its own it'll really give you a strong chance of hitting 240. Anything higher will be due to qbanks.
Click to expand...
none of this is scientifically verified. just study hard and you'll get a good score. i did qbanks, matured zanki, boards and beyond, pathoma, and got 260+
 
watermelon master said:
none of this is scientifically verified. just study hard and you'll get a good score. i did qbanks, matured zanki, boards and beyond, pathoma, and got 260+
Click to expand...

Of course. So much of the experiences that we share here are anecdotal. You just have to focus on doing your best, regardless.
 
So a lot of you guys use BnB as a first pass? For example, we start cardio today. I was considering just starting to read through Costanzo, but would it be better to preface it with BnB videos, but then just not doing any cards related to them after?

How I've done it before was resource --> cards --> repeat, but should I be doing BnB --> costanzo --> cards? Obviously there isn't a correct way, just trying to see what works for people.

Also, I'm referring to big costanzo.
 
Gilakend said:
BnB --> costanzo --> cards? Obviously there isn't a correct way, just trying to see what works for people.

Also, I'm referring to big costanzo.
Click to expand...


This is the consensus workflow, specifically for the phys blocks (CVS, resp, renal, etc) I'm planning to do this once we hit cardiovascular.
 
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