Just started MS3. How to prep during the yr for Step2?

[Dr_Colossus]

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I just started on the wards, and its obviously not as structed as MS1/2. Any pointers for staying on top of things so that I can rock Step 2? I'd probably want to take it early (so residency can see it) bc my Step1 score wasnt what I was shooting for.

 

[ispic]

I just started on the wards, and its obviously not as structed as MS1/2. Any pointers for staying on top of things so that I can rock Step 2? I'd probably want to take it early (so residency can see it) bc my Step1 score wasnt what I was shooting for.

Hi,

Check out the "stickies" section for a bunch of answers to your questions, primarily shelf preparation and how to rock the rotations. I pretty much followed the advice given and it has really helped throughout the year. The only thing I would add is to use the B&W during each rotation at the begining and the end to solidify those concepts that are particularly HY for the step. I would also use EVERY spare moment (daily downtime) available to study, that is, keep a pocketbook handy that pertinent to each rotation while you're doing it, ie. "recall" book in surgery, pre-tests, washington manual (PDA). That way, whenever you go into that downtime, you can read up on your patients/other topics. Finally, as much as it sucks, try to study at least one to two hours a night. You can also use the weekends to try to stay up on the readings. Provided that you're not on call 🙂
Good luck, you're gonna have an awesome year 👍

 

[sponch]

This really helped me in 3rd year. I have this big ass spreadsheet with questions that came up on the wards and during my studying. I had a column for the topic like IM, Surg, etc., a column with the question, and a column with the answer. I used this a central database of high yield facts that I encountered and would update it daily. I also kept a copy on my PDA. Just doing this helped solidify facts and I rarely had to go review since whenever I did I found that the process of typing it in forced me to remember it...

Also, I concur that B&W is great. Read it early and often. If you've gone through it completely x1 by the time you start step 2 studying you're set.

Here's a sample of my spreadsheet:

Topic Question Answer
Renal Type I RTA Distal defect in H+ gradient, pH > 5.5
Renal Type II RTA Proximal defect in HCO- reabsorption, pH < 5.5
Renal Type IV RTA Hypoaldosteronism >> hyperkalemia, hyperchloremia, pH < 5.5
Renal Types of lupus nephritis? I=none; II=mesangial disease; III=focal proliferative; IV=diffuse proliferative; V=membranous
Pulm Anterior mediastinal mass? Thymoma, thyroid tumor, teratoma, terrible lymphoma
Pulm Middle mediastinal mass? Pericardial cyst
Pulm Posterior mediastinal mass? Neural tumor
Pulm Pott's disease? TB of spine, presents with compression frx
Peds Potter's disease? Bilateral renal agenesis, presents with oligohydramnios and incompatible with fetal life