M1 prepping for Step 1

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
F

flipflop52

Full Member
7+ Year Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2014
Messages
24
Reaction score
13
Members don't see this ad.
Hi all, I have questions particularly for those currently in medical school. In the fall I will begin M1 and between now and then I have a couple months off to just relax. I plan on doing things on my bucket list (e.g. going on vacation and traveling etc.). However, since I have a lot of time before school starts, I want to start looking at material and thinking about Step 1 since it's been a while since I graduated from college (~2 yrs). Before anyone tries to dissuade me from doing so, I already plan to do anyways. So for those who can offer advice about the exam, which materials are helpful, which courses they liked etc. etc., I'd really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
I'm sort of in a similar situation. I'm accepted and will start in August. I don't plan to really start studying before med school starts but I'm buying step one first aid, Rapid review pathology, and Brs physiology just to have a kind of guide to look at as I go through M1 and M2. I'm also getting myself familiar with Anki and reading about how people study in med school. I'm not really going to study from now until August per say, I'm just going to relax, get in good shape, and look through the books I bought for fun.

I do agree with the post above though. No point in really starting to study now when I haven't taken the classes yet. I wouldn't start studying for the MCAT before college started and I won't start really studying for step one until M2.
 
You're LITERALLY going to waste time. You mentioned a bucket list - if you have free time outside of what you already have, make a longer bucket list and do that. Do what the above post says to - get in better shape or maintain where you are if you're happy - lots of sitting to come.
 
This should be titled "Studying for Step 1 before I start medical school."

The answer is no, there's dozens of threads about this.

Don't do it. There's zero benefit here. You're wasting your time, money, time, energy, and above all your time.
 
flipflop52 said:
Hi all, I have questions particularly for those currently in medical school. In the fall I will begin M1 and between now and then I have a couple months off to just relax. I plan on doing things on my bucket list (e.g. going on vacation and traveling etc.). However, since I have a lot of time before school starts, I want to start looking at material and thinking about Step 1 since it's been a while since I graduated from college (~2 yrs). Before anyone tries to dissuade me from doing so, I already plan to do anyways. So for those who can offer advice about the exam, which materials are helpful, which courses they liked etc. etc., I'd really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
Click to expand...
Yeah man, do it!

In these couple of months, read and memorize every single word of:

The Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations (all of the multi volumes)
Grey's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice
Boron Physiology
Sternberg's Diagnostic Surgical Pathology (2 vol)
Harrison's Internal Medicine (2 vol)
Everything William Osler has ever published
Sapira
Etc.

Forget clinical context, forget spaced repetition, forget qbanks, forget everything! Voluminous textbooks alone are extremely high yield for med school.
 
If you seriously hate free time, get a job. Having a bit of extra cash will be more useful to you when you start school than trying to pre-study.

I mean, do whatever you want. But when you're an M3 having successfully passed step 1 with no better score than you'd get if you hadn't wasted one of your last ever summers, and you're spending more time at the hospital than at home, and the few hours when you're not at the hospital you're studying...you will regret not taking advantage of the free time you had.

Edit: also::beat:
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/i-know-i-shouldnt-prestudy-but.1189901/
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/which-courses-should-i-prestudy-for-m1.1170049/
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/serious-about-pre-studying-for-med-school.1226681/
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/th...-medical-school-starts.1118823/#post-16132805
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/pre-study-or-remain-extremely-bored.1203606/#post-17810891
https://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/head-start-on-med-classes.1182813/#post-17401844
 
Last edited:
Do a full pass through First Aid, at a minimum.
 
<iframe width="1118" height="629" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/08i9kvCJvJ0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

upload_2017-2-7_20-4-57.png
 
For all who feel the need to post negative or insulting comments, please save yourselves the time and go elsewhere. I'm genuinely looking for helpful/insightful comments and advice. If I'm over studying, it shouldn't be of concern to you anyways. Thx.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
Agree with posters above that you are going to waste time if you try to actually study First Aid or any M1 text. If you are hell-bent on being productive, I do have a few ideas of what you can do:
- Read some medical books, like House of God or anything by Atul Gawande
- Personally, I wish I had read Moonwalking with Einstein and practiced using Anki/creating memory palaces but that's not for everyone
- Keep your brain sharp by memorizing some etymology relevant to medical anatomy - you won't have time once school starts but it's helpful for learning the language of medicine which comes at you fast

But in all seriousness, any bucket list/relaxing/socializing/ironing shoelaces should be priority over any of this. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
 
Another thing to consider is burnout. You want to be at your best when you take the test, not running on fumes. You can do what you want but just understand that more time studying does not correlate with higher scores.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile app
 
flipflop52 said:
Hi all, I have questions particularly for those currently in medical school. In the fall I will begin M1 and between now and then I have a couple months off to just relax. I plan on doing things on my bucket list (e.g. going on vacation and traveling etc.). However, since I have a lot of time before school starts, I want to start looking at material and thinking about Step 1 since it's been a while since I graduated from college (~2 yrs). Before anyone tries to dissuade me from doing so, I already plan to do anyways. So for those who can offer advice about the exam, which materials are helpful, which courses they liked etc. etc., I'd really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
Click to expand...

Just study what you haven't learnt yet.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
I heavily considered doing this too prior to starting. I am SO happy I didn't.

You'll be spending plenty of time locked up in your room studying anyways when school begins. Enjoy your time now.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
 
What about getting involved in research the summer before matriculation?

Ive had months of free time this gap year, itching to get back into academia, meet faculty early, and potentially boost residency app?
 
flipflop52 said:
For all who feel the need to post negative or insulting comments, please save yourselves the time and go elsewhere. I'm genuinely looking for helpful/insightful comments and advice. If I'm over studying, it shouldn't be of concern to you anyways. Thx.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
Click to expand...
It's over, guys. He, like many before him, think that he's going to be the special snowflake exception. Let OP waste their time.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using SDN mobile
 
flipflop52 said:
Hi all, I have questions particularly for those currently in medical school. In the fall I will begin M1 and between now and then I have a couple months off to just relax. I plan on doing things on my bucket list (e.g. going on vacation and traveling etc.). However, since I have a lot of time before school starts, I want to start looking at material and thinking about Step 1 since it's been a while since I graduated from college (~2 yrs). Before anyone tries to dissuade me from doing so, I already plan to do anyways. So for those who can offer advice about the exam, which materials are helpful, which courses they liked etc. etc., I'd really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile
Click to expand...
I don't know how in shape you are, but I'd highly recommend getting in pretty good shape before med school starts. It's the one thing I wish I focused on more between getting my acceptance and starting school.
 
The only thing I would do is learn how to use Anki because I wish I had started that earlier.

You are getting the exact type of responses that your question and attitude deserve. You don't know what you're talking about so listen to people who do.
 
BlackLips said:
The only thing I would do is learn how to use Anki because I wish I had started that earlier.

You are getting the exact type of responses that your question and attitude deserve. You don't know what you're talking about so listen to people who do.
Click to expand...

Any recommendations on learning how to use it? What particular tricks make it more efficient?
 
Frogger27 said:
Any recommendations on learning how to use it? What particular tricks make it more efficient?
Click to expand...
There's an Anki thread on SDN but I haven't really used it.
I've mostly youtubed videos or asked other people for help lol. Image occlusion is a feature you should download and familiarize yourself with 🙂
 
Frogger27 said:
Any recommendations on learning how to use it? What particular tricks make it more efficient?
Click to expand...

YouTube and the guides on here helped me the most. I played around with the settings and stuff early but then reverted back to just doing standard. People set up their decks differently but I am partial to the way I do it. I have a "Current test" deck which is self explanatory and a "Review" deck. Once I take a test, I move everything from "current test" to "review." Key is to do your flash cards every single day. In the long run it truly saves you time and so much stress. I've never had a good system for reviewing material and multiple passes in med school is key imo. What I like about Anki is you are reviewing every day and you don't have to think about what you want to review. You just do your cards. You will have all the details memorized without even trying. I really think you could comfortably pass just by doing this (especially in 1st year). Now if you want to score in the top of your class you will have to do some more work sorting out some material and integrating with practice Qs (as I do). If you keep up with your review deck it really pays off for course finals and in the long run (STEP!). I never used image occlusion but I know people like it. I try not to spend all my study time on Anki so that I can have time to approach material in different ways as well.

Also a transition I did 2nd year was starting to use the Brosencephalon deck instead of strictly making my own cards. I still make some for details in class and then Q bank stuff I come across. You will definitely have to make a lot more in 1st year because there are more things not in FA and Pathoma. Especially anatomy if you want to do well in those classes. Maybe I'll make a tutorial video once I'm done with classes.
 
Couldn't think of a bigger waste of time than trying to prep for step one before you even get your white coat. Time is the most valuable currency you have, bar none. Spend it wisely. More valuable things that will help you down the road to success- getting in shape, learning how to cook/ meal prep, overall time management skills. Greater efficiency= more time to study= better performance
 
I'm pretty sure there are people out there who aren't doing jack this summer before medical school, and will probably do a lot better than you OP.
 
bashwell said:
Yeah man, do it!

In these couple of months, read and memorize every single word of:

The Netter Collection of Medical Illustrations (all of the multi volumes)
Click to expand...

proudbrag

I OWN all these mother****ers, old school copies

I was given them before matriculation - guess what?? didn't read them!

because only an idiot independent studies anatomy prior to med school
 
BlackLips said:
YouTube and the guides on here helped me the most. I played around with the settings and stuff early but then reverted back to just doing standard. People set up their decks differently but I am partial to the way I do it. I have a "Current test" deck which is self explanatory and a "Review" deck. Once I take a test, I move everything from "current test" to "review." Key is to do your flash cards every single day. In the long run it truly saves you time and so much stress. I've never had a good system for reviewing material and multiple passes in med school is key imo. What I like about Anki is you are reviewing every day and you don't have to think about what you want to review. You just do your cards. You will have all the details memorized without even trying. I really think you could comfortably pass just by doing this (especially in 1st year). Now if you want to score in the top of your class you will have to do some more work sorting out some material and integrating with practice Qs (as I do). If you keep up with your review deck it really pays off for course finals and in the long run (STEP!). I never used image occlusion but I know people like it. I try not to spend all my study time on Anki so that I can have time to approach material in different ways as well.

Also a transition I did 2nd year was starting to use the Brosencephalon deck instead of strictly making my own cards. I still make some for details in class and then Q bank stuff I come across. You will definitely have to make a lot more in 1st year because there are more things not in FA and Pathoma. Especially anatomy if you want to do well in those classes. Maybe I'll make a tutorial video once I'm done with classes.
Click to expand...

Just started M2 semester now, and thinking about doing this exact method. Now that much more material we are learning is in FA/Pathoma, I think the bro's deck is absolutely the way to go.
 
XxThaDoggxX said:
Just started M2 semester now, and thinking about doing this exact method. Now that much more material we are learning is in FA/Pathoma, I think the bro's deck is absolutely the way to go.
Click to expand...

Yea and his deck is really good with the pictures and mnemonics and diagrams taken from First Aid. Its time consuming enough not making my own cards. What I'd recommend is manually searching them and picking out the cards, that way you are kind of reading through them first which gives you some of the benefit of making your own. Also there is alot of unnecessary redundancy that I usually delete out. If you start it M2 and stick with it throughout the year you will be in good shape no doubt. Very annoying and can be brutal with the pace of 2nd year at times but I think it pays off in time and stress in the long run.
 
BlackLips said:
Yea and his deck is really good with the pictures and mnemonics and diagrams taken from First Aid. Its time consuming enough not making my own cards. What I'd recommend is manually searching them and picking out the cards, that way you are kind of reading through them first which gives you some of the benefit of making your own. Also there is alot of unnecessary redundancy that I usually delete out. If you start it M2 and stick with it throughout the year you will be in good shape no doubt. Very annoying and can be brutal with the pace of 2nd year at times but I think it pays off in time and stress in the long run.
Click to expand...

I agree...though my class just changed grading to true P/F...So I think I will definitely have enough time to devote to BRO/UFAP
 
Robbins pathologic basis of disease is useful. Pathoma and wiki/medscape if you don't understand things (I google stuff every 2 minutes when reading or in lecture)

Everyone's telling you that you're wasting your time, but I think it might be helpful. I think their argument is that your time could be better spent on improving your overall happiness a LOT, rather than giving you a (probably small) leg up at school.

Since going through a list of 10 diseases each day is extremely dull and not very memorable (basically med school), I'd suggest you focus on 1 big pathology every few of days (SLE, TB, HIV/AIDS). Use a variety of different resources to help.

I only argue that it could be helpful, because a lot of gunners at my school pre-studied before school started in one way or another, either independently or taking those special masters degree courses that's basically the first year of med school, and they seem to have a firmer grasp of the material than others.
 
Please bookmark this and come back after you take the thing so you can give yourself a wedgie
 
If you're dead set on studying, I recommend studying anatomy. Guaranteed to be useful no matter your curriculum and it will give you a head start that will let you spend more time on physio and other subjects later. I took an anatomy class the spring before starting and I'm glad I did, things would be a lot more stressful right now if I hadn't.
 
I think it's dumb to waste a summer. You won't get this chance again until MS4 (even then... not like this).

If you insists on studying... watch sketchy micro. It was entertaining. XD
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
M1 Step 1 Advice
Replies
4
Views
560
Goro
Goro
Hollow Knight
PSA for M1-2s: Step 1 studying
Replies
8
Views
5K
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight
cerebellar
Step 1 advice!
Replies
0
Views
497
cerebellar
cerebellar
AJS59
Long term prep towards step 1 - AMBOSS?
Replies
2
Views
997
eteshoe
eteshoe
E
Uworld step 1 qbank
Replies
0
Views
130
ellebelle_8
E
Top