Motivation and STEP I for below average student

[campfiredoughnut22]

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As the title suggests, I am looking for any advice on how to turn my mentality around and hopefully do well on STEP I. A little background about myself-- I started my M1 year very strong. Did well in my classes and would be able to study 8-12 hours a day no problem. Towards the end of my M1 year and carrying onto my M2 year, I have noticed a lack of motivation in my studies and I have moved to the lower bottom of my class. I have passed all my courses, but I certainly can't say I am doing as well as I would like. I am also the type of person that forgets content from the previous organ systems. My mentality is that if i'm only doing mediocre now during the organ systems, how can I do well on STEP? I plan on studying 8 hours a day during christmas break, but any advice on how to move forward would be very much appreciated.

 

[Osteoth]

Spaced repetition. Spend 1 hour per day reviewing old material and you'll thank yourself down the line.

 

[xClashx]

DO NOT study 8h a day during x-mas time. Been there, done that (especially after being told not to), did not remember anything, could have spent time with family, and was one of my biggest regrets. If you are going to do anything, just do sketchy micro, have all the pictures and what not memorized.

Doing well on step is all about using the right resources, understanding how the questions are written so that you can deconstruct them and figure out what is being asked, being able to identify buzzwords, being able to decode phrases that identify with a diagnosis.

 

[Stagg737]

As the title suggests, I am looking for any advice on how to turn my mentality around and hopefully do well on STEP I. A little background about myself-- I started my M1 year very strong. Did well in my classes and would be able to study 8-12 hours a day no problem. Towards the end of my M1 year and carrying onto my M2 year, I have noticed a lack of motivation in my studies and I have moved to the lower bottom of my class. I have passed all my courses, but I certainly can't say I am doing as well as I would like. I am also the type of person that forgets content from the previous organ systems. My mentality is that if i'm only doing mediocre now during the organ systems, how can I do well on STEP? I plan on studying 8 hours a day during christmas break, but any advice on how to move forward would be very much appreciated.

Sounds like you're hitting some burnout. If that's the case, I'd recommend taking the break off as an actual vacation and being ready to come back and crush it next semester. If you feel like you need to do something over break, prepare you study schedule/methods for next semester and dedicated time so you're not scrambling then. Burnout is real and often unavoidable, but you can absolutely manage when it happens, and right before Step 1 is one of those times to keep it in check.

 

[takeurmeds02]

Sounds like you're hitting some burnout. If that's the case, I'd recommend taking the break off as an actual vacation and being ready to come back and crush it next semester. If you feel like you need to do something over break, prepare you study schedule/methods for next semester and dedicated time so you're not scrambling then. Burnout is real and often unavoidable, but you can absolutely manage when it happens, and right before Step 1 is one of those times to keep it in check.

I'm definitely feeling the burn the closer I approach the end of second-year material. We start dedicated in March. Thanks for this.

 

[flightnurse2MD]

As the title suggests, I am looking for any advice on how to turn my mentality around and hopefully do well on STEP I. A little background about myself-- I started my M1 year very strong. Did well in my classes and would be able to study 8-12 hours a day no problem. Towards the end of my M1 year and carrying onto my M2 year, I have noticed a lack of motivation in my studies and I have moved to the lower bottom of my class. I have passed all my courses, but I certainly can't say I am doing as well as I would like. I am also the type of person that forgets content from the previous organ systems. My mentality is that if i'm only doing mediocre now during the organ systems, how can I do well on STEP? I plan on studying 8 hours a day during christmas break, but any advice on how to move forward would be very much appreciated.

It’s called burnt out. Take some time off to recharge the batteries. Life is a marathon not a track meet.

 

[campfiredoughnut22]

Spaced repetition. Spend 1 hour per day reviewing old material and you'll thank yourself down the line.

I still have a few more weeks of this organ system before Christmas break. I plan on reviewing some organ systems and during that time and then continue with the review like you said 1 hr per day. What would be a good way to go about the 1 hr per day review? Firecracker, Anki, anything else?

 

[campfiredoughnut22]

DO NOT study 8h a day during x-mas time. Been there, done that (especially after being told not to), did not remember anything, could have spent time with family, and was one of my biggest regrets. If you are going to do anything, just do sketchy micro, have all the pictures and what not memorized.

Doing well on step is all about using the right resources, understanding how the questions are written so that you can deconstruct them and figure out what is being asked, being able to identify buzzwords, being able to decode phrases that identify with a diagnosis.

Thank you for taking the time to write about your personal experience! I have several days off during that time, but the big thing for me is I don't remember much from my M1 organ systems and was maybe going to use that time to refresh so that I could then spend the rest of the year 1 hr per day revisiting/reviewing. I feel as if my memory is not great.

 

[campfiredoughnut22]

Sounds like you're hitting some burnout. If that's the case, I'd recommend taking the break off as an actual vacation and being ready to come back and crush it next semester. If you feel like you need to do something over break, prepare you study schedule/methods for next semester and dedicated time so you're not scrambling then. Burnout is real and often unavoidable, but you can absolutely manage when it happens, and right before Step 1 is one of those times to keep it in check.

I created a study plan earlier this year that allows me to complete a question bank before dedicated. However, this requires me to work on it some during christmas break. I also feel guilty that I haven't been working as hard as I should during this beginning of M2 so i think i may feel guilty if I take an even longer break during christmas time.

 

[Instatewaiter]

before christmas break: Figure out what books you want to use for Step 1 and buy them

During Christmas break- spend 20 or so minutes per book flipping through it and understanding how it is organized. Make a rudimentary plan for studying during the semester and during your time off before step 1. DO NOTHING ELSE. This way you can be productive during christmas break but also recharge your batteries.

During next semester: with each organ system go through the part of the review books for those organ systems. If you have time, review an old organ system. This way, you will have reviewed all your books once over prior to studying.

 

[Osteoth]

I still have a few more weeks of this organ system before Christmas break. I plan on reviewing some organ systems and during that time and then continue with the review like you said 1 hr per day. What would be a good way to go about the 1 hr per day review? Firecracker, Anki, anything else?

Ideally my study method takes ~2 hours per day, but you could modify it.

Download Zanki or another one of those pre-made Anki decks, it takes too much time (100s of hours) to make your own cards. Depending on how longitudinal your studying has been so far, or if your school has made you take any NBME tests yet, I would start on your weakest section, and go through First Aide. When you come across a section or subject you're not that familiar with, go into Anki and add all the cards on that subject. Review 1 hour new cards per day, 1 hour old cards. When I was doing this I could do like ~50 new cards & ~100 reviews with this method. You get faster as you go along.

 

[Istan Bull]

before christmas break: Figure out what books you want to use for Step 1 and buy them

During Christmas break- spend 20 or so minutes per book flipping through it and understanding how it is organized. Make a rudimentary plan for studying during the semester and during your time off before step 1. DO NOTHING ELSE. This way you can be productive during christmas break but also recharge your batteries.

During next semester: with each organ system go through the part of the review books for those organ systems. If you have time, review an old organ system. This way, you will have reviewed all your books once over prior to studying.

I second this. 8 hrs during break makes burnout worse, but doing nothing is like eating pie between trips to the gym. Do enough to keep your eye on the prize and keep those mental systems active. It's like stretching on days you don't lift.

 

[J ROD]

Here is some advice from another perspective. I knew I did not want a competitive specialty and my grades, Step 1 did not have to be great. Well, I kept a respectable GPA 3.3 but on Step 1 I did not prep much before dedicated time. Got a decent enough Step 1 but below average and knew I could do better.
Use that as motivation. Fear of not doing well on Step 1. Spread it out and try and learn when you are not dead tired so it will stick. I tried the more cram method over a month or so and it was not the best idea. At least get a good base before dedicated time this summer. I ended ranking into a lower tier program and well let's just say I am disappointed. I know I could have done better.

 

[campfiredoughnut22]

Ideally my study method takes ~2 hours per day, but you could modify it.

Download Zanki or another one of those pre-made Anki decks, it takes too much time (100s of hours) to make your own cards. Depending on how longitudinal your studying has been so far, or if your school has made you take any NBME tests yet, I would start on your weakest section, and go through First Aide. When you come across a section or subject you're not that familiar with, go into Anki and add all the cards on that subject. Review 1 hour new cards per day, 1 hour old cards. When I was doing this I could do like ~50 new cards & ~100 reviews with this method. You get faster as you go along.

Is this during the semester that you would do this? Or did you start during Christmas break?
Also, did you use the brosencephalon deck?

 

[campfiredoughnut22]

Here is some advice from another perspective. I knew I did not want a competitive specialty and my grades, Step 1 did not have to be great. Well, I kept a respectable GPA 3.3 but on Step 1 I did not prep much before dedicated time. Got a decent enough Step 1 but below average and knew I could do better.
Use that as motivation. Fear of not doing well on Step 1. Spread it out and try and learn when you are not dead tired so it will stick. I tried the more cram method over a month or so and it was not the best idea. At least get a good base before dedicated time this summer. I ended ranking into a lower tier program and well let's just say I am disappointed. I know I could have done better.

Thank you for this! I do not know how to effectively cram. I forget stuff way easier than the average person and feel as if I need to be exposed to material several times before I have mastered it. I will take your advice and start early. thank you 🙂

 

[DocWinter]

Take Christmas break for yourself. Put all qbanks and textbooks away for a couple weeks. If you do anything, sketchy for 1 or 2 hours a day. Get recharged then focus your study time when you go back to it with 6 to 8 hours a day with spaced breaks q 1 hour. Do not get bogged down with many resources, choose the good old UWFAP or whatever you want and diligently plug through.

 

[HomeSkool]

I echo what others are saying about burnout. You pushed things too hard and now you're paying the price for it. I like what @Osteoth said about spaced repetition - that's the best way to transfer material from short- to long-term memory. And @Instatewaiter proposed a schedule that's right on the mark. I especially like the part about flipping through the books for no longer than twenty minutes each day on break - it gives you the ability to stay active and lay preparatory groundwork without throwing away your much-needed family time.

At the risk of looking like a self-promoting troll, here's the link for a post I wrote the other day about taking the time to socialize while remaining ambitious and dedicated: Hanging out or Studying.

Take the time to recharge! Sounds like you need it.

I second this. 8 hrs during break makes burnout worse, but doing nothing is like eating pie between trips to the gym. Do enough to keep your eye on the prize and keep those mental systems active. It's like stretching on days you don't lift.

+1 for the lifting/stretching reference. Now I want some pie.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using SDN mobile

 

[Osteoth]

Is this during the semester that you would do this? Or did you start during Christmas break?
Also, did you use the brosencephalon deck?

Start ASAP. I used Bros because Zanki didn't come out when by then, but I would use the most comprehensive deck thats available. I tihnk about it like weight lifting, reps*repetition=success.

 

[campfiredoughnut22]

Start ASAP. I used Bros because Zanki didn't come out when by then, but I would use the most comprehensive deck thats available. I tihnk about it like weight lifting, reps*repetition=success.

I am starting this today 🙂 Thank you!