Not loving anki: how to have a longitudinal plan for Step 1?

[Agent Michael Scarn]

I've been trying to get into Zanki toward the start of M2 by doing the biochem cards as review before launching into organ systems, but I'm having a hard time seeing myself sinking hours a day into it, especially when many of the cards seem to be out of context minutiae (which doesn't necessarily mean that knowing the stuff couldn't help for Step 1). It could be that my biochem course didn't perfectly overlap with some of the stuff that zanki puts in the biochem subdeck, but I also just wonder if I'm not really an "Anki person." I was near the top of my class first year only using anki for anatomy and studying more by outlining lectures, thinking through stuff and re-reading my outlines for classes. But obviously boards is a lot more material than being good at a given class at one time.

For reference, I'm shooting for 250+ due to a competitive specialty I'm considering.

So I have a few questions:
-Is gauging how I feel about zanki as a whole based on my experience with the biochem subdeck a mistake?
-Are there people out there who just don't love spending the time on anki, but have gotten good scores doing something else longitudinal for step 1? What did your plan look like? I'm thinking like regular passes of FA/Pathoma chapters I have already covered (like Saturday mornings for 4 or 5 hours or something) plus a couple of sketchy videos/drawing reviews a day for old micro and pharm.
-Should I suck it up, hate myself for the next 6 months, mature zanki, and trust in the SRS deities to turn it into profit? Obviously I'll be doing a Q bank or two as well alongside/during dedicated.
-For pre-made anki mega-deck users: How do you structure your day to get all those cards done while still doing well in classes and actually learning the stuff conceptually the first time to build understanding?

I guess I'm feeling like keeping up with zanki will drain me from putting in the effort to just learn my class material and I might miss the big picture. But people on the other side of step 1 can feel free to correct me.

Thanks in advance. Just trying to formulate a plan for the year so July 2019 me isn't PO'd at August 2018 me for being stupid.

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[Newyawk]

I've been trying to get into Zanki toward the start of M2 by doing the biochem cards as review before launching into organ systems, but I'm having a hard time seeing myself sinking hours a day into it, especially when many of the cards seem to be out of context minutiae (which doesn't necessarily mean that knowing the stuff couldn't help for Step 1). It could be that my biochem course didn't perfectly overlap with some of the stuff that zanki puts in the biochem subdeck, but I also just wonder if I'm not really an "Anki person." I was near the top of my class first year only using anki for anatomy and studying more by outlining lectures, thinking through stuff and re-reading my outlines for classes. But obviously boards is a lot more material than being good at a given class at one time.

For reference, I'm shooting for 250+ due to a competitive specialty I'm considering.

So I have a few questions:
-Is gauging how I feel about zanki as a whole based on my experience with the biochem subdeck a mistake?
-Are there people out there who just don't love spending the time on anki, but have gotten good scores doing something else longitudinal for step 1? What did your plan look like? I'm thinking like regular passes of FA/Pathoma chapters I have already covered (like Saturday mornings for 4 or 5 hours or something) plus a couple of sketchy videos/drawing reviews a day for old micro and pharm.
-Should I suck it up, hate myself for the next 6 months, mature zanki, and trust in the SRS deities to turn it into profit? Obviously I'll be doing a Q bank or two as well alongside/during dedicated.
-For pre-made anki mega-deck users: How do you structure your day to get all those cards done while still doing well in classes and actually learning the stuff conceptually the first time to build understanding?

I guess I'm feeling like keeping up with zanki will drain me from putting in the effort to just learn my class material and I might miss the big picture. But people on the other side of step 1 can feel free to correct me.

Thanks in advance. Just trying to formulate a plan for the year so July 2019 me isn't PO'd at August 2018 me for being stupid.

Nobody has ever scored well without anki. Virtually every person in the past 20 years who has scored 240+ has used anki.

 

[kb1900]

People get great step scores without anki and if you’re at the top of your class, you probably know what you’re doing.

Having said that, imo bio chem is the hardest deck in Zanki followed closely by neuro.

I’d try out the path cards alongside pathoma, the pharm cards alongside sketchy, or the physio cards alongside costanzo before you ditch zanki all together.

Also, you don’t HAVE to mature all of zanki. That is just one approach. You could just use the sub decks for subjects that you are weak in or when you have to memorize something but don’t want to type notes or make new cards.

 

[deleted645092]

I tried using Zanki for board review during 2nd year and really never managed more than 300 cards in a day. What I did instead was focus on learning all of the class material cold for each month as it came up, with 1-2 hours a day dedicated to reviewing old material, of which was often Zanki. I used Anki and made my own decks, spending the first 2 weeks making the cards and reviewing them on my downtime, and the second half of the block reviewing them non-stop. I would try and fit Zanki in when I could but it was hard. I found it more useful for dedicated but only for more difficult classes like biochem, immuno, and general pathology concepts.

 

[Save a life]

Questions banks. Buy a copy of Rx Qmax, Kaplan Qbank, or Firecracker (the “cases” not the “questions”). You can do these along with systems and use UWorld for dedicated.

Also, if you really want flash cards both Firecracker and Rx have them...

I use Anki but the question banks are just as good if not more important.

 

[akuko2]

I hated Anki and still got a 250+. Just focus on learning the current block well and mix in different organ system Q's in from past blocks to keep yourself refreshed. Make a good journal of what topics/organ systems you are weak on (I used a gigantic word doc) and spend time reviewing them especially come Nov/Dec-ish. Continue this so that your schedule permits you to cover everything by start of dedicated then just do lotsa UW and all the NBME's available while using that info to gauge where you are weak and need to refresh.

 

[21Rush12]

Here’s how to get 250+:

- Choose methods and resources that fit your strengths as a learner
- Build a strong foundation encompassing in-house material and board prep (i.e. Boards and Beyond to learn the Step 1 material, class material to supplement)
- Work efficiently; it’s not about hours spent, it’s quality and understanding that counts
- Pick 3 resources and stick with them, unless they’re not working
- Constantly adapt your methods based on what’s working and what’s not
- Don’t pay attention to what anyone else is doing, they’re not you. This is probably most important. Even if your whole class loves Anki, if it doesn’t work for you then don’t use it.

 

[libertyyne]

Nobody has ever scored well without anki. Virtually every person in the past 20 years who has scored 240+ has used anki.

LOL. Anki is only 12 years old.

 

[kb1900]

LOL. Anki is only 12 years old.

supermemo2 or bust

 

[Agent Michael Scarn]

LOL. Anki is only 12 years old.

Lol yeah, I guess a better way of phrasing it is, "I mostly see people on here who say their strategy is that they are just gonna mature zanki and do Rx and U-world. I'm interested to hear how people who aren't into anki to that extent can still do well on boards."

 

[libertyyne]

supermemo2 or bust

Clay tablets and sticks or bust. Kids these days.

 

[libertyyne]

Lol yeah, I guess a better way of phrasing it is, "I mostly see people on here who say their strategy is that they are just gonna mature zanki and do Rx and U-world. I'm interested to hear how people who aren't into anki to that extent can still do well on boards."

There are people on the step board who do not use anki and yet do well. The alternative plans usually revolve around answering as many step style questions as you humanly can. Which honestly might not be a bad plan. Considering anki asks you a fact and no integration generally. Compared to doing q banks which tend to force integration. There is also doing u world 2x and keeping a notebook of everything you did wrong. Sdn is a very biased sample to look towards consider g it seems like a majority of students have an mcat of 515+ and a step of 240+

 

[Newyawk]

LOL. Anki is only 12 years old.

Im glad you caught that and corrected me. Thanks for perfectly portraying the zanki crowd.

 

[coldcase331]

Here’s how to get 250+:

- Choose methods and resources that fit your strengths as a learner
- Build a strong foundation encompassing in-house material and board prep (i.e. Boards and Beyond to learn the Step 1 material, class material to supplement)
- Work efficiently; it’s not about hours spent, it’s quality and understanding that counts
- Pick 3 resources and stick with them, unless they’re not working
- Constantly adapt your methods based on what’s working and what’s not
- Don’t pay attention to what anyone else is doing, they’re not you. This is probably most important. Even if your whole class loves Anki, if it doesn’t work for you then don’t use it.

And the tiniest bit of luck 😉

 

[libertyyne]

Im glad you caught that and corrected me. Thanks for perfectly portraying the zanki crowd.

I don't know who this zanki crowd is, but if they are about answering hyperbole with facts than I would sure like to be part of them. And for what it's worth I have stated that it is possible to score well on the step without anki.

 

[Newyawk]

I don't know who this zanki crowd is, but if they are about answering hyperbole with facts than I would sure like to be part of them. And for what it's worth I have stated that it is possible to score well on the step without anki.

They are about missing sarcasm.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

Knew a guy that got >250 just by studying USMLE-Rx then UWorld. You gotta learn how you learn best.

 

[aldol16]

-For pre-made anki mega-deck users: How do you structure your day to get all those cards done while still doing well in classes and actually learning the stuff conceptually the first time to build understanding?

Do Anki when you're walking places, at the gym, eating, etc. Limit your reviews to XXX cards a day. It can build up if you just keep doing it so you can limit reviews to, say, 200 cards a day so that you know that you'll do a maximum of 200 + however many new cards you have set per day. That way you have a more definite Anki schedule.

Firecracker is an Anki-like resource that has a bit more information, I think. But it's also spaced repetition. I prefer Anki but some people like Firecracker.

 

[libertyyne]

They are about missing sarcasm.

Probably related to the quality of the sarcasm rather than any anki use.

 

[kb1900]

Do Anki when you're walking places, at the gym, eating, etc. Limit your reviews to XXX cards a day. It can build up if you just keep doing it so you can limit reviews to, say, 200 cards a day so that you know that you'll do a maximum of 200 + however many new cards you have set per day. That way you have a more definite Anki schedule.

Firecracker is an Anki-like resource that has a bit more information, I think. But it's also spaced repetition. I prefer Anki but some people like Firecracker.

Limiting your reviews bites you in the end in my experience. Maybe there’s a way to have your critical reviews first. But it caused me to become uncomfortable with many cards due to lesser retention

When I am overwhelmed by anki I just avoid new cards for a few days and only focus my reviews. 2-3 days can bring a 1k+ review count (2-3 hours) down to 300 (<1 hour).

 

[21Rush12]

And the tiniest bit of luck 😉

Sorry, this is a 250+ zone. You’ll have to wait outside.

 

[aldol16]

Limiting your reviews bites you in the end in my experience. Maybe there’s a way to have your critical reviews first. But it caused me to become uncomfortable with many cards due to lesser retention

When I am overwhelmed by anki I just avoid new cards for a few days and only focus my reviews. 2-3 days can bring a 1k+ review count (2-3 hours) down to 300 (<1 hour).

There's a trade-off between time spent doing Anki and time spent doing other things. If limiting your reviews to a reasonable amount will give you more time to do qbanks or other important things, then yes, it's worth it. If you're going to spend that time jerking off anyway, might as well do the full review count.

 

[libertyyne]

There's a trade-off between time spent doing Anki and time spent doing other things. If limiting your reviews to a reasonable amount will give you more time to do qbanks or other important things, then yes, it's worth it. If you're going to spend that time jerking off anyway, might as well do the full review count.

But what if jerking off is part of my process

 

[coldcase331]

Sorry, this is a 250+ zone. You’ll have to wait outside.

 

[Cheyenne62]

Knew a guy that got >250 just by studying USMLE-Rx then UWorld. You gotta learn how you learn best.

I got 250+ and only did 1 pass of uworld. I did listen to pathoma for my commute. Only looked at first aid day before test (rapid review). The key was I made mnemonics throughout classwork and added to them as time went on. And I made flash cards from Uworld but I only reviewed them once. It was the process of making them that helped.

 

[Jesus1]

Understand your course material well. Go through Boards & Beyond and make thorough notes. Review these notes multiple times on a scheduled basis. Never been a user of anki but I have done very well on tests by just reviewing the material multiple times but making my first pass an "understanding pass".

 

[sunshinefl]

Understand your course material well. Go through Boards & Beyond and make thorough notes. Review these notes multiple times on a scheduled basis. Never been a user of anki but I have done very well on tests by just reviewing the material multiple times but making my first pass an "understanding pass".

Please help. One month into M2. Throughout medical school to date I have done a very through “understanding” first pass... and then I end up with no time to see the material ever again. So I don’t do so well. I’m trying to adjust my system but it’s not like I can do a controlled study for other methods.

 

[21Rush12]

Please help. One month into M2. Throughout medical school to date I have done a very through “understanding” first pass... and then I end up with no time to see the material ever again. So I don’t do so well. I’m trying to adjust my system but it’s not like I can do a controlled study for other methods.

Make your time efficient. Learn from board material and supplement with classroom. Take in the material but also do questions to challenge your understanding as you go. Use an ‘easier’ qbank like USMLERx and practice as you go. Solving problems will force you to understand the material and learn what you don’t know.

 

[sunshinefl]

Make your time efficient. Learn from board material and supplement with classroom. Take in the material but also do questions to challenge your understanding as you go. Use an ‘easier’ qbank like USMLERx and practice as you go. Solving problems will force you to understand the material and learn what you don’t know.

Thank you. I’m really trying. I will give this a try.

 

[21Rush12]

Thank you. I’m really trying. I will give this a try.

Also: it’s normal to struggle as M2 starts off. It’s a big change from first year and you’ll get your bearings soon enough. Everyone feels like this. Don’t think about Step 1, just focus on getting to the exams one at a time.

 

[coldcase331]

Make your time efficient. Learn from board material and supplement with classroom. Take in the material but also do questions to challenge your understanding as you go. Use an ‘easier’ qbank like USMLERx and practice as you go. Solving problems will force you to understand the material and learn what you don’t know.

Tell me your thoughts on Kaplan Qbank

 

[21Rush12]

Tell me your thoughts on Kaplan Qbank

If qbanks were milk, RX = skim, UWorld = whole, and Kaplan = almond.

 

[tf21594]

^ i'm going to start using that analogy for other things in life. amazing.

 

[raiderette]

Knew a guy that got >250 just by studying USMLE-Rx then UWorld. You gotta learn how you learn best.

Add Sketchy and Pathoma and that is me. I hated Anki. Give me q-banks any day.

 

[Jesus1]

Please help. One month into M2. Throughout medical school to date I have done a very through “understanding” first pass... and then I end up with no time to see the material ever again. So I don’t do so well. I’m trying to adjust my system but it’s not like I can do a controlled study for other methods.

I would actually take the opposite line here and say to learn from class materials and supplement with boards material. Class materials will give you a solid foundation. Board materials, not so much.