Plan for 3rd year

[MDSlacker]

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I just finished taking step 1 about 2 weeks ago and will be starting rotations in a couple weeks (still waiting for my step 1 score). I have been reading through the forums trying to figure out what is the best plan to go about 3rd year. I think I did well on step 1 but I still feel like there is some stuff that I would of changed if I could go back (esp during the school year). I listed my general plan below but I would love some feedback.

My first rotation is Internal Medicine and I just want to figure this one out first and then worry about the rest after this. My plan is to go through Step up to medicine, UW QBank for IM, and MKSAP. If I have time I will also watch the Conrad Fisher Cases and Kaplan Audio/Video. I don't even know how long all of this will take but is this too ambitious?

Do you guys recommend doing any specific step 2 studying during the year or basically just focus on each rotation as you go through it? I was planning on using all of MTB 2 and everything except IM in MTB 3 (read this somewhere but not sure if this is ideal) for step 2 studying so should I try and read this as I go through rotations as well? I was also considering step 2 secretes and/or Step up to USMLE 2. Thanks for any feedback that I can get.

 

[swamprat]

Don't worry about step 2, studying for the shelfs will more than adequately prepare you for the step 2. I used step up to medicine, mksap questions and maybe 1-200 uworld questions and honored medicine. You don't need to study for step 2 all year long like you did for step 1.

 

[evilbooyaa]

Your plan for IM - SUTM + UWorld IM (all 1400 questions). If you have the discipline to get through all of that, you should do well on the shelf. +/- MKSAP if you like it.

Don't study for Step 2 during the year (unless you have a relaxed rotation at the end of MS3, like Family Med or Psych, depending on your site). If you are doing well on your shelf exams, you will probably do decently well on Step 2. Depending on your step 1 score (and your specialty choice) will determine whether you do Step 2 early (like before 4th year starts) or later (after September 15th)

 

[image187]

do everything perfect and you'll be just fine for third year. In all seriousness, just take it as it comes...

as for studying, I agree with doxy. I started with IM as well and just read through step up once and did a few hundred uworld q's (you do not need to to all of them)

One additional piece of advice would be to read for at least 5 mins/day on your patients or things you come across and don't know too much about. And take time to yourself every day, don't waste quality relaxation time by watching lectures, you probably won't have the energy to anyway

 

[MDSlacker]

Alright thanks for the advice guys.

 

[futuredoctor10]

Alright thanks for the advice guys.

Yep agree with what everyone has said. By studying for each shelf, you are studying for Step 2! Which is pretty awesome.

I will add that reading that section in a Step 2 review book might be helpful in the first week, for a broad overview to the topics on each rotation. But definitely not required, because whatever other materials you will use for the shelf will cover the topics in more depth.