Post-2nd Year Break?

[DoctorDO23]

Starting this upcoming year, my school is planning on having students finish second year around May 1, and not begin 3rd year rotations until Sept. 1, essentially giving students 4 months to study for boards and hopefully boost scores all around. However, it seems this could be a set back in terms of getting good experience in rotations and trying out electives before it is time to apply to residency, and it seems like way more time than I have heard is necessary for board studying, so I was wondering: Has anyone else heard of a system like this or have any thoughts on whether it is a good idea?

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[cliquesh]

Starting this upcoming year, my school is planning on having students finish second year around May 1, and not begin 3rd year rotations until Sept. 1, essentially giving students 4 months to study for boards and hopefully boost scores all around. However, it seems this could be a set back in terms of getting good experience in rotations and trying out electives before it is time to apply to residency, and it seems like way more time than I have heard is necessary for board studying, so I was wondering: Has anyone else heard of a system like this or have any thoughts on whether it is a good idea?

4 months is crazy. I think 1 or 2 months is the normal. You should be more than ready after 6 weeks of hardcore studying.

If you can, I'd study for 2 months, take the test, and then see you if you can do some electives. 4 months is dumb.

 

[nardini46]

I studied like 10-12 hrs a day for about 6 weeks with half days every 1.5 to 2 weeks. I was burned out by the end of week 6. 5 to 6 weeks is enough for step prep. I couldn't focus the last few days before the exam because I was so burned out. I ended up taking a day off before my exam. I am very glad that step 1 is behind me. Probably one of the worst periods of my life thus far.

 

[pdeco1]

I studied like 10-12 hrs a day for about 6 weeks with half days every 1.5 to 2 weeks. I was burned out by the end of week 6. 5 to 6 weeks is enough for step prep. I couldn't focus the last few days before the exam because I was so burned out. I ended up taking a day off before my exam. I am very glad that step 1 is behind me. Probably one of the worst periods of my life thus far.

Feel better?

 

[pattr]

Study for 2 months. Leave ~5-7 days between USMLE and COMLEX if you are taking both; take whichever one matters to you more first (I recommend USMLE).

4 months is way too much and won't be conducive after a while. I think we had like 4 weeks of dedicated board prep time.

3rd year is very important for step 2 prep and for getting used to clinicals for the purposes of away/audition rotations come residency application season. I would take a couple of those 4 months to do electives in fields you are really interested in.