Potentially overeager? Step 1 Study Plan

[hereinFL]

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I have a fair amount of free time these days, which I've been filling with excessive TV, eating, and generally doing nothing. Of course, I've also been obsessing about starting med school this fall and reading SDN pretty regularly. I've thought a lot about how I plan on being successful at school, and lately I've turned my attention to Step 1. I know I'm thinking way in advance, but I was hoping I could get you guys' feedback on my "study plan." I think it seems fairly reasonable/not too excessive, but I need you all to tell me if I'm full of it, haha. My studying should be pretty open-ended until MS2. I just like to have some kind of plan of action. Anyways, here it is... Oh, and p.s., my school has a 1.5 year systems-based curriculum if that helps with anything.

MS1

• Review First Aid (FA) and Rapid Review Pathology by Goljan concurrently with classes. Become familiar with these materials and use the information to help structure my studying and identify "high-yield" concepts.
• After finishing FA, start either the USMLE Rx or Kaplan QBank. This should potentially occur around spring break (i.e., 12 months before the designated study time) or during/after summer (having used the summer to finish reading FA). Annotate FA based on answers from the QBank. Annotate directly in the book or in a separate document--whatever I prefer.

MS2

• Continue reviewing FA and Goljan, annotating FA, and answering QBank questions alongside classes.
• At least four months before the designated study time, start using Anki cards to review FA. (Lower priority - may abandon)
• Upon the arrival of the designated study time, I should have read both FA and Goljan at least one time--ideally, I should have finished FA for a second time. I should also have completed the QBank and Anki cards.

Designated Study Time (6 weeks)

• Study FA and Goljan, annotating FA with the answers to the practice questions. Try to have FA and Goljan committed to memory two weeks before the exam so the remaining time can be spent doing practice questions and/or essential review.
• Start and complete USMLE World QBank.
• Assess my progress with the most recent NBME practice exams: Take one just prior to or at the very beginning of the designated study time to know my starting point. Take two more before the last week. During the final week, take the Free-150.
• Consider reviewing Microcards and Goljan audio.
• During the final week, review biochemistry, embryology, microbiology, and pharmacology, devoting a day to each topic. Also, carefully review the topics of incorrectly answered questions on the NBME tests.
• The day before the exam, do NOT study--relax!

Thanks!

 

[JP2740]

 

[Hemichordate]

http://t.qkme.me/3onkwy.jpg

 

[Daodejing]

Um...wow. Just one question: are you serious?

Ok ok I lied...another question: why the infatuation with Goljan? Idk about you but Dr. Sattar has my heart lol

I know you'll be going to a 1.5 preclinical school, but I doubt you'll be able to read, let alone comprehend and "identify high yield topics", FA and rapid review path early in MS1. They are review books for a reason. Don't get me wrong - I applaud your motivation and organization, premature as it may be, but why..

 

[hereinFL]

Yeahhh, I figure I probably won't be able really get that much from FA or (especially) some kind of path review book for a while. I was more thinking along the lines just getting familiar with the books or looking what are the key points they highlight if I'm also covering the topic in class rather than actively studying them. I assume that will mainly come later - post-spring break or post-summer? Mainly I just want to productively spread everything out because, well, I'm a planner and I actually don't do too well under major "crunch time" circumstances. But thanks for the feedback!

 

[Jamiu22]

Yeahhh, I figure I probably won't be able really get that much from FA or (especially) some kind of path review book for a while. I was more thinking along the lines just getting familiar with the books or looking what are the key points they highlight if I'm also covering the topic in class rather than actively studying them. I assume that will mainly come later - post-spring break or post-summer? Mainly I just want to productively spread everything out because, well, I'm a planner and I actually don't do too well under major "crunch time" circumstances. But thanks for the feedback!

My advice to you is not to look too far ahead.... there are a lot of battles that need to be fought before you get to step one...and the best way doing very well in your first 2 yrs.... I believe that this is your priority.... doing this will make step 1 study easier for you when you get there... some folks have suggested gunnertraining or firecracker (if you are that determined and can keep a rigid schedule, if not you'll be wasting your time).

As for First Aid from first semester - for most schools this is not a good idea cos you'll need to cover biochem and gross anatomy (this two huge subjects have very little to do with FA)... fortunately they are not overly represented on step1 either. Staying focused for 2yrs will be the main challenge for you. You'll need to discover a new studying strategy (trust me, the one you most likely used in undergrad or grad school wont work - the sheer volume of material will be something unanticipated).

I commend you for looking at this early... but at the same time...be realistic about your goals - and don't forget study ur butt off for MS1 and MS2 - step1 will naturally follow same trend. Good luck.

 

[addo]

that sweet time before your start med school when you think you will be able to do everything and go the extra mile...

 

[Anastomoses]

Were you a bio major as an undergrad? If so...maybe you can dive right into some of your first class chapters of biochemistry, neuroscience, and immunology. Why not.

 

[John Lannister]

I have a fair amount of free time these days, which I've been filling with excessive TV, eating, and generally doing nothing. Of course, I've also been obsessing about starting med school this fall and reading SDN pretty regularly. I've thought a lot about how I plan on being successful at school, and lately I've turned my attention to Step 1. I know I'm thinking way in advance, but I was hoping I could get you guys' feedback on my "study plan." I think it seems fairly reasonable/not too excessive, but I need you all to tell me if I'm full of it, haha. My studying should be pretty open-ended until MS2. I just like to have some kind of plan of action. Anyways, here it is... Oh, and p.s., my school has a 1.5 year systems-based curriculum if that helps with anything.

MS1

• Review First Aid (FA) and Rapid Review Pathology by Goljan concurrently with classes. Become familiar with these materials and use the information to help structure my studying and identify "high-yield" concepts.
• After finishing FA, start either the USMLE Rx or Kaplan QBank. This should potentially occur around spring break (i.e., 12 months before the designated study time) or during/after summer (having used the summer to finish reading FA). Annotate FA based on answers from the QBank. Annotate directly in the book or in a separate document--whatever I prefer.

MS2

• Continue reviewing FA and Goljan, annotating FA, and answering QBank questions alongside classes.
• At least four months before the designated study time, start using Anki cards to review FA. (Lower priority - may abandon)
• Upon the arrival of the designated study time, I should have read both FA and Goljan at least one time--ideally, I should have finished FA for a second time. I should also have completed the QBank and Anki cards.

Designated Study Time (6 weeks)

• Study FA and Goljan, annotating FA with the answers to the practice questions. Try to have FA and Goljan committed to memory two weeks before the exam so the remaining time can be spent doing practice questions and/or essential review.
• Start and complete USMLE World QBank.
• Assess my progress with the most recent NBME practice exams: Take one just prior to or at the very beginning of the designated study time to know my starting point. Take two more before the last week. During the final week, take the Free-150.
• Consider reviewing Microcards and Goljan audio.
• During the final week, review biochemistry, embryology, microbiology, and pharmacology, devoting a day to each topic. Also, carefully review the topics of incorrectly answered questions on the NBME tests.
• The day before the exam, do NOT study--relax!

Thanks!

This is great. You've even thought of things to do that you might abandon if you run out of time.

Be sure to report back after M1 and then after Step 1.👍 Planning is the most important thing. If you can make a great plan you'll will obviously score in the top 1%.

I do love how gunning is always prefaced with stuff like, "I'm doing nothing all day..." or "I'm going out like 6 days a week and getting blazed often..."

 

[hereinFL]

that sweet time before your start med school when you think you will be able to do everything and go the extra mile...

This probably never would have happened if I went straight from undergrad to med school, but I've been kickin it at the most low-key job ever...there is such a thing as too much free time. Seriously, I cannot recommend taking a gap year enough, but now that I'm at the final stretch, I'm just ready for it to be over. 😀

As for First Aid from first semester - for most schools this is not a good idea cos you'll need to cover biochem and gross anatomy (this two huge subjects have very little to do with FA)... fortunately they are not overly represented on step1 either. Staying focused for 2yrs will be the main challenge for you. You'll need to discover a new studying strategy (trust me, the one you most likely used in undergrad or grad school wont work - the sheer volume of material will be something unanticipated).

This is really good advice, Jamiu22. I think I will hold off any Step 1 studying for the first semester and just get my bearings. Would starting to just page through FA make sense second semester? Or should I wait until MS2? I ask because I feel better knowing what I should be doing. If I shouldn't be doing any studying, that's fine, and I'm glad I know. At the same time, I'd hate to miss out on anything or end up saying to myself "I wish I started earlier." As you've pointed out though, too early can be counterproductive.

This is great. You've even thought of things to do that you might abandon if you run out of time.

Be sure to report back after M1 and then after Step 1. Planning is the most important thing. If you can make a great plan you'll will obviously score in the top 1%.

Thanks, John Lannister! I'm hoping that if I plan well enough, I won't be struggling to stay afloat as much when it's time to study exclusively for Step 1.

Does anyone have any advice about starting a QBank before Step 1 study time? I've read quite a few experiences on here of people who get through one before the set aside time. When is it reasonable to start one? I've kind of arbitrarily assumed 12 months in advance since all the companies seem to sell yearlong subscriptions.

 

[coolforschool]

This is really good advice, Jamiu22. I think I will hold off any Step 1 studying for the first semester and just get my bearings. Would starting to just page through FA make sense second semester? Or should I wait until MS2?


Does anyone have any advice about starting a QBank before Step 1 study time? I've read quite a few experiences on here of people who get through one before the set aside time. When is it reasonable to start one? I've kind of arbitrarily assumed 12 months in advances since all the companies seem to sell yearlong subscriptions.

Start flipping through FA casually when you hit your physiology and microbiology blocks. I did that, and they ended up being my strongest subjects (and they're the most important). FA covers these subjects well but not quite adequately, so you also need to learn these subjects well from your classwork.

If you want a Qbank, start with Kaplan. I hate that Qbank so much. I should've just used it throughout second year as throwaway questions. If you want to use one, use that one during your second year as preparation for your exams. I have a couple of friends who did this, and they're doing pretty well. Rx is actually a pretty good Qbank for reinforcing First Aid, so I would use it midway into your second year or if you're finished with Kaplan. The more questions you do, the better. Good luck, study hard.

 

[Leonidis I]

don't worry too much about the path until you have your physio down COLD. alot of the path builds on physio concepts and if you don't learn the physio well the first time then you're gonna have a bad time when you have to learn path.

i would: go through BRS physio with classes during M1 and know that book as well as you possibly can. however, the questions in BRS physio are a joke so use a book like pretest physio or guyton's review to do questions. questions are the key in physio.

also don't start with goljan. do pathoma first (which explains the fundamentals well), then goljan (which delves deeper and ties it to other aspects of medicine), and then robbins (which goes even deeper) only if you need it/have time.

 

[HolySmokes]

Absolutely no reason at all to start studying for boards during first year. Don't even buy FA until you start second year. Absolute earliest you should start focusing on boards is around March of MS2. If you want a QBank, get a year subscription to Rx or Kaplan and go through questions alongside your course material. Save World for your dedicated study time. Most importantly, stop thinking about boards right now. You haven't even started med school for christ's sake. The best thing you can do to prepare for boards is study hard and learn the material well the first time around.

 

[Jlaw]

Damn and I thought I liked to make to many plans

 

[addo]

Absolutely no reason at all to start studying for boards during first year. Don't even buy FA until you start second year. Absolute earliest you should start focusing on boards is around March of MS2. If you want a QBank, get a year subscription to Rx or Kaplan and go through questions alongside your course material. Save World for your dedicated study time. Most importantly, stop thinking about boards right now. You haven't even started med school for christ's sake. The best thing you can do to prepare for boards is study hard and learn the material well the first time around.

excellent advice... i started doing the kaplan q bank a couple of months into second year. I did the questions as I went along with my course work, and reviewed first year material with the qbank. Was definitely a great decision, and I only did this because my school provided free access to kaplan. I started doing Uworld in january, did the first pass throughout a period of about 4 months. Then I did the second pass in around the time frame that people normally do the first go around. I didnt touch FA for the first time until about 2 months ago though.

 

[Tizoc]

Does anyone have any advice about starting a QBank before Step 1 study time? I've read quite a few experiences on here of people who get through one before the set aside time. When is it reasonable to start one? I've kind of arbitrarily assumed 12 months in advance since all the companies seem to sell yearlong subscriptions.

I'll just warn you now: my friend got a year-long subscription to UWorld for 2nd year, only to barely even use it because she was way too busy with actual class work.

Make sure first that you will use the QBank during the year before you even purchase one. Otherwise, you're better off spending that money on beer and ice cream.

 

[John Lannister]

Honestly, if I could re-do M1, I would really just destroy physio. And if I wanted to super gun for M2. I would just learn pathoma cold as soon as possible. This whole idea of getting First Aid and Goljan so early is a giant waste of time.

Also, finding a way to really learn clinical anatomy to where it becomes 2nd nature.

As a few have mentioned, you need the basics down. The overeagerness actually ends up hurting these people more than the guy who just comes in on day 1 and decides to work really hard on the task at hand (or the class at hand). Also, for every story about someone doing 5 qbanks for an entire year and succeeding, there's one for someone doing 1 qbank in the final 6 weeks - and matching the person's score. There are many ways to win. I'd go with the path of least resistance, but you're welcome to do everything and anything too. Heck, one guy studied Step 1 for a year just to raise his score 5-10 points.

But I also understand that gunners like to gun and hearing advice (no matter from how many people) is no substitute for learning the hard way.

 

[Anastomoses]

Honestly, if I could re-do M1, I would really just destroy physio. And if I wanted to super gun for M2. I would just learn pathoma cold as soon as possible. This whole idea of getting First Aid and Goljan so early is a giant waste of time.

Also, finding a way to really learn clinical anatomy to where it becomes 2nd nature.

As a few have mentioned, you need the basics down. The overeagerness actually ends up hurting these people more than the guy who just comes in on day 1 and decides to work really hard on the task at hand (or the class at hand). Also, for every story about someone doing 5 qbanks for an entire year and succeeding, there's one for someone doing 1 qbank in the final 6 weeks - and matching the person's score. There are many ways to win. I'd go with the path of least resistance, but you're welcome to do everything and anything too. Heck, one guy studied Step 1 for a year just to raise his score 5-10 points.

But I also understand that gunners like to gun and hearing advice (no matter from how many people) is no substitute for learning the hard way.

JohnLannister, Why the clinical anatomy?

 

[colourmebadd]

You're probably too much of a gunner to even listen to my advice.

 

[John Lannister]

JohnLannister, Why the clinical anatomy?

Because 80% of anatomy in most classes is useless. Most of the anatomy tested and used by physicians, relates to some clinical problem. Same with biochem. A biochem or anatomy PhD loves the entire subject but in reality, what Step 1 or what clinicians need to know applies to specific problems. When they just dump everything on you, it's difficult to know what is applicable and what isn't. In that way, maybe 30-40% of anatomy is very high yield and the rest will be forgotten (unless you're a surgeon, which again goes back to the theory of usefulness based on applicability).

You're probably too much of a gunner to even listen to my advice.

Well, you might as well share if you're going to take the time to post in here.