Self-Learning?

[DrVanNostran]

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What are the best books to self-learn/gain the big picture for the USMLE material? I know that most books will not give me the complete picture, but what books are sufficient to self learn?

I was thinking the Kaplan Home study package, but not sure if thats worth it...

Embryology:
Anatomy:
Neuroanatomy/Neuroscience:
Behavioral science/stas:
Biochemistry:
Cell Biology/Histology:
Microbiology/Immunology:
Pathology:
Pharmacology:
Physiology:

Here is what I think:
Embryology: HY
Anatomy:USMLE road map during anatomy course
Neuroanatomy/Neuroscience: Road map and HY
Behavioral science/stas: HY Stats and BRS
Biochemistry: Lipincotts IR
Cell Biology/Histology: HY fpr both
Microbiology/Immunology: Levinson
Pathology: BRS and Golgan (w/ audio)
Pharmacology: Katzung and Trevor Pharm
Physiology: BRS with HY Acid Base

 

[willow18]

Not sure what you mean by 'self learning' and 'big picture'. Are you not going to be going to med school classes the next two years? If you simply wanna know what worked for others, take a look at the scores/stories thread. http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=491845

Your list is pretty extensive and will give you a very good overview, as will your classes throught your first two years. Some of it will be overkill though, like Levinson for bio/immuno, though it is a very good book.

 

[LUBDUBB]

Embryology: FA is more than enough
Anatomy:USMLE road map
Neuroanatomy/Neuroscience: HY
Behavioral science/stas: BRS behavioral
Biochemistry: Rapid Review Goljan
Cell Biology/Histology: HY for both (more so cell bio - forget histo)
Microbiology/Immunology: Levinson (new edition just came out too!!)
Pathology: Goljan Rapid Review - his audio is from 10yrs ago, INHO most of the audio stuff is now incorporated into his new book.

Pharmacology: FA - supplement with class notes or any other pharm source; BRS pharm cards for high yield topic review.

Physiology: BRS physio; if you have time Resp physio by West (at least the V/Q section)

If you're just starting second year - annotate the hell out of First Aid and RR goljan Path; read relevant brs physio chapter before you tackle the respective systems path; Spring break of 2nd year, knock out all of RR biochem and throw relevant info into FA; try to do robbins review questions throughout 2nd year. 6wks before boards, re-read all of goljan path and memorize your ready-to-go FA. Crank out UWorld and you're set.

 

[UditNarayan]

Im thinking this OP is just starting 1st yr...class of 2012 it says...if so, just relax! if you pay attention and study well during the 1st two years, you are setting yourself up for a very good score...then it comes down to what you do in the last month. if you have shelf exams, its a good opportunity to read thru a board review book while the class is freshest in your head. 2nd yr classes are very high yield and a good time to follow along in RR path with your class. good luck with starting med school!

 

[f1re11]

Learn your class material first. Class material is much more in depth than review material. No point in memorizing first aid before learning the details of what is in it. Follow along with your review books if you want, but don't neglect classwork for the review books.

 

[Knicks]

Learn your class material first. Class material is much more in depth than review material. No point in memorizing first aid before learning the details of what is in it. Follow along with your review books if you want, but don't neglect classwork for the review books.

Easier said than done. It sucks if you attend a school at which the basic sciences weren't taught all that well.

But post numbers 32-36 in this thread http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=545500 have helped me keep my head up when it comes to "self-learning".

 

[f1re11]

Easier said than done. It sucks if you attend a school at which the basic sciences weren't taught all that well.

But post numbers 32-36 in this thread http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=545500 have helped me keep my head up when it comes to "self-learning".

Good point. But my main point was to use self-learning as an adjunct to school-taught material, not a main source. Though there are always exceptions, there is usually a strong correlation between preclinical grades and class rank with board score.

 

[BrisketAttack]

strictly for step 1 prep (i.e. those 4 wks at the end of 2nd year):

Embryology: FA
Anatomy: UWorld qbank
Neuroanatomy/Neuroscience: HY & FA
Behavioral science/psych/biostats: HY & FA
Biochemistry: FA (95%), Lippencott (to fill in gaps)
Cell Biology/Histology: Uworld
Microbiology/Immunology: CMMRS
Pathology: RR path & Goljan audio
Pharmacology: FA (95%), K&T (to fill in gaps)
Physiology: BRS
Qbank: UWorld

 

[phase12007]

Thank you for the info.
Good Luck to all