some noob questions about step 1

[czf]

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Hi all,

I'm starting med school in August. I posted some noob questions a while ago...and here are some more. Please help.

1. I spoke to a senior student about studying for step 1 and he advised me to “read like a demon” during M1/2, particularly review books. I’ve never used review books during my undergrad but I’m prepared to do so in med school. For example, he mentioned “Road Map to Gross Anatomy”. I’m just wondering if you guys could recommend some other useful review books for M1/2.

2. Also regarding Step1, I often hear people talking about FA, Uworld, and Pathoma. What are these? Are these study guides similar to EK101 for MCAT? What's the common/best one to use (pros and cons would be nice)? Where can I get them?

3. In terms of shadowing, do you usually send out cold emails or do you find it better to contact them through school? Also during M1/2, which do you think is better? Sticking with one GP for the whole two years or diversify into different departments if you can such opportunities?

Thanks you in advance for your help.

 

[xffan624]

Hi all,

I'm starting med school in August. I posted some noob questions a while ago...and here are some more. Please help.

1. I spoke to a senior student about studying for step 1 and he advised me to “read like a demon” during M1/2, particularly review books. I’ve never used review books during my undergrad but I’m prepared to do so in med school. For example, he mentioned “Road Map to Gross Anatomy”. I’m just wondering if you guys could recommend some other useful review books for M1/2.

2. Also regarding Step1, I often hear people talking about FA, Uworld, and Pathoma. What are these? Are these study guides similar to EK101 for MCAT? What's the common/best one to use (pros and cons would be nice)? Where can I get them?

3. In terms of shadowing, do you usually send out cold emails or do you find it better to contact them through school? Also during M1/2, which do you think is better? Sticking with one GP for the whole two years or diversify into different departments if you can such opportunities?

Thanks you in advance for your help.

1 and 2... do well in your classes. Don't change your methods drastically from undergrad until it is necessary (ie. start falling behind, going crazy, etc.)

Come back after MS1 and then ask questions about step 1 studying. For now, focus on doing well in your classes through whatever methods got you here (although probably intensified a bit). FA Uworld, and Pathoma are mostly MS2 resources (FA= first aid and can be helpful first year, but I wouldn't go crazy with it)

3. ... You're a medical student, why do you need to shadow? (barring a specific specialty that you may want to go into and might not get exposed to in third year)

 

[seminoma]

Hi all,

I'm starting med school in August. I posted some noob questions a while ago...and here are some more. Please help.

1. I spoke to a senior student about studying for step 1 and he advised me to “read like a demon” during M1/2, particularly review books. I’ve never used review books during my undergrad but I’m prepared to do so in med school. For example, he mentioned “Road Map to Gross Anatomy”. I’m just wondering if you guys could recommend some other useful review books for M1/2.

2. Also regarding Step1, I often hear people talking about FA, Uworld, and Pathoma. What are these? Are these study guides similar to EK101 for MCAT? What's the common/best one to use (pros and cons would be nice)? Where can I get them?

3. In terms of shadowing, do you usually send out cold emails or do you find it better to contact them through school? Also during M1/2, which do you think is better? Sticking with one GP for the whole two years or diversify into different departments if you can such opportunities?

Thanks you in advance for your help.

1. Find a book you like and use it. Anatomy is the same. Don't need any review books for MS1.

2. FA is like an outline of the basic topics you need to know and understand. Pathoma is similar, but only for pathology and a little more in depth. UWorld is a question bank. If EK101 is like it was 3 years ago, it is pretty similar to what FA represents for Step 1. Just realize that MCAT and Step 1 are not similar at all.

3. Departments have secretaries and/or student coordinators. Contact them via email. Shadow specialties you think you might be interested in and do it during MS1. You won't have time during MS2.

 

[czf]

3. ... You're a medical student, why do you need to shadow? (barring a specific specialty that you may want to go into and might not get exposed to in third year)

None of my family members are doctors (not even remotely healthcare related). I never shadowed before I applied this year (also in Canada shadowing is not legally allowed). I only started shadowing once a month since this February. That's why I always feel very grateful for the offer I have right now.

But I feel that I lack the exposure to the professional culture and I want to make up for it by shadowing. I always feel that you need to know the profession before you go into it. I know it might be a bit too late for me now, but I figured I still want to make up for it as much as I can. Thus the question.

 

[ortnakas]

Don't get overwhelmed with resources. Start with what your school requires and your second-years recommend and go from there.

1 and 2... do well in your classes. Don't change your methods drastically from undergrad until it is necessary (ie. start falling behind, going crazy, etc.)

Flip side of this-- don't be afraid to change your study habits. What worked perfectly in undergrad may not work in undergrad. Don't let that convince you you're stupid, you're just playing in a new league.

 

[seminoma]

None of my family members are doctors (not even remotely healthcare related). I never shadowed before I applied this year (also in Canada shadowing is not legally allowed). I only started shadowing once a month since this February. That's why I always feel very grateful for the offer I have right now.

But I feel that I lack the exposure to the professional culture and I want to make up for it by shadowing. Thus the question.

At this point anything you do outside of school and research is just for your own personal desire/benefit. If you want to spend time learning what GPs do then go for it. Just know that you'll have plenty of time to do that during MS3.

 

[spicysoup55]

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[jqueb29]

Haven't taken Step 1, but I don't really see much point in "reviewing" for Step 1 during most MS1; you can't review what you haven't even learned yet. I have been told it is helpful to review MS1 material over the summer, but don't review unrelated MS1 material from previous classes before summer, as it is much more beneficial to focus on learning the material in your current class.