Study aids for first year

[Make Or Break]

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Does anyone recommend getting any of the step 1 study aids and using them during first year? I am not saying that I intend to start studying for step 1 during first year but I want to use these as a condensed resource to use alongside classes. Any of the below you would recommend using?

First Aid
yousmle
Firecracker
Brosencephalon
Crush Step 1
USMLErx

(I'm sure I missed some)

Thanks everyone!

 

[n618ft]

Kaplan videos for me worked magic. I thought we had very disorganized lectures so I didn't go to a single one. Never too early to start doing question banks either.

 

[jqueb29]

Studying for my GI/hepatobiliary final currently and I'm using nothing but First Aid to do so. Our MS2's recommended to us we do this for every class once systems based courses begin and it has worked great.

 

[Ismet]

If your school does systems-based starting from 1st year I'd recommend Pathoma for pathology. If not, hold off until whenever you start systems-based pathology.

Don't use USMLERx until 2nd year. Using FA alongside your class lectures is one thing, but Step 1 questions are integrated and in 1st year there's more stuff you don't know than you do.

 

[tiedyeddog]

I used pathoma, it was helpful.

If I had to do it again I'd probably really consider using firecracker or using some kind of anki deck

 

[cbrons]

Crush Step 1 is amazing

 

[The Kraken]

If you can manage low dose firecracker (50 cards a day or so) I think it's worth it.

 

[xffan624]

Kaplan videos for me worked magic. I thought we had very disorganized lectures so I didn't go to a single one. Never too early to start doing question banks either.

Kaplan videos are awesome. I discovered them recently in my search for some biochemistry review material when I realized in my step 1 studying that I really sucked at biochem. I wish I had used them first year. My life probably would have been easier.

Also Anki is the poor man's firecracker. I still use my cards from first year. It's definitely made my Step 1 studying easier. The earlier you start using it, the more powerful it is.

 

[Make Or Break]

Kaplan videos are awesome. I discovered them recently in my search for some biochemistry review material when I realized in my step 1 studying that I really sucked at biochem. I wish I had used them first year. My life probably would have been easier.

Also Anki is the poor man's firecracker. I still use my cards from first year. It's definitely made my Step 1 studying easier. The earlier you start using it, the more powerful it is.

Would you recommend making your own cards over using pre-made sources like firecracker?

 

[xffan624]

Would you recommend making your own cards over using pre-made sources like firecracker?

Firecracker costs $$$. Your own anki cards are free and are customized to what you need (I only make cards for things I don't know) and what helps you remember. If you can put the effort into making your own, I think they're better and not just because they're cheaper. You can also find pre-made cards on the ankiweb that should match what firecracker's content is.

The potential is endless with Anki. Here's another site with decks, but it's really more 2nd year material. That's why I like making my own as I can use for class studying but at that same time I can keep the cards that are relevant for step 1. Your ability to customize is much greater using your own deck. The effort is greater, but I also used my deck making as a way of note taking at times. Paraphrasing the material from a couple slides into a coherent flashcard that is effective and can be recalled does require some thought and engagement of the material on its own. Sometimes it was just copy and paste from the slides, but I found that those cards were often of lower quality.

 

[operaman]

Adding a vote for Firecracker if it's something you think you can keep up with. If you don't think you can be disciplined enough to keep up with the review questions, then it probably isn't worth the money.

Kaplan videos are awesome.

FC and/or FA are very helpful in M1 because they show you what the most important facts and concepts are. This wasn't really so intuitive to me in the beginning. You'll get a lot of detail but few of our lecturers were really good at giving you the bigger framework. The broader review sources make that framework easier to see.

Anki = awesome

In addition, things I remember as helpful:

Anatomy: UMich's website (wow!), Acland's DVD atlas, Rohen's Atlas (gold!), and some paid things through our school. Also found BRS Anatomy a nice review. Used our lecture notes quite a bit too.

Physio: BRS physiology is amazing. Period.

Biochem: Lots of good choices; pick your poison. I liked L&W

Embryo: If you find a source that doesn't suck, let me know. Tried a number of books, tried our lectures. Managed to do well on the exams but always felt a bit like a bear riding a unicycle.

Histology: Shotgun Histology (free web-based videos). Awesome.

Neuroscience: BRS Neuroanatomy, Kaplan vids, and prayer.

Truth is there are a lot of great resources out there. They key is to find what you like and then stick with it. Some people seem to bounce from source to source without ever finishing one. Find something that works. Get through all of it.

 

[PL198]

kaplan videos are overrated IMO. they take forever. I watched all the biochem last year and I think they're way overkill for step 1

 

[xffan624]

kaplan videos are overrated IMO. they take forever. I watched all the biochem last year and I think they're way overkill for step 1

They are too much, but unfortunately a lot of resources seem like too little for someone like me who last took biochem in 2005. Too much > too little as far as I'm concerned. It gave me a good background and I focused on the need to know stuff in first aid with context necessary to really understand it and not just memorize it.

 

[Make Or Break]

I appreciate the valuable insight from every one of you. Im sure other premeds feel the same.

 

[NontradCA]

I use firecracker. I'd hold off on it, and this is coming from someone who didn't pay out of pocket for it. I'd recommend starting it summer after M1.

Pathoma/BRS phys are a must.

 

[Make Or Break]

Alright I'm sorry if this is a dumb question but is pathology a separate class that is taught first year? Like biochemistry/anatomy/etc? Or is it integrated in every class?

 

[Ismet]

Alright I'm sorry if this is a dumb question but is pathology a separate class that is taught first year? Like biochemistry/anatomy/etc? Or is it integrated in every class?

For us it's integrated in organ systems. We do physiology, pathology, and pertinent pharmacology for each organ system in 2nd year.

 

[Make Or Break]

For us it's integrated in organ systems. We do physiology, pathology, and pertinent pharmacology for each organ system in 2nd year.

Is it mostly taught second year? Or does that depend on the school?

 

[Roxas]

Alright I'm sorry if this is a dumb question but is pathology a separate class that is taught first year? Like biochemistry/anatomy/etc? Or is it integrated in every class?

That's going to depend on your curriculum. For us we have a general path course during M1, then systems pathology throughout M2.

 

[Ismet]

Is it mostly taught second year? Or does that depend on the school?

Depends on the school. We mainly do basic science in 1st year, start neuro and psych at the end of 1st year and continue with organ systems through 2nd year.

 

[Make Or Break]

I appreciate the information everyone.

 

[Low Flow]

Are the Kaplan videos really worth all the money? They seem ridiculously expensive compared to all the other recommended study materials.

 

[Make Or Break]

Are the Kaplan videos really worth all the money? They seem ridiculously expensive compared to all the other recommended study materials.

Amazon has them for around 135.

 

[operaman]

kaplan videos are overrated IMO. they take forever. I watched all the biochem last year and I think they're way overkill for step 1

True. I had to watch them at 2x or 2.5x speed and I only watched them during M1 for our biochem. For dedicated prep time, the only biochem study I did was about 6 hours of faculty-led review where he took FA and then interspersed the most relevant slides from our lectures along with additional slides for things he found in the qbanks that weren't in FA. It was perfect for what I needed at that point.

 

[xffan624]

Are the Kaplan videos really worth all the money? They seem ridiculously expensive compared to all the other recommended study materials.

One can find older versions on certain websites if one were inclined to look for them. coughbitorrentcough

 

[JimmyB123]

I use firecracker. I'd hold off on it, and this is coming from someone who didn't pay out of pocket for it. I'd recommend starting it summer after M1.

Pathoma/BRS phys are a must.

Do you recommend pathoma/BRS phys during 1st year if the curriculum is NOT systems based?

 

[jdh71]

You do want to study aids but there are many, many more diseases so don't forget. So, yes, study aids first year is good advice just a small piece of the total advice.

 

[Ismet]

Do you recommend pathoma/BRS phys during 1st year if the curriculum is NOT systems based?

No. If your 1st year just consists of anatomy, Biochem, genetics, immuno, micro, etc I would not spend time on phys or path. Focus on the subjects you're learning and learn them well.

 

[NontradCA]

No. If your 1st year just consists of anatomy, Biochem, genetics, immuno, micro, etc I would not spend time on phys or path. Focus on the subjects you're learning and learn them well.

Yea and even if it's system based in year one, these resources are still limited when compared to lecture material. Usually lecture will be more detailed, and board review material isn't going to get students there. Is this correct to say Ismet?

 

[clonoGnic]

Our school uses a 1.5 year systems-based curriculum. Do people buy separate references for each system? E.g. is there some gold-standard cardiovascular book I can buy that will have everything integrated? Or do we have to cobble together relevant information from separate anatomy/pharm/biochem/path/genetics/etc. books? Just annotate the relevant part of FA as you go through?

 

[Ismet]

Yea and even if it's system based in year one, these resources are still limited when compared to lecture material. Usually lecture will be more detailed, and board review material isn't going to get students there. Is this correct to say Ismet?

Yes. Board material supplements class material. I know there are people who will say otherwise, but you need to learn the information before you review.

 

[Ismet]

Our school uses a 1.5 year systems-based curriculum. Do people buy separate references for each system? E.g. is there some gold-standard cardiovascular book I can buy that will have everything integrated? Or do we have to cobble together relevant information from separate anatomy/pharm/biochem/path/genetics/etc. books? Just annotate the relevant part of FA as you go through?

Your class material should be the bulk of it. There are some recommended textbooks like Lilly's and Dubin's for cardio, Pathoma and little Robbins and/or Goljan for pathology.

 

[IncognitoGuy]

On the subject of Anki, I'm of the opinion to not use pre-made decks for your school's tests - too often your school might throw in diseases and lectures on stuff that won't be in those cards but will be tested nonetheless. If you make your own cards based on your school's curriculum, you'll be covered but if you rely on these decks, it'll be very hit or miss.

One resource I'd unequivocally recommend is Pathoma, and slightly less so SketchyMicro for microbiology.

 

[clonoGnic]

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[stepone2015]

Anki works like ****ing magic. For classes like pharm and microbio, I've seen it raise people's grades on exams by 5-10%.

 

[BillrothI]

Regarding Anki, would it be advisable to make parallel decks: one for class material and another that covers Step 1 (FA only)?

For example, a systems-based curriculum might have one block devoted to the musculoskeletal and integumentary systems while FA has a chapter on musculoskeletal, skin, and connective tissue. Would it be prudent to make one Anki deck covering lecture material while simultaneously working on a less-detailed deck that focuses primarily on high-yield Step 1 questions?

Thanks! I'm not exactly computer savvy and am just learning how to use Anki effectively, so any advice is greatly appreciated!

-Bill

 

[marstonne]

Regarding Anki, would it be advisable to make parallel decks: one for class material and another that covers Step 1 (FA only)?

For example, a systems-based curriculum might have one block devoted to the musculoskeletal and integumentary systems while FA has a chapter on musculoskeletal, skin, and connective tissue. Would it be prudent to make one Anki deck covering lecture material while simultaneously working on a less-detailed deck that focuses primarily on high-yield Step 1 questions?

Thanks! I'm not exactly computer savvy and am just learning how to use Anki effectively, so any advice is greatly appreciated!

-Bill

Hey Bill,

In my experience as a committed Anki user, it is enough of a time sink just making cards for your class notes. What I am doing is tagging my cards liberally. I plan on selecting my cards from class material that are applicable into a Step 1 deck over the summer. Using tags makes it easy to search for "cardio" "physio" etc, and look through them to see what you need to include. Hope that helps.

 

[Burla]

Regarding Anki, would it be advisable to make parallel decks: one for class material and another that covers Step 1 (FA only)?

For example, a systems-based curriculum might have one block devoted to the musculoskeletal and integumentary systems while FA has a chapter on musculoskeletal, skin, and connective tissue. Would it be prudent to make one Anki deck covering lecture material while simultaneously working on a less-detailed deck that focuses primarily on high-yield Step 1 questions?

Thanks! I'm not exactly computer savvy and am just learning how to use Anki effectively, so any advice is greatly appreciated!

-Bill

To echo marstonne a bit: I cross reference my class material with First Aid and focus on making flashcards that appear in both lectures and First Aid. I tag them w/ 1stAid_chapter and switch the cards over to a dedicated First Aid deck after that block of exams is over to save for the future. I've also been going through these older cards to review when I have time. It's only set to 15 cards/day though so I don't get overwhelmed.

 

[BillrothI]

Thanks very much, @marstonne and @Burla! Just to be clear: your strategy is to make Anki decks exclusively for class, cross-reference them with FA, and then tag the appropriate cards accordingly? Sounds like a great system. I assume tagging a card will allow you to create a new deck consisting of only the tagged cards, right?

Thanks again!

-Bill

 

[marstonne]

Thanks very much, @marstonne and @Burla! Just to be clear: your strategy is to make Anki decks exclusively for class, cross-reference them with FA, and then tag the appropriate cards accordingly? Sounds like a great system. I assume tagging a card will allow you to create a new deck consisting of only the tagged cards, right?

Thanks again!

-Bill

Bingo. @Burla is right on track. I wish I had cross referenced with FA but it just didn't occur to me until this semester!

 

[Burla]

Thanks very much, @marstonne and @Burla! Just to be clear: your strategy is to make Anki decks exclusively for class, cross-reference them with FA, and then tag the appropriate cards accordingly? Sounds like a great system. I assume tagging a card will allow you to create a new deck consisting of only the tagged cards, right?

Thanks again!
-Bill

Yep.
I have to teach myself most material because PBL is a big part of my curriculum so I directly copy and paste from First Aid. First Aid helps me keep my cards down so I know what is most important and thus what I should be focusing on. I will still make cards for other things that require pounding information into my head over and over again

 

[Jabbed]

Thanks very much, @marstonne and @Burla! Just to be clear: your strategy is to make Anki decks exclusively for class, cross-reference them with FA, and then tag the appropriate cards accordingly? Sounds like a great system. I assume tagging a card will allow you to create a new deck consisting of only the tagged cards, right?

Thanks again!

-Bill

The one pitfall with this is that often times what seems like an appropriate card in the scope of your class is not an appropriate card in the context of long term retention / step studying. For instance, one of my ****tier class cards asks "What antimicrobial drugs prolongs QT?" with the answer being "Macrolides". We hadn't covered fluoroquinolones yet, so in the universe of that pharm exam, I was right, but in the wider context, I was wrong.

Also, I mainly use Anki for long term retention, so I'm constantly reviewing my Step deck. I feel that making and studying class-specific decks drains my stamina and I'm unwilling to keep up with my daily Anki reviews. The only subjects where I would begrudgingly use Anki for class are anatomy and pharm. Everything else I feel is better learned in a traditional format before putting it into Anki.

 

[BillrothI]

The one pitfall with this is that often times what seems like an appropriate card in the scope of your class is not an appropriate card in the context of long term retention / step studying. For instance, one of my ****tier class cards asks "What antimicrobial drugs prolongs QT?" with the answer being "Macrolides". We hadn't covered fluoroquinolones yet, so in the universe of that pharm exam, I was right, but in the wider context, I was wrong.

Also, I mainly use Anki for long term retention, so I'm constantly reviewing my Step deck. I feel that making and studying class-specific decks drains my stamina and I'm unwilling to keep up with my daily Anki reviews. The only subjects where I would begrudgingly use Anki for class are anatomy and pharm. Everything else I feel is better learned in a traditional format before putting it into Anki.

Thanks, @Jabbed. That is a very good observation. So you use traditional methods to study for lecture material and reserve Anki for FA/Step 1 only?

-Bill

 

[Jabbed]

Thanks, @Jabbed. That is a very good observation. So you use traditional methods to study for lecture material and reserve Anki for FA/Step 1 only?

-Bill

What you get out of Anki is what you put in. My goal has always been to focus on clinically relevant information and step-related material and to avoid memorizing my syllabus. That basically means that I focus on anything that's in FA/pathoma or that I pick up while reading UpToDate / favored textbook. I am very, very mistrustful of my lecture notes. Now, I'm still sitting at the top of the class, so I don't think that my decision to not incorporate Anki into every aspect of my studying has been much of a drawback.

If you look online you can find a few pre-made Anki decks of FA already posted. It's a great starting point.

 

[PL198]

Yes. Board material supplements class material. I know there are people who will say otherwise, but you need to learn the information before you review.

I don't understand that viewpoint at all. You can learn from pathoma. It's just more condensed. You're doing the exact same thing reading robbins, except it's a much more detailed version filled with useless BS. If anything I'd argue that a first pass of pathoma would be more useful because it sets the groundwork for what is important and what isn't, so you don't get lost in the 10000000000 trivial robbins details.

review books are still books. I'll never understand the " you can learn from books but not from review books concept" I learn by reading information and then applying it to questions, I don't see how that's changed if the source of the info is robbins or pathoma.

 

[Ismet]

I don't understand that viewpoint at all. You can learn from pathoma. It's just more condensed. You're doing the exact same thing reading robbins, except it's a much more detailed version filled with useless BS. If anything I'd argue that a first pass of pathoma would be more useful because it sets the groundwork for what is important and what isn't, so you don't get lost in the 10000000000 trivial robbins details.

review books are still books. I'll never understand the " you can learn from books but not from review books concept" I learn by reading information and then applying it to questions, I don't see how that's changed if the source of the info is robbins or pathoma.

Because what you think is useless BS is actually not useless BS. If you learn info that is primarily high yield for Step 1, you're missing out on a lot of information. Just because it's not in FA doesn't mean it's not important.

 

[PL198]

you're not being honest if you don't think robbins is filled with tons of useless BS. I never said FA is the end-all-be-all.

personally I take the stuff that comes up between the following sources: Pathoma, FA, Uworld and class lectures. If something isn't covered in at least 1 of those 4, I have a pretty good feeling that it's not significantly important.

 

[Jabbed]

I don't understand that viewpoint at all. You can learn from pathoma. It's just more condensed. You're doing the exact same thing reading robbins, except it's a much more detailed version filled with useless BS. If anything I'd argue that a first pass of pathoma would be more useful because it sets the groundwork for what is important and what isn't, so you don't get lost in the 10000000000 trivial robbins details.

review books are still books. I'll never understand the " you can learn from books but not from review books concept" I learn by reading information and then applying it to questions, I don't see how that's changed if the source of the info is robbins or pathoma.

I preview Robbins chapters by watching/reading pathoma and then highlighting/annotating Robbins with any useful new information or explanations. By the time I've finished the Robbins sections I have a fair amount of highlighting and I always feel that I have a better understanding of disease.

To echo both of your points, you can definitely learn from review sources (particularly ones as good as Pathoma), but there's still significant value in studying the primary text.

Fwiw I read big boy Robbins and aside from some of the crazy genetics tangents and epi info that I have a hard time recalling, it's in no way filled with useless BS.

 

[Make Or Break]

Does anyone have any preference when it comes to comparing kaplan vs najeeb's lectures?

 

[Member4545]

Does anyone have any preference when it comes to comparing kaplan vs najeeb's lectures?

I have Najeeb's lectures and like them but I'd also be interested about how they compare to Kaplans.