Studying alone...

[Jonari]

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[sucks]. Provides no challenge or have anybody to keep you on your toes about the information which you've covered. How did you the people that studied solo do this? I've made friends in the library and stuff, but they're not studying for the Step. I'd like to find somebody I can actually physically study with. Tips?

 

[Phloston]

Unless you literally have a f***-buddy who's operating at a level equal to or beyond you, it's pretty pointless to have a study partner imo.

Believe me, I'm reaching / have reached my threshold being isolated in a very small office at the moment (my exam's in <10 days), but when it comes down to the wire, nobody can put together / identify your gaps / weaknesses like you can.

Just try your best to keep your head in the game and push forward with what you need to do. My procrastinations have consisted of watching Alex Honnold rock climbing videos.

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I say all of that assuming you're pretty close to your exam. If you're months-out though, then finding friends to study with is / can be beneficial.

 

[ladybug88]

I have the same dilemma.
Is it better to have a study partner or to study alone?


In my case for example.
I am an IMG and I am going to start my preparation for step 1 in January 2013
From January to March I will only dedicate myself to this.
One disadvantage I have is that I get distracted VERY easily... I was thinking about getting an online study partner, mainly as motivation and to keep each other in track.
Maybe studying at the same pace and getting in touch for reviewing.
But what if that distracts me even more?

 

[drmilan]

Unless you literally have a f***-buddy who's operating at a level equal to or beyond you, it's pretty pointless to have a study partner imo.

Believe me, I'm reaching / have reached my threshold being isolated in a very small office at the moment (my exam's in <10 days), but when it comes down to the wire, nobody can put together / identify your gaps / weaknesses like you can.

Just try your best to keep your head in the game and push forward with what you need to do. My procrastinations have consisted of watching Alex Honnold rock climbing videos.

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I say all of that assuming you're pretty close to your exam. If you're months-out though, then finding friends to study with is / can be beneficial.

Good point! You're absolutely right! I can tell from my personal experience!

 

[Mubash'shirah]

When I was studying for the MCAT I had a study partner. We'd skype each other on scheduled times to go over chapters and questions we'd both covered. It was a great motivator but it had it's downsides too.

If you don't understand a concept but your partner has a full grasp on it there's an imbalance. Sometimes my partner would help me out but really it was more a matter of me needing more personal time to work that concept out in my head.

If your buddy and you think and work the same you might have no problem. But personally as much as I liked having someone to bounce off of, I'd prefer studying the Step alone.

It's nice to have encouragement from others though 🙂

 

[OveractiveBrain]

[sucks]. Provides no challenge or have anybody to keep you on your toes about the information which you've covered. How did you the people that studied solo do this? I've made friends in the library and stuff, but they're not studying for the Step. I'd like to find somebody I can actually physically study with. Tips?

I didnt study alone. I had Kaplan. I had First AId. I had Uworld. The Qbanks told me how I was doing, and told me to go back over different topics. I read. I watched. I read. I qbanked. I read. I took notes, then read those too.

248 Step 1, 252 Step 2

That being said, some people NEED someone else to help them, to motivate them, to quiz them. Personally, I find it obnoxious. But its up to you. If you need a buddy, get one. If you dont, I recommend against it.