Studying for Step 1

[orion1978]

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I am an incoming M1, and I would appreciate any input on efficient ways to study for the USMLE from day one. I do realize that much of one's success on Step 1 is determined by the quality of studying during the first two years, so I'd appreciate any nifty study ideas some of you have.

 

[Fermi]

Aside from the obvious (studying and reviewing diligently), there are a couple fairly universal pieces of advice for preparing for boards in the first couple years:

1. Buy some good board review books fairly in year 1, or early in year 2 if you haven't by then. You can find plenty of reviews/opinions on review books here and elsewhere, but I would personally recommend BRS Path, High Yield Neuroanatomy, and Micro Made Ridiculously Simple. You can buy these in addition to, or sometimes in lieu of, your course textbooks. If you read and annotate these books in parallel with your courses, they will be immensely more familiar and valuable to you during board review.
2. As you review for the final exam in every course, make a few high yield review sheets covering all the major concepts. I didn't do this very much, but wish I had both for finals and board review.
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   The advice is pretty nonspecific, but hopefully it will help a bit.

 

[Jaded Soul]

Originally posted by orion1978
I am an incoming M1, and I would appreciate any input on efficient ways to study for the USMLE from day one. I do realize that much of one's success on Step 1 is determined by the quality of studying during the first two years, so I'd appreciate any nifty study ideas some of you have.

I agree with Fermi's advice to get good review books as soon as possible. Other than that, you just have to learn the material as well as you can the first time around, i.e. actually learn it all and don't cram for your exams.

 

[zbarnes]

Fermi's exactly right. Some good books are BRS path/physio, and of course First Aid for the step 1, which is great if you didn't take enough time to study before an exam.
Every time i happened to glance at a review book during the system i always asked myself how come i didnt do it more often. You will hear this same advice over and over but thats b/c its true. Good Luck.