Summer after M1: research+anking+BB and what else?

[AyyLMAO2020]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Just finished M1 and working on a couple of research projects over the summer. I did anking religiously throughout M1 while 2x-ing school lectures and supplementing with BB whenever I had time/felt like I needed it. I feel like I was introduced to a lot of material over the past year and didn't learn all of it particularly well, so I was planning to use the summer to keep up with anki reviews and make sure that I actually understand everything rather than just memorizing words on an anki card. A couple of other things I was planning on doing/hoping to get some thoughts on:

-watching BB videos that I haven't seen yet or for topics that I feel like I didn't really learn well the first time through.
-Going through all of sketchy micro. My school has a micro block this fall so this would prep me for that.
-Starting on Qbanks. I've heard/read a lot of mixed advice on when to start qbanks. I know there's Rx, kaplan, amboss, and Uworld. I know that Uworld is supposed to be saved until the very end. Would it be worth starting with some qbanks now. I feel like I'm good at memorizing anki cards but could definitely get better at practice questions.
-should I get pathoma and start on that too?

My plan is to spend 6 hours a day on research, 2 hours on reviews, and maybe like 2 hours on BB/sketchy/pathoma/qbanks? How does this sound?

 

[wondervisions]

If you like using anking then by all means go for it, but it really is major overkill for p/f step 1. My advice is to do anki for sketchy micro and pharm (pepper) and maybe some biochem but not much more. In my opinion it is a waste of time to study step 1 material for 4 hours a day during the M1-M2 summer. Similarly, starting a Qbank prior to dedicated would be a waste of time.

Tbh, your time would be better spent on something that actually benefits you according to your values, be it more research, shadowing, volunteering, or personal improvement (exercising, hobbies, etc). Just my 2c.

 

[AzBasRad]

Tbh, your time would be better spent on something that actually benefits you according to your values, be it more research, shadowing, volunteering, or personal improvement (exercising, hobbies, etc). Just my 2c.

This is sage advice for medical students moving forward with p/f step 1.