Currently an M1. Our school currently has us taking Anatomy and a basic sciences class with in-house exams. I'm doing fine, but I feel like I'm studying all the time and not really doing anything outside of that. We switch to NBME exams when we get to systems. My question is, is it easier to manage time when you get to that point? I plan on using mostly outside resources and Zanki to study at that point and pretty much disregarding our lectures.
Switching to NBME Exams
- Thread starter ak427
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That’s fair. It’s definitely been an adjustment starting school so I’m hopeful that my own habits improve as well. My main hope was that since I won’t have to watch 4 hours of school lectures every day, I can use board style resources to become more efficient with my studying.
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you gotta see what works for you, not what the med school is forcing on you.. Some of the best students in our class were the ones that did not even come to class.. Sometimes schools come with "innovative way to teaching", but you gotta figure out what is best for you.. not what school recommends for you.
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yes when you switch to NBME all you have to do is use first aid zanki boards and beyond and pathoma. no class material is required. this strategy got me 260+
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Personally, I love NBME exams because it prevents professors from putting some obscure minutia detail on an exam that is irrelevant to anyone who doesn't end up doing research in that prof's favorite micro specialty. The bulk of the material you need to answer NBME exams is in First Aid, so you don't have to guess what to study. Meanwhile, you are building a knowledge base for step. So, I would say yes, I think it is easier to manage time when you know exactly what material is testable and that material has been pared down from the giant block info that is initially presented in lecture.
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We use NBME and professor exams. The prof exams are worth a lot less than the NBME exams so it’s possible to pass without really studying for the prof exams since if you are studying for NBME you’ll likely at least pass the prof exams. The NBME exams are much easier to study for IMO because all the resources are focused on them. BnB, FA, and Anki are all you need really to do well since they focus exclusively on that higher yield stuff.
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I'd echo previous replies in that it's easier to study for NBME exams. The tests will still be difficult, but you can now utilize a wide range of tried and true resources (BnB, Pathoma, Zanki, etc) without worrying that you won't pass because of silly professor written questions.
I'd also echo @7331Psoas in that work-life balance (whatever that is) will still be something you have to find on your own, NBME exam or not. Because despite being able to use great resources, the amount of material you have to learn as preclinical progresses gradually increases while you also start having pressure from upcoming step 1 plus whatever extracurriculars you are involved in. Find a good system that works for you and do your best to find your version of work-life balance.
I'd also echo @7331Psoas in that work-life balance (whatever that is) will still be something you have to find on your own, NBME exam or not. Because despite being able to use great resources, the amount of material you have to learn as preclinical progresses gradually increases while you also start having pressure from upcoming step 1 plus whatever extracurriculars you are involved in. Find a good system that works for you and do your best to find your version of work-life balance.
