Weekends off during USMLE prep?

[kcrd]

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to all of you who are planning on a 4-6 week cram for step 1 - are you planning on taking off weekends? I received advice before to not take off a week during the study period, but does anyone think it would be detrimental to take off weekends, or at least just sundays?

 

[Amy]

I've heard it's good to take off one day a week. If you try to study EVERYDAY without breaks, you'll get totally burned out.

 

[Cameron]

I'm just finishing my study-calendar for the 5 weeks or so before I take step-1 and have planned to take 1 day/week off (Sunday). Personally, I know I'll need a day where I can relax and not feel guilty about not studying. 😀 Everyone is different, but I think I'll be less likely to burn out a few weeks in if I take a day off.

 

[ortho2003]

I took 1 out of 3 or 1 out of 4 days off while studying and always had at least one weekend day off. I also took off 4 consecutive days the weekend before the exam to drink and party at my best friends wedding. I took 6 weeks total because of numerous breaks, but I fresh and ready to go when the exam came around. I ended up scoring 237, so I wouldn't change a thing.

Make sure to take the day before off, or at least pack up your books by noon. I rented movies and just chilled all night.

 

[southerndoc]

I didn't have set scheduled days off. Instead, if I felt like I needed a break, I'd just take a whole day off. Many, many nights I went out for movies. USMLE study time is also known as movie time!

 

[md_student10021]

You should do whatever works best for you. Just be honest with yourself when it comes to planning your study schedule. If you're going to take a few days off, plan for it. Just don't take days off on a whim...you'll fall behind in your schedule and will need to push back the test date.


best of luck.

 

[Flipchick]

I took Step 1 in June of last year, and I really regretted NOT taking all of my weekends off. If you think about it, it'll be the only time when all you're worried about is this test--you'll be thinking of residency stuff when you take Step 2 and you'll be IN residency for Step 3. Try to enjoy at least part of it!