I just want to give you all my 2 cents about step1.

[IMG SURVIVOR]

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Dear friends


I just want to give you all my 2 cents about step1.

First of all some of us have had a very bad basic science classes in our university and is like trying to learn something totally new.
Some of us had a good basic science classes in our university but they just did not focus on the USMLE.
Some of us had a good basic science classes in our university and they where focus on the USMLE, but we just forgot or we have been way from school or the material from a long time.

Now having said that we all need to learn and understand the material but here is the interesting part, is A LOT of material and we just get scare of the share of volume that we need to know. So please just focus very well in one area per time, maybe by system approach or maybe by subject approach, or one subject and one system and is going to be better for us.
If you do not have enough time that is another issue that I will address in another moment.

Now for the test you have to have in mind that you need to be able to:
1- Come up with a DX(most of the time)
2- UNDERSTAND what they are asking you.
3- And be integrative

So if they give you a case of a child with headaches, fever, vomiting, and all of the nice and wonderful signs and symptoms of meningitis, we need to know the DX but what they will ask

They may ask an anatomy question
They may ask a microbiology question
They may ask a pharmacology question
They may ask a pathology question.

So as you see we need to integrate but before that wee need to go with baby steps and go tree by tree before we do the entire forest.

Do you think that armstrong won all of those tour of France with out preparing, noooooooooo He prepare himself dedicate time and gave his best.

Finally you go and take the test, what you have to have in mind is if you did your best with the conditions you were at that moment then don’t worry. Truly you did your best and what you learn will stay with you

Let’s keep reviewing that ALL of US here CAN and WILL PASS THIS TEST.

GOD BLESS

IMG SURVIVOR

[anencephalic]

One down...two to go. Congrats!

[IMG SURVIVOR]

I think this is a nice post.

[IMG SURVIVOR]

One error we make during preparation is that we take ALL of our books everywhere we go
If we are going to the beach or visit a family member or going anywhere we MUST have ALL of our books with us or at least we say I will take the pharma and the pathology book.

I will say the following:
Most of the time we do not use neither, but just because we have them it relax us and give us that little piece of peace. Is like when you order a double Q pounder large meal and give me a DIET Pepsi

I will recommend this:
Only take with you ONE and ONE book only. What will happened is that you will not want to study because You will have the urge to read another topic or another subject. Also you will get :bored" with that book. And most of the time you sabotage yourself.
So just look at it this way, you have to read and learn about that subject anyhow, so just dedicate quality time to that subject, forget about the other books or subject focus on the one you have in front FIRST till you are able to marte it.
If not you will only have a general idea about some topics but will not master any of them.

So please keep yourself motivated, make a plan go to the step1 group talk about your preparation and what you are doing. help other people.

Also remember to take NBME early you have now 6 NBME exams in the past there were only 2. So use them so you can see how much you have progress.
Don't forget to read First AID EVERY DAY, yes everyday. and go over Goljan pathology.
For questions you can use UW because they are the best tool to prepare for the exam. And I will add I'm not getting paid for saying that, nor get anything for saying this.
We have Tommy concepts they are very very good and they are free.

Also this will sound just a little crazy but there are some flash cards for Step2 ck from Kaplan called diagnostic flash card for the usmle step2 ck they are from Comrad Fissher.I personally believe that it will help mainly IMG's that have been out of medicine for sometime and are preparing for the exam, because it tells you many basic things. Also it gives you a general idea about the clinical scenarios.Remember first you need to know what is the pathology before you ara able to answer the question and the test has become more and more clinical oriented. Also Kaplan does not give me no money or anything for saying this is just my point of view.

I wish all of you the best on your preparation.

A friend FAIL three times Step1 AND two time Step2 and this is his first week in residency for Internal Medicine.
Be strong and remember that perseverance will triumph.

[MedicalTalk]

aspireadmissionsconsultants.com

[ajinder]

Congrats. good job

[MDXRS22]

That's a moral boost

[MD9610]

Very useful, Thanks

[DrRub]

wow this was very motivatingg...thank you!

[verojtown]

Originally Posted by IMG SURVIVOR

A friend FAIL three times Step1 AND two time Step2 and this is his first week in residency for Internal Medicine.
Be strong and remember that perseverance will triumph.

You make some very good points. Thank you for the very inspiring, and motivating words Good luck to all!