So, we got our first (well, second really) 'official' email regarding step one prep.

Advice for those of us who will be taking it this spring? (And hey- who else out there is taking Step 1 in 2012?)

I am so excited about starting clinical years that I need to make sure I keep focused. (Step 1, then clinical years, Step 1, then clinical years... repeat to self 1,000 times)

I used First Aid as the backbone of my study plan and filled in with books I liked subject-wise. I got the binder cut off and 3-hole punched it. I went through my subject books and added pertinent info to First Aid, to consolidate so I could just use that for further run-throughs.

I went through all of that about 3.5 times and did as many USMLE World questions as I could. I did my consolidation stuff during Xmas break and started "real" studying about 2.5 months before the exam.

My goal was 220, and I came close, a few points shy. I might have done better if I wasn't 2 months pregnant and wanting to puke every 15 minutes LOL. I kept a trash can near me during the exam.

Also, take practice exams, starting about 2 months before the real thing. Assess your weaknesses and keep doing them. I did about 1 per week, and skipped a couple weeks in between.

That was my approach and I did okay. Like I said, I could have done better, but then again, I'm never happy with my final scores on anything.

Good luck getting started with prep!! Very exciting. I won't be taking Step 1 until 2013.... but very exciting! Almost to clinical years.

Megboo has good advice. Send me a pm and I will send you (and anyone else) my study schedule.

Asunshine helped me considerably. I also had about 50 mini-meltdowns via PM where she told me I would survive Step 1 too. Listen to her!

I'm handling a bit of a load right now academically, as well as with family, research, and mama load too, but let's talk when you get closer too. I'll be happy to offer my advice too.

Thanks ladies! Finals this week + unpacking many, many boxes + isn't there a holiday coming up?

I will be pm'ing all of you in the near future.

Did I mention that I am super excited for clinical years?

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I have a lot of subject books I'm looking to get rid of. If anyone is interested, PM me to see if you want them and we can work something out.

Most people have a melt down at some point. You will likely too! Just have a good cry and then move on. In terms of doing well....First Aid, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, UWorld questions...over and over! I took five weeks. It was an adequate amount of time (and this was with no prep throughout the year).

My advice - keep your study materials to a minimum! I had a separate book for just about every topic area, plus First Aid, plus USMLE World, and trying to get through all of that meant I never really focused on anything. And I didn't do enough UWorld questions at all. If I had to do it again, I would go through First Aid several times (like what megboo did) and do as many UWorld questions as possible (like, make sure to do a bunch every day). I might also supplement with Goljan's rapid review pathology, but that would be it - no more! You just don't want to spread too thin.

Good luck - you'll do great!

lynee and nbp are right on! (although our advice to ditch the subject books is probably not helping megboo sell hers )

bring on the meltdown! the sooner it's out of the way, the better!

Nah. Everyone has their style.

I don't mean to thread-jack, but how much does First Aid change from year to year? I'll be taking Step 1 in 2013 and I've been wondering whether it's ok to use a First Aid book from 2012, or 2011, or even 2010....

Not to sound like a crazy over-achiever or anything, but I was thinking of using some of this long, post-M1 summer to try to consolidate the stuff that I've learned this year before it's completely forgotten, and it would be nice to have an idea of what's important!

It doesn't change much. You'll be fine with the previous year's book and can go to the First Aid website for errata correction.

They did just publish the latest version of First Aid in color. Check it out before you use an old one. You may like it better. Whatever works...

Agree with megboo, they don't change too much, but definitely check online for errata. As for studying over the summer after M1, you may sound like an overachiever, but if you can motivate yourself to do that without burning out, I'm thinking you'll be glad you did!

ETA: But seriously, don't burn out. It's your last real summer, ever. Make sure you have fun, too!

Instead of reading FA over the summer I found it very helpful to review each section and take notes (if needed) while we did each block in med school. An old one should be fine... and if you get it early, the newest one won't be out yet - I think they don't come out till mid fall?

I wish like crazy I had done this.

That's a really good idea... I really ought to do that!

I like pretty colored things (hey, whatever motivates me to study, right?) so I may look for the latest version. Thanks for the tip!

So I'll get a copy of FA and try to highlight/note as I go, and I'm planning to get together a study group over the summer to try to review things we learned this year and start prepping for M2 (pharm?). I want to enjoy some of my last real summer, but since my husband and I are planning a baby for mid-M2, I also want to make sure I hit the ground running for the year!

Thanks so much to everyone for the helpful tips!!

June 1 it is. There is a light at the end of the looooong tunnel of second year!

Which, when split into two years, feels exceptionally long, btw.

Setting up my study schedule this next week. Bring it Step 1, I plan to own you!

I'm taking step 1 this year too- may 18th. So far, my plan is to do uworld once or twice, read fa as many times as I can, and I'm throwing around the ideas of pathoma and a Kaplan qbank. I will say though I've been watching some old Kaplan videos and I love them. So I may do those for topics I need help with.
So far all I've really done is a tiny bit of fa and around 550 q's.

Regarding reading FA after each class in 2nd yr, I tried to do it but it did not work for me. In fact, I only reviewed FA twice at the very end of my boot camp prep before taking step 1. That was the only time it made sense. I admire people who are able to do it during 2nd yr. It means you are already ahead enough to understand FA.

Yikes! Boards studying is here!

These first three weeks are going to be rough- I still have one class I'm finishing up and am trying to find my groove, but I can tell I feel more confident in what I've reviewed thus far.

At least until I do practice questions. They have a way of making me feel like a less than stellar student.

It will be okay. It will be okay. It will be okay. (Deeeeeeep Breath, repeat x1000.)

Lots and lots of questions. And then do more. Rinse and repeat. Keep doing questions.

You can do it!

This is exactly the problem that the students I tutor have. Rip off the band-aid, crank out the questions. If it isn't painful, you're not pushing yourself enough

Can't wait to see you rock it!

Good luck to everyone taking Step 1 soon!!!!!

Hey SW to MD! I'm studying for Step 2 now...not the same, I know. But just wanted to empathize with the boards studying process. I too am doing lots of questions. I no longer feel inadequate when I get average scores (which I used to during step 1, pre-baby...). Anyway, remember that your best is good enough! Good luck!

newmommdphd - when's your date? I'm taking Step 2 CS early July and CK end of July. I'm already nervous, and I still feel like I have a ways to go to be where I want to be with things!

DEpending on when your test date is...

practice questions!

Seriously. Do all of UWorld and try to get Kaplan or USMLERx if you can. But definitely UWorld.

Hey Southern...sorry it took me a while to respond - didn't see this till now. I'm doing CK at the end of June, and CS in October (didn't register early enough and now all the summer spots are gone :P). Glad to have someone with me in the process...and we'll be matching together too!

The best part-- you're almost done with third year, right? Hooray!

Okay, is it sad that I am enjoying studying for Step 1? It's so much nicer to be able to put things together in my head as I am thinking through them, like SLE. b/c seriously, I think we heard about it in bits and pieces 50 times in our organ blocks, but now, having HAD all of the various organ blocks, it just, well, makes sense! And while I know that the Boards are notorious for testing the obscure things we will not see as often, these are things I may be seeing in two short months! (Not that I think it is great that people are sick, but knowing what is afflicting them and how to handle it, from an M2/M3 level is a good thing!)

Not to say it is all rainbows and roses- pharmacology is still, well, pharmacology.

That being said, only 26 more days to go!

Oh, and I have to say- having four children that *sleep through the night* makes for wonderful brain power. We slept until, wait for it: 9:30 am today. Ten solid hours. I cannot remember the last time that happened.

AND, the house was still 1) standing, and 2) clean.

It makes respiratory mechanics and fungi all the more interesting.