doctorjones
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 17
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Trust me...I have the same problem. I think its not really how much hours you actually put in but the quality of the studying. It follows the old cliche i guess. The thing that motivated me in the past was studying with other people. I had that luxury during med school but now i am all alone in my plight. This forum has certainly helped,..knowing that people like u are in the same boat. I've heard of people putting in 8 to 12 hours a day with only a couple of breaks. I've tried that painful method but could only last a couple of days. U will burn out quick if u are not used to that way. As of the last couple of days,..i've been doing the goljan lectures. They are excellent and the time will go by fast. If u do four lectures,..u will at least know u put in 4 hours a day. All the guilt of not studying for 24 hours a day will disappear! Supplement the lectures with some reading and the next thing u know...uve put in 6 hours or so. Hope i helped a little..although i am somewhat in the same predicament.
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| drdoodles
Forum Newbie
Topics: 6
Posts: 14
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thanks!!! for the reply doctorjones  when are you taking the exam?
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firstaid
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| pinkangel
Forum Elite
Topics: 8
Posts: 272
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Drdoodles,
You've touched upon a topic that is universal to all of us in this fight to pass this exam. :? I have had the same problem for a while and I have come up with some ways to motivate me.
Mainly, I think about where I want to be this time next year. I imagine myself in a residency program, meeting interesting new colleagues, and being independent. I also look at my medical school diploma and ask myself why I worked so hard for 4 years - do I really want to throw all that away because of 1 stupid test? I tell myself it is just another hoop to jump through on my way to residency. I get into a bad habit of beating myself up for not being able to pass on my first try like so many of my AMG classmates. That kind of negative thinking only breeds more unpleasant thoughts which get me more depressed and then another day passes without me having studied. It becomes an endless cycle until I realize that I have to stop feeling sorry for myself.
This support forum is one of my main sources of support besides the fellow students at Kaplan that I see everyday. When I talk to them about their study schedule, anxieties, and frustrations about the exam I don't feel so alone anymore. Another motivator for me is building in rewards after I finish studying. For example, I tell myself that I will take a break and call a friend, see a movie, go to the gym, etc. before I tackle the next question block or chapter. This is not wasting precious study time, but an investment into yourself! I also block off a nonstudy day during the week so I can catch up on any personal issues, etc. For me, this is Sunday. I go to church in the morning and have brunch with a good neighborhood friend. I find this very helpful in giving me an outlet to relax, nourish my soul, and get back in touch with reality. Most importantly, it prevents burn out from over studying. This is something that you don't want to get! So many of my medical school classmates told me not to study for too long (for them it was over 2 months) because I would get burned out. I disagree with them about the time frame (some people like me need more time - I'm taking 6 months before I tackle this exam again) - but agree with the burn out part. Several people on this forum have mentioned this phenomenon in other posts. If I really get the itch to do some USMLE stuff, I listen to Goljan's lectures which helps me to review some key facts for the exam.
The key is to build in internal and external rewards, remind yourself of the end goal you want to accomplish, and to take little bites at a time. After a while, these little bites will accumulate and you will realize that you've accomplished more than you possibly imagined. Ask yourself questions when you're studying, change your study location from time to time if necessary, and do questions if your brain gets washed out from reading. Variation, repetition, and recall will get you to your desired goal.
Hope this helps! 
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| doctorjones
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 17
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I havent set a date yet since I just started to study again following a long hiatus. I just stumbled upon this site recently and it has helped to get the little fire going again. I plan to take the exam probably within a 6 month period. I was pretty devastated after the first take a couple of years ago and now i have forgotten everything. Remember...keep at it, stay motivated,...Ill sure as hell try to myself. Goodluck.
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| Rehoboth
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 30
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These postings have really encouraged me and straightened me out somewhat because I have found myself drifting somewhat partly because of fear of failing again and of aloneness but it is amazing to know that other people like me face the same issues.I am encouraged and I see you guys as all God sent .You must be!!
Is there anyone who has studied at The NIH library In Maryland.I feel Like checking it out
Take care all and KEEP HOPE ALIVE !!
Rehoboth
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Let us encourage ourselves always :To men it might be impossible but with God all things are possible
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| docmc
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 35
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I used to work in a laboratory and someone made racist comments about me (little indian, black bitch etc). I was challenged after that. I don't want to waste my time working with people like that anymore. I want to go back to being a doctor again where I can be with decent, professional, intelligent people. There are other things that motivate me but I think this one is in the top of my list.
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| MustBdone
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 10
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The ferrari parked in my neighbors garage motivates me.
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| bhallaji
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 41
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"Millions did it before me, millions will do it after me, and I am not STUPID" is what motivates me.....!!!
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Calm seas never made good sailors.
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| friscan2b
Forum Guru
Topics: 86
Posts: 447
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I don't know where you stand, but for me for instance (I am an FMG), it was that I wanted to get back my self-confidence, be a practicing physician again and not just an MA (and sometimes be looked down to by other people). There is nothing wrong with the MA postion in itself, it is just that I have studied hard to become a physician, this is what I am and this is what I want to do. I wanted to make myself proud of what I can do, make my parents and my housband proud, and maybE other things, too.
Good luck,
A.
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| yoda1
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 4
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Yes, i guess it is True. Reading the posting in the forum has also motivated me to get back into this field once again ( after a huge gap). Thanks
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| docmc
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 35
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I agree with friscan. We studied for a long period to become doctors. Esp for people who immigrated and have to do odd jobs to survive. You do get looked down to sometimes but ultimately long years of study in med school is only in paper until we pass the exams. Lets all not waste this years, I think it's not a matter of millions anymore, I think it's about what we are made of, why we chose to become doctors, our principles in life, our intent to cure people, our purpose to make our love ones proud....
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| Rehoboth
Forum Newbie
Topics: 3
Posts: 30
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Yes guys ,
Let's keep at it for ALL that were worth .We are FULL fledged doctors anyway and all we need to do is prove our worth.WE CAN AND WE WILL!! we'll give it all it takes
___________________
Let us encourage ourselves always :To men it might be impossible but with God all things are possible
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| rubensssss
Forum Guru
Topics: 95
Posts: 451
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This forum is a great motivation factor , but also get with apositive people and also make your study changed like get a board make pictures and play with this for a moment, read bettween lines do not read and go forward ,read and get it, well this is working for my motivation.
I have a small room with
Desk
comfort chair
a board
colors and a lot of paper
and mainly the computer at side to get into the forum,
if you drink coffe a cofe maching
No phone, no cells.
and relaxing music when resting and quiet room
, that means close the door.
and have all the books you need for the matter the you are studying.
when you get tire do what I am doing now.
Just a coment guys I am feeling sleepy.
Wish the best.
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Ruben sssss
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| docmc375
Forum Newbie
Topics: 4
Posts: 23
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First of all several thumbs up to all of you, especially those of who posted a reply.: :icon_thumb:
I myself am in a similar situation; having taken the test 2 years ago and failed, I just felt very discouraged and also very afraid to take the test once again, fear of another failure. I started working as a social worker in a non profit organization, but I must tell you that sometimes I feel really frustrated knowing that I can do so much more and like a few of you said, people look down on you because you can't practice yet, some of them even making sarcastic remarks.
I must say that after reading your comments and reply, i really feel empowered to start back into the game.
i am already preparing for the forum that will start on October 6th with Niti and others.
Remember: If at first you don't succeed,PICK YOURSELF UP, DUST YOURSELF OFF AND TRY AGAIN.
Besides, after all of us get into a residency program and complete it, it won't matter how many time we took the test;what will matter is that we are dedicated and competent physicians able to improve the quality of health of our patients.
Best of luck to all of you outhere and keep the flame alive, ALWAYS!!!
"rubensssss" wrote:
This forum is a great motivation factor , but also get with apositive people and also make your study changed like get a board make pictures and play with this for a moment, read bettween lines do not read and go forward ,read and get it, well this is working for my motivation.
I have a small room with
Desk
comfort chair
a board
colors and a lot of paper
and mainly the computer at side to get into the forum,
if you drink coffe a cofe maching
No phone, no cells.
and relaxing music when resting and quiet room
, that means close the door.
and have all the books you need for the matter the you are studying.
when you get tire do what I am doing now.
Just a coment guys I am feeling sleepy.
Wish the best.
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| monica76
Forum Senior
Topics: 13
Posts: 151
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gr8 replies.... especially.. pinkangel and rubensss... u got me motivated too...am img married recently... learning to take care of home, hubby , cooking and studying too at the same time... planning to give step 1 mid nov... WE CAN DO IT!!! LET US RAISE OUR OWN BARS...GIVE IT THE BEST WE CAN AND THEN A LITTLE BIT MORE.....and you all are right..we have it in us.. we are not gonna let the special talent god gave us( i sincerely believe god makes doctors different) go waste just coz of this exam....
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| KEROCHI
Forum Guru
Topics: 60
Posts: 971
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Hey motivated step 1 team,
i was reading this forum & would help us more to get our motivation going. Iwant everyone to read these. it helps w/ our studies. Some of the responders look familiar, they have passed the test already.
Study well..
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| zhouyong
Forum Senior
Topics: 16
Posts: 126
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Believe it or not , I am telling you a true story. First time I came to this country. I told my instructor I was a physician. Since then I had got more unfair treating than any other students. Then I failured on my class from that instructor. After I told my colleague I was a physician, I started getting mocks from physicians and nurses who are my colleagues. Even though I never show off myself, I am really a humble person. It doesn't mean anything.
I am glad God has been giving me more power to help me through all these difficulties. I made it and I finished those classes and got my another degree on time.
Now where I am , I started facing the same realistic world again. I am not afraid of it and like facing all these challenges. As long as you turn these into all positive way, I believe you will be on the way to succeed.
I can make it as a foreign medical graduate. You can make it as well.
Good luck!!!!!!!!!!
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| brownskinMD
Forum Newbie
Topics: 5
Posts: 13
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As doctors we fail to realize that we are humans first. We can the patients that we actually treat. WE NEED HELP TOO. This forum has been a great help to me and I am greatful and thankful for all of you here. I have never faced anything like this before in my life. But I KNOW that we will make. So I encourager us to motivate and encourage eachother so that we can mentally treat eachother.
So pray if you can with someone and know that you are not alone.
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FAITH
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