ginaq
Forum Newbie
Topics: 11
Posts: 26
| | 12/31/05 - 05:22 PM
1 of 1 forum leaders found this post helpful
| #1 |
hi everyone, im new here. i've just started studying for the usmle and i need help starting out. I plan on giving step 1 in june or july. i seriously don't know how to start....i've got all (almost) the recommended books, but i need a schedule. Can anyone send me a "mock" schedule of how they studied??? maybe that will help me in starting. also, i need a study partner in the nj area.
thanks.
|
| mazinger
Forum Guru
Topics: 46
Posts: 918
|
Dear ginaq... Try to start with biochemistry, because this probably the topic that has most overlap with other subjects.. specially pathology, then do physio.. then pick anything you want.. Study those 2 from kaplan (with videos of course).. BRS physio is a good book, but after I read it I felt I had so many gaps. Now Im filling those gaps with kaplan (thats the ONE THING I regret the most from my preparation).. That was the price I payed for being a rookie, but I didn't know back then... Good luck with your preparation..
___________________
original mazinger z
|
| ginaq
Forum Newbie
Topics: 11
Posts: 26
|
thanks mazinger! you say to start with physio....i have the kaplan material...do you think its a good idea to solve the questions from qbank before listening to the lectures and reading the kaplan material? and honestly, if i start now, when should i give the step? and how many hours should i put in? are you also giving step 1? thank you and good luck.
|
| mazinger
Forum Guru
Topics: 46
Posts: 918
| | 01/01/06 - 07:47 PM
1 of 1 forum leaders found this post helpful
| #4 |
well, yes Im taking the exam in march.. Ive been studying for this test for almost a year.. As I say this has taken a lot of time.. The main reason for this is probably that my background in general sciences was very poor (lots of things that were remarkably unknown for me).. So this time Ive been learning what I should have learned long time ago.. So the time you're willing to spend depends basically in your background.. of what Ive seen and read people from India have a very good level in general sciences so this people can squeeze their preparation to a few months.. My advise is what most people do... 6 months average, 5 days a week studying 6 to 10 hours a day... (In my experience past the sixth hour my performance decreased a lot..) Always try to study at least four hours a day, & try to keep that up.. But, if you feel you can't study (not even a single minute) in that particular day.. DON'T TRY to push it.. Try to change your routine to another activity just like solving questions or taking notes, go to the movies and restart by the next day.. Kaplan for physio is more than enough... But, try to watch the videos Im sure they will change your whole perspective of whats board relevant and what's not... (I trully feel those videos are a must in order to fully master that topic). Final tip when I started studying I didn't know what high yield meant (english is not my native language).. And that means that's info you CANNOT MISS to know because you will surely meet a question about it in your exam...
___________________
original mazinger z
|
| neevyg
Forum Junior
Topics: 15
Posts: 68
|
hey mazinger, i read alot of your posts on how brs physio wasn't up for you. I'm not that good with physio...so i'm in the same position as you are.
Tho i always had plans of studying both BRS physio and Kaplan physio lecture notes, do you think that together they'd form a good base?? I'd really appreciate your advice...
so far i finished half the brs physio book...
|
| mazinger
Forum Guru
Topics: 46
Posts: 918
|
Dear neevyg... in my personal experience I found BRS physio an enjoyable book to read (its neat).. But, soon after I started doing mcq's from qbook my scores were pretty low! & THAT SUCKS! What Ive felt this book was weak were peripheral circulation specially the mechanics, respiratory mechanics and ventilation perfusion defects, muscle mechanics, sex hormones and a few details in cardio.. Tell me whats your experience so far? Have you done mcqs? try doing physio qbank and watch your results.. As I say this is my experience.. Ive improved a lot in these topics thanks not only to the notes, but to Dr Robert Dunn.. This guy could be slow, but he does a great job! He's the guy that appears on the screen of kaplan brochure, and let me tell you his an institution himself.. Watch those videos take notes of what he says and you won't regret it (thou is time consuming)... Im aiming to ace this test and definetely this is source is going to help me achieve that.. Regards
___________________
original mazinger z
|
| mamc
Forum Senior
Topics: 10
Posts: 27
|
hi ginaq,first of all a very vey happy new year 2 everyone..i thnk ginaq u have enoughtime till june...i myself have started now,bt this is my second attempt..wht everyone has adviced me is 2 stick 2 kaplan......so all the best
|
| smal
Forum Guru
Topics: 140
Posts: 727
|
hi gang,
would anyone like to get into online discussions.we can decide fr the topics.am doing physio rt now.
it'll giv us the boost to follow our time tables.
GL guys.
please mail me asap at smitamandalyahoo.com.am in CA.
___________________
remedy for weakness is not brooding over it ,but thinking of strength.
|
| ledacfb
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 9
|
hi ginaq
i'm starting now to study, by kaplan.
if u' re interested e mail me,
i'm no living in your area, but if you're interested we can chat
medicineus@yahoo.com
|
|
| |
| | | | | | | | | |
