10+from_medgrad
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 25
|
Hi there, as you might understand from my name that I am probably oldest in this forum (I don't want to wide your eyes more so ain't saying how long ago I was out my med school). Well I lately decided to study for usmle. I can study no more than 3 hours per day due to huge workload (can this snail go that far!!) and family responsibilities. do you guys think with this pattern of study I can sit for step 1 in Sept?, ck in April? and cs in Aug? for 2008 match? I see you guys are very helpful. I am in the need of your input.
|
| ssrpk
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 154
Posts: 2,814
|
if you stay committed, there's no reason your year of graduation would hold u back, have faith in urself....Good luck!
___________________
life is guud
|
| kingsofke
Forum Guru
Topics: 24
Posts: 715
|
It will be hard , really hard, some people even go through the textbooks and not just review books, it will be better if you could take out more time from your job, leaves or something. you can go 2 ways either go thoroughly long time but better outcome or go focused and exam oriented lesser time and may not be that good. And in the end its not just passing its the scores that count. So be wise ,be quick and be steadfast. (and get on the nerves of ssrpk a.k.a THE GURU)
___________________
In Life there are neither rewards nor punishments, just consequences.
|
| 10+from_medgrad
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 25
|
Dear ssrpk and kingsofke, Many many thanks for your suggestions. I have been silently watching this forum for so long, I got the idea that someone might be out there to extend his hand toward me and will be a volunteer to rejuvenate my very old passion for being a physician. I have nothing to loose. Even things are not going to work well, I still have to option to stay in the course I am in. I have only 3 weeks vacation per year and I want to spend it before every exam. There is no way I can get more leaves. I need this job for myself and for my family. My question to you is if my plan (step 1 in Sept06, ck in April07 and cs in Aug07) to take exam is realistic for 2008 match.
|
| ssrpk
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 154
Posts: 2,814
|
well i think u should be able to get over with ur exams even earlier than u hv planned, u don't need thre months in order to prepare for CS, ppl usually take it with a month of prep.... but u gotta mange the time very well, as u are also working!
anyway good luck!
___________________
life is guud
|
| 10+from_medgrad
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 25
|
dear ssrpk, thanks for your reply. I am happy to see that you guys cared my posting.
|
| Natasa
Forum Elite
Topics: 9
Posts: 291
|
When there's a will-There is a way!
I think you can do it.Just stay focused and review all the material in depth.Your plan sounds very realistic to me,just try and spend as many weekends on studyiing as you can.I know many old graduates(my friend completed his ECFMG at 45 and working full time,as a physician though but still).It is also important wether you are working in a medical proffesion,as that might help as well.
Good luck and wishing you all the best with your preps.
|
| 10+from_medgrad
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 25
|
Thanks Natasa. I am so much grateful to you. I was just wondering why the whole world is not full with this kind of altruistic people. then probably we would n't have any war, poverty and lots of miserable crap. Far from usmle..huh... And Natasa, yes I am working on medical research. My job requires me to be busy all the time. But I can't get rid of my dream. my passion. I felt very lucky to see so many helpful people arround here and got excited.
|
| Natasa
Forum Elite
Topics: 9
Posts: 291
|
you SHOULD NEVER get rid of your dreams.I believe that we are here to make our own choices,some higher instance may be giving us only options(to choose which way to go),but the end path that we choose is only ours and we are RESPONSIBLE for our actions.So,as I said-you can do it,believe me you can:I understand that you have a lot of stuff to do in the lab(like me,doing my PhD),but you can always find some time even while at work,to read the material repetitively.If I were you,I would start from scratch,get KAPLAN and read it very thoroughly.
Sometimes, I wonder why some people who are ,lets put it this way-born to heal other people,be great physicians-Decide to do something else and end up feeling empty.Is it the money matter or is it some false thinking that we can REALLY help people with good research,discover the cure for cancer that sort of stuff?That is what happened to me.I was the best student in my class and they all thought I was gonna make a career in clinical medicine.Instead,I chose to do a MSc in Pharmacology and a PhD IN Neuropharmacology and try to discover something myself.I ended up feeling very unsecure about research at all.All this CLINICALLY NOT APPLICABLE stuff makes me angry.We publish just for the sake of glory&money.No one even gives a damn about the patient that stands(SHOULD STAND ,at least) at the end of this line.
So,go on and be POSITIVE!GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO POSITIVE PEOPLE!
And follow this forum,IT IS A BIG HELP!
GOOD LUCK.
|
| msyamp
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 60
Posts: 1,462
|
just read my signature. it works for you as it is working for me
___________________
If you think you can You can! If you think you cant you are right again!!
|
| 10+from_medgrad
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 25
|
msyamp, thanks your posting. Natasa, Natasa, Natasa, You made my day. I did not want to expose myself regarding what I am doing. But you removed my hesitation. Yes, I am in the same boat as you. After 8 years in a row, i am feeling frustrated with my research. You truly mentioned the causes. True research is now centered on very few well establihsed lab. Rest of the research people are doing fun in the name of research. But that's not my point. i am very grateful to you for your advice. Study materials are almost like a sea. I don't know how I can make it. But I will try my best. I have only one life. This should not be ended up with frustration only. thanks again. I am trying to stick with my plan. The rest is up to God, who I believe most merciful.
|
| ayaz153
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 9
|
med grad....... i hve just read this stuff. u r on ur way to get through usmle in flying colors believe me. make ur plan abt ur studies then stick to that plan. dont listen to people who say it cant be done, as everybody has different capacity and in the end its ur will which matters the most. ur research field will help u alot in ur interiews if god forbid u hve low score then it ur publications and other activities that come to ur rescue. as natasha said dont get rid of ur dreams try to make them true for u. best of luck .
|
| ayaz153
Forum Newbie
Topics: 1
Posts: 9
|
one thing more do frequenty visit the forum of step1 as its very important.
|
| Bartek
Forum Senior
Topics: 1
Posts: 64
|
10+... My case is almost identical, and I just started with kaplan notes...
This obviously IS possible and don't think that you are the only one who tries ))
I gained one more hour per day after replacing all my music with mp3s with lectures (just for one year
Good luck
___________________
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, magic in it. (Goethe)
|
| 10+from_medgrad
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 25
|
Ayaz and Bartek: thanks for your posts. I certainly appreciate it. Bartek I am doing the same thing. My ipod is now loaded with lectures instead of Madonna. I listen it during driving and in the gym. I study only 0-2 hours in the workdays and 6-9 hours in the weekends (not every weekend though). Not sure if it's enough at least for a low score. I can't think any better with such poor preparation. how about you? I think there may be tons of research guys in this forum.
|
|
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
