LisaM
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Topics: 16
Posts: 321
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I am starting this journal to keep me on track while I prepare for Step 3. I know this is going to be a little uphill. I am "observing" in Clinics of my chosen speciality practically the whole day in the University Hospital. I completed my speciality training 5 years back and I have tons to learn/ relearn. During lunch break, I run to the library to look up some of the things I have jotted down in my notepad and evenings are hectic because its the only time I get to spend with my two and a half year old daughter Poosh.
I have recently completed CK (Feb 24th) and want to give Step 3 before I forget everything I have learnt about OBG, Peds etc. I am not even sure when I can study besides the weekends . I could try waking up at 4am and studying for about 2 hours. I think I want to start by going over all the step 2 material real quick and starting subscription to UW for step 3 after that. I will set my alarm to 4am tomorrow and see if I can study some Surgery.
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lisa
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| an
Forum Guru
Topics: 19
Posts: 437
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hi Lisa, thinking i should start preparing for step 3. i plan to use step 2 kaplan notes( dont feel like reading them though), washington manual , and one review book. of FA, Crush step 3, Board and Wards, or Swanson...which one/s r u going for?...
for qu i will use kaplan q book, USMLE CD and UW MCQ and CCS, waiting for my CS results bfor starting the subscription.
i am totally blown over by the way u r multi-tasking...very inspiring.
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| drvic
Forum Elite
Topics: 10
Posts: 181
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hey guys i'd like to join the gang...would help me keep the focus for preparing for Step3...otherwise i could lose track and get diverted to other things...since i'll be starting residency this coming July, so it'd be nice to have some preparation already done before i take on the busy floor months...
was just reading thru some of the earlier posts on this forum and most people have suggested doing as few things as possible BUT doing them REALLY WELL!!! that is the key to passing Step3...
so i'm planning to do UW and First Aid only for now - will think of anything else only after i finish these....
let's keep up with each other regarding preparation...i know everybody will have different priorities for preparation but atleast our common goal will keep us going....
GL to all
regards
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say what you mean... and mean what you say...
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| afds
Forum Elite
Topics: 63
Posts: 195
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hi I am also preparing for step 3
how much u have prepared and what books r u using
i will b starting in july too
please help
I am confused whether to take now or during residency
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| LisaM
Forum Guru
Topics: 16
Posts: 321
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Hi an, I am also waiting for CS results. drvic, have you started your UW subscription already? afds, I think the earlier you take Step 3, the better.
I was not able to concenterate while studying Kaplan text and kept procrastinating. So I decided to start UW subscription from today. I did one block of Surgery questions which seemed fairly easy and straight forward, but I scored only 54. Much work to do and I am surprised to see that I am actually looking forward to studying- finding time is the toughest part.
I hope to do with using just the Kaplan CK material and UW Question bank for step 3
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lisa
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| kingsofke
Forum Guru
Topics: 24
Posts: 715
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Well I came here to start my own prep journal But it will be much better to join such an enthusistic bunch. I will be going a bit more detailed then you people ,it seems. I will be listening to step3 lecture videos (well the ones i like only) and will do step2 and step3 notes (i have been through step3 notes like 2 times and there isnt much new in them so i will shift all that is new onto my step2 notes) (Hey if you would like , i can also tell you people anything i find in step3 notes not in step2 notes) I will be doing Kaplan Qbank for step3 now and i will do UW later on. I also have boards and wards but i dont think i will be using it much.
With a house job in Radiology it seems a lot to do but i will do as much as i can.
I have started with GI the first chapter. I will be slow for the next week i think till i get back into flow.
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| Alina T
Forum Elite
Topics: 17
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hi kingsofke,
what's a house job in radiology?.. Good luck with your prep, you'll do great, no doubt about that. and keep checking step 2 forum from time to time, to see how we're doing.
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| kingsofke
Forum Guru
Topics: 24
Posts: 715
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well house job is what we call the internship, I have rotated for 6 months in Internal medicine already and i am now rotating in radiology for another 6 months. and thank you so much for your nice words.
I will keep posting now and then in step2 support forum too ,hopefully.
Well i did the Hepatology from CMDT this weekend, whew . Well i did learnt one thing that kaplan step2 has written an excellent summary of all those diseases. I will keep trying to read CMDT till i really get hard pressed for time.
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In Life there are neither rewards nor punishments, just consequences.
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| an
Forum Guru
Topics: 19
Posts: 437
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nice going...kingsofke..if u can post those topics from step 3 notes not found in step 2 notes, that would be great..
as for me, today i have started reading gastro from washington manual of medical therapeutics, last week solved some tests from step 3 q book, averaged 40...17 days more for CS result...just hoping no nasty surprises there.
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I don't believe in miracles...I rely on them. And sometimes, I create my own.
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| kald
Forum Junior
Topics: 4
Posts: 35
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hi LisaM,
I was reading through your step 2 cs journal which is very useful since im about to take cs in another month's time and then saw this prep journal for step 3. I couldnt stop admiring the way ur working and have already started studying for step 3 . i wanted to know how to get into observership
Kal
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| LisaM
Forum Guru
Topics: 16
Posts: 321
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Thank you, Kald. Please refer to the topic called USCE (US clinical experience) in the Residency forum. The hospital I observe in does not officially offer observerships, but I corresponded with the Program Director who said that it was ok for me to observe. So it is worthwhile to try in any hospital that is convenient for you even if you dont find it in the list of Hospitals that offer observerships.
Kingsofke! So good to see that you are also preparing for step 3 at this time. You set the bar high for everyone and it is very inspiring and motivational to read your posts.
For me, I think I need a change of strategy. I did one block of questions on cardiology and fared so badly that I am embarassed to even reveal my score. I dont think I can gain much more from from going over the CK notes again. Instead, I am simply going to try to complete UW with no regards to the scores, take extensive notes from the explanations and learn that info real well. I will try that for a couple of days and then make up my mind about how helpful that is. 
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lisa
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| LisaM
Forum Guru
Topics: 16
Posts: 321
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Just finished the last set of UW questions on cardiology. Scored 68%. Thats not so bad for me at this point. Nearly a month after starting this prep, I feel like I am making some progress every day. Think I will do hematology next. 
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lisa
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| LisaM
Forum Guru
Topics: 16
Posts: 321
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I still havent completed going over the explanations for hematology questions. I hope to finish Endocrinology by the weekend- first I will read through CK and Step 3 notes and then do UW questions. This sunday is Mother's day- I hope I dont get tempted into any treats that distract me too much from studies! 
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lisa
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| nisha
lil monkey
Topics: 146
Posts: 919
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Hi Lisam...long time no see! Well, I have been away for quite a while but it's time I got back on the bandwagon with studyin..so I'm gonna look to u for motivation...keep up the good work and have a great great Mothers day!
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IM resident
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| an
Forum Guru
Topics: 19
Posts: 437
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this is my plan for the coming week...finish gastro from washington manual, then cardio and read same topics from strong medicine...solve 1-2 tests from q book.
happy studying all ye...
happy mother's day to all you wonderful mothers.
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I don't believe in miracles...I rely on them. And sometimes, I create my own.
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| LisaM
Forum Guru
Topics: 16
Posts: 321
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Good to see you again, Nisha.
An, please let us know what you think about Washington manual and Strong Medicine. I am thinking of buying either or both. Right now, I am doing UW questions. Just started Endo. Scoring dismally, but telling myself "learning tool" to keep going. I would like to complete UW by middle of June so I can revise my notes and have time to go over new material if needed. As my good friend would say, Tempus Fugus!
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lisa
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| kingsofke
Forum Guru
Topics: 24
Posts: 715
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Hi, so good to read all your posts, I havent been posting here for one simple reason; I wasnt studying . I am trying hard to get into the flow but there are so many distractions. Well i did finished up GI from CMDT and put everything on pages and posted them in step2 notes. I am into Endo ,but with this speed i will be done with medicine in like 6 months. . Well time to speed up a bit. Ok from now on its 3 days to each chapter or else .
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In Life there are neither rewards nor punishments, just consequences.
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| an
Forum Guru
Topics: 19
Posts: 437
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lisaM..washington manual is a very good bk for medicine...i am using the 30th edition(its my old bk)..but the 31st ed has been out for a while now...maybe u want to browse thro it bfor buying it..i am kind of partial to it coz i had been using it back home...
regarding strong medicine...its the only step 3 review bk i have so i cant tell u its better than others...but from the experiences on this forum from senior members, people seem to prefer it...i read a few topics from gastro...material is very well presented, lots of tables, bullets, makes quick reading easy(unlike crush step 2...i didnt like that book)..also there r ecg, derm pics(black and white)...all in all its a good book...do try to c reviews for the FA
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I don't believe in miracles...I rely on them. And sometimes, I create my own.
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| kingsofke
Forum Guru
Topics: 24
Posts: 715
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Almost done with Endocrinology. CMDT is killing me, almost 50 pages on Diabetes, ah! . But its written so beautifully. I was skipping lot of less important things but seems like i will have to skip much more to keep up with schedule. Well its going to be a very long month. Thanks god i am taking summary notes for later revision. I dont think i will have the luxury of opening this book again.
Guys its gonna be a long prep journal for me cause i wont be able to give my step3 before october. But you should leave me here alone as soon as possible .
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| LisaM
Forum Guru
Topics: 16
Posts: 321
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Thank you, An. I think I will complete step 3 notes and UW before checking out Strong medicine and Washington manual as I would then have an idea of what will be asked and where I will benefit from these texts.
Kingsofke, I loved CMDT too, but the volume of material is daunting indeed. Sooner or later, it would be a happy day when we get step 3 over with!
My studies are nearly at a stand still for the past 5 days. My crazy schedule is not working. I find myself struggling to stay awake more than actually studying. So I am going to try a different time. That would mean that I will be spending even less time with Poosh. It is particularly hard as I dont even know the date of my exam, but the fact that my UW subscription is running out should be incentive enough to speed up. On my new schedule from tomorrow!
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lisa
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| LisaM
Forum Guru
Topics: 16
Posts: 321
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Over a month since I "officially" started my step 3 prep. Still on IM. I have a new study routine now and I hope this works. Will find out this week.
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lisa
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| DrMary
Forum Elite
Topics: 30
Posts: 98
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Hi! May I join you guys? I just started studying for step 3 May1. I am waiting for CS results in the mail. I hope I will be more motivated to study with you guys. I am almost done with IM(Kaplan CK).My study materials are Kaplan CK and Step 3, Crush and FA. I havent read anything from Kaplan Step 3 books yet or Crush and FA. I guess I have a lot of work to do. I'm currently working full-time so I dont have much time to study. All the best to us! Do you recommend I subscribe to UW while reviewing or after my 1st read of all my materials? When is your target date to take Step 3? Good luck!
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| sobia naeem
Forum Elite
Topics: 30
Posts: 303
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hello people from step 2 diary land.its great to see a step 3 prep journal in full swing.i guess its all due to lisaM.GOOD WORK.!!i started thinking abt preparing for step 3 since the past few days but just didnt know where to start off from.anywayz i,ve got this book of medicine by swanson..is it good enough or shd i include some other book..other than that i,ve got step 2 and step 3 kaplan plus crush and first aid.i also have cmdt but somehow i feel that its gonna be hard to go over that book.afterall not all of us are like kingsofke..happy studying
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| afds
Forum Elite
Topics: 63
Posts: 195
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hi sobia a re u a resident ?
what about other guys are u doing reesidency or will be starting residency soon?
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| LisaM
Forum Guru
Topics: 16
Posts: 321
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Welcome, DrMary. I am working with CK material and trying to do UW questions at the same time. It is taking me much too long because I am not able to allot much time to this. I think I will go over the step 3 material only after I finish CK material, UW and completely familiarize myself with the CCS format as most of case discussions seem to be oriented towards preparation for CCS.
Hi Sobia, Good to see you here! Many people who have taken step 3 seem to have just worked with Kaplan CK and step 3 material though some have used Swanson, Strong Medicine or Washington Manual additionally. I will use CMDT for reference only and hope kingsofke will keep us informed about pertinent extra information.
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lisa
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