Isther
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Hi:
I decided to start my own journal... I've been studying full time since august 05, gave step 1 in december and CS last monday. I programmed to take CK on june 28, so this is it, finally the last day is approaching and things will change... still have to do a lot before enter a residency but at least the exams will be over, I will work again, and can be with my wife and daughter once again (I miss them so much).
After 10 months of preparation, I found pretty hard to keep myself as motivated as for the first exam, got distracted easier and breaks last longer. I don't want to mess my previous effort with a low score on CK, so will start this in order to keep a record of my progress and see if it helps me as much as some of you.
Where I am? Well, start to cover kaplan notes on mid january, together with some Qbook to asses my progress. Stopped for last 4 weeks to work for CS, and last wednesday retake the kaplan notes. Still have statistics to go, and check some kaplan videos. My plan is to cover the books quickly and start reviewing and doing MCQ's for the last 35 days at least. For step 1 I did 150 MCQ per day including rationale (on test mode first and answers later) and 3 hours of FA reading... worked pretty good last time so hopefully will do its thing again.
Today I have to review nephrology and pulmonolgy... will try to cover at least 40 pages...not just read but memorized as well...
So here we go...
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| karusmle
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all the best , keep moving ...........
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| 3535
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your post -- "tips for high score" is very inspiring. a person who can think and compose such a post is sure on the right track. All the best.
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| Isther
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Thanks karusmle and 3535... your words are very welcome and way too helpful.
Well, yesterday I finished 38 pages, not the 40 that I wanted but is something...today will be better... Today is my sister's wedding, will be kinda crazy around here but still have the whole morning to read. My plan for today is: 1) listen to 8 stright hours of videos 2) dance, eat and drink... no alcohol of course, hangover and study are nemesis. Tomorrow the monotony will return so tonight I'll try to relax.
Gotta keep on mooooving!!!
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| Isther
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I only could listen 2 hours of videos... the party was more distracting that I thought. Tomorrow I'll keep up, hopefully will finish IM notes.
Till tomorrow then...
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| karusmle
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can understand how tough it will be to study when there is party going on in ur house ....,thats ok , u can do it after it gets over , all the best
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| Isther
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Yesterday was a waste too, spend half afternoon fixing problems with my airline's reservation. Things like this happen all the time, so the important thing is to do my best today... I'm at a few pages to finish IM and will start my last subejct before review...
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| Isther
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Today was good. Could cover the planned for this day. Even had time to advance some pages, but rather prefer to not cram for now, thoughest part is about to come. Tomorrow probably will finish psychiatry.
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| LisaM
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Hi Isther, Nice to see you here. Hope the distractions around you have quieted down and you are able to study as planned. All the best with your CK prep.
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lisa
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| Isther
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Thanks LisaM... Nice to see you too. Actually yesterday's distractions quiet me down but I couldn't study as planned. Had to take my mom to the doctor for a checkup (a licenced doctor... ). And when we returned was kinda late, so called the day off and rented a movie, some bizarre crap called STAY. Anyway, I'm back on business and today's goal is to finish epidemio.
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| Isther
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Yesterday was a good day, could finish epidemiology in good time and started biostatistics... no matter how many times I read this subject, is always hard to get it... Spoke with my wife on the phone and had a good night sleep.
Today I woke up at 6 am (as usual), had my light low carb breakfast, had my B-complex, and started the reading. Today's goal was to finish biostat, ethics and social, but I was seduced by a good TV program so seems that will have to cover the last 10 pages for tomorrow followed by a whole-day video session.
Only 40 days left for the exam and 41 to go home...
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| Isther
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Yesterday I finished my last book, now tons of questions are ahead of me. Yesterday was supposed to be a long video session but I just managed to see 2 1/2 hours... lame  . Don't know what happened with the time, maybe I was overconfident... don't know, let's try to make this day count... 3 hours of video + 3 hours of FA + 150 MCQ's... let's pray that I can complete today's goals.
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| nithu
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Don't worry u will be fine.
We are all praying for u.You have done whatever u can,rest is in the hands of god.
Good luck
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| Isther
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Hi nithu, thanks for your words. Yesterday I did what I planned... almost..jeje. Did the 3 hours of video, 3 hours of FA, but only reviewd 100 questions. Well, not what I aimed but was a good day indeed...
"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars" -Les Brown.
Today's plan is the same: first 3 hours reviewing the answers for yesterday's questions. Followed by 3 hours of FA. And at night, 3 blocks of 50 questions each. I prefer that way to avoid monotony.
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| Isther
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I did it... its 9 pm, and I'm exhausted but happy... only have to repeat the same thing for 30 more days....
At the end of the day is difficult to seat my butt again and finish as programmed, have to struggle with myself and tons of ideas like..."enough for today" "you can do that tomorrow" "let's go and have a snack"... It's like my mind don't want to get a good score. But what helps me the most is to look at my wife and daughter's picture, and remember that I'm here for them, to give them the kind of life they deserve. Then I look at my face in the mirror and yell...
GO TO READ YOU LAZY BASTARD!!! 
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| Isther
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Not very much to say... Today's objectives were the same as yesterday's, and will remain the same until the exam. I reviewed the answers of yesterday's 150 questions, from Qbook, subjects analysed IM, GYOB, and Surg. Score 78%. I'm tired and bored.
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| 3535
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Hi,
I too have exactly 30 days.I am just revising my UWnotes and kaplan.Then plan to take nbmeon 14th. Exam on 23rd to 27th(not decided).Will do lotsa Qns for3 days before nbme,kap simulated also included.
May I pl know how u r managing the last month.You got agood score in step1. Your way of doing things has got to be the correct one Thanx.
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| Isther
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Hi 3535, thanks for your words.
What I did (and will do) previous to the exam was to do as many MCQ's as possible (obvious..jeje) but I tryed to cover several aspects which I consider important for the exam:
- Knowledge... I studied all kaplan books prior to questions, and will continue the reading with FA during review.
- MCQ's in TEST mode... questions are to reinforce your memory keeping the info active. But test mode is important to practice test taking skills, and avoid anxiety and fatige during the exam. If all your questions are in test mode you can hit 2 birds with the same stone...
As a summary, I organized my review days follows:
- Three 1-hour blocks reviewing the answers of last day's questions.
- Three 1-hour blocks reading FA, approximately 15-20 pages per day
- Three 50-questions blocks at the to conclude your day.
I review answers in the morning since is tough and you need to be fresh, and the questions at night to get used to make them being tired and annoyed... you know, like systematic desensitization  . Add all together, plus breaks, meals, and somethign distracting to keep sane, and you have a good day of study.
All the best!!!
PS: I'm in South Florida and around here there in no spaces left for June. Try to keep an eye on that, and secure a space soon.
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| Isther
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Yesterday, I covered Psy, IM, and Peds... 74% of 150 questions. Could complete the goals for the day .
Today I will rest. Had to take mom to the doctor... again, and buy something for the hurricane season. Since today will be a NO READING day, let's make it count (Sushi buffet, rent films, go for a beer, and play video games....). It's gonna be tough to succeed with these so demanding activities... but let's do our best.
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| 3535
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You are so ORGANISED!! Hats off.
I'll try to get bit organised, too, just in respect for the exam.
Actually, my organisation is in being disorganised,I accomplish well that way.Broader goals suit me more than day-to-day goals.
besties!
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| Isther
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Thank you!!! As is recommended...must use a plan that you are comfortable with.
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| aimhigh
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hi Isther, good going! I also signed up for step 2 ck at the end of June. Not smooth preparation at all...seem to have more psychological battle than while taking step 1. Hope that we will do well for this exam!
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| Isther
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Hello aimhigh... good luck, there is no much time left, and dunno if Im anxious for that of happy that finally is coming to an end. Wish you the best!
Today was kinda lousy... did the answers, did the FA, but only did 80 questions... lame . Tomorrow will try to catch up.,...hopefully
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| Isther
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Well... I don't feel very responsible lately... yesterday I took the day off, after taking the wednesday off... I couldn' help it... and for the record, I even like it.
Today I woke up late, start reading late, and moving at turtle speed... apparently I lost my modjo. Let's try to end the day with the least of casulaties. CONCENTRATION... WHY HAVE YOU LEFT ME!?!?
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| Isther
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Thank God!!! after I wrote the last post, my modjo returned and could read during the rest of the evening. Only thing missed was 1 hour of FA and 50 questions... The result on the 100 questions made were 80%... not that bad, so I could sleep with a lighter guilt.
Today seems that its gonna be a better day... let's hope for that.
ONLY 29 DAYS FOR THE EXAM, AND 30 TO GO HOME...
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