Feyza
Forum Guru
Topics: 48
Posts: 1,432
|
thanx nyc_img  ur soo encouraging...yeaa..I AM eating drinking breathing USMLE but my problem is that Im doing that since april 7 so 99 and me ...a bit distant from each other  would be quiet happy with a 80+ ...
may Allah help me , you and every friend here with the goal in mind
___________________
O my Lord! Open my chest for me ( grant me self-confidence ) and ease my task for me.Ta-Ha 25-26.
|
| doctja
Forum Junior
Topics: 13
Posts: 39
|
Your topic is good. I graduated 5 years ago then did my house job.I wanted to know how important is year of graduation? I thought scores would be more important.I plan to give exam this year in september.Can any body throw some light on it.
I believe you are an old graduate if you think you are old. we could make a solid contribution to the system here, if the residency programs think of us as old graduates I am sure they will be loosing a lot of good doctors like me.
|
| NYC_IMG
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 56
|
Dear wyb:
Actually,...... I thank you and others for responding to my thread and request.
I think we should keep in touch in this thread to be there for each other..and encourage eachother.
It's always nice to know that you are not alone....
Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow
Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on
Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you don't let show
Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on
If there is a load you have to bear
That you can't carry
I'm right up the road
I'll share your load
If you just call me
So just call on me brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'd understand
We all need somebody to lean on
Lean on me when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on
Lean on me...
___________________
Old IMG graduated in 1992.
|
| Feyza
Forum Guru
Topics: 48
Posts: 1,432
|
cool
___________________
O my Lord! Open my chest for me ( grant me self-confidence ) and ease my task for me.Ta-Ha 25-26.
|
| NYC_IMG
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 56
|
Dear doctja:
Thank you for your contribution and Keep spirits up.
___________________
Old IMG graduated in 1992.
|
| unique1
InGodITrust
Topics: 19
Posts: 1,405
|
Dear Fyeza and doctja , the question you guys asked is the one which bothers anyone who is 5+ years old grad. From my observation , I can tell you that year of graduation is important for only the competitive residencies and in prestegious programs.
Scores are the first thing we should concentrate as scores are more important . We cannot change our year graduation , so there is no point in worrying about it. Score is something we can work for , so we should work hard for it. Secondly we should apply wisely and should have some kind of USCE .
I know a lady who did her residency when all her kids went to college and a gentleman who got residency at the age of 55. Keep your spirits up !!!!!!
___________________
I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.
|
| wyb
Forum Junior
Topics: 8
Posts: 43
|
Thank you, Dear NYC_IMG, it is so kind of you giving the big suppot!!! Tomorrow is just Another Day, but is a Brandnew Day for us. With your courages, I am starting to force myself studying hard for at least 5 hours per day. I think that it is a good start for me right now.
GL for your studying and for everyone here too (Lucky number 8)
|
| huyniid
Forum Elite
Topics: 9
Posts: 199
|
Hello old friends,
I know everyone has him/herself the own way of studying. Cause we start studing step 1, we can discuss more in details about:
- Books to read
- Time management
- Qs use and how to use it efficently
- Which field he/she is on and what is the facing problem
- Other sources...
So I invite the threat owner...to begin :-)
GL to all
|
| Feyza
Forum Guru
Topics: 48
Posts: 1,432
|
thanx unique great support
___________________
O my Lord! Open my chest for me ( grant me self-confidence ) and ease my task for me.Ta-Ha 25-26.
|
| will win
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 2
|
graduated 1992 Been busy raising a family but now the kids are older I feel I really want to do it for myself. My prep has been fragmented but I did one revision and now im getting serious. Its good to read success stories of other imgs and i wish every one good luck. so glad i found this forum
|
| NYC_IMG
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 56
|
This is the support forum and we need to get to each other for any support issues:
- Someone having trouble or dificulty studying one topic or so
- someone having a problem to choose books and needs advice
- someone needs some information about the test
- someone needs advice on any problem regadring studying for this challenging and stamina detecting test
- ........................
- ....................
We have to be there for each others.
I will start by Biochemistry and needing your advice on the best source for Molecular Biology..
___________________
Old IMG graduated in 1992.
|
| arlete
Intern in 2009!!!!!
Topics: 36
Posts: 2,607
|
huyniid:
My experience with step 1 (got a 207/84, not as high a score, but I am satisfied, considering I am a housewife taking care of 3 children right now):
- Books to read: I didn't use Kapaln Lecture Notes, which now I think it was a huge mistake. Had to learn a lot through Kaplan Q-bank. I should have heard the DVDs, too. I used First Aid as the backbone of my study, it's a very good book. During the last few weaks, I read Crush and felt I was reading a lot of things I already knew, but there were some very interesting tables.
- Time management: I think it's better to cram, give a lot og hours daily, then spread the study in a lot of months. You need to count on recent memory. I studied for 10 months, was working full time during the first 6, plus family and everything, but I would rather dedicate at least 8-10 hours a day, for 4-5 months. Many things I memorized (embriology, for example) at the beginning, and had already forgotten when the test date was close. Understanding concepts is another thing, that you won't forget. But some things you memorize, there's no way you will find a conclusion about them. Formulas are very important, too.
- Qs use and how to use it efficently: no sense in starting questions before hitting the books hard. You'll make a lot of mistakes, waste them and feel insecure. I did Kaplan Q-book, each subject after finishing studying it. Then I did Kaplan Q-bank, which made my NBME reach the pass number. Then I did usmleworld, which inproved my score.
- Which field he/she is on and what is the facing problem: biochemistry was the most challenging for me.
That's it. Now I am studying for step 2. I did a NBME test for it right after studying for step 1, got a 530! This means to me if you study hard for step 1, you are already in advantage for step 2. I studied a lot during the last 2 months, I knew a lot of things that were not tested, but that's life, eh? I bet nothing is in vain, I will help tons of patients with all the knowledge I acquired for the tests. I am glad I am beeing forced to do it, I really need to go back to being on top of my game, the way I was 10 years ago. The patients deserve it.
Any questions, I'll be glad to answer. I'll tell if I don't know the answer.
___________________
When men make the rules, God decides the exceptions.
|
| bioguy
Forum Guru
Topics: 59
Posts: 909
|
hi all, i graduated in the year 2001, currently doing PhD, am planning on giving step1 before the end of this year, aiming for match in 2009. i am having a starting problem. haven't done anything official to push my study plan forward. i mean, i haven't booked for an eligibility period etc. will start soon, full time!
|
| NYC_IMG
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 56
|
Dear huyniid :
Here is my resources: First of all, I just started to study ( 4 weeks ago )
Books:
- Biochemistry & Genetics: Kaplan with HY Molecular Biology on hold if needed
- Gross anatomy: HY with Kaplan on hold if Kaplan is too much for me
- Histology: HY with Kaplan on hold if Kaplan is too much for me
- Embryology HY with Kaplan on hold if Kaplan is too much for me
- Neuroanatomy: Road map
- Physiology: Kaplan with BRS in Neuro-physiology
- Microbiology & Immunology: Kaplan with Jawetz as a supplementary ( Made rediculously simple on hold)
- Pharmacology: Kaplan
- Pathology: Rapid Review of Goljan- 2007. supplemented by the Errata ( Please review the pathology forum)
- Behavioral: BRS
All are going side by side with the Video lectures which are listened to first, to make reading easier.
Time management:
8 Months with option to extend (depends on the NBME score at the end)
Qs:
UW and Qbank. I wills tart doing them after the first reading ( Planning on 3 readings). They will be used accordingly, when I get there
General areas of difficulty:
so far: Molecular biology and Embryology.
Other courses:
I listen to the Pass Program and I enjoy them, but not my main resource
Over all Plans will be adjusted accordingly as I go.
___________________
Old IMG graduated in 1992.
|
| NYC_IMG
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 56
|
orry, I mean if HY is too much for me in 3, 4 & 5
___________________
Old IMG graduated in 1992.
|
| NYC_IMG
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 56
|
NYC_IMG wrote:sorry, I mean if HY is too much for me in 2, 3 & 4
___________________
Old IMG graduated in 1992.
|
| Feyza
Forum Guru
Topics: 48
Posts: 1,432
|
NYC...I just covered mol bio...Kaplan is really great...first read was a pain but I read the second immidiate after and then with the Qs...Im fine now...and exam exp say that its more than enough...
if u can just be patient in your first read...which I would happily answer any Qs...the second will be soo fun to read...
I started genetics today ...Im fine to understand the inheritence patterns but when I see a pedigree...Im a bit like  hope I figure all out...learning new very higy yield things 49 days b4 the exam makes me feel a bit anxious...
___________________
O my Lord! Open my chest for me ( grant me self-confidence ) and ease my task for me.Ta-Ha 25-26.
|
| Feyza
Forum Guru
Topics: 48
Posts: 1,432
|
bioguy...plzz get your exam day as soon as possible and see how u will get rid of that starting problem when u see the exact date with your very own eyes
___________________
O my Lord! Open my chest for me ( grant me self-confidence ) and ease my task for me.Ta-Ha 25-26.
|
| Brazil
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 6
|
Hi Cedar
Thank you for your reply and nice words of encouragement.
I could improve my performance and succeed after I had met this forum .I am sure that God drove me to find this way to be among all of these great colleagues.I want to contribute with my experience ,not only to receive help,but to help a lot.
I thank NYC IMg for the so nice poem and I repeat 2 lines what reflect what I want to be at this forum:
"Lean on me when you are not strong
and I will be your friend"
|
| NYC_IMG
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 56
|
Dear feyza.basoglu:
Thx for your advice. I think you are right about Kaplan for Molecular.. I just need to be patient reading it.
I also agree with you about Bioguy..plz schedule your test and you won't regret that.
___________________
Old IMG graduated in 1992.
|
| unique1
InGodITrust
Topics: 19
Posts: 1,405
|
Will win , I assume you are a female . Did you practice medicine or did any post graduation in those years ? I am asking because I only stayed home and raised my kids all those years and it would be a great support for me to have someone in the same boat. When I started studying, concentration was a major problem for me and Kaplan videos helped me a lot with this. At the same time I joined this forum . Our thread "Study partner for step 1 " by sinalni helped me BIG TIME to move forward. Now I am at the end of my first read and at the same time have started revising Microbiology with my group , as advised by our dear mytime. My 1st read was like moving a mountain which I could not have done without my dear forum friends. Microbiolgy on the 2nd read seems much easier and it is giving me some confidence .
Now my major problem is lack of continuity . Sometimes I slack and sometimes these breaks are unavoidable due to kid's sickness , guests , family holidays etc.
NYC_IMG , when I read molecular biology from Kaplan , it was all Greek to me. I told my husband that it is impossible for me to read this subject as I have no idea what are they talking about .My hubby always says CONCEPTS, CONCEPTS AND CONCEPTS ( very much like Goljan ). He gave me a book with a chimpanzee reading DNA structure on its title page and said laughingly /if a chimp can understand it , why can't you . This book is called "Molecular Biology made simple and fun " by David P Clark . This book is written for layman who wants to know about mol.bio and for high school kids. I found it really simple and fun to read. After reading this book I was able to understand Kaplan . This is not the kind of book from where you will get questions in your test but if you are having a problem in understanding the subject , may be you can consider giving it a try.
___________________
I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.
|
| NYC_IMG
Forum Junior
Topics: 7
Posts: 56
|
Dear unique1:
That's not a bad idea..I already looked up that book on amazon and I might buy it if I still have problems with molecular.
By the way, I understood electrolytes, fluid and acid-base imbalances from a book that was written for nurses
http://www.amazon.com/Fluids-Electrolytes-Made-In...
___________________
Old IMG graduated in 1992.
|
| will win
Forum Newbie
Topics: 0
Posts: 2
|
dear unique1 I was astay at home mom and I only worked in the same preschool where my kids were going. I was doubting if even this is a realistic option going ahead with the steps but after doing a lot of research I fell you can got a residency . So step 1 here I come. Ill deal with the rest when I get done with the steps
|
| LG
Forum Newbie
Topics: 2
Posts: 48
|
i hope u don't mind if i join too; 95 grad...i don't have a date set yet for the exam; i'm juggling several things at one time:studying, child ( i'm a single parent ), job, errands; i hope to find here the support i need to keep on going
advice, suggestions are always welcome !
|
| dravedon
Forum Senior
Topics: 27
Posts: 74
|
Hello all! What a brilliant idea to start something about "old" IMGs
about me
Graduating Year: 2000
Expected Step 1: Dec 2007
Never give up, dreams can really come true!
___________________
seize the day!
carpe diem!
|
|
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
