mjbapana
Forum Elite
Topics: 32
Posts: 366
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I know that this question has been asked a number of times but still here goes. i'm an old grad, with 2 kids,6&2,get like about 3-4 hrs max to study in a day.ijust started my first read after 10 yrs. and i have'nt a clue where and how to start.i've already wasted 2precious months trying to get into the groove of things but am unable to focus. Any tips and advice from anyone will be greatly appreciated. this time i have to do this.how do u other moms cope,with no help,hwere do u start ,how do u best utilise u r 3-4 hours per day, when do u do the questions. Please anyone any advice will be a real help.Thanx.
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Philippians, chapter 4verse 13 : "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
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| arlete
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Topics: 50
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Kaplan Lecture Notes - at least 1 read and First Aid (memorize the most you can) before starting questions. I graduated in 1992, have 3 kids, got 207/84 in step 1. It IS possible... And I was even better at step 2! Just make the most of the little time you have, and carry flashcards around, memorize them while cooking or doing the dishes, etc.
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Now it's on God's hands. I've done my best!
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| mjbapana
Forum Elite
Topics: 32
Posts: 366
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Thanx Hero and Arlete for replying. Arlete looking at ur post gave me hope. thanx.
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Philippians, chapter 4verse 13 : "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
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| shirini2
Forum Senior
Topics: 27
Posts: 86
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I'm proud of you guys mjbapana and arlete
Edited by shirini2 on 12/29/07 - 06:21 AM
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| GoodGirl
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Topics: 124
Posts: 1,787
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1, you have 4 hours, so use them wisely, during those hours concentrate only on usmle, even if you smell a garbage from the kitchen., and laundry is piling up. Just study during those hours, nothing else ! You must set your mind for this!
2, get Kaplan Dvd ( usually from eBay.com )
3, use flash cards, walk with them everywhere. Revision is the key.
4, get a mp3 player, put the Goljan audio lectures on it. Useful would be when you would be able to have Kaplan audio too.
5, talk to your hubby, explain to him clearly you need all the support you can get.
6, important one: when you feel really tired and overwhelmed, don't read a new topic, it will just frustrate you more. Instead pick up something you did already and revise it. Like for the evening, when kids are down in beds, do some revisions, and during the day do the new topics.
7, don't expect you will be able to study right away well, concentrated, like a fresh graduate. You have a gap behind you, so it will take time to get into grove of good exam preparations,but with consistency you will soon find your own style of preparation, your routine.....
Set your mind for success! Best of luck .
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Prioritize & simplify
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| arlete
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 50
Posts: 3,573
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You're welcome.
If one day you need more:
http://www.prep4usmle.com/forum/thread/56808/
Everything is going to be fine, count on my prayers! 
___________________
Now it's on God's hands. I've done my best!
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| drsaima
Forum Senior
Topics: 9
Posts: 226
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Hello,
I am very old graduate too, I am scared, and very very confused.
I have three kids.
I started USMLE a weak ago with Kaplan videos.
I need to plan, I cant study without planning.
So, I found this amazing forum and I feel that mjbapana asked this question for me.
Please arlete, I need your prayers too. And tell me from where to start?
Lots of prayers for all the mothers and for everyone on this forum.
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| drdido
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 56
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Hi, I am a struggling mom too with very little help. My infant is 10 months and is very very demanding for constant attention. It has been difficult but I try to get about 3-4 hrs/day after he goes to bed, which unlike other children is pretty late. So sometimes I stay up until 1 am to try to finish 1/2- 1 chapter. I am still afraid I am going too slow, but unfortunately that is the best I can do, and at the end of the day..that is all us moms can do. But I will consider getting flashcards..sounds like a good idea. THX.
GL to all us busy moms. God help us.
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| arlete
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 50
Posts: 3,573
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drsaima and drdido:
It took me 10 whole months to prepare for step 1. I have 3 kids, half of the time had a full time job, husband traveling 3 weeks a month, had a move to do and I passed! Not a very impressive score, but I passed...
I memorized First Aid, did Kaplan q-bank and usmleworld. I wish I had used the Lecture Notes and goljan audio (though I can't bear to hear that guy, I don't like his attitude!)
I'll keep praying, good luck!
P.S.: get rid of step 1, step 2 CK is much better to study for! 
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Now it's on God's hands. I've done my best!
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| drdido
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 56
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Thx arlete. I am looking forward to getting rid of step 1 and moving on to step 2, but that will take a little while for me. 
I welcome any advice moms may have out there. thx
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| mjbapana
Forum Elite
Topics: 32
Posts: 366
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arlete,thank u so much for u r advice.everytime i read u r post i feel alittle better about the whole thing thanx.
___________________
Philippians, chapter 4verse 13 : "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
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| mjbapana
Forum Elite
Topics: 32
Posts: 366
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drdido, u know i feel the same way,i get like 3-4 hrs, and even to finish like 30-40 pages in a day is like a humungus task.i've been planning on finishing 40 pages since 29 dec and i've like finished 20 to date, so u can imagine. i totally empathize with u.anyway all the best ,just keep at it and i'm sure one of these days we'll be done with the exam and then wonder what all the fuss was about. I Hope.
___________________
Philippians, chapter 4verse 13 : "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me."
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| laly1
Forum Junior
Topics: 10
Posts: 72
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mjbapana,drdido,drsaima I know exactly what you are going through you are not alone I'm in the same boat if I can do it you can with a great score I passed my test with a heavy load on my back two kids to care for 4 and a half and two years old,complete seperation from family no support in any way no encouragement at any level ,sadness ,isolation , you name it ,I had it along through my journey yet i passed .
there is nothing more than what arlete and goodgirl said ,consistency is crucial do not take long breaks I know things happen with kids all the time study is not the # 1 priority in most of moms agenda but please make it # 2 right after your kids basics.things like laundry ,cooking ,other houshold chores can always be done only when its impossible to study .I used to study while my girls are watching TV or bathing or eating dinner ,my books are all colored by my toddler .simple rule is make the best of every minute and do a lot of questions right after you first reading ,have that that mp3 player going listen to goljan pathology try to wake up an hour early before your family and read .and also ther this thing i learned from my experience is to have your kids and hubby trained to adjust themself to the new you the mommy who is a usmle warrior ,things that you used to do before might not be the same they need to understand that you are busy for some time and things will gert better after the exams and for sure keep the little one occupied with projects,toys,movies what ever they like to do take them to mall they could play in the small play area most malls have while you are flipping your flash cards or going through a book.
trust me I'm an old to the bone grad. with very stressful life and i passed you can do better .
se a realistic plan and follow it just avoid breaks.I'm sure it will be fine .good luck to all of you .
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.[96:1-5] Read! In the name of your Lord who created - Created the human from something which clings. Read! And your Lord is Most Bountiful - He who taught (the use of) the Pen, Taught the human that which he knew not.
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| drsaima
Forum Senior
Topics: 9
Posts: 226
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@arlete , googgirl and laly, thanks for the encouragment. Whoever made this forum has done a wnderful job.
I haven't started properly yet bec of winter vacation. but will start on jan 8th.
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| arlete
Forum Fanatic
Topics: 50
Posts: 3,573
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You go, girl!
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| drdido
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 56
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laly1 ..thx so much for the encouragement. My only problem is that my baby is still too young, he can't walk yet and keeping him busy by himself is a real tough task since he always wants someone there to play with him or else he will keep screaming..there were days when i tried so many times to study while he was rolling around in his walker, but he would come to me and nag on my clothes and scream..so I kept checking his diaper every 5 min, thinking maybe he pooped! Well..turns out that all he wants is attention..so studying went out the window.
So I depend on studying late for real concentration and actual studying between 9/10 pm- 2/3 am. How many pages should I be studying from kaplan during that time?
Can anyone give me an estimate???? So I can put a goal for myself.
mjbapana..i wish i could do 20 pages. but i feel the frustration you feel.
thx everyone. Moms Rule!!!
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| drdido
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 56
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laly1 ..thx so much for the encouragement. My only problem is that my baby is still too young, he can't walk yet and keeping him busy by himself is a real tough task since he always wants someone there to play with him or else he will keep screaming..there were days when i tried so many times to study while he was rolling around in his walker, but he would come to me and nag on my clothes and scream..so I kept checking his diaper every 5 min, thinking maybe he pooped! Well..turns out that all he wants is attention..so studying went out the window.
So I depend on studying late for real concentration and actual studying between 9/10 pm- 2/3 am. How many pages should I be studying from kaplan during that time?
Can anyone give me an estimate???? So I can put a goal for myself.
mjbapana..i wish i could do 20 pages. but i feel the frustration you feel.
thx everyone. Moms Rule!!!
___________________
Get me the hell out of this!
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| drdido
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 56
|
laly1 ..thx so much for the encouragement. My only problem is that my baby is still too young, he can't walk yet and keeping him busy by himself is a real tough task since he always wants someone there to play with him or else he will keep screaming..there were days when i tried so many times to study while he was rolling around in his walker, but he would come to me and nag on my clothes and scream..so I kept checking his diaper every 5 min, thinking maybe he pooped! Well..turns out that all he wants is attention..so studying went out the window.
So I depend on studying late for real concentration and actual studying between 9/10 pm- 2/3 am. How many pages should I be studying from kaplan during that time?
Can anyone give me an estimate???? So I can put a goal for myself.
mjbapana..i wish i could do 20 pages. but i feel the frustration you feel.
thx everyone. Moms Rule!!!
___________________
Get me the hell out of this!
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| drdido
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 56
|
laly1 ..thx so much for the encouragement. My only problem is that my baby is still too young, he can't walk yet and keeping him busy by himself is a real tough task since he always wants someone there to play with him or else he will keep screaming..there were days when i tried so many times to study while he was rolling around in his walker, but he would come to me and nag on my clothes and scream..so I kept checking his diaper every 5 min, thinking maybe he pooped! Well..turns out that all he wants is attention..so studying went out the window.
So I depend on studying late for real concentration and actual studying between 9/10 pm- 2/3 am. How many pages should I be studying from kaplan during that time?
Can anyone give me an estimate???? So I can put a goal for myself.
mjbapana..i wish i could do 20 pages. but i feel the frustration you feel.
thx everyone. Moms Rule!!!
___________________
Get me the hell out of this!
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| drdido
Forum Junior
Topics: 6
Posts: 56
|
laly1 ..thx so much for the encouragement. My only problem is that my baby is still too young, he can't walk yet and keeping him busy by himself is a real tough task since he always wants someone there to play with him or else he will keep screaming..there were days when i tried so many times to study while he was rolling around in his walker, but he would come to me and nag on my clothes and scream..so I kept checking his diaper every 5 min, thinking maybe he pooped! Well..turns out that all he wants is attention..so studying went out the window.
So I depend on studying late for real concentration and actual studying between 9/10 pm- 2/3 am. How many pages should I be studying from kaplan during that time?
Can anyone give me an estimate???? So I can put a goal for myself.
mjbapana..i wish i could do 20 pages. but i feel the frustration you feel.
thx everyone. Moms Rule!!!
___________________
Get me the hell out of this!
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