I'm baaaaaaack!
So MBBS III was one of the busiest years of my life. Studying for the Step 2 CK just didn't happen. So, I decided not to write in December as planned, and instead postponed to May 2012. Incidentally, I also need to write the MCCEE ... so I'll just toss that one into the pot as well.
And now with this bubbling cauldron of pending busy-ness, I need a plan!
1) Get USMLE World subscription
2) Read First Aid for the CK + Toronto Notes for each topic
3) Learn by practice question!
4) Practice exams
5) Actual exams May 2012
6) ... ? ...
7) Worldwide fame and success!
Here we go, 2012. *Grabs bull by the horns*
Showing posts with label Getting Organized. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Getting Organized. Show all posts
16 January 2012
14 November 2010
Boot camp begins!
Well, school is finally over. Which means I have 6 weeks to do some hardcore USMLE study! EEK!
I have read all of First Aid this year and added some extra notes. From the study and practice questions I have done so far, I have realized the areas I need the most work on are biochemistry, embryology, and pharmacology. So I'm going to focus on really studying those areas for the first week, and then again at the very end. The rest of my study is going to be practice questions, practice questions, practice questions!! I have already done a few questions in Kaplan Qbank and First Aid Q&A, so I'm going to keep using those until I feel really confident about my question-answering strategy. Then I am going to start UWorld - for the ultimate power study of awesome!
It is really crunch time! --KM <3
I have read all of First Aid this year and added some extra notes. From the study and practice questions I have done so far, I have realized the areas I need the most work on are biochemistry, embryology, and pharmacology. So I'm going to focus on really studying those areas for the first week, and then again at the very end. The rest of my study is going to be practice questions, practice questions, practice questions!! I have already done a few questions in Kaplan Qbank and First Aid Q&A, so I'm going to keep using those until I feel really confident about my question-answering strategy. Then I am going to start UWorld - for the ultimate power study of awesome!
It is really crunch time! --KM <3
17 October 2010
EEK! Scheduled today!
I finally picked a date today! 28 December 2010! I'm so nervous/excited!
Meanwhile, school is dominating my life and I have had basically zero time to do proper USMLE study :( I am hoping to be back on track by the end of this week.
It is so annoying to have to study for 80 gajillion things all at the same time! Grr....
Meanwhile, school is dominating my life and I have had basically zero time to do proper USMLE study :( I am hoping to be back on track by the end of this week.
It is so annoying to have to study for 80 gajillion things all at the same time! Grr....
18 July 2010
Holy ECFMG, Batman!
Holy crap. Applied for my Step 1 just now. It was so scary I thought I might puke.
Eight hundred and eighty dollars!!!! WTF.
Also, the ECFMG website was clearly written by cyber monkeys and not by actual English-speaking human beings. Exhibit A: "...Although you can select an eligibility period as late as the 24th day of that eligibility period, there is no guarantee that you will be assigned that eligibility period, since the processing of your application may not be completed by the 25th day of the eligibility period."
...
Fml.
In happier news - I am starting to have breakthroughs in neuroanatomy :) I finally figured out what the trigeminal nerve does and where it is! :) --KM <3
Eight hundred and eighty dollars!!!! WTF.
Also, the ECFMG website was clearly written by cyber monkeys and not by actual English-speaking human beings. Exhibit A: "...Although you can select an eligibility period as late as the 24th day of that eligibility period, there is no guarantee that you will be assigned that eligibility period, since the processing of your application may not be completed by the 25th day of the eligibility period."
...
Fml.
In happier news - I am starting to have breakthroughs in neuroanatomy :) I finally figured out what the trigeminal nerve does and where it is! :) --KM <3
06 July 2010
Micro :)
Found a GREAT Micro text! Lange Review of Medical Microbiology and Immunology is the shiznit. I wish I had discovered it 18 months ago when I was struggling through Immmuno in first year!
Anyway, I have been a busy bee. I have started the process of registering for the step 1, and I have a realistic and organized (for me) schedule written up. I'm sure if anyone else looked at it, they would think it is the ravings of a lunatic. But it is tailored to what I anticipate my life for the next few months will look like. Also, I organized all of my flash cards by system, so I can just stick a pack in my purse for the week I am working on that system, and take them out whenever I am on the bus or have a few moments to flip through them.
As far as studying goes, I have gotten through all of the Bacteria, so now I am on to Viruses, Fungi, and other tiny creatures. I am working on mind maps of the Gram -ve's, Gram +ve's, and the random others. I will post them soon.
In other news, I noticed that in the Psych section, First Aid does not have the SADAFACES mnemonic for depression! What is this "SIGECAPS" nonsense?!? The best part about SADAFACES is that there are nine criteria which correspond (although the wording is different) to the DSM criteria for a major depressive episode. According to the DSM, the patient should have 5 / 9 for >2 weeks, and these must include dysthymia and/or anhedonia. I know this is quite clinical and perhaps more Step 2-ish, but really!
S - sleep disturbance
A - anhedonia
D - dysthymia
A - appetite / weight changes
F - fatigue
A - agitation & psychomotor changes
C - concentration & cognition changes
E - esteem problems
S - suicidal thoughts.
XO --KM <3
Anyway, I have been a busy bee. I have started the process of registering for the step 1, and I have a realistic and organized (for me) schedule written up. I'm sure if anyone else looked at it, they would think it is the ravings of a lunatic. But it is tailored to what I anticipate my life for the next few months will look like. Also, I organized all of my flash cards by system, so I can just stick a pack in my purse for the week I am working on that system, and take them out whenever I am on the bus or have a few moments to flip through them.
As far as studying goes, I have gotten through all of the Bacteria, so now I am on to Viruses, Fungi, and other tiny creatures. I am working on mind maps of the Gram -ve's, Gram +ve's, and the random others. I will post them soon.
In other news, I noticed that in the Psych section, First Aid does not have the SADAFACES mnemonic for depression! What is this "SIGECAPS" nonsense?!? The best part about SADAFACES is that there are nine criteria which correspond (although the wording is different) to the DSM criteria for a major depressive episode. According to the DSM, the patient should have 5 / 9 for >2 weeks, and these must include dysthymia and/or anhedonia. I know this is quite clinical and perhaps more Step 2-ish, but really!
S - sleep disturbance
A - anhedonia
D - dysthymia
A - appetite / weight changes
F - fatigue
A - agitation & psychomotor changes
C - concentration & cognition changes
E - esteem problems
S - suicidal thoughts.
XO --KM <3
14 June 2010
My USMLE To Do List
I'm starting to get serious about this whole USMLE thing. I've got my books, I've gotten halfway through year 2 med, and now it's time to get to work!
Things I need to do:
1. Register
I really really really want to put this off! Reason A - it's a PAIN. Reason B - it will mean I have a deadline ... eep!
2. Find a micro text!
I really need to find a good, concise microbiology text. I suck at micro and it can eff off and die for all I care, BUT I know it's important and I know it will be tested. Ergo ... must find a micro text.
3. Stick to my study schedule
I am using a systems-based approach so that I can fit everything in with my med curriculum and just add the bits and pieces of extra USMLE stuff here and there ... time will tell if this is effective or not. I know a lot of people find it easier to compartmentalize Anatomy from Physiology from Embryology etc. but I prefer learning all of this in context.
And in the midst of all of this, I have to conquer the rest of year 2 med! AWESOME! *Sarcastic smile!*
Inspiration for my study journey arrived this weekend in "The Longest Mile", a poem in the novel The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood, courtesy of one of my dearest friends, AK. The last bit of the poem reads:
Take heart, oh dusty Travellers:
Though you may falter,
Though you be felled along the way,
You'll reach the Altar.
Race on, race on, though eyes grow dim,
And faint the Chorus;
God gives us Nature's green applause --
Such will restore us.
For in the effort is the Goal,
'Tis thus we're treasured:
He knows us by our Pilgrim Soul --
'Tis thus we're measured.
--KM <3
Things I need to do:
1. Register
I really really really want to put this off! Reason A - it's a PAIN. Reason B - it will mean I have a deadline ... eep!
2. Find a micro text!
I really need to find a good, concise microbiology text. I suck at micro and it can eff off and die for all I care, BUT I know it's important and I know it will be tested. Ergo ... must find a micro text.
3. Stick to my study schedule
I am using a systems-based approach so that I can fit everything in with my med curriculum and just add the bits and pieces of extra USMLE stuff here and there ... time will tell if this is effective or not. I know a lot of people find it easier to compartmentalize Anatomy from Physiology from Embryology etc. but I prefer learning all of this in context.
And in the midst of all of this, I have to conquer the rest of year 2 med! AWESOME! *Sarcastic smile!*
Inspiration for my study journey arrived this weekend in "The Longest Mile", a poem in the novel The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood, courtesy of one of my dearest friends, AK. The last bit of the poem reads:
Take heart, oh dusty Travellers:
Though you may falter,
Though you be felled along the way,
You'll reach the Altar.
Race on, race on, though eyes grow dim,
And faint the Chorus;
God gives us Nature's green applause --
Such will restore us.
For in the effort is the Goal,
'Tis thus we're treasured:
He knows us by our Pilgrim Soul --
'Tis thus we're measured.
--KM <3
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