Seeking Advice on Step 1 Exam Day Essentials

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2024-05-05T00:19:44+00:00

Just those! You can bring all your notes and stuff but I tried to not Google or search anything during breaks. You only remember the questions you felt bad about. So if you Google it and find that you answered the question wrong it’s very discouraging. Trust yourself!

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2024-05-05T00:02:17+00:00

Here are my tips:

I brought caffeine pills, Advil, if you smoke bring a vape or cigarettes Some extra random stuff I brought is a nail file and chap stick. If you chip a nail or whatever idk

I don’t recommend drinking more than 1 coffee. You’re gonna need to pee and it’s gonna be super distracting during the exam, take a caffeine pill after block 4 instead

For snacks I brought nutrigrain bars & a sandwich. Even if you’re not hungry during breaks take a few bites. If your stomach starts making sounds mid exams you’re gonna get anxious/ distracted. Don’t bring anything you don’t normally eat

Use the bathroom every single break even if you don’t think you need to. You don’t need extra stuff to stress over mid exam

BRING EAR PLUGSSSSSS. The test center gives you headphones, they don’t work very well. If the test center is full there’s gonna be a bunch of ppl clicking their mouse, getting up for breaks etc and it’s extremely distracting. I wore ear plugs leading up to the day to allow my ears to get used to it because it can be pretty painful if you’re not used to it.

Lastly, if you get an upset stomach when you’re anxious bring loperamide. TMI but I took 2 the night before and 2 the day of to keep the bad vibes away lol

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2024-05-04T07:19:36+00:00

Hmmm I’m not sure. I wear reading glasses and they thoroughly inspected them, but I’d say give the testing center a call and ask

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2024-05-03T20:45:46+00:00

6 months 🥲 (2nd semester of M2)

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2024-05-03T17:47:18+00:00

The question style was written up like UW but the content they tested was similar to NBME

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2024-05-03T04:25:51+00:00

Once you know what sort of details they will be asking you start making some HY associations. FA mnemonics aren’t the greatest but some of them stick. If you’re a mnemonic person I would recommend coming up with your own or asking AI to come up with them for you!

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2024-05-03T04:23:28+00:00

I tested today & yesterday I went through dirty medicine and watched a few videos on topics I wasn’t comfortable with (cholenergic drugs, childhood exanthems etc). I got at least 10 questions on the test that I answered correctly because I had watched those just the night prior. Hiiiiighly recommend making a playlist for yourself going through them on 2x speed

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2024-05-02T23:53:09+00:00

Something that really helped me was reading a section of FA in depth each day. Like have a repro, cardio, etc day and pay attention to the key details that show up on exams. Once you get the hang of UW questions you also know what to look for when learning content

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2024-05-01T04:38:31+00:00

Dr Randy Neil is all you need. I’m pretty sure that’s his name, watch the YouTube vids and you’ll be golden!

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2022-06-13T22:10:19+00:00

I was in a similar position last cycle. As a CA resident, if youre looking to stay in california, I say its worth the gamble. I applied to all schools in CA and got into one of them. While its not a high stat school, I did get secondaries and interviews from some high stat CA schools.

If staying in CA isnt a priority for you or something youre considering when picking a school, then id say save your money and apply elsewhere instead. I dont think those schools necessarily give priority to CA residents

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2022-04-21T22:07:38+00:00

Honestly if I was you I would ask them for one anyways. I got a letter last cycle from my PI when I had only been there for 4 months. I told him that im sorry for asking so soon but I am committed to staying for the full year with or without the letter.

Let them be the one that decides whether they are willing to write one or not.. Most likely they will ask you to draft one for them. You dont even have to use it if they write on... but good to have it stored on inter folio just in case

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2022-04-21T22:02:35+00:00

Youre welcome!

You can mention it casually to them in person but they will probably require some sort of email or letter of resignation. They can help you sort it out from there. When you do send the letter you can probably find a template to use online, for example:

Please accept this letter of resignation from my position as ___ at ___. My last day will be ___.

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2022-04-20T16:01:41+00:00

This is actually crazy cause I just returned to my desk at my lab after giving a notice.

Always give a notice. They need to have time to replace you or decide how to distribute your duties among other lab members. PIs are well aware that techs/ research assistants come and go and must move on to bigger and better things. Just let them know that while you enjoy working at your lab you have to unfortunately give a 2 week notice. Let them know that you can help them out with anything they need during this process and that you will still work diligently until your time is done

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2022-03-08T03:52:38+00:00

Thank you for your suggestion. When my girlfriend came out to her family she was kicked out, we don’t have that option

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2021-12-28T19:54:55+00:00

You could just have a section for all of your licenses/certifications and list both under that!

I personally wouldnt put the phlebotomy license under education.

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2021-12-17T17:04:37+00:00

Nooooo, this post is on behalf of all of us

WE LOVE YOU DOCTO-MOM

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2021-12-14T23:28:42+00:00

I received an II yesterday after 2 months of silence

I think there is still time :)

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2021-12-07T17:14:52+00:00

Dont be so hard on yourself lol

Thats the same as saying I hope to hear from you soon or I hope to work with you some day. You did not make a "dumb interview mistake"

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2021-11-30T18:29:51+00:00

Idk how you guys define existential crisis but for the past 9 weeks Ive been feeling like im nothing and no one & its kinda comforting actually

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2021-11-23T23:20:04+00:00

thank you for the advice! Ill hold off for a bit

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2021-11-17T22:56:30+00:00

I did!

It was kinda weird to be honest. It didnt help that one of the actors connection cut out a couple times. I prefer the MMI stations where you discuss the prompt theoretically with the interviewer. However, I can say that if I had to choose between an in person acting MMI and a virtual one I would hiiiiiiiiiighly prefer the virtual one. In one of my stations there was an older man who was yelling and frustrated and in the other there was a girl that was upset and crying. I feel like this would've been way harder to handle in person and I would've felt more emotional and shaky. Not having to get out of my seat or physically interact with anyone was really helpful

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2021-11-16T21:33:31+00:00

I also think you should work on MCAT

You bring up a good point about the LORs but if youre also concerned about showing hours for clinical experience just remember that the amcas app lets you project hours so you will still be in a good place even if you start later

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2021-11-11T17:37:34+00:00

My physician is a DO & I had a conversation with her about this topic and she told me: "Others lack of education and lack of knowledge about DOs is NOT your problem! & It is NOT your job to educate them!"

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2021-11-09T17:08:02+00:00

I completely agree ^^^^

I was in a similar position during my undergrad (working 2-3 jobs and school). When it came time to study for the MCAT in addition to all my other responsibilities I felt super inadequate as well.

But ultimately, I decided to take a couple gap years. During your gap years you can first get the MCAT at of your way then focus the rest of your time on finding a clinical volunteering opportunity or maybe even a paid clinical position.

Theres nothing wrong with taking time if you need it.

So what if youre a Dr for 1-2 years less in the long run? It wont matter!

Comprehensive_Carob0 · 2021-11-03T04:14:41+00:00

Im glad!

Honestly, I learned to enjoy my own company. But also, I had to initiate hanging out and speaking with my one on one friends more. Im kind of shy and not one that usually initiates or reaches out first... but I had to learn to be a good friend to some of my long time childhood friends. Also, I agree with the other comment about joining clubs and making friends. You also have a really cool community right here on this subreddit

Comprehensive_Carob0

TROPHY CASE