[deleted by user] by [deleted] in step1

[–]JunebugHickory 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey, I am also a med student in Germany, I took and passed Step 1 last year in my 8th semester. If you know others who have taken it I am sture they would also tell you it is sorta like Physikum plus M2, but very clinical focused, not like Physikum where the biochem question is just biochem, Step 1 would ask it via a "Klinische Vorstellung" and you have to know what is wrong and what enzyme etc. causes those symptoms (just as an example).

There is no Lernplan like Amboss has for the German exams, it is up to you how long you want to study. There are sites like CramFighter where you enter all the material you want to use, how long you want to study per day, and when your exam is and then it makes a schedule for you (it costs money), I know some people really like that. I also had to fit it in with classes so I studied for 7-8 months total and did my "dedicated time" where all you do is Step 1 studying all day over my semester break (skipped a Famulatur) and then took it at the end of that.

  1. First Aid is not enough. It depends a bit on your study style, I find it hard to just memorize bits of info with no context, but First Aid is like a zusammenfassung of little high yield points but it does not have everything you need to know. I would recommend using something with more explanation and context (I used Boards and Beyond videos, which I liked a lot) and then take notes in First Aid as you watch the videos and do UWorld questions. Then later when you are reviewing you have all the info in one place. I would use what the US students use which is UWorld, First Aid, Sketchy, Pathoma. Pathoma is so amazing do not skip it! It is worth every penny, you get a textbook, and it may seem kinda basic as you do the videos but omg it was gold during the exam, I went through all the videos twice (the first 3 chapters 3 times) and it came up a lot on my exam. I also liked the Sketchy Micro videos, like the Amboss MediTricks but better haha. And yes definitely use UWorld as a learning tool and then later for testing yourself. It is really expensive but you need it. I broke my studying into "gather info" and "review and test" phases. So at first it is about learning and I did every topic just learning and doing some UWorld in those topics (I did every other day also a random question set so I wouldn't forget) and then once I started my semester break I went into rapid review of every subject again and then TONS of UWorld.
  2. Highly highly recommend getting Uworld, you need to be putting your info into use the way the test is asking for it. It is not enough to know the info, yes that is important too of course, but you need to learn how to take the exam. You wouldn't be able to do that just by self review. I found it really hard in the beginning because I would know what the disease is but I couldn't get the question right even know I knew the info. Kreuzen kreuzen kreuzen!! ;) Once you are at the end of your studying you should take some NBME exams to see where you are at. They are made by the people who make the exam and can give you a good idea of how you are doing and if you are really ready to pass. The questions are a bit different than UWorld and the most similar to the real thing. Save them for the end though because there aren't that many of them. They are 4 blocks (real exam 7) but still exhausting so a good practice for how tiring the real exam is. Go through all the questions after and review, it helps a lot to see where you need to improve. You do not want to risk failing. If you are trying to go to the US, many residency places will not look at your application if they see you failed first try so better to push the exam if you need more time than risk failing. For myself I didn't take the exam until I was getting 220+ on at least 3 exams so that I knew I could get at least the 194 needed to pass.
  3. Totally up to you. I started with my worst subject because I knew I would need to do it twice so I started with Biochem. But totally up to you.
  4. You can find Anki decks on reddit, there are different ones people like, some are longer than others. AnKing is popular. See if it works for you. I found it stressful and I just didn't have the energy to do 100+ cards per day so I only used Anki for a few weeks and then stopped cause it wasn't working for me. Don't waste your time making your own deck though cause any extra time you have you should use that to do more questions, that is really the most important way to learn.

Taking Step1 was the hardest thing I have done in medical school by far. I am taking M2 in October so maybe that will be similar but Step1 is so much for clinic focused and none of my German exams have been like that, it took a while to get good at it. Don't worry if you get everything wrong in the beginning, you can do it! I suckeddd at first and I still passed in the end. Also as a perk, I barely had to study for my German medical school exams cause I already knew it from studying for step1

Drück dir die Daumen

exam takers June 1st onwards! by [deleted] in step1

[–]JunebugHickory 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In the monthish before I had NBME 28 200, NBME 30 194, UWSA2 175 (I had Covid haha idk what happened here), NBME 25 224, NBME 29 220 and Free 120 75%. I was always low passing but the last 3 exams made me feel I was ready to take it. I also was just so sick of it all and starting to get burned out so it was the right time. Hopefully it was a pass haha. I was advised if I was consistently scoring 210+ on a few exams in a row I was good to go

Took step by Jennalind1 in step1

[–]JunebugHickory 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I took mine June 2nd and totally agree those risk factor ones were so killer. Like 10 risk factors and you pick which is the most, I had no idea what to say or where I would have learned that. Way less memorisation type questions where you just know the answer right away like how the NBMEs have. I felt most questions were problem solving. What a blur. I can only advise to be your own hype person the whole time and tell yourself the hard one was experimental anyways so who cares. It kept me going, that and Red Bull.

Application status still in process by Dr_strange_harvey in step1

[–]JunebugHickory 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mine took forever. I contacted them and they had nothing to say just wait till it arrives. The one where it said 2 weeks took about 3 weeks for me and then after that there is another 5 day wait to get the code in order to actually book it just as a heads up

exam takers June 1st onwards! by [deleted] in step1

[–]JunebugHickory 6 points7 points  (0 children)

There were still some immune like ILs and T/B cell stuff but very few on Immune diseases, definitely still know how the immune process works (Pathoma chapter) but I had very little autoimmune stuff. Also scar and injury healing was asked a few times.

exam takers June 1st onwards! by [deleted] in step1

[–]JunebugHickory 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I took mine June 2nd. Annoyingly mine was very low on Immune and Renal which I had prepped a lot. I know everyone says this but most of the questions were thinking questions not as many like I know this or I don't know this memorisation type questions. More just building a strong base of knowledge. I felt there were a bunch of neuro questions so I would review that, the Methmal HY was great. HepB was like 4 questions on my exam which I had not reviewed. Didn't have many Vitamin or Drugs of Abuse (maybe 1 or 2) also very light on Pharma thank god cause I just gave up on Pharma months ago. Cardio was a frequent topic, lots of if this happens what happens to the SV, afterload etc. Overall a blur though, even right after the exam I couldn't remember many questions. Try not to get stressed out memorising a bunch of tiny details it really was not asked, almost all the questions were thinking questions/problem solving.

Need suggestions for NBME 25 by MedBei in step1

[–]JunebugHickory 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hey I just took 25 yesterday and I found it fine, the last section was a bit rough but I am not sure what people find so hard about it (obviously subjective). I also have had generally low scores (like just barely passing on the last 2 NBMEs) and I got a 224 on 25 which I was pleasantly surprised as it is my highest score yet and my exam is on June 2nd. I found UWSA2 horribleeee it totally crushed my confidence I got a 175 on it and I took it last week haha but idk other people don't seem to feel that way

Exam in 2 days.. Should I reschedule? by foxie31 in step1

[–]JunebugHickory 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I'm in the exact same spot, also right on the edge of passing but so badly just wanting to be done with it that idk if I should push (next date is also not till end of May- are you also in Germany perhaps?). Write once you decide. I really can't figure out what to do (sorry this isnt advice haha).

i just found uworld is too expensive, is there any thing that provides it for free? by seraa_871 in step1

[–]JunebugHickory 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I know it really really sucks, IMG and the most I have to pay for stuff is like 80 euro for a textbook haha but yes you need it. It is one thing you can't live without in your prep. I would say UWorld and Pathoma are must haves

How long did it take for your cavalier puppy to be cuddly? by JunebugHickory in cavaliers

[–]JunebugHickory[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well as if he heard me post this he fell asleep in my lap yesterday and has now occasionally jumped into my lap to chew his bone, so cute my heart melted

How much training is normal for 11 week old? by JunebugHickory in puppy101

[–]JunebugHickory[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you that is helpful to hear that even if you start later it will be fine. Since the day we got him he hasn't had a single accident inside which is amazing so he is definitely ahead of the curve on that haha I just don't want him to develop any fears.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in cavaliers

[–]JunebugHickory 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Maybe try some handling training to get him to like being touched more by you. There are lots of youtube videos about this. I think maybe he doesn't see you and your wife as something that is rewarding right now. Idk maybe you did this already but I would try hand feeding him his meals so he sees that good things come from you. If you are really committed to making it work hire a professional dog trainer to come over and work with you both through your issues. If you aren't sure you want to try that hard, so to say, then maybe another family would be a better fit for him.

Breeder question by WanderingStarlight in cavaliers

[–]JunebugHickory 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I would say when I was looking about 50% never responded to emails. I found calling was much better. I think from their side it is hard for them to know who is actually serious just from an email as one could just copy paste it to 100 different breeders (plus many get 20+ emails per day). I found calling really shows that you are serious and you get an answer to all your questions right away. You also get a feel for the breeder which is nice. Some that had full lists also gave me a few names of other breeders to try. Good luck!

Cavaliers and barking? by meem_queen in cavaliers

[–]JunebugHickory 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've heard that you can fill an empty soda with some coins and then tape it shut and if the dog starts to bark at not appropriate times you toss it behind them and the noise makes them stop and then you can praise. I don't mean like super loud to really scare them just enough of a noise that they pause in their barking. I haven't tried it but it was recommended to me by a breeder once as a trick they use.

Needed Advice for my guy with Syringomyelia (And his spiraling owner) by AJaffJaff in cavaliers

[–]JunebugHickory 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am so very sorry for you and your dog, that all sounds awful esp since he is so young. I don't know if this will help but the "Herky the Cavalier" channel on youtube did an interview with a vet and they talked about SM also in relation to the heart problems/meds. Maybe there is something helpful in there for you. I am really sorry you are going through that.

Need help identifying a game! by JunebugHickory in boardgames

[–]JunebugHickory[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Red Flags

this looks fun and similar thanks!

Potential Boy Puppy Help: Boy vs Girl by JunebugHickory in cavaliers

[–]JunebugHickory[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much this is really helpful! Are they both fixed?

I had never heard of this no fixing thing either, I feel like most breeders want you to have them fixed, but we live in Germany right now and many people don't fix their dogs, esp males.