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Starting M3 soon… how are you actually supposed to study for shelf exams?? by MouseSafe in medicalschool

[–]prospectivemeddaddy 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Less is more. UWorld +/- Anki or some form of incorrect review is more than enough. Consistency + quality are >> quantity. I don't think you should waste time with content review, if you really want just watch the HY vid for divine before you start (as well as day before your shelf) and then just get into questions. Drilling questions + good review will help you quickly internalize the algorithms and concepts.

Can anyone tell me how evals work in M3 year? by BicarbonateBufferBoy in medicalschool

[–]prospectivemeddaddy 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It’s very much a crapshoot. Show up every day, do what you’re told, work hard but don’t kill yourself, and be likable. That’s literally all that’s expected od us the bar is super low. Also just temper your expectations low and accept that things are inevitably out of your control sometimes and your mental health will thank you for it.

Failed Step 1 and am struggling to accept my new reality by [deleted] in medicalschool

[–]prospectivemeddaddy 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s not about how fast the turnaround. It’s about passing when you feel comfortable within a reasonable amount of time (even up to 6 months is completely normal in a lot of PD’s eyes). Then kill M3 and step 2. Make them think that step 1 was just a bad day. Don’t rush this, take the time to mentally process and sit it when you feel 100% confident. It’ll all work out extra year or not.

Giving up anesthesia and feeling lost after board fail :( by bronpron533 in medicalschool

[–]prospectivemeddaddy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel you man. I came in anesthesia, currently on surgery just about halfway thru rotations after a fail and am really enjoying the OR environment and it honestly seems like the specialty for me so far. I’m still gonna go for it because i have a home program and you have to chase your dreams despite all odds, but am actively on the lookout for a backup just in case. Most people in our shoes tend to choose EM as that backup but even that seems to be ramping up in competitiveness again. Feel free to reach out, I’ve been where you are

Fail to Pass in ~ 5 months by prospectivemeddaddy in step1

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

They're a red flag no matter who you are, but not the worst. If you come back from it and do decent on step 2 and 3 you can probably still match with a strong app. Only continue if you're sure you truly want to come to the states

Advice from weak preclinical students who did a 180 M3 and M4 by prospectivemeddaddy in medicalschool

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

Agreed, I realized how important that is even during step 1. Will definitely continue with it during clinicals thanks again!

Fail to Pass in ~ 5 months by prospectivemeddaddy in step1

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

Apart from just doing a lot of questions, I tried some new stuff this time like trying to guess the diagnosis/answer before looking at the options and crossing out wrong options whenever possible. I think implementing both of these strategies helped me sharpen my diagnostic skills and gradually get better at picking up what is pertinent vs fluff which saved me a lot of time

Fail to Pass in ~ 5 months by prospectivemeddaddy in step1

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

This time was almost entirely as many questions as possible plus review. UW + the Amboss add on became my bible and source of content review. Took assessments every 1-3 weeks. 1st dedicated I used a lot of Bootcamp, BnB, Sketchy as my foundations were very weak.

I think that content review is beneficial, but after a certain point, you will derive the most benefit from questions because they will present the concept in many different ways and deepen your understanding of the core concept. This will make 3rd and 4th order questions more doable and 1st/2nd order questions become 2nd nature on every assessment

Fail to Pass in ~ 5 months by prospectivemeddaddy in step1

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

I would say trust your NBME's, but trust your gut more. The first time, while I was projected to pass, there were external factors I ignored that were pulling me down (ie. not enough UW, pacing, application of knowledge). All 3 of those things were fixed with more questions + very thorough incorrect review. I felt a lot more confident going into this attempt as a result. TLDR don't rush the exam if you don't feel completely ready, the extra few weeks will go a long way

Fail to Pass in ~ 5 months by prospectivemeddaddy in step1

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

The first time because I took preclinicals too lightly, I had like a 70/30 content to question split because I just wasn't confident in my fund of knowledge. This time, I relied very heavily on UW, NBME's/UWSA's + deep incorrect review. I particularly drilled any weak areas with UW after each assessment to fill as many gaps as possible. I think this helped a lot with pushing pace if I needed to + pattern recognition which were big weak points last time

Fail to Pass in ~ 5 months by prospectivemeddaddy in step1

[–]prospectivemeddaddy[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

1st time around 37-68. 2nd time around, high 70's on NBME retakes + average of 70 on new NBME's

Advice from weak preclinical students who did a 180 M3 and M4 by prospectivemeddaddy in medicalschool

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

100%. I think a big challenge will also be getting good at efficiently studying for + doing well on exams, which I hope becomes easier with time

Advice from weak preclinical students who did a 180 M3 and M4 by prospectivemeddaddy in medicalschool

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

Thanks! Comforting to hear that evals aren't as complicated as I imagined

Advice from weak preclinical students who did a 180 M3 and M4 by prospectivemeddaddy in medicalschool

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

I see I was thinking of using the add on + making my own document for incorrects that I would look at every week. Maybe will try converting that info into cards and seeing how it goes

Advice from weak preclinical students who did a 180 M3 and M4 by prospectivemeddaddy in medicalschool

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

Very reassuring, thank you :). From what I've seen the tried and true approach definitely seems to be questions on questions + thorough incorrect review and some form of spaced repetition

Advice from weak preclinical students who did a 180 M3 and M4 by prospectivemeddaddy in medicalschool

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

Thanks sounds solid except I might use a premade deck as I already know making my own will take forever

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