Read on Twitter
I'm seeing a lot of MS2s feeling the Step1 stress and wanted to make a thread of things that helped me. This period in med school is some of the most mentally exhausting, especially now.
1) The absolute BEST resource for Step1 is a counselor/therapist!!!!
Studying for the exam is incredibly isolating and often leaves students feeling stupid. Having someone to talk to who isn't another panicked student or family is key. Please make use of this.
Studying for the exam is incredibly isolating and often leaves students feeling stupid. Having someone to talk to who isn't another panicked student or family is key. Please make use of this.
2) STAY IN YOUR LANE!!!
Don't compare your scores, study techniques, etc with classmates. People learn at different paces and using different styles. Doing this only ever led me to more stress and feeling like what I was doing wasn't enough.
Don't compare your scores, study techniques, etc with classmates. People learn at different paces and using different styles. Doing this only ever led me to more stress and feeling like what I was doing wasn't enough.
3) Find a study support group!
I study best alone, but liked having the company of others around me so we can share snacks, chat, ask questions, etc. I made a facebook group chat of POC classmates and we'd meet up to study next to each other as encouragement or via Zoom.
I study best alone, but liked having the company of others around me so we can share snacks, chat, ask questions, etc. I made a facebook group chat of POC classmates and we'd meet up to study next to each other as encouragement or via Zoom.
4) Keep a routine
I had a set start and end time for my studying with scheduled breaks for walks, snacks, etc. I'd set timers to make sure I kept to these boundaries. There's always more to learn, but you also need time to just be a freaking person.
I had a set start and end time for my studying with scheduled breaks for walks, snacks, etc. I'd set timers to make sure I kept to these boundaries. There's always more to learn, but you also need time to just be a freaking person.
5) Learn by teaching
I would give lil' lectures to whatever pets were in the house. Saying stuff out loud helps you identify gaps in knowledge and pets are (typically) not judgmental. If there were no pets around, I'd lecture to my water bottle lol. Did this for the MCAT too!
I would give lil' lectures to whatever pets were in the house. Saying stuff out loud helps you identify gaps in knowledge and pets are (typically) not judgmental. If there were no pets around, I'd lecture to my water bottle lol. Did this for the MCAT too!
6) Make use of whiteboards
...or windows/mirrors if you don't have one! Pick a topic and write out everything you know including key words, path findings, equations, etc. I'd pick a topic and list out the genetics, physiology, pathology, key diseases, symptoms, treatments, etc
...or windows/mirrors if you don't have one! Pick a topic and write out everything you know including key words, path findings, equations, etc. I'd pick a topic and list out the genetics, physiology, pathology, key diseases, symptoms, treatments, etc
7) Practice the timing!!!
Close to your exam date, practice waking up and getting ready like it was the real exam. Try to build stamina for the full 8hrs. I started studying with a mask on just to get used to it in the week of or so before my exam date.
Close to your exam date, practice waking up and getting ready like it was the real exam. Try to build stamina for the full 8hrs. I started studying with a mask on just to get used to it in the week of or so before my exam date.
8) Try to meal-prep if you can
Just makes things easier. My roommate would also cook for me at times and I'd just help pay for the groceries.
Just makes things easier. My roommate would also cook for me at times and I'd just help pay for the groceries.
9) Cut yourself some slack
Some days won't be productive and that's really not the end of the world even though it feels it. You're way better off just taking the time off and disconnecting than having a day of jumbled studying. I promise you won't forget everything.
Some days won't be productive and that's really not the end of the world even though it feels it. You're way better off just taking the time off and disconnecting than having a day of jumbled studying. I promise you won't forget everything.
10) Bring your good luck charms if you have them 
I wore red lipstick for all my exams MS1/MS2 so I brought a tube in my bag for Step1. I also brought my dog's name tags from his collar in my bag. He died a few years ago, but it's a comforting ritual for me so I did it.
I wore red lipstick for all my exams MS1/MS2 so I brought a tube in my bag for Step1. I also brought my dog's name tags from his collar in my bag. He died a few years ago, but it's a comforting ritual for me so I did it.
11) Stay off of Reddit lol
Not gonna lie, I didn't follow this.
Not gonna lie, I didn't follow this.
12) Ask to meet with a different academic advisor if you need to and your school has them
Look...sometimes they can be just straight mean. You don't have to go back if there are others you click with it and find more encouraging.
Look...sometimes they can be just straight mean. You don't have to go back if there are others you click with it and find more encouraging.
13) Take time off if you need to
I delayed my first rotation because I was so burned out. Pandemic cancellations dragged out dedicated for 6 months and I just needed a break. I would not have done as well as a I did on my surgery rotation if I had just pushed through.
I delayed my first rotation because I was so burned out. Pandemic cancellations dragged out dedicated for 6 months and I just needed a break. I would not have done as well as a I did on my surgery rotation if I had just pushed through.
14) If you're lactose intolerant, don't eat the freaking pint of ice-cream to make yourself feel better. IT WILL NOT MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER OMG YOU NEVER LEARN
