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Consumed by the medical licensing exam (USMLE)

Submitted by Steven on 3 April, 2009 - 10:29pm
in

Me and the MCAT books. blargh.Me and the USMLE books.

And so it begins again. Studying for the medical school licensing exam (the USMLE Step 1). Just like the MCAT (the photo on the left, in 2005), I have a huge huge stack of books to run through (the photo on the right, this time in 2009). This exam is a big, big factor in determining where I get to practice after medical school. It's gratifying to review all the things I've learned in the past two years and feel as if I've accomplished something; but on the other hand, the sheer volume of facts to know has overwhelmed me at times, given me panic attacks... and I have 45 days left.

It's quite a challenge!

Here's my approach so far. Just a bunch of random ideas.

  • Shut off all human contact. I haven't answered emails (at least, not very well) for the past 2 weeks.
  • Lock myself up at Borders with my Macbook, two USMLE books, and two Macbook batteries. I was able to do that today. For some reason, I'm able to concentrate for almost 5-6 hours straight.
  • Exercise every day: morning (to feel refreshed) and night (to burn off excess energy).
  • Get at least 7 hours of sleep each night.
  • Use a tasks list to make sure I don't repeat something.
  • Eat Subway's foot-long sandwiches. With their sandwiches, I tend to feel full longer, get a very complete meal in approximately 300 calories per 6" sandwich serving, and save money.
  • Put as many facts as I can into my copy of First Aid for the USMLE, making it my go-to Bible,
  • ... and do practice questions like crazy.
  • ... and use Studycard Studio to put flash cards on my Palm Treo phone to pimp myself (see below).
  • My brain tends to shut down in lectures, so I plan to skip some of the Kaplan USMLE class.

First Aid: my portable pimp!

The flash cards seem to help me figure out what I don't know and what I do know. I've noticed that when I do use the flash cards, I need to have First Aid for the USMLE out in order to visualize where the fact is on the page.

Since I'm busy, this also means that I won't have as much time for posting. I do plan on great things for June though before the OB/GYN rotation starts:

  • Upgrade P=MD.
  • Create Tingting's Honey and Tea business website.
  • Create an OC Riders' community and advocacy website.
  • Upgrade the UC Irvine Outreach Clinics site.
  • Learn Flash to make some medical mobile applications.
  • Read I Will Teach You To Be Rich.
  • Visit Carolen and have fun in San Francisco!!

Wish me luck!!