Classes for the fifth-semester review program are coming to an end. That means that our six weeks of self-study are approaching and I will have to start some intensive studying. The thought of studying for STEP 1 is so ominous that it makes it difficult to figure out whether the resources I am using are the “right” ones. I spent a lot of time yesterday on ValueMD looking at other students’ experiences studying for the STEP and their resultant scores. There is a lot of conflicting advice on that site and thus, it is becoming a bit overwhelming trying to come up with a study plan.

So far, I have started watching the Doctors In Training lectures and reading the First AID review book. I have also purchased the USMLE World question bank but have not activated it. I hope to finish the DIT lectures in the six weeks self-study period and go through First AID a couple of times. Hopefully, I will finish a good chunk of the UWorld questions as well.

This test is one of, if not, the most important exams medical students will ever take. It is imperative that I come up with a study plan that will suit me personally but, for now, I am having a hard time doing that.

by Melanie Chan, Class of 2014