3 days down, hundreds of day to go left of third year!
It has been quite the crazy last few days. From having my first clerkship orientation, to learning everything I would ever want to know in a 2-day 8 hour ECG work-shop, to having my first patients, to learning to navigate the EMR, and to finding out my score of just a little thing called Step 1 (but I'll get to that later).
Day 1: Monday morning, I went to Sparrow Hospital at 8 AM (which seems so late in the day now). We met with our incredibly nice clerkship coordinators in the morning to go over 1) the clerkship calendar, 2) all of the requirements, 3) how to honor, and many more important topics. It was amazingly informative. After the orientation, our little group of 5 students on the Medicine clerkship had 5:2 attention during a 5-hour ECG workshop (part 1) with two amazing Internal Medicine docs. They used the socratic method and basically put up and ECG, called us up to the overhead and made us interpret them even though we had absolutely no idea what was going on. Eventually, however, ECGs became (dare I say it) fairly easy to read and I know feel (somewhat) confident in how to interpret them! Who would have guessed? After the ECG workshop, we got a quick introduction to all of the different cases and logs we would have to complete on various websites and then got to have the rest of the afternoon to start reading and register for all of the millions of websites and research tools we needed to register for.
Day 2: Our first day with patients!!!! Gahh...I was so nervous. I went up to the 8th floor of Sparrow Hospital at about 7:10 AM. We were supposed to be there by 7:15 for morning report (where the night shift docs hand off the patients in a very systematic way to the daytime docs). I didn't really know what was going on for the first hand-off, but I think I did a good job pretending by jotting down notes in the margins of our patient list. After hand-off, the resident looked at me and told me to "go see the patient in room ***." And that was it...no shadowing, no introductory patient... I was just told to go see the patient and report back when it was time to round with the attending. I spent 1.5 hours with my first patient. I know, I know this sounds like an ABSURDLY long time to spend with one patient...but I am not efficient yet and I don't know whats important, so I pretty much got this guy's life story, which was quite fascinating. After doing a history and physical exam on my patient, I headed back to the resident room, checked some of his info on the EMR, went to meet with the attending, and gave my first real oral presentation (talk about nervous!!!). Much to my surprise, the oral presentation went really well! After all of the patients had been discussed and we had come up with plans for each of the patients, we rounded as a team to each of the patients' rooms with the attending physician to further speak with the patients. It was a really amazing first day of rounding and I learned a TON. I thought I was going to absolutely hate internal medicine, but I've loved it so far! After rounding, we headed back to a lecture room and finished our last few hours of ECG work-shop (part 2).
Day 3: Today was crazy fast-paced. I got in a little earlier (6:55ish) to look up my patients, but quickly ran out of time. By the time morning report and a quick resident-given lecture about acute COPD exacerbation was complete, it was 9 AM and I had only 30 minutes to round on 3 patients! 3! This time yesterday, I spent 1.5 hours on 1 patient! So, obviously I freaked out and didn't do well, but hey I guess its my second day and its not that big of a deal. I have learned my lesson and will show up earlier tomorrow! After a morning of rounding, we headed again to a lecture; this time it was split into a Q&A session (basically answering board-type questions in my little group of 5) and 30 min mini-lecture on anemias. Overall, it was a pretty good day, but I know that I need to get my s*#& together when it comes to rounding on my patients earlier/quicker/more efficiently, but I think that will come with time.
Oh...and something else that happened today...................I FINALLY got my Step 1 score. You know, Step 1..The exam that I spent a month intensively studying for. The exam that determines where/when I can do residency. Yeah, that exam thats kind of a big deal. We were told that the exam scores would be released to MSU early this morning. If we had failed, the school was going to page us to come in and talk about when we could retake the exam/whether or not we had to stop the current clerkship we were on. If we didn't receive a call, our exam scores would be released via email by 11 AM. So, I had to use all of my self control not to frantically check my email/text messaging every 6 seconds. Thank goodness that I had a busy morning, otherwise I think I would have gone crazy. Well, all morning I waited and waited...convinced that I would get a page. Finally, a little after 11 AM I got a text from a friend to tell me scores were up. I took that as I sign that I had passed and let out a HUGGGEEE sigh of relief. I decided a while ago that I didn't want to check my score for a while, but with EVERYONE around me telling me to check it, I finally gave in at around 4 PM. I made my friend Michelle stand with me while I opened it, because I was so terrified that I would burst into tears. So, after a few seconds of calming myself down, I pushed "view results" and closed my eyes. When I finally mustered up enough courage, I opened my eyes and *sigh* I could finally breathe! I was so so happy with my score. It wasn't the highest score I had gotten on a practice test, but it was close. Its a score that puts me significantly above average for most medical specialties, especially those that I am actually interested in. Its a score that puts me in a position that (according to the latest residency charting outcomes) "almost always grants an interview" at the majority of residency programs. So, yes. I did it! Such a relief. Good riddens, Step 1! I'm so glad that is officially over with!
Showing posts with label Boards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Boards. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Step 1 - Complete!
I did it...I took step 1! I can't believe thats its over. It seems like a dream and that I am really going to have to wake up tomorrow morning and have to take it for real! Thank god thats not true.
Now, I have a LONGGGGG 3-4 weeks until I found out 1) if i passed and 2) what my score is. So, in one sense, I want these next few weeks to fly by...but on the other hand, I only have 2 weeks off until I start 3rd year and I want to make them last as long as possible...
My impression of the exam:
When I was taking it, I thought it was going okay. There were several that I knew right away. There were several that took me a while, but I eventually I came to the right answer. And then there were few that I was totally and completely clueless about. Nonetheless, walking out after the 322 questions, I felt fairly confident. I thought maybe I could possibly pass and maybe do possibly ok? Hopefully? But, naturally, I started freaking myself out by going on different med school forum websites entitled "failing step 1" and now I have convinced myself I failed.
I know the odds are in my favor. Our school gives us a breakdown of how students do with similar grades as us. For my Block I-Block II averages, the absolute lowest score someone has gotten over the past 5 years was a 214 (which is actually 25 points above passing). Also, I know that with my practice tests, I would have to drop 50 points to fail. So, I keep trying to logically convince myself to stop freaking out and enjoy my time off, instead of worrying about the unlikely possibility that I failed. Sigh.
At least I have something to look forward, tomorrow S and I are going to HAWAII!!!! It will be a short trip, only 5 days because S starts orientation for residency on Friday, but we will have a glorious 4 nights in Oahu. We have lots of fun things planned including SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS (one thing on my bucket list), a hike up to a crater, and a luau! And of course, lots of time laying in the sand on the beach doing nothing. I'm so freaking excited.
Now, I have a LONGGGGG 3-4 weeks until I found out 1) if i passed and 2) what my score is. So, in one sense, I want these next few weeks to fly by...but on the other hand, I only have 2 weeks off until I start 3rd year and I want to make them last as long as possible...
My impression of the exam:
When I was taking it, I thought it was going okay. There were several that I knew right away. There were several that took me a while, but I eventually I came to the right answer. And then there were few that I was totally and completely clueless about. Nonetheless, walking out after the 322 questions, I felt fairly confident. I thought maybe I could possibly pass and maybe do possibly ok? Hopefully? But, naturally, I started freaking myself out by going on different med school forum websites entitled "failing step 1" and now I have convinced myself I failed.
I know the odds are in my favor. Our school gives us a breakdown of how students do with similar grades as us. For my Block I-Block II averages, the absolute lowest score someone has gotten over the past 5 years was a 214 (which is actually 25 points above passing). Also, I know that with my practice tests, I would have to drop 50 points to fail. So, I keep trying to logically convince myself to stop freaking out and enjoy my time off, instead of worrying about the unlikely possibility that I failed. Sigh.
At least I have something to look forward, tomorrow S and I are going to HAWAII!!!! It will be a short trip, only 5 days because S starts orientation for residency on Friday, but we will have a glorious 4 nights in Oahu. We have lots of fun things planned including SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS (one thing on my bucket list), a hike up to a crater, and a luau! And of course, lots of time laying in the sand on the beach doing nothing. I'm so freaking excited.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Step 1
Tomorrow. 06/14/2013 at 8 AM, I will walk into the Pro-metric Testing Center in East Lansing, Michigan to take the 8-hour long USMLE Step 1 exam. I can't believe its finally here and that tomorrow I am actually going to take the exam that I have spent the last 2 years preparing for.
For these last 4.5 weeks of my intensive study period, I have spent approximately 12-14 hours a day slaving away trying to learn as much as I possible can. I have done more than 5,100 practice questions. I have read over 1,000 pages of review books and watched/listened to over 40 hours of review lectures. And in just a short 24 hours, it will all be over. All of time time and preparation I have put in will be put to the test.
I am so nervous, but also feel (hopefully) well-prepared. Now, all thats left is to just sit back, relax, calm my nerves and mentally prepare for the long long day that is ahead of me. Wish me luck!
For these last 4.5 weeks of my intensive study period, I have spent approximately 12-14 hours a day slaving away trying to learn as much as I possible can. I have done more than 5,100 practice questions. I have read over 1,000 pages of review books and watched/listened to over 40 hours of review lectures. And in just a short 24 hours, it will all be over. All of time time and preparation I have put in will be put to the test.
I am so nervous, but also feel (hopefully) well-prepared. Now, all thats left is to just sit back, relax, calm my nerves and mentally prepare for the long long day that is ahead of me. Wish me luck!
Sunday, June 2, 2013
ISP, Week 3
Another week down. Only 13 days to go until the biggest test of my life.
This week was a little rough. I have finally hit a point in my studying that I have learned SO MUCH in such a short amount of time that I'm starting to make good connections, but I'm also starting to get everything jumbled. I feel like I am forgetting a lot that I learned the first few weeks, which is quite frustrating. But, I know it all has to be in my brain somewhere and I have almost two more weeks to get it all straight.
This week, I debated for a while whether or not to take an NBME. I knew that I should, but I just had such a bad feeling about it. I was not feeling well about studying and I was starting to feel depressed...but in the end I knew that I would regret not taking one. Last week, I had gone up 31 points from my start and was at a score that I would be legitimately happy to get on the real deal. So, I was hoping to simply maintaining that score. This week, I felt myself struggle when I was taking the exam and marked a ton of questions that I second guessed myself on, but I tried my best. And again, I surprised myself! I went up another 14 points (for a total of up 45 points from the start). I have beyond surpassed any score that I thought I was able to achieve when I first started my study period.
While I am really happy with how my Step 1 studying is going so far, I know that I need to stop second guessing myself and have more confidence. I know that I am capable of doing well, but I seem to always shoot myself down. I think this is common for medical students, especially those that are studying for Step 1. Its so easy to compare yourself to other people who are studying other things or using different methods and think that you are doing every thing wrong. Its easy to compare yourself to students who seem to have it all together. Its easy to start to feel depressed or feel inadequate when you are surrounded by other students that for some reason seem to know everything that you don't.
I know that I need to just put my blinders on for the next two weeks and keep doing what I'm doing. I am improving. I am doing well. There is no reason to feel inadequate. I just have to get through the next two weeks...
This week was a little rough. I have finally hit a point in my studying that I have learned SO MUCH in such a short amount of time that I'm starting to make good connections, but I'm also starting to get everything jumbled. I feel like I am forgetting a lot that I learned the first few weeks, which is quite frustrating. But, I know it all has to be in my brain somewhere and I have almost two more weeks to get it all straight.
This week, I debated for a while whether or not to take an NBME. I knew that I should, but I just had such a bad feeling about it. I was not feeling well about studying and I was starting to feel depressed...but in the end I knew that I would regret not taking one. Last week, I had gone up 31 points from my start and was at a score that I would be legitimately happy to get on the real deal. So, I was hoping to simply maintaining that score. This week, I felt myself struggle when I was taking the exam and marked a ton of questions that I second guessed myself on, but I tried my best. And again, I surprised myself! I went up another 14 points (for a total of up 45 points from the start). I have beyond surpassed any score that I thought I was able to achieve when I first started my study period.
While I am really happy with how my Step 1 studying is going so far, I know that I need to stop second guessing myself and have more confidence. I know that I am capable of doing well, but I seem to always shoot myself down. I think this is common for medical students, especially those that are studying for Step 1. Its so easy to compare yourself to other people who are studying other things or using different methods and think that you are doing every thing wrong. Its easy to compare yourself to students who seem to have it all together. Its easy to start to feel depressed or feel inadequate when you are surrounded by other students that for some reason seem to know everything that you don't.
I know that I need to just put my blinders on for the next two weeks and keep doing what I'm doing. I am improving. I am doing well. There is no reason to feel inadequate. I just have to get through the next two weeks...
Sunday, May 26, 2013
ISP, Week 2
2 weeks down! 3 weeks to go!
Step 1 ISP is seriously the most I have ever studied in my entire life! It is really exhausting, sometimes tedious, but also very very interesting. I really do love about 90% of the stuff we are learning. This is so so different/better than studying for the MCAT.
This week, I slacked a little in the exercise department, slept in a few more days, but still got a ton of good studying in! I focused on the Respiratory System and Cardiovascular System, along with trying to fit in some Pharmacology and Biochemistry/Immunology review. I am a little bit behind schedule on where I wanted to be, but not much. It definitely could be worse!
I just took my weekly NBME exam. If you remember last week, I said I had an (unrealistic) goal of improving 10 points each week. I was ecstatic last week after bumping up my score by a whole 14 points. This week, I definitely wasn't expecting any crazy score jump, but was hoping for about 5 more points. So, you can imagine my surprise when I finally pushed "view results" to see that I had jumped 17 points!!!! Thats right, folks...I'm up 31 points in just 2 weeks!! I am actually less than 5 points away from my ultimate goal score! Its such an encouraging feeling. I hope that I maintain this excitement throughout my studying for the next week, because I think I'm starting to get a tiny bit burnt out.
3 weeks and I will be done with Step 1 (hopefully forever) and laying on a beach in Hawaii with S. That sounds like bliss.
Step 1 ISP is seriously the most I have ever studied in my entire life! It is really exhausting, sometimes tedious, but also very very interesting. I really do love about 90% of the stuff we are learning. This is so so different/better than studying for the MCAT.
This week, I slacked a little in the exercise department, slept in a few more days, but still got a ton of good studying in! I focused on the Respiratory System and Cardiovascular System, along with trying to fit in some Pharmacology and Biochemistry/Immunology review. I am a little bit behind schedule on where I wanted to be, but not much. It definitely could be worse!
I just took my weekly NBME exam. If you remember last week, I said I had an (unrealistic) goal of improving 10 points each week. I was ecstatic last week after bumping up my score by a whole 14 points. This week, I definitely wasn't expecting any crazy score jump, but was hoping for about 5 more points. So, you can imagine my surprise when I finally pushed "view results" to see that I had jumped 17 points!!!! Thats right, folks...I'm up 31 points in just 2 weeks!! I am actually less than 5 points away from my ultimate goal score! Its such an encouraging feeling. I hope that I maintain this excitement throughout my studying for the next week, because I think I'm starting to get a tiny bit burnt out.
3 weeks and I will be done with Step 1 (hopefully forever) and laying on a beach in Hawaii with S. That sounds like bliss.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
ISP, Week 1
Greetings, from ISP land! I am officially done with my first week of my "Intensive Study Period" for Step 1 studying! Overall, its been going pretty well. Its pretty insane how much I have learned/re-learned in just 6 days, but its also a really cool experience finding out just how much I have actually been taught over these last 2 years of medical school.
I have gotten into a pretty good routine this week that I really hope I stick to! My schedule is as follows:
8:30-9:00 Wake up/hit snooze/wake up again
9:00-11:00 92 UWorld Q Bank practice questions
11:00-12:00 Gym/Listen to audio lectures
12:00-1:00 Shower/Cook Lunch/Eat Lunch
1:00-5:00 Review Uworld Qbank questions/make flash cards
5:00-6:00 Dinner break
6:00-12:00 Read First Aid/Goljan RR books
12:00-1:00 Go home/do flash cards in bed until I fall asleep
This week, my "Reading FA" time was devoted to my 3 worst subjects: Biochemistry, Immunology, and Microbiology. I am definitely happy that I started with these to a) get them out of the way, and b) give myself a good base for when I start reviewing organ systems tomorrow.
Today, I took my second NBME practice exam (first one was sponsored by my school - [NBME]). The last exam I took, I was very excited to have passed, but knew I still needed a lot of work to do to get my score up to somewhere I would be really happy about. My big goal was to improve 10 points each week, but my realistic goal was to improve 5 points each week. Well, I am happy to report that I improved a whole 14 POINTS from my first practice exam!!! I'm sure I wont make that big of a jump again, but it was such a great feeling to have my hard work validated.
Since I took my NBME practice exam today, I get an easy day for the rest of the afternoon. I get to watch some TV and take a few hours off and relax. Then, tonight, I will review my incorrect answers from the NBME and review the chapters that I learned this week.
Also, since I'm on my break, I should tell all of you blog readers some exciting things have happened over the past 2 weeks. First, I turned 25 and now can rent a car ....woop! and 2) S graduated from medical school!!!!! Thats right, blog world, I am officially dating a real doctor! Im such a proud girlfriend.
I have gotten into a pretty good routine this week that I really hope I stick to! My schedule is as follows:
8:30-9:00 Wake up/hit snooze/wake up again
9:00-11:00 92 UWorld Q Bank practice questions
11:00-12:00 Gym/Listen to audio lectures
12:00-1:00 Shower/Cook Lunch/Eat Lunch
1:00-5:00 Review Uworld Qbank questions/make flash cards
5:00-6:00 Dinner break
6:00-12:00 Read First Aid/Goljan RR books
12:00-1:00 Go home/do flash cards in bed until I fall asleep
This week, my "Reading FA" time was devoted to my 3 worst subjects: Biochemistry, Immunology, and Microbiology. I am definitely happy that I started with these to a) get them out of the way, and b) give myself a good base for when I start reviewing organ systems tomorrow.
Today, I took my second NBME practice exam (first one was sponsored by my school - [NBME]). The last exam I took, I was very excited to have passed, but knew I still needed a lot of work to do to get my score up to somewhere I would be really happy about. My big goal was to improve 10 points each week, but my realistic goal was to improve 5 points each week. Well, I am happy to report that I improved a whole 14 POINTS from my first practice exam!!! I'm sure I wont make that big of a jump again, but it was such a great feeling to have my hard work validated.
Since I took my NBME practice exam today, I get an easy day for the rest of the afternoon. I get to watch some TV and take a few hours off and relax. Then, tonight, I will review my incorrect answers from the NBME and review the chapters that I learned this week.
Also, since I'm on my break, I should tell all of you blog readers some exciting things have happened over the past 2 weeks. First, I turned 25 and now can rent a car ....woop! and 2) S graduated from medical school!!!!! Thats right, blog world, I am officially dating a real doctor! Im such a proud girlfriend.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Boards Studying/NBME Practice Test
Hello blog world! Have you missed me? I know I have been MIA..but I have been rediculously busy. I promise to update everything from these last 7 weeks very soon, but for now here's whats been happening to me lately...
I am currently in my LAST week of pre-clinicals! Crazy! We are done with lectures, finishing up our last PBL case and have our last domain exam (GI) coming up on Monday. After that, its time to REALLY start intensifying my studies for 6 weeks before I take (arguably the most important exam of my career) the USMLE Step 1 exam! *cue scary music*
This week, a lot of things are coming to a close. I found out I passed my Clinical Skills Gateway/Exit Exam (which is a half-day testing that involves doing different clinical skills exams/interviews...kind of like Step 2CS for all of you medical students out there). I finished our last Clinical Skills experience (Phlebotomy). I turned in my last paper for Medical Humanities. We are currently working on our last PBL patient case. AND... we took our first NBME Step 1 practice test! I actually just got my score back about 10 minutes ago....the verdict: I actually passed! I didn't do great...but I passed! I'm so happy. Now, I can spend the next 6-7 weeks getting my score up to a place I want. I am not sure how many points students usually jump during their intensive study period...but I'm hoping the fact that I was able to pass without any real prep is a good sign. *crosses fingers*
Well thats all for now... Many new blogs to come, including my spring break trip to NYC, a research conference in Galveston, Texas, and all of the match day/4th year adventures S has been a part of over the last few months! But, now its time for me to get back to the books and learn all things G.I.
I am currently in my LAST week of pre-clinicals! Crazy! We are done with lectures, finishing up our last PBL case and have our last domain exam (GI) coming up on Monday. After that, its time to REALLY start intensifying my studies for 6 weeks before I take (arguably the most important exam of my career) the USMLE Step 1 exam! *cue scary music*
This week, a lot of things are coming to a close. I found out I passed my Clinical Skills Gateway/Exit Exam (which is a half-day testing that involves doing different clinical skills exams/interviews...kind of like Step 2CS for all of you medical students out there). I finished our last Clinical Skills experience (Phlebotomy). I turned in my last paper for Medical Humanities. We are currently working on our last PBL patient case. AND... we took our first NBME Step 1 practice test! I actually just got my score back about 10 minutes ago....the verdict: I actually passed! I didn't do great...but I passed! I'm so happy. Now, I can spend the next 6-7 weeks getting my score up to a place I want. I am not sure how many points students usually jump during their intensive study period...but I'm hoping the fact that I was able to pass without any real prep is a good sign. *crosses fingers*
Well thats all for now... Many new blogs to come, including my spring break trip to NYC, a research conference in Galveston, Texas, and all of the match day/4th year adventures S has been a part of over the last few months! But, now its time for me to get back to the books and learn all things G.I.
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| Phlebotomy lab! |
Monday, October 22, 2012
Step 1
So, this happened today:
Yes. This is my registering for my board exams. I can't believe I am already getting to this point in my medical education....crazy.
For my non-medical student readers, the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Exams) are broken up into 3 parts. The first part is taken after your second year of medical school and tests all of the basic-science knowledge. The second part is during your fourth year of medical school and the third part is during residency. So, I know I am only starting in my long string of licensing exams, but its still pretty crazy that I am already at the point of Step 1!
Besides registering for my Step 1, I also had a final exam today! So, far I have completed 4 classes; 1 ethics class and 3 blocks: Neurology, Infectious Disease, and Musculoskeletal. So, although I have not been blogging as much as I would like to... I sure have been a busy bee in all of my classes.
This year is going by RIDICULOUSLY fast.... I am officially more than 50% done with this semester. Only one more domain until Thanksgiving break (Hematology/Oncology) and one additional domain (Psychiatry) until Christmas! :)
Yes. This is my registering for my board exams. I can't believe I am already getting to this point in my medical education....crazy.
For my non-medical student readers, the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Exams) are broken up into 3 parts. The first part is taken after your second year of medical school and tests all of the basic-science knowledge. The second part is during your fourth year of medical school and the third part is during residency. So, I know I am only starting in my long string of licensing exams, but its still pretty crazy that I am already at the point of Step 1!
Besides registering for my Step 1, I also had a final exam today! So, far I have completed 4 classes; 1 ethics class and 3 blocks: Neurology, Infectious Disease, and Musculoskeletal. So, although I have not been blogging as much as I would like to... I sure have been a busy bee in all of my classes.
This year is going by RIDICULOUSLY fast.... I am officially more than 50% done with this semester. Only one more domain until Thanksgiving break (Hematology/Oncology) and one additional domain (Psychiatry) until Christmas! :)
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