Back at it: Just in Time for Boards!

I know it has been absolutely FOREVER since I've updated my blog. We had 3 weeks of Christmas break, and being such I just got back to classes this Monday. I spent SO much time with family and friends and just NOT studying. It was wonderful :)

So, now that I'm back, my attempts to keep this a weekly blog should definitely be attainable ;)

Since we are in Step 7 until the end of the year, we are spending the next 7 weeks learning Hematology/Oncology, Gastroenterology, Pediatrics, and Medical Genetics. This week, I had to get back into the routine of being at school! I think I am finally able to study and get myself into my normal pattern. I signed up for my official USMLE Step 1 Board Exam day -- MAY 24th. As I get closer and closer to that day, you may notice my blogs becoming seemingly more crazy and/or sparse.

The last few days I have been working diligently on preparing my study schedule for the next 5 months. I am NOT a schedule-oriented person. As such, this has been difficult for me. After talking to other students and taking a 150-question diagnostic exam (which showed me my strengths and weaknesses), I will bore you with my tentative study schedule.

For the next 6 weeks, I will be using Kaplan video lectures and question bank. We go on spring break the week of February 25th, and my goal is to be through the 121 video lectures and many questions by then! This means doing 2 hours of video lecture five days a week (Sun-Thurs). With this plan in mind, my typical weekly schedule for the next 6 weeks will look as follows:

Monday
8-10a.m. Class lecture
10-12a.m. Case study (PBL)
12-1p.m. Lunch
1-3p.m. Path Lab
4-6p.m. Kaplan video lecture
6-7p.m. Dinner
7-9p.m. PharmCards and Practice Questions
9-9:30p.m. Exercise
9:30-11:30 Relax (Read Novel, Watch Movie)

Tuesday

8-12p.m. Kaplan video lecture

12-1p.m. Lunch

1-6p.m. Read and Study from Textbooks

6-7p.m. Dinner

7-9p.m. PharmCards and Practice Questions

9-9:30p.m. Exercise

9:30-11:30 Relax (Read Novel, Watch Movie)

Wednesdays and Fridays are similar to Monday; Thursdays and Sundays similar to Tuesday. Saturdays are my day off! Woo-hooooo! 

I will be starting with GI and hem/onc, working my way through cardio, micro, renal, behavioral science, biochemistry, pulmonology, reproductive, endocrine, neuro, and musculoskeletal! On top of all my must-do little things, of course, but I have faith! 

As boards get closer, I will be using another question bank (2000+ questions on UWorld) and prepping more intensely. 

Some days, I wonder if I'm doing what I truly love. It gets hard on you when you study each and every day; when you are so far away from family; when other people your age have jobs and families. Then I realize that while it's hard now, it will be worth it in the future. God has a plan for me, and if He brings me to it, He will bring me through it! Also, just a last minute update on my future plans. I still love neurology, but I also shadowed in the Neonatal ICU over Christmas and fell in LOVE. I have always loved babies, and it was exactly what I would love to do with myself in the future. The lifestyle may be a possible setback though, as I want to be able to raise a family and they currently work crazy hours with 24-hour in-house call once a week. As they work on the scheduling and lifestyle in the coming years, I will keep it as an option! Other than neurology and neonatology, I am still considering general practice! 

I ask for prayers and encouragement as I travel this road over the next several months. In June, I will finally be in the clinic doing my rotations! :D (as long as I pass my boards, of course). 

I would also gladly accept prayers for my grandpa as he was recently diagnosed with cancer and on a long path. 

Until next time!