The USMLE Step1 is the toughest exam that any medical student would write in their medical career. It is also the most important one. This is exactly why you need to prepare for this exam extremely seriously. 

Let us look at 5 habits and mistakes you need to give up in order to prepare better and more efficiently: 

Mistake 1: Following the Herd

Studying for USMLE step 1 can be done individually or in a group. Some people study better when they are alone, others do well in a study group. There are pros and cons to both, so understand what suits you best. You can combine individual and group study if that works well for you. If you think taking step 1 USMLE prep course would benefit you, then take one. 

Don’t do something just because everyone is doing it — do what would work the best for you. 

Mistake 2: Not Listening to Your Body

It is important for you to take regular breaks while studying. It gives you a mental break and reduces stress and anxiety. However, there will be days when you are in a ‘flow’ and you just roll through the USMLE study schedule without requiring a break.

Some days you might hit a wall and need longer breaks to get through the study plan. Go for a walk or run, watch some television, read a novel, etc. Once you feel re-energized, you will be able to get back to studying efficiently. Listen to your body and trust what it needs when it comes to taking breaks.  

Mistake 3: Cramming in the End

You cannot prepare for USMLE Step 1 exam just by cramming up everything in the days leading to the exam. Cramming will only increase your stress levels and last minute studying will crowd your short-term memory, thus interfering with long-term memory and affecting your decision-making skills. The better idea would be to start preparing a couple of months early.

Mistake 4: Not Setting Realistic Goals

It is important that you set realistic goals for yourself. Set small goals, over a few months, that you know you can achieve. Setting unrealistic goals in a short period of time will make you extremely anxious and stressed out. 

Mistake 5: Not Getting Enough Sleep

If you skimp on sleep when you prep for step 1 exam, think again. It would be tempting to sleep less just to get a few more study hours but it is critical to maintain a healthy sleep schedule. Proper sleep and regular short naps help in retaining everything you study. Sleep is important throughout your entire study schedule because your circadian rhythms can take a few days to set into a rhythm. Don’t wait until the day before the exam to switch to a healthy sleep schedule.

How you score in the step1 USMLE exam will be a reflection of how effective your study plan was and how much work you put in over the two years of medical school. A lot of effort and dedication goes into preparation for the exam. Practice a ton of questions, identify and analyze your weaknesses, work on improving them and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you think you need any. If you take charge of your preparation, the exam day will be easier to face. 

Author Bio:

Eric Brown is a standardized patient (SP) who lives in New York and advises NYCSPREP with their Clinical Skills course. He has a BA from a liberal arts college in the Northeast, where he majored in the theatrical arts and business (he credits the first for his ability to simulate real patients). He’s amassed years of experience as an SP and keeps up to date with CS exam expectations, trends and developments. When the Phillies are in town, Eric considers it his duty to support his home team. He won’t be seen without his trusty catcher’s mitt on these occasions and prides himself on having caught more than one foul ball with it. If you have any questions about standardized CS exams or courses at NYCSPREP, email Eric at eric.brown@nycsprep.com or visit http://www.nycsprep.com/

5 Mistakes You Can Make While Preparing for USMLE Step 1 Exam

###
April 9, 2018