10… 9… 8 more days until my Step 1 exam! Do I feel ready? Um… NO! Do I feel nervous? Gulp!
Step 1 is so expansive, I’m not sure I could feel ready. I can quantify the past 3 weeks with about 125 hours of studying, 3 blue highlighters, 200 note-cards, and one afternoon off. My husband has taken over all domestic duties. Thank goodness! I have gone over everything, and now am going back over everything again… and again. I’m trying to memorize and learn more details about mechanisms, enzyme names, pathways, drugs, etc. I am afraid that every piece of new information that goes inside my brain will knock something else out. And my practice “Q-bank” is down to only a few hundred unused questions.
I’m not sure how I hoped to feel before my test. Mainly I wanted to feel confident that I know a majority of the material really well. At this point, at least I feel like I will pass the exam. I’m not sure if I am satisfied because there is still a part of me that wants to do a lot better than that (215-230 to be exact). After so much studying, I hope this hard work pays off!
Last Friday night, I had sushi with a classmate who had just taken her exam. She had a glow of happiness, which gave me something to look forward to. Completing the Boards is a big accomplishment, and there will be satisfaction just from pushing myself to a new limit. Hopefully in a few more days I can feel the afterglow too.
After all this hard work, everything comes down to whether or not it will be “a good multiple-choice day.” I know I’ve put as much effort into studying as I can. So, my performance will be a mixture of knowledge, specific test questions, anxiety, energy level, and comfort at the testing center. I’m hoping for a combination that helps me do my best. As I’m counting down, please send “good multiple-choice” vibes my way.
My updated study schedule.
Don’t be surprised if you saturate on studying. It happened to me during my qualifying exams, but it wasn’t a sign of disaster. I just couldn’t effectively study anymore — better to just get some rest.
Good luck, Liz. I hope you’ll be well-rested and calm when you enter the exam and happy and relieved after finishing.
Good look on Step 1! My email is rswendiman@gmail.com. I have tons of questions for you so give me a shout when you after the boards and get your head clear again. Take care!
I’m really impressed with your “voice” and some of your ideas! I’m going to link you to my website – hope you don’t mind! http://www.wellnessrounds.org