[Seetal]

Dear ath.pantelis,

You seem to know the answers to a lot of questions and u seem to answer them fast too. what's yr secret? have u just read so much that you've practically memorized it all by now?

 

[ath.pantelis]

u seem to know the answers to a lot of questions and u seem to answer them fast too. what's yr secret? have u just read so much that u've practically memorized it all by now?

1) Memorization is NOT the key for acing the USMLE exams. Continuous repetition of concepts, deep understanding of mechanisms and some basic "buzzword" correlations, on the other hand, are very important ingredients. I strongly believe that no normal human being can memorize even 1% of the knowledge required for the steps; at least I have been convinced that I am not capable of doing so. However, after 6 months (Step 1) plus 4 months (Step 2CK) of constantly studying the same things over & over again, answering myriads of complicated questions and waking-up & sleeping with the same aim in mind, one eventually becomes "addicted"!!!

2) I am currently studying for CS; at the same time I am waiting for a position in surgery in my homeland and a position for research in the US. As you can easily understand, my PC is on 24/7 and USMLE-Forums keeps running in the background!!! That's why I post answers in so many topics and in such a short time. However, I don't wanna take advantage of my position, so I let a lot of them go away, if somebody else replies them or if I have no useful contribution to make...

 

[Seetal]

domo arigato ath.pantelis

got it!! ill do it also day and night and hope to reach where u r. although i think u got there rather FAST. i have to take a 3 week break now because i have my mid terms in 2 weeks and i need 1 week to study (last minute studying that is. i have come to a point where the usmle studying means more to me than my mid terms!!)

well good luck with the research position. so after yr research you will apply for a residency match later by feb 21st? which means u didnt do yr electives in the states?

 

[ath.pantelis]

Douitashimashite dr. Seetal!

This is sth I have regreted many times so far... I have done no clerkship in the US and being a graduate makes it very difficult to find a hands-on position (which is what counts after all), as you probably already know. I'll give it a shot for the 2011 Match, but I am not so hopeful... I didn't realize promptly that USMLE is more important than studying for the Medical School exams (I hadn't even have made my mind for residency in the US by then), and now I am suffering the consequences

 

[Seetal]

read this book

read this book by Jack Canfield (how to get from where u are now to where u want to be). i guarantee it will change your life and get u a residency spot in YOUR choice of field (which is surgery im assuming).

good luck ath.pantelis!!

 

[ath.pantelis]

Residency details

Thank you, Dr. Seetal for your kind help, I will take your advice into serious consideration.

The residency I am aiming at is actually Ob-Gyn, but in my country one year in General Surgery is a prerequisite to follow a career in Ob-Gyn. My utmost desire is to do a fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology. But there's lots of highway lying ahead....

Thank you once again for your support.