Do we need a USMLE study partner?
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USMLE Study partner is a good idea
In my personal experience I found that a study partner is crucial.
We talked over the phone and on the Internet daily about progress. We encourage each other. We shared materials. We asked questions to each other.
I noticed that when you discuss something with your friend you will never forget that topic.
I encourage any one who plans to take the USMLE and specially step 1 to really look for a nice helpful and serious partner.
All the best to friends out there.
In my personal experience I found that a study partner is crucial.
We talked over the phone and on the Internet daily about progress. We encourage each other. We shared materials. We asked questions to each other.
I noticed that when you discuss something with your friend you will never forget that topic.
I encourage any one who plans to take the USMLE and specially step 1 to really look for a nice helpful and serious partner.
All the best to friends out there.
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165 Posts
purpose of study partner?
what exactly are the benefits of having a study partner? what do you do? thanks
what exactly are the benefits of having a study partner? what do you do? thanks
Although am not so into this but I've seen people sit together, chat together on the phone, stimulate, encourage, challenge, and support each other.
It's said that once you discuss something with you friend (even on the phone) you'll never forget that factoid.
Also, sometimes they exchange materials so virtually they can use one set of books (half at one of them at each time) and so it's also economic.
But the disadvantage is sometimes this is not always productive as many of us tend to drift and we slide into silly topics and we end up wasting our time.
This website is a good place where you discuss with those who prepare and it won't let you waste your time.
Even there are websites for this!
look here
http://www.usmle-forums.com/general-topics-forum/800-best-usmle-forum-get-study-partners.html
look here
http://www.usmle-forums.com/general-topics-forum/800-best-usmle-forum-get-study-partners.html
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83 Posts
Yup2 .. .
But, there's a quote that always makes me know that i'm ready for exam . .
" Don't even think you're get the point from what you've studying, unless you can explain it in your word to others or at least to yourself. " hehehe,
But, there's a quote that always makes me know that i'm ready for exam . .
" Don't even think you're get the point from what you've studying, unless you can explain it in your word to others or at least to yourself. " hehehe,
I like it ,,
and that's what I actually do ,, after every single paragraph in USMLE step 2 CK I enjoy demonstrating the topic in my own way with loud voice to myself like our lecturers do in Kaplan videos ,
It really makes every piece of information stick to your brain ,,
For me i totally agree with that
I really like your last words "unless you can explain it in your words to yourself"But, there's a quote that always makes me know that i'm ready for exam . .
" Don't even think you're get the point from what you've studying, unless you can explain it in your word to others or at least to yourself. " hehehe,
and that's what I actually do ,, after every single paragraph in USMLE step 2 CK I enjoy demonstrating the topic in my own way with loud voice to myself like our lecturers do in Kaplan videos
,It really makes every piece of information stick to your brain ,,
For me i totally agree with that
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59 Posts
how helpful are study partners?
i mean ... yes u need motivation
u get an accountability factor
but
there can be a possibility it wastes ur time :notsure:
the sp turns out to be a sleeze ball
has no respect for ur time and sense of urgencey !
i dnt knw whether to say " i need an sp or not" or "why dnt i find the freakin courage to do it myself..."
i plan to give my step 1 by the end of 2012
i have done physio , biochem , anat (histo , gross left ) , pharma ( 2 , 3 units left... patho , bs , micro left untouched!
plan to do uw , q bank , fa!
i find this forum is amazing , i have got so much info in just a couple of days that its simply explicit !
i mean ... yes u need motivation
u get an accountability factor
but
there can be a possibility it wastes ur time :notsure:
the sp turns out to be a sleeze ball
has no respect for ur time and sense of urgencey !
i dnt knw whether to say " i need an sp or not" or "why dnt i find the freakin courage to do it myself..."
i plan to give my step 1 by the end of 2012
i have done physio , biochem , anat (histo , gross left ) , pharma ( 2 , 3 units left... patho , bs , micro left untouched!
plan to do uw , q bank , fa!
i find this forum is amazing , i have got so much info in just a couple of days that its simply explicit !
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452 Posts
Only you yourself can know whether you study better with a partner or by yourself...
It all depends if you and your study partner have the same expectations on how you'll study.
Is it just for company? Not to get bored?
Swap occasional questions together? For clarifications?
Just to revise FA?
To actually go through the books together?
Also, clarifying time devotion also matters.
Are you the independent type?
Are you only going to give 20% of your time to it and work independently for the rest of the time?
My suggestions are:
1. Know thyself. What do you want from the study partnership?
2. Clarify what you both expect from the study partnership right from the start. Make ground rules if you must.
3. Know that you both are independent people and that you can't control each other's schedule. Your pacing may be different so prioritize your own study sched.
My first-hand experience:
Study partnership can work beautifully even if it's someone you just met in the forum. I met a great study partner here and we did awesome during our study periods, but we met mid-prep. Eventually, our schedules diverged and we needed to prioritize our own study plan. I'm hoping we'll still have study sessions together someday.
My original study partner is my best friend from med school. We studied together in a coffeeshop during the first reading -- just to keep each other company. During qbanks, we decided to go our separate ways for the meantime mainly bec. I don't want to be bringing my laptop to a coffeeshop. We're going to study together again after uworld and have an FA run.
Other sources:
Bassatom discussed and advised on having a study partner in his step experience. You might want to check it out.
http://www.usmle-forums.com/usmle-s...m-step-1-preparation-method-pdf-download.html
Good luck!
Is it just for company? Not to get bored?
Swap occasional questions together? For clarifications?
Just to revise FA?
To actually go through the books together?
Also, clarifying time devotion also matters.
Are you the independent type?
Are you only going to give 20% of your time to it and work independently for the rest of the time?
My suggestions are:
1. Know thyself. What do you want from the study partnership?
2. Clarify what you both expect from the study partnership right from the start. Make ground rules if you must.
3. Know that you both are independent people and that you can't control each other's schedule. Your pacing may be different so prioritize your own study sched.
My first-hand experience:
Study partnership can work beautifully even if it's someone you just met in the forum. I met a great study partner here and we did awesome during our study periods, but we met mid-prep. Eventually, our schedules diverged and we needed to prioritize our own study plan. I'm hoping we'll still have study sessions together someday.
My original study partner is my best friend from med school. We studied together in a coffeeshop during the first reading -- just to keep each other company. During qbanks, we decided to go our separate ways for the meantime mainly bec. I don't want to be bringing my laptop to a coffeeshop. We're going to study together again after uworld and have an FA run.
Other sources:
Bassatom discussed and advised on having a study partner in his step experience. You might want to check it out.
http://www.usmle-forums.com/usmle-s...m-step-1-preparation-method-pdf-download.html
Good luck!
Joined
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414 Posts
will be waste of time.
in my experience,:toosad
ne you will find focused,won't be able to change plan,:notsure:in the end ,mostly it turns out waste of time.
if you find focused,you just hit jackpot
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452 Posts
Thanks for posting that...helpful!It all depends if you and your study partner have the same expectations on how you'll study.
Is it just for company? Not to get bored?
Swap occasional questions together? For clarifications?
Just to revise FA?
To actually go through the books together?
Also, clarifying time devotion also matters.
Are you the independent type?
Are you only going to give 20% of your time to it and work independently for the rest of the time?
My suggestions are:
1. Know thyself. What do you want from the study partnership?
2. Clarify what you both expect from the study partnership right from the start. Make ground rules if you must.
3. Know that you both are independent people and that you can't control each other's schedule. Your pacing may be different so prioritize your own study sched.
My first-hand experience:
Study partnership can work beautifully even if it's someone you just met in the forum. I met a great study partner here and we did awesome during our study periods, but we met mid-prep. Eventually, our schedules diverged and we needed to prioritize our own study plan. I'm hoping we'll still have study sessions together someday.
My original study partner is my best friend from med school. We studied together in a coffeeshop during the first reading -- just to keep each other company. During qbanks, we decided to go our separate ways for the meantime mainly bec. I don't want to be bringing my laptop to a coffeeshop. We're going to study together again after uworld and have an FA run.
Other sources:
Bassatom discussed and advised on having a study partner in his step experience. You might want to check it out.
http://www.usmle-forums.com/usmle-s...m-step-1-preparation-method-pdf-download.html
Good luck!
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1,406 Posts
it's only good if the study partner is of the opposite sex and attractive...)
)
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59 Posts
thanx for the post and ur valuable suggestions , i will think on these linesIt all depends if you and your study partner have the same expectations on how you'll study.
Is it just for company? Not to get bored?
Swap occasional questions together? For clarifications?
Just to revise FA?
To actually go through the books together?
Also, clarifying time devotion also matters.
Are you the independent type?
Are you only going to give 20% of your time to it and work independently for the rest of the time?
My suggestions are:
1. Know thyself. What do you want from the study partnership?
2. Clarify what you both expect from the study partnership right from the start. Make ground rules if you must.
3. Know that you both are independent people and that you can't control each other's schedule. Your pacing may be different so prioritize your own study sched.
My first-hand experience:
Study partnership can work beautifully even if it's someone you just met in the forum. I met a great study partner here and we did awesome during our study periods, but we met mid-prep. Eventually, our schedules diverged and we needed to prioritize our own study plan. I'm hoping we'll still have study sessions together someday.
My original study partner is my best friend from med school. We studied together in a coffeeshop during the first reading -- just to keep each other company. During qbanks, we decided to go our separate ways for the meantime mainly bec. I don't want to be bringing my laptop to a coffeeshop. We're going to study together again after uworld and have an FA run.
Other sources:
Bassatom discussed and advised on having a study partner in his step experience. You might want to check it out.
http://www.usmle-forums.com/usmle-s...m-step-1-preparation-method-pdf-download.html
Good luck!
Joined
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414 Posts
he is asking good for studies.it's only good if the study partner is of the opposite sex and attractive...
to extend my comment it was about online partners, a classmate or school friend is completely different story.
Happy-2Hahaha!! I was actually hoping I'd stumble on THAT type of a study partner. I'll be drooling all over my keyboard and I won't mind...it's only good if the study partner is of the opposite sex and attractive...
)lol tried that, its such a distraction.it's only good if the study partner is of the opposite sex and attractive...
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