I have written enough posts about the Step 1 exam so this will not be another one of those. Yes, these 6 weeks have been jam packed with studying. I physically cannot find another minute to fill with studying. Though it may not feel like it, there are a few other important elements that have increased my chances of survival during this study time.
Sleep is my number one priority. I make sure I go to bed the same time every night and wake up the same time each morning, after 3 snooze alarms. If I get too little sleep, my mind will drift during studying, making my time spent useless. My urge to nap will grow and with my bed right behind my chair, it is difficult to resist. Sometimes, when I finish a question bank early, I will close my eyes for a few minutes. I may not fall asleep, but taking time to relax and clear my head really helps.
Eating right is very important also. I limit my restaurant/fast food meals to a max of twice a week during this time. Yes, cooking your own meals at home and shopping for those meals takes time but it is well worth it. My exercise regime has decreased incredibly so healthy meals put my mind at ease. Speaking of exercise, I still try to do at least 150 push-ups and 100 sit-ups each day in my room at bare minimum. It is just enough to get slightly sweaty which satisfies my hunger to workout. I also bike to school to study in the library some days. With the test a mere 2 weeks away, my physical health falls slightly on my priority list.
Lastly, the loneliness of Step studying can be killer. Hallucinations, delusions and random dance breaks occur in the solitary confines of my room when there is no one to talk to. I have a study buddy that I can bounce problems off of but he is also there to hang out with. We eat lunch and dinner together and try to talk about things other than medicine. The best medicine during this time is being able to vent your frustrations to someone else who can empathize with what you are going through. Keeping those feelings bottled up is unhealthy. Feel free to complain to your study buddy because they want to do it as much as you do.
