I’m finally at the end of my third year of medical school, and am finding myself in quite the predicament. I have my Step 2 CK coming up in a mere 3 weeks, but I also need to find time to study for my psychiatry shelf, and my psych oral exam, while attending clinical rotations all day. You’re probably asking yourself the same thing I was a few days ago. What’s more important right now, and what can be put on the back burner? The answer is they’re all equally important, and this is when a med student’s gift of extreme multi-tasking comes into play.
While studying for the psych shelf is theoretically studying for Step 2, the shelf delves into much more detail than the USMLE comes close to touching, so I know my Step 2 review books only skim the surface of what I need to know for this exam. I decided to begin a Step 2 CK review course, and comprise a study calendar. This would make sure I was tackling Step 2 on a daily basis. I set aside at least 3 hours in the afternoon for Step 2 CK, and 2 hours a day for psychiatry. It is a lot of work, but it’s only temporary, or at least that’s what I have to keep telling myself.
It’s working out well so far. I highly recommend making a calendar and sticking to it. Having a solid plan significantly lowers stress and anxiety. Good luck to all those out there in the same boat.
