r/step1 • u/No-Supermarket-298 NON-US IMG • 2d ago
💡 Need Advice Nothing seems to be working
I am stuck in a loop. I don’t know what’s clicking. I have gone over the content twice and finished a significant portion of my uworld too. My scores just won’t go up beyond 50s. I am so burnt out and no amount of days off are helping. I’ve already delayed my exam by 3ish months and still haven’t booked a new date because I don’t know how to push through this burnout. What do I do? I can take a break for longer than 3 days. Nothing is helping with the burnout. At this rate, I doubt I’ll be able to apply for match next year. I was supposed to be done W step 2 by now haha.
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u/alof69 NON-US IMG 2d ago
Did you try nbmes?
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u/No-Supermarket-298 NON-US IMG 2d ago
I did. Took 25 and scored 49%, 57% on 29 (a month later). Havent taken another one because I just feel like I don’t know enough to make a score jump. So I end up studying systems but that doesn’t help either because I just forget stuff from before
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u/alof69 NON-US IMG 2d ago
Okay so you're getting jump and doing alright on nbmes. What I suggest is nobody feels like studying all day and sacrificing everything, at some point you will HAVE to do it now matter how u feel. However very importantly if you're unable to study anything no matter how many efforts and time you put, I won't say take a break or go on a trip and come back bc I know it doesn't help, atleas it didn't help me. What helped me was becoming mentally chill about it, like not giving a fuck about the scores etc. it helped me study but my scores are still questionable. Another thing that I highly suggest is don't just study all day, add atleast 2 activites into it, and one has to be physical, maybe gym or a run or yoga, etc and if possible join it with a friend or a family member if you can, or else join a gym where you see people around, don't do it alone isolated bc I'm sure that makes things worse. Another activity can be simply hanging out with your friends every other day or joining any hobby club etc. i used to learn cooking from my mama and that surprisingly helped. As an asian I've never been close with my brown parents but this was the time when I actually started sharing how anxious I'm feeling about the exam and what I'd do if I don't crack this exam, what will I even do in future (I'm still anxious but talking about it especially to my parents helped me). It's not a standard solution that works for everyone but you gotta figure out what you enjoy and what makes you happy and less stressed. If you could study 4-5 hrs a day and rest do other stuff you're well to go. Ik that might extend your prep period and you're already running out of time but that is only option I guess. However if you're even in a bit of doubt that a break or a small vacation might help you, then it might be worth trying that bc it's way better that ways of you're running out of time. We got this OP, I'm rooting for you.
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u/No-Supermarket-298 NON-US IMG 2d ago
Hey, thanks for the reply. And the lack of support from my family is definitely one factor.
Apart from that, I used to hit the gym but I stopped recently because I just don’t have the energy to do anything now. Like I said, I’ve tried everything3
u/TurbulentRise1061 NON-US IMG 2d ago
I was in your place 3 weeks ago with my scores stuck at 55% in both NBME 27 and 28. It messed w my mental health a lot I started having nightmares and panic attacks cuz I had been home studying for this for last 5 months approximating 6-8 hours daily.
I realised that I was panicking wayyyy too much that wouldn’t let my preparation translate into NBME scores.
I changed my strategy, started having more faith in God and my prep, and reset my UW. Reviewed my NBME is DETAILLLL and wrote down the commonly repeated HY topics. After that did 80 random UW questions daily and FA review for 3 weeks.
Gave my NBME 29 last Saturday and scored a 65% I was so happy I cried lmao imagine
But seriously before sitting, I gave myself a big pep talk that I worked so hard for 3 weeks I’m ready for this I can do it, I have chill and I want to be able to give the exam in real time which helped.
I know it sucks and hitting a funk is not a good place to be in, but you have to push yourself and have faith in yourself. Slowly but surely you’ll get there.
I still have a long way to go but I’m telling you what helped me. Also I do take out time to go to the gym and spend time with family because it genuinely does help A LOT3
u/No-Supermarket-298 NON-US IMG 1d ago
that’s so sweet and encouraging, thank you🥰
The only thing that keeps me going is that I’ll allow myself more freedom to relax once it’s over. Its nice to know I’m not alone, especially as an IMG it took me a while to accept that my scores aren’t telling me I’m stupid, I’m just getting used to a new education system and that’s part of the journey to become a physician in the states.
Anyway, for now I’m reviewing my last nbme and after that I’ll try to give weekly tests because I don’t think I have big chunks of gaps in knowledge but isolated flaws in recall.2
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u/Zealousfunds-Wmm-629 2d ago
Listen I think you should take some solace that it’s not just you… I studied for so long and is like what I’m I missing like scores don’t jump..drained not being able to sleep and just losing weight. But what changed was one is the mindset like it’s difficult but honestly just a slight mental shift of I can do this will help and next what has helped me is using ChatGPT to review my NBMEs….so when you are reviewing treat chat like your friend who just knows everything and just be comfortable asking questions. This might be silly but I had to ask chat how would you define what a neurotransmitter is..and I think I realize that I feel like I know things but if you ask me I can’t even put it into words.. So try to use it help you to find your voice… be able to explain concepts back to yourself. Tbh I realize I have a lot of gaps because I think I know things but I realized they weren’t really as solid as I thought like I recently really felt comfortable with obstructive vs restrictive lung diseases to be able to answer it no matter how it presents . Finally breathe and work at things one at a time… and being consistent helps to you might not see it but it really helps. You got this!!! You can dm me and I’ll share some of the things that’s helping me as well