Research vs. STEP studying M1-2 summer

[throwaway1224]

I wanted to get advice on my plans for this upcoming summer since I will be forced to decide soon. My two options (and my reasons for each are as follows):

1. Take a clinical research position 15hrs/week and use the extra time for STEP studying.
pros:
-I've struggled quite a bit the first year of school (passed everything, but its been close on a couple of occasions), so I feel a long term STEP study plan may make sense
-I would get a chance to relax (which after the stress of 1st year would be nice)
cons:
-I would have enough money to pay rent/eat and not much else. Finances would be very tight.

2. Take a NIH funded research opportunity (40hrs/week)
pros:
-would make significantly more money
-would be more 'fun'
cons:
-no STEP studying
-less free time/relaxation

Of note:
The actual productivity of the research isn't super important to me (I already have significant research experience (2 papers, 2 talks, 2 posters) and going by my marginal performance thus far I'll be going for a non-competitive or moderately competitive field anyway)

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[nimbus]

Too soon to study for step 1.

 

[ciestar]

Don’t study for step before M2.

 

[Med Ed]

I wanted to get advice on my plans for this upcoming summer since I will be forced to decide soon. My two options (and my reasons for each are as follows):

1. Take a clinical research position 15hrs/week and use the extra time for STEP studying.
pros:
-I've struggled quite a bit the first year of school (passed everything, but its been close on a couple of occasions), so I feel a long term STEP study plan may make sense
-I would get a chance to relax (which after the stress of 1st year would be nice)
cons:
-I would have enough money to pay rent/eat and not much else. Finances would be very tight.

2. Take a NIH funded research opportunity (40hrs/week)
pros:
-would make significantly more money
-would be more 'fun'
cons:
-no STEP studying
-less free time/relaxation

Of note:
The actual productivity of the research isn't super important to me (I already have significant research experience (2 papers, 2 talks, 2 posters) and going by my marginal performance thus far I'll be going for a non-competitive or moderately competitive field anyway)

Studying during the summer is a great way to burn out fast once M2 starts. You will be best served by doing the NIH fellowship. If you feel the need to do something related to classwork, go back and review the M1 material that you barely passed. It might make more sense the second time around.

 

[throwaway1224]

Too soon to study for step 1.

Don’t study for step before M2.

Studying during the summer is a great way to burn out fast once M2 starts. You will be best served by doing the NIH fellowship. If you feel the need to do something related to classwork, go back and review the M1 material that you barely passed. It might make more sense the second time around.

Thank you everyone for the advice! What you all are saying makes sense. So a second question, do you think it is reasonable for someone who has struggled a good bit with preclinical classes (mainly anatomy/biochem), to achieve a decent STEP score (220+) starting studying in the fall of M2? I ask because I am honestly worried that my preclinical struggles will set me up for a poor STEP score and thus match struggles.

 

[nimbus]

Thank you everyone for the advice! What you all are saying makes sense. So a second question, do you think it is reasonable for someone who has struggled a good bit with preclinical classes (mainly anatomy/biochem), to achieve a decent STEP score (220+) starting studying in the fall of M2? I ask because I am honestly worried that my preclinical struggles will set me up for a poor STEP score and thus match struggles.

The best thing you can do at this point is to focus on your current classes and do as well as possible on those. Make a study plan and stick to it and get help/tutoring if necessary.

 

[anon6134]

Think about what you studied a year ago and if you actually remember anything of importance from it. That's how big of a waste trying to study for Step this summer would be. Do research, go to the beach, do something you want to do. Don't study

 

[fantasticman221]

Think about what you studied a year ago and if you actually remember anything of importance from it. That's how big of a waste trying to study for Step this summer would be. Do research, go to the beach, do something you want to do. Don't study

That's why you use Anki and keep up with your reviews

 

[Med Ed]

Thank you everyone for the advice! What you all are saying makes sense. So a second question, do you think it is reasonable for someone who has struggled a good bit with preclinical classes (mainly anatomy/biochem), to achieve a decent STEP score (220+) starting studying in the fall of M2? I ask because I am honestly worried that my preclinical struggles will set me up for a poor STEP score and thus match struggles.

You started studying at the beginning of M1. You'll get the most mileage out of improving how you learn. If you have not done so already, schedule an appointment with your school's learning specialist.

A useful blog post about effective (and ineffective) study techniques can be found here. It's a handy distillation of a very lengthy meta-analysis.

 

[anon6134]

That's why you use Anki and keep up with your reviews

You haven't even learned 90% of what is tested on Step 1. But go ahead and spend your summer doing anki renal physiology cards if you must

 

[throwaway1224]

You started studying at the beginning of M1. You'll get the most mileage out of improving how you learn. If you have not done so already, schedule an appointment with your school's learning specialist.

A useful blog post about effective (and ineffective) study techniques can be found here. It's a handy distillation of a very lengthy meta-analysis.

I have since talked to the learning specialists (several times actually) and have finally found a strategy that is working pretty well (scoring average/slightly above average vs failing/nearly failing). I am just worried given that it took me a whole semester of medical school to really figure this out, how to move forward from here. Maybe try to rectify my knowledge gaps from biochem/anatomy this summer? Or just focus on performing well in organ blocks now forward?

 

[stickgirl390]

1) Why do you think you can’t do NIH + Step studying? 40 hrs a week is nothing

2) Idk how your school is structured, but most M1s finish anatomy. You could do all the Step anatomy prep without getting ahead of yourself on concepts you haven’t even learned yet

3) I’m in the same boat as you. I don’t feel like I’m the strongest standardized test taker, and I’ll need more preparation for step than the average student. I’ll be studying this summer, at a pace that works best for my learning style. You do you, and don’t listen to all these people saying Step studying is a waste of time.

 

[fantasticman221]

You haven't even learned 90% of what is tested on Step 1. But go ahead and spend your summer doing anki renal physiology cards if you must

With BnBs you probably could teach yourself most of what you need to know. From what I've been reading, med school nowadays is different than how it was 10-20 year ago with all of the great resources our there.

 

[fantasticman221]

I have since talked to the learning specialists (several times actually) and have finally found a strategy that is working pretty well (scoring average/slightly above average vs failing/nearly failing). I am just worried given that it took me a whole semester of medical school to really figure this out, how to move forward from here. Maybe try to rectify my knowledge gaps from biochem/anatomy this summer? Or just focus on performing well in organ blocks now forward?

Honestly, I know I'm only an M1, but might not be a bad idea to get a subscription of BnB and work through some of your future topics over the summer as well.

 

[popopopop]

Don't feel bad if you need to study during summer. Some people just need more prep than others (like me). If you don't feel burnt out from studying and actually plan some r/r time during summer, then do whatever feels right to you.

 

[LyMed]

I disagree with not studying during your early years. Maybe it’s just the interpretation of the word. You as a student should spend some part of your day either reviewing or learning new material for the Step. It doesn’t have to be a lot, and you can fit it in either option.

 

[throwaway1224]

Thank you everyone for all of the input and advice. So it seems like what I'm gathering from everything is that taking the NIH fellowship and doing some light (maybe a 1-2 hours a day) review of M1 material/preview of M2 would be the best plan? And obviously enjoying my summer with the financial freedom the fellowship would afford me

 

[Med Ed]

So it seems like what I'm gathering from everything is that taking the NIH fellowship and doing some light (maybe a 1-2 hours a day) review of M1 material/preview of M2 would be the best plan?

I don't know if I'd call 1-2 hours a day "light." I've had many students concoct similar plans only to find out that it's easier said than done. Instead of coming back to M2 recharged and ready to go, they arrive already lightly demoralized.

Anatomy is a small component of USMLE. Biochemistry is much more, but it depends on whether you are talking about DNA/RNA/proteins/enzymes or glucose/HMP/purine-pyrimidine/fatty acids (or both). The former probably isn't worth your time. The latter might be.

The largest single component of Step 1 (by far) is pathology/pathophysiology. It may sound tempting to preview this content, but I think it would be about as effective as pre-studying before M1 (which is almost uniformly discouraged here).

 

[Med Ed]

I am just worried given that it took me a whole semester of medical school to really figure this out, how to move forward from here.

A semester is actually par for the course, in my experience. Some people don't hit their groove until two months before dedicated!

 

[Newyawk]

Idk why everyone says not to study during the summer going into M2. You definitely covered a ton of info during the first year thats tested on step 1, especially if youre in a systems curriculum. I reviewed from first aid that summer and i think it helped. I wish i wouldve done kaplan/rx Qs in topics i knew already. You can even go ahead if you feel like it with sources like pathoma and bnb. Just focus on understanding and integrating rather than cramming miniscule facts

 

[NucleusO]

I went through all of Pathoma and Sketchy between the summer of M1 and M2 while doing a small research project on the side; now that I'm studying for STEP, I really thank myself for it. I think it's all about balance. You can do research and still go home and review concepts that you struggled with for 2-3 hours in the evening. It's easier to review and study efficiently during dedicated when you have a stronger foundation. You may forget some nitty gritty details, but if you've learned it once it will be much easier for you to pick it back up again.

 

[GoSpursGo]

1) Why do you think you can’t do NIH + Step studying? 40 hrs a week is nothing

FWIW I agree with this.

Do the NIH opportunity, it's going to be something much more substantial that you can point to come application season, and while I think there's definitely something to be said for studying this summer 40h/wk is not so much that you can't add 10h/wk for studying.

 

[throwaway1224]

Seeing the responses, there's two things I should add:

1. While it is definitely possible to work 40 hrs/week and study 10-15 hrs/week I really don't think it is the best idea for me personally. I went directly from undergrad to med school, spent my last two summers working ~50 hrs/week in research, and first year has kicked my butt. Given all this, I'm fairly burnt out and really just want some time to chill/rejuvenate to be at my best come second year.

2. When I mention studying for STEP, I did not mean studying in the sense of a 2nd year during dedicated (I should have clarified this), but more along the lines of ~3 hrs/day doing Zanki/First Aid/Pathoma over 1st year topics.

 

[throwaway1224]

FWIW I agree with this.

Do the NIH opportunity, it's going to be something much more substantial that you can point to come application season, and while I think there's definitely something to be said for studying this summer 40h/wk is not so much that you can't add 10h/wk for studying.

So question off of this, do you think this would still be the case given that:
A) I'm a slightly below average med student and thus highly doubt I will be even remotely competitive for derm, ortho, etc.
B) I already have a pretty strong research background (2 pubs (1 clinical; 1 basic science), 1 talk at national conference, and 2 clinical posters) + whatever I get this summer (prolly another late author basic science pub or a clinical poster/talk)

 

[GoSpursGo]

So question off of this, do you think this would still be the case given that:
A) I'm a slightly below average med student and thus highly doubt I will be even remotely competitive for derm, ortho, etc.
B) I already have a pretty strong research background (2 pubs (1 clinical; 1 basic science), 1 talk at national conference, and 2 clinical posters) + whatever I get this summer (prolly another late author basic science pub or a clinical poster/talk)

Depends what you want out of your career. If you're not wanting for a super competitive field but choosing to continue doing research, then I assume you want to do research because either 1) you want to stay in academics, or 2) you genuinely enjoy doing the research and want research to be part of your career going forward. In either case, continuing to build up your portfolio will only help you, so if you've decided you want to do "some research" this summer it makes sense to me to do the more meaningful experience.

To answer your question, yes the research you already have is pretty good and will be enough to help you on your residency application, but if you don't really care about what kind of research you're doing and you're not aiming for a super competitive field then I'm not sure why you're bothering to do research at all? If you need to rest and recharge, then do that and do some light review.

 

[kb1900]

Seeing the responses, there's two things I should add:

1. While it is definitely possible to work 40 hrs/week and study 10-15 hrs/week I really don't think it is the best idea for me personally. I went directly from undergrad to med school, spent my last two summers working ~50 hrs/week in research, and first year has kicked my butt. Given all this, I'm fairly burnt out and really just want some time to chill/rejuvenate to be at my best come second year.

2. When I mention studying for STEP, I did not mean studying in the sense of a 2nd year during dedicated (I should have clarified this), but more along the lines of ~3 hrs/day doing Zanki/First Aid/Pathoma over 1st year topics.

1) keep up whatever zanki you've learned, 2) finish sketchy micro, 3) review physiology weak areas with BnB. this is the bare minimum and outside of your anki reviews shouldn't be more than 1-1.5 hours per day for 2-3 weeks.

whatever u do, just keep up with your reviews (probably < 1 hour per day) and focus on recharging and getting over burnout. you can do the other stuff closer to m2 starting so its fresher anyway. this is a marathon. dont completely stop and take off and dont sprint...just walk super slow for a while until you feel better and ramp up the pace slowly.

personally, i wouldnt even do any research except the bare minimum given your burnout since research years are a thing and you went straight from undergrad, but thats just me.

 

[throwaway1224]

Depends what you want out of your career. If you're not wanting for a super competitive field but choosing to continue doing research, then I assume you want to do research because either 1) you want to stay in academics, or 2) you genuinely enjoy doing the research and want research to be part of your career going forward. In either case, continuing to build up your portfolio will only help you, so if you've decided you want to do "some research" this summer it makes sense to me to do the more meaningful experience.

To answer your question, yes the research you already have is pretty good and will be enough to help you on your residency application, but if you don't really care about what kind of research you're doing and you're not aiming for a super competitive field then I'm not sure why you're bothering to do research at all? If you need to rest and recharge, then do that and do some light review.

Thank you for your response! So I guess my interest in doing research is:
1. I would like to potentially work in academics and do clinical research (I just don't like the basic science research lifestyle (i.e. my livelihood depends on getting grants))
2. It pays better than having to work a service job (plus is much more enjoyable; I mostly enjoy doing research, not so much the writing). And tbh I'm going to have to come up with money someway or the other or I'll get evicted For better or worse research is one of the better ways to do this as a medical student.

Also, I guess the caveat to this I don't care a whole ton about what kind of research I would be doing this summer (both are only tangentially related to what I'd want to do). I am excited about the clinical research I will be doing with my mentor in my goal specialty (unfortunately mostly unpaid) and the past research I've done with him (the clinical paper and the posters).

 

[throwaway1224]

1) keep up whatever zanki you've learned, 2) finish sketchy micro, 3) review physiology weak areas with BnB. this is the bare minimum and outside of your anki reviews shouldn't be more than 1-1.5 hours per day for 2-3 weeks.

whatever u do, just keep up with your reviews (probably < 1 hour per day) and focus on recharging and getting over burnout. you can do the other stuff closer to m2 starting so its fresher anyway. this is a marathon. dont completely stop and take off and dont sprint...just walk super slow for a while until you feel better and ramp up the pace slowly.

personally, i wouldnt even do any research except the bare minimum given your burnout since research years are a thing and you went straight from undergrad, but thats just me.

Thank you for your advice! I definitely think that study schedule seems very doable and worthwhile. And unfortunately, while I would enjoy doing nothing this summer, I have to pay rent/eat so I have to make some money. I could probably get by on the clinical fellowship + tutoring for 20 or so hours/week.

 

[throwaway1224]

Just wanted to say thank you everyone for your advice!! You have all been a huge help. It seems the conclusion is somethings along the lines of:

1. do light M1 review (Zanki, Sketchy, BnB)
2. take whichever fellowship I would find more enjoyable on a personal level

 

[GoSpursGo]

Thank you for your response! So I guess my interest in doing research is:
1. I would like to potentially work in academics and do clinical research (I just don't like the basic science research lifestyle (i.e. my livelihood depends on getting grants))
2. It pays better than having to work a service job (plus is much more enjoyable; I mostly enjoy doing research, not so much the writing). And tbh I'm going to have to come up with money someway or the other or I'll get evicted For better or worse research is one of the better ways to do this as a medical student.

Also, I guess the caveat to this I don't care a whole ton about what kind of research I would be doing this summer (both are only tangentially related to what I'd want to do). I am excited about the clinical research I will be doing with my mentor in my goal specialty (unfortunately mostly unpaid) and the past research I've done with him (the clinical paper and the posters).

Yeah I agree, if you find one project more exciting than the other and it offers you continuity with your mentor, then it sounds like choosing the clinical research makes sense.

 

[kb1900]

Thank you for your advice! I definitely think that study schedule seems very doable and worthwhile. And unfortunately, while I would enjoy doing nothing this summer, I have to pay rent/eat so I have to make some money. I could probably get by on the clinical fellowship + tutoring for 20 or so hours/week.

that is exactly what i did for my summer. 10 hours/wk undergrad tutoring per week for exorbitant amounts of $ i didnt deserve. 10 hours/wk some low quality research that was paid hourly and turned into a poster/pub thankfully. 10 hours/wk studying lightly...mostly on evenings where i didnt feel like going to the gym but wanted to be productive.

all in all i managed to stave off the burnout, get in shape, prepare for m2, and save a good amount of money for rent/living expenses