Here’s an example of a schedule created for a student preparing for the USMLE Step 2CK. Factors to consider were the student’s hyper-busy daytime obligations, inability to push the exam back, and prior non-existent use of Qbank questions (i.e., “jamming” UW up until the bitter end was necessary, yet in most schedules this would be considered fairly unusual, as HY review is logical instead):
By all means it should be noted that no two schedules are alike and depend on a multitude of factors, such as which resources have been utilized to date, the student’s learning style/personality/aims, and when the exam is to be sat.
“In a parallel universe, if I just knew exactly what to do every day (or even every hour) up until my exam, I’d ace it. But it’s like, ‘Is what I’m doing even fucking right?'”
Even if you think your current study regimen is otherwise fine, it’s extremely common that first-time Skype sessions tend to be a major overhaul of your plan/timeline.
Not because you’re not inherently capable of figuring out your own shit. But because there’s a lot of terrible advice out there preached by overzealous peers or upperclassmen who did well but who actually could have done a lot better.
“I know a guy who got a 255 who just read FA and did UW twice.”
“Alright, but if he had done x, y, and z instead, and run through Skype sessions with me, he probably would have had a 265.”
There are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and students who think they know how to prepare for their boards (often because they’ve received poor advice from peers) but who have no fucking clue.
In other words, should you just do questions? Should you use Pathoma? Sketchy? Firecracker? DIT? Kaplan videos? There’s a time and place for different resources.
My function is to give you the hardline confidence to jettison certain resources and the conviction to commit to others. I can also help you stay accountable so that you meet study goals and don’t derail or burnout before your exam.
For some students, I may even write out exactly what needs to be done on a given day. This is particularly pertinent as we close in on the real exam day:
Why did I decide to be an asshole and block out stuff in the above screenshot example? Because I have important grand finale secrets and ways of getting you to peak into your exam.
As I said, schedules are highly variable and no two are ever alike, so any schedule I’d create for you would be completely distinct from those I create for other students. This is why the first Skype session is so key: it helps me figure out exactly how to target and converge on the best way to get you the highest score possible.
“I literally had x show up on my exam and there’s no fucking way I would have known that had we not talked about it two days before.”
The above statement I hear quite frequently because I’ve learned by now exactly what you need to memorize before your exam – with no bullshit – and I know how to get you to peak.
If you’re interested in tutoring, general strategy, or having me create a schedule for you, view my substantially discounted package options here.