Providing Structure to Your Studying

Introduction

My name is Ricardo Fernandez, and I graduated as a Surgeon from the University of Carabobo in Venezuela in 2013. Since childhood, I have always had a deep fascination with medicine, which is why finding effective study tools has been a significant part of my student life.

Challenges and Problems:

The path to the USMLE has not been easy, especially after graduating outside the United States. The overwhelming amount of information I needed to master seemed insurmountable, not only because of the number of resources available but also due to the lack of organization of that information. Contributing to this was the constant pressure of preparing for such a crucial and demanding exam. My wife, who has already passed the exams, recommended using resources that, according to YouTube, are now outdated. It’s incredible how quickly technology advances and changes study methods in a short time. Therefore, I needed a platform that would allow me to organize my studies efficiently and effectively to cover all the necessary material.

Overcoming Challenges:

At this critical point, after searching, asking around, watching medical influencers, and reading reviews from people who had used various platforms, I discovered OnlineMedEd (OME) thanks to a friend who is currently practicing Internal Medicine in NYC and who recommended this valuable tool. Initially, I was skeptical because, although it had good references, the membership fee seemed expensive without knowing if it would work for me. However, I decided to give it a chance and bought it, and personally, it was one of the best decisions I've made. The OME modules were designed so clearly and structured in a way that I immediately noticed a significant difference. Using OME is like having a high-quality professor by your side, guiding you step by step through all the necessary content for Step 1. The platform helped me review many topics in an organized and comprehensible manner, adapting to the exam's expectations and format. Dr. Dustyn is one of those teachers who makes complex topics simple.

Results:

Thanks to the platform and Dr. Dustyn, I was able to structure my study routine much more efficiently. I studied for about 4 hours a day, from Monday to Saturday, because I wanted to cover most of the basic information before starting to do questions. This truly allowed me to progress consistently without feeling overwhelmed. Watching the videos and then doing the questions at the end of the video served as my guide, as it felt like listening to a story where everything is simplified. In STEP 1, the concepts are complex, and the way the platform is designed particularly facilitates the retention of key information. Additionally, the platform offered quizzes and clinical cases that helped me apply what I had learned in a practical manner. As a result, my knowledge consolidated every day, making me feel more comfortable when tackling questions in traditional question banks. (I have recently learned that OnlineMedEd now has a question bank as well.)

Final Advice:

 For those students on the same journey, especially those who graduated outside the United States, I would recommend making OnlineMedEd your main study resource. The platform not only offers high-quality content but is also designed to help you make the most of your study time. The videos are organized by body systems and apparatus, ensuring you won't miss any high-value topics. It's like having an expert professor available to you at all times. Additionally, OME helps you understand diseases in the way they are truly asked about on Step 1. It's an effective way to build your medical foundations as taught in the U.S., which you can then complement with question banks. Thanks to OnlineMedEd, doing these questions makes much more sense. It's like having a compass in the open sea, providing direction and purpose towards the goal of passing the exams.