8 days

I practiced 5 cases from FA. The exam is very close now. I am going to start practicing on concentration and confidence.

9 days

Today I practiced only 3 cases for fatigue. I was tired, and decided to slow down a bit, and to increase the hours of studying in the last 5 days.

10 days

Today I practiced with Babak, and I couldn’t do very well some cases. I need more practice. I know there are only 9 days left, but I will try to do my best and improve as much as I can.

11 days

For the first time today I got the feeling that I know what I am doing. Of course, that doesn’t mean that I will slow down. No, I have to increase the speed and hours I spend studying. It is a little bit tiring though, but I gotta keep the pace.

What I did today:

1. 5 cases with Nikolai. Feedback: I spend too much time for the HPI questions, than I am in a rush and spend less time in the physical exam and miss some important things. I reduced the length of my counseling, and I think I did it well few times.

2. Don’t forget to ask for Ca2+ supplements any elderly woman and for osteoporosis.

3. Try again the short version of the neuro exam.

12 days

Today I practised with Baback. Important points from today:

1. Emphasize on the important stuff and cut down the rest.

2. When you see the case, think of the big picture first. What do you see first, e.g. if the cases is “lost consciousness” focus on the 2 reson for this: 1. heart problem due to low oxygen supply to the brain (heart seuzure aka arrhytmia) 2. brain problem (brain seizures). Than start asking Qs about the important organs that could be the culprit of the problem. For example: Do you have any seizure? YES–> onset, duration, tounge bite, incontunence?

3. Do the short version of the physical exam.

4. Be short in the description of the symptoms.

13 days

What I have to do today:

1.Finish writing the notes from yesterday cases.

2. 3 cases from FA, watch and do the physical exam again

3. If I have time watch Swartz videos.

14 days

I am finishing today with the last 4 cases of FA.

My plan for the rest of the days is to do 3 cases per day but very thouroughly. I want to practise every case 3 times. For 10 days I am going to finish one more time all 31 cases from FA, and I am going to have another 3-4 days for some additional reveiw of my weakest areas.

15 days

I am getting a little bit tired. I still have problems with the counseling part especially in the part where I have to explain the DDs and the tests I want to run with layman terms. Anyways, I keep working on it. I know I have to be concise and focused, but it takes so much time until you get confident with that part. I also have to watch the UW videos again and read some of the UW cases that are not listed in FA. I need to go trough all the FA cases one more time, and if I have time to read quickly the minicases. So far so good, I don’t want to put too much pressure on my self. I am doing my best, and whatever happens on the exam will not affect my mood and confidence. This exam is not the end of the world. It is just the beginning of a very long process.

16 days

I started doing the counseling list first. I have to meet Jim 2.30 pm and practise with him.

What I did today:

I canceled Jim. I am gonna practise with him another time. I finish the list with counseling. It took me a lot ofo time, but at least I finished it. I finished only one case with Joy.

What I need to do tomorrow:

1. try to write a note typing.

2. finish 4 cases.

3. finish the couseling for forgetfullness and confusion, check FA for it or pre4usmle.

17 days

I practised with Niki. It was very helpful.

To do:

1. I have to watch Swartz videos. I found UW videos a little bit confusing.

2. Make a list with the Most Common cousels.

3. Read the challenging questions.

4. Read fast the minicases from FA.