đ HOW TO GET LASER-FOCUSED DURING YOUR STUDY SESSIONS đ
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Want to get laser-focused and âin the zoneâ during your long USMLE Step 1 study sessions?
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If you said yes.. âŹď¸ Then here are my TOP 10 tips to absolutely crush your Step 1 study sessions so you can get better and faster results!
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TIP #1 – Set a specific goal for your study session. Having a clear idea of what you want to achieve will help you stay focused on the task at hand. Write it out the night before so you can get started first thing in the morning.
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TIP #2 – Eliminate distractions. Find a quiet place to study where you can minimize distractions such as noise, social media, kids, and electronics.
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TIP #3 – Create a schedule. Plan out your study sessions in advance and stick to a schedule. This will help you stay on track and prevent procrastination. Avoid the temptation to jump around from one thing to the next without finishing whatâs in front of you.
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TIP #4 – Take breaks. Studies have shown that taking regular breaks can help improve focus and productivity. Set a timer for 25 minutes and work on a task, then take a 5-minute break before starting again.
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TIP #5 – Use memory techniques. Use mnemonics, flashcards, and other memory techniques to help you remember important information. Create these tools as you go, and be sure to dedicate a little bit of time each day to reviewing.
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TIP #6 – Prioritize important information. Make a list of the most important information that you need to know, and focus on studying that material first. Hint: Go right to the USMLE.org website and see whatâs testable, then build your plan from there (this is how we approach the content to cover in our step 1 prep course).
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TIP #7 – Reward yourself. Set up a rewards system for yourself, so that when you finish a task, you will be motivated to do more. And donât cheat⌠If you cheat, youâre only cheating your future self.
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TIP #8 – Get enough sleep, maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. These factors have a direct impact on cognitive function and concentration. Itâs tempting to blow-off some steam, binge a show on Netflix, or watch YouTube until early into the morning, but youâre going to pay the price for these bad decisions. Always think about how your decisions in the moment are going to impact your future self.
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TIP #9 – Use the Pomodoro Technique. This technique helps to break down your study sessions into shorter, more manageable intervals, with breaks in between. The standard timing is 25 minutes, but as medical students, Iâve found that 50-55 minutes is typically the âsweet spotâ.
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TIP #10 – Minimize multitasking. Studies have shown over and over again that multitasking can decrease your productivity and increase the amount of time it takes to complete a task. Try to focus on one task at a time, and avoid switching back and forth between tasks.
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BONUS TIP – Implement the 80/20 principle. The 80/20 principle is an extremely helpful tool that will help you get more results in less time. The way to quickly integrate this into your studies is by taking some time to reflect on your study sessions and figure out whatâs working and whatâs not. By being mindful of how well (or poorly) a session went, you can quickly identify and double-down on the activities that are working, and identify and eliminate those that arenât. This will help you ensure that youâre getting more out of your efforts, which will ultimately get you better, faster results.
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There you have it⌠These tips will not only help you get and stay focused during your LONG USMLE Step 1 study sessions, theyâll also help you keep your sanity because youâll be making consistent progress and actually see the rewards for your hard work. đ§
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