🌸 My USMLE Step-1 Preparation Journey

Preparing for USMLE Step-1 is not just about reading books — it’s about finding balance, building consistency, and believing in yourself. As a mom, my journey came with its own set of challenges, but also with lessons I’ll carry forever.

✨ How I Started

When I first opened First Aid for the USMLE Step-1, I felt like I was starting from scratch. I had graduated a while ago, and all those basic science concepts — Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry — felt distant. Instead of panicking, I broke the mountain into small steps:

Reading one subject at a time
Making notes in my own words
Testing myself with small sets of questions

The beginning was slow, but it gave me momentum.

For more of my reflections, feel free to explore my LinkedIn posts.”

⏳ How Long Does It Take?

This is the most common question. The truth? It depends on you.

If you’re still in med school → 4–6 weeks of dedicated prep might be enough.
If you graduated years ago (like me) → 4–6 months is realistic.

👉 For moms, it’s not about how many months you study, but how consistent you can be each week. Even 3–4 focused hours a day adds up.

📖 Core Resources I Used

I realized early that success isn’t about using every book on the shelf — it’s about mastering a few:

First Aid for USMLE Step-1 → my base guide
UWorld QBank → where the real learning happened
NBME & UWSA assessments → to check readiness
YouTube → quick refreshers for hard topics (Sketchy, Dr. Najeeb, Pathoma highlights)
WhatsApp Meta AI → surprisingly useful! I’d prompt it to give me practice-style questions or explain concepts in simpler terms.

👩‍👧 A Note to Moms Preparing

Being a mom while preparing is tough — but not impossible.

Study during nap times or after bedtime
Carry flashcards (or Anki) during errands
Forgive yourself on “off” days
Remember: your persistence is your power

To every mom reading this: your journey may be slower, but it’s stronger.

🤝 My Support System

My partner played a huge role — covering for me at home, encouraging me after tough days, and reminding me why I started. Having someone in your corner, whether it’s a spouse, friend, or study buddy, makes all the difference.

📅 Making a Study Schedule

What worked best for me was a two-phase plan:

Phase 1 – Learning (about 75% of time):

First pass of First Aid
Daily UWorld blocks (untimed at first)
Building a “UWorld Journal” for mistakes

Phase 2 – Revision (final 25%):

Second pass of UWorld (timed, 80–100 Qs/day)
Rapid review of First Aid + notes
NBMEs/UWSAs every week to track progress
Full-day mock exams to build stamina

🏁 Final Thought

No one ever feels “100% ready.” But the key is to trust your process, track your progress, and remember why you started. For me, being a mom made this journey even more meaningful — because every late-night study session wasn’t just for me, it was for my family’s future too. 💙