Third-year students spend long hours studying for Step 1

With the United States Medical Licensing Examination step 1 just around the corner, the medical students of 2010 are working hard studying for the dreadful exam that consists of 2 years worth of material they’ve learned while in medical school.

“I went home for four to five days to relax after receiving my white coat, but how much can you really relax when you have this ominous test looming,” said Amr El-Sergany, who will be taking the exam along with most of his classmates June 30. “Imagine studying for a test that consists of half the stuff you’ve ever learned in your life.”

The USMLE part 1 is a standardized exam to determine how much medical school students or graduates understand and can apply important concepts of the sciences basic to the practice of medicine, covering anatomy, behavioral sciences, biochemistry, microbiology, pathology, pharmacology and physiology.

And although it’s been a stressful month for the class of 2010, they are excited to realize how much they’ve learned during the past two years.

“It’s rewarding to glance over your notes and understand and remember the material,” said Aunna Pourang.

El-Sergany adds: “You begin to believe more and more in UF since the school prepared us so well.”

Because it is so overwhelming students cannot be careless in their preparation, he said.

“It’s like being a soldier– you eat the healthiest things and exercise because if not, you won’t feel well enough to study all day,” El-Sergany said. “This exam has helped me stay in good shape though. I feel as if I’m in the best shape of my life.”