PLE Adventure
This is a blog entry to help PLE takers studying for the boards.
It is in the mindset. That powerful thinking that you will pass and so does your whole batch. I was very lucky to pass the PLE September 2019 together with my batchmates. We got that elusive 100%, we were ranked 1st together with Cebu Institute of Medicine and Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health. It was that idea of “No One Being Left Behind” and that mantra at the beginning of your review, will help each one of you. You will pull each other up, push each other to their limits and together you will all emerge victorious because you were in it to win it, TOGETHER.
First things first. How will you go about the studying process? Of course, you need a plan. My plan was of course is getting a slot from Topnotch Medical Review coz everyone is saying that they are the best. They have the highest percentile of passers. Plus, my boyfriend also suggested that to me. Knowing how he does not like studying and yet he passed, speaks volumes haha so choose well. You may opt to study on your own (I have batchmates who did), go with your medical school’s review (we had a refresher but I did not go) or other review centers (UST and Cracking the Boards). But for me, why risk it? This is not the NMAT where I could risk getting a low score (I studied by myself). This is it. It is now or never. Failure is not an option for me. I have been very lucky for every major examination I took (MaSci entrance exam, UPCAT, ACET, USTET, DLSUET, PLM CAT, NMAT) I have always passed. And for this exam, I could not rely on luck alone. I need a solid strategy and Topnotch did strategize well for all of us.
I enrolled in Topnotch and realized that there are a lot of good teachers out there. Different strategies being used in different medical schools. Different materials for studying. Different learning styles and teaching styles. I was amazed. My 2 day surgery lecture by Dr. Loubomir Antonio was enough to cram all 2 years of medschool surgery! The Anatomy lectures of Dr. Vibar were so helpful and organized! Biochemistry became easier and understandable because of THE Ronibats! And my favorite was Ian De Vera’s pedia lecture. The teachers were so good and they imported only the best from different schools. Listen and don’t take the lectures for granted even if you hear poor reviews from other classes! Attend and show up! They are high yield!
I rented a condo at San Juan together with 3 roomies from UERM (recommended by my college friend). They were so dedicated in studying so I was motivated! We did not chat much but instead focused on studying. I think that also helped because less distraction. I walk for 5 minutes to go to the lecture proper. We start at around 8am per session and usually finish by 7pm or depending on the schedule. The schedule was very flexible so you cannot really plot a definite plan.
MY ROUTINE (Lecture Days): Wake up at 5am, fast shower, fast breakfast + prepare food for class, walk to the lecture place (arrive an hour before so that I can get good seats) then take morning coffee courtesy of topnotch, LECTURE, go home/grocery, dinner, answer 1 chapter of Robbins Pathology (3 hours), re-read lecture for the day til around 2am x repeat til cramming fest. aka PEARLS.
MY ROUTINE (Rest Days): Wake up at 10am, shower, STUDY, eat while STUDYING, sleep at 4am then repeat. Just read and read and read. That is all that is asked of you during these months. You focus and study so that you won’t be that person who won’t be happy at the wee hours of the morning when they release the list of passers. You study so you will have a face to show to your alma mater. So that you can attend the Thanksgiving mass. So that you can have your face placed in a tarpaulin. You study, and you study hard and smart.
Quality Time: Sometimes, I do go on study dates because my boyfriend would surprise me by coming all the way from Manila during weekdays! We go to Rob Mag or to the nearby cafe to study. He would then bring me back to the condo and he will be on duty the next day. That’s how we maintained our relationship for almost 2 months. He was preparing for his Residency In Service Exam while I prepare for the boards. *see my IG stories for my board dates hihi* My parents were very supportive as well. They visited me every week and we would go to different churches (Sta Clara, St Jude, Manaoag) and eat at Rob Mag or SM Sta Mesa whenever I need unwinding aka near breakdown. Because I swear there were moments where I would literally just cry and sulk. They would go to my condo ASAP whenever this would happen and for that I am very thankful to have the most supportive parents and boyfriend. Whenever I am in LP, my bestie would also join me to study.
My resources: Topnotch reviewers (read it around 2-3x first reading for highlighting and fast reading, 2nd during the lecture, third reading for focused review), Robbins Review of Pathology (answer then check the rationale at the back), USMLE (to fully grasp the correlation between the anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology per system it is discussed in such a way that you would understand it better), IM Platinum (fast checking), Surgery Platinum, Legal Med Question Bank (during mini breaks), FM Platinum, PLM OB transes (best transes!).
At about a week before the actual exam, I went home to Las Pinas to focus so everyday I would go out and study at the nearby Starbs (which is my go to place here in LP). I would start at 10am until 8pm then continue cramming at home. By this time I am already reading the Pearls Handout and Q&As. My clerkship group would hold Q&A nights where anyone would ask questions and anyone could answer. It was our way to support each other and to check on what we might have missed that seemed important to others.
Topnotch would also coach you on how to properly answer the questions plus feed you and give you motivation. They won’t give you leakages but they promise to take care of you so that you won’t think of anything else but to study.
Board Exam things to bring: your Notice of Admission, Mongol pencils, Stabilo/Staedtler eraser, Ballpoint pen, snacks aka empanada and candies and water, reviewers (for peace of mind when you check answers haha I know it’s not healthy but well...), clear envelope (1 big, 1 small -- trust me!), fan, paracetamol.
So there you have it, my sort of guide and story telling of my boards experience. If you want to ask me for specifics, you can message me here! Remember that this is the last hurdle before you reach your dreams (although residency is so tough!). Pass the boards and you will have the freedom to do as you desire. May it be pursuing residency, work as Doctor to the Barrio, go moonlighting, or starting a family, when you get that MD after your name for real, you can be anyone you want.
That’s it for now. I’ll go on duty in a few hours. Keep safe. Wear masks.
