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TOPICS DISCUSSED:

1. How Ashley got interested in medicine
2. Humanism Elective & the privilege of being a medical student
3. USMLE STEP 1
   1. Overview/basics
   2. General framework for preparation
   3. Choosing resources, study schedules, and taking breaks
   4. Impact of COVID crisis on Ashley's exam
4. Ashley's favorite spots in Baltimore
5. Intentional breaks from studying - Ashley's perspective on staying well

TODAY'S GUEST: Ashley Yuen is a 3rd-year medical student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She studied biology University of Maryland College Park, spent a gap year scribing at a pediatrics clinic, and recently passed USMLE Step 1 exam. This is a huge milestone for any medical student, and we spend some time what it was like for her to have the test date changed multiple times in the midst of the COVID pandemic. She had  plenty of valuable insights to offer regarding the balance between thorough preparation and dedication to personal wellness. And near the end of the episode she shares some pearls of wisdom about intentional study breaks that I loved. She actively devotes time to taking care of herself so she’s better positioned to contribute to patient care. 

And speaking of the wards, we also talked about how a humanism elective helped her realize the privilege medical students have. With a smaller caseload, maybe only a few patients at a time, you can really spend more time with them and form strong bonds that help build trust, learn about their condition, and, ultimately, improve the care they receive. I loved this conversation, and although its relatively brief, I think it’s a great listen for anyone pursuing a medical degree or honestly anyone who knows someone going through these things on that path. I hope you enjoy the episode!

*Audio quality improvement coming next episode!*

SPONSOR SHOUTOUT:

This podcast is supported by Boards & Beyond. Each video is designed and taught by Dr. Jason Ryan, who trained in internal medicine and cardiology at Harvard. He has won numerous teaching awards and directs organ systems courses as a medical school professor.  

Many membership plans are available, so whether you are scheduled to take the exam in the next 6 months or the next two years, Boards&Beyond offers a great option for you. Additionally, they’re offering you 10% off any membership plan, just use the promo code BBLUKEPIT2020 at checkout. Get started by checking out their sample videos and student testimonials at boardsbeyond.com and use code BBLUKEPIT2020 to receive 10% off your membership.