If you’ve ever sat down to plan your Step 1 study schedule and felt completely overwhelmed… You’re not alone.
You open a blank Google Calendar. You write out a perfect plan. And within 3 days, you’re already behind. Now you’re stressed and guilty, and wondering if you’re ever going to catch up.
Sound familiar?
I’ve been there. And after tutoring hundreds of students for Step 1, I can tell you this: The study schedule isn’t the problem: the way we build it is.
So in this newsletter, I want to walk you through how to create a study schedule that actually works. Not a “grind 14 hours a day” fantasy. A real one. One you’ll stick to.
At the end of this e-mail, you will find a link to download the first chapter of my Step 1 Strategies eBook, which goes into great detail on setting up the schedule. It even includes an example 8-week schedule you can use or adapt! And… here is the best part: it’s FREE!!!
Let’s dive in 👇
1. Start with your timeline, and be brutally honest
Before you map out anything, ask:
- How many weeks do I have before my test date?
- How many realistic study hours do I have per week?
Don’t base this on how long your friend studied. Don’t base it on what Reddit says. Base it on your actual life.
➡️ If you’re in dedicated: Can you manage 6-8 hours/day?
➡️ If you’re in pre-dedicated: Can you commit to 2-3 hours/day max?
Multiply your available time.
Example:
If you have 6 weeks x 40 hrs/week = 240 total hours. That’s your true “study budget.”
2. Know your content, and how long it’ll take you
Now list out what you need to cover. Think in terms of systems or subjects:
- Cardiology
- Neuro
- Renal
- Biochem
- Micro
- Pharm
- Ethics
- Biostats
…you get the idea.
Estimate how much time each area might take, and be conservative.
💡 Pro tip: Don’t spend equal time on everything.
Spend more time on:
- Your weak subjects
- High-yield topics (example: cardio > repro)
3. Choose your resources and stick to them
This is a massive trap. Students bounce between too many resources:
UWorld + Boards & Beyond + Pathoma + Sketchy + First Aid + Anki + Amboss + lectures + podcasts…
That’s 3 full-time jobs.
✅ My advice: Pick 1-2 primary learning resources, 1 Qbank, and 1 review tool (like Anki).
For example:
- Boards & Beyond + FA + UWorld + Anki
OR - Pathoma + Sketchy + UWorld + Anki
Less is more when you actually finish it (and retain it!).
4. Build your weekly schedule (macro view)
Take your total weeks and divide them by subject.
An example 8-week breakdown is included in the FREE eBook Chapter.
I recommend integrating pharm for each system as you review it (and same for micro). Leave space for catch-up days, practice exams, and question review.
If you’re pre-dedicated, spread this timeline over months, and just hit 1-2 systems/month.
5. Build your daily schedule (micro view)
Once your weekly structure is set, break it down by day.
Each day should include:
- Qbank block(s) (even early!)
- Review time (Anki)
- Learning block (video or reading)
- Breaks and time for food, exercise, or rest
Don’t forget to schedule buffer time. You will fall behind sometimes.
You don’t need to study 12 hours/day.
You need 6-10 hours of focused, high-yield studying, with rest and review built in (or less time if you are balancing with school/work and studying over a longer period).
6. Track, review, and adjust
No schedule survives 100% intact.
Every week, ask:
- What did I complete?
- What got pushed?
- Where am I falling behind?
Reallocate. Refocus. Re-plan. Your schedule is a tool, not a prison.
7. Stop aiming for “perfect” and aim for consistency
Most students get stuck because they’re chasing the perfect schedule. They think it’s a lack of discipline when they don’t follow it.
But the truth is: Your schedule should serve YOU. Not the other way around.
A good Step 1 study plan is:
- Flexible
- Focused
- Customized to your pace
- Built around practice and repetition
The more real you make it, the more you’ll stick to it.
Want an example to get started?
To make this easier for you, here is the link to download Chapter 1 of my Step 1 Strategies eBook for FREE.
This chapter includes:
- A step-by-step breakdown of how to create your study schedule
- Tips for pre-dedicated and dedicated phases
- A sample 8-week dedicated study schedule you can adapt to your needs
I used this exact structure when coaching/tutoring students who went from failing NBMEs to passing Step 1 confidently.
And now, you can use it too.
This chapter alone has helped dozens of students get clarity and calm around their Step 1 prep and I want you to have it too.
You don’t have to figure this out alone. And you don’t need a perfect plan. You just need a plan that works and the support to follow it.
Let’s crush this exam!
Oh, and if you would like my full 100+ page Step 1 Strategies eBook, you can get it at a discount here.