{"id":2674,"date":"2019-02-21T03:11:00","date_gmt":"2019-02-21T03:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/?p=2674"},"modified":"2026-06-03T16:45:02","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T00:45:02","slug":"how-i-studied-for-the-shelf-exams-and-survived-clinical-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-i-studied-for-the-shelf-exams-and-survived-clinical-year","title":{"rendered":"How I Studied for the Shelf Exams and Survived Clinical Year"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">In This Article<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-i-studied-for-the-shelf-exams-and-survived-clinical-year\/#Questions_Are_Key_for_All_Clerkships\" >Questions Are Key for All Clerkships<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-i-studied-for-the-shelf-exams-and-survived-clinical-year\/#Internal_Medicine\" >Internal Medicine<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-i-studied-for-the-shelf-exams-and-survived-clinical-year\/#Pediatrics\" >Pediatrics<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-i-studied-for-the-shelf-exams-and-survived-clinical-year\/#OBGYN\" >OB\/GYN<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-i-studied-for-the-shelf-exams-and-survived-clinical-year\/#Neurology\" >Neurology<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-i-studied-for-the-shelf-exams-and-survived-clinical-year\/#Psychiatry\" >Psychiatry<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-i-studied-for-the-shelf-exams-and-survived-clinical-year\/#Surgery\" >Surgery<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-i-studied-for-the-shelf-exams-and-survived-clinical-year\/#Bonus_tips\" >Bonus tips<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-i-studied-for-the-shelf-exams-and-survived-clinical-year\/#Key_Takeaways\" >Key Takeaways<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-i-studied-for-the-shelf-exams-and-survived-clinical-year\/#About_the_Author\" >About the Author<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To be fair, I offer no magic answers. The <strong>clinical year is challenging, both academically and emotionally<\/strong>. You don\u2019t always have time for the gym, enjoying one of your favorite hobbies, or watching the latest episode of <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/podcast\/accuracy-of-the-pitt-on-hbo-max-mel-herbert\">The Pitt<\/a><\/em><\/span>. And even though sometimes you have the greatest day, other times you just want to curl up in a ball and cry. I have been in both of these scenarios, and <strong>I made it through. You can make it through too<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If I were to go back and do it again, <strong>here are the high-yield study tips that I would want to know, broken down by clerkship.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Questions_Are_Key_for_All_Clerkships\"><\/span>Questions Are Key for All Clerkships<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">UWorld Step 2 CK question bank is essential. Also, at least one week pre-exam for every clerkship I would do an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbme.org\/examinees\/self-assessments\">NBME practice exam<\/a> (or two). Use practice exams strategically to identify weak areas and focus your final review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No matter the rotation, the most effective study workflow was the same: identify a weak topic through questions, learn the concept with Osmosis, reinforce it with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/features\/flashcards\">flashcards<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/features\/quiz-builder\">practice questions<\/a>, and then return to the question bank. The combination of active learning and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/why-osmosis\/spaced-repetition\">spaced repetition<\/a> helped me retain information far better than passive reading alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Internal_Medicine\"><\/span>Internal Medicine<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I felt that this was my toughest shelf exam. If the shelf exam matters a lot for your grade, I wouldn\u2019t do this rotation first. If you\u2019re just trying to learn, do this rotation first! You learn so, so much. In terms of studying, read a comprehensive internal medicine review resource, such as <em>Step-Up to Medicine<\/em> or another current clerkship text, and re-read each section as it pertains to the questions that you\u2019re doing. <strong>Set a goal of doing at least 500 questions during the rotation<\/strong> (so, at the beginning, break that down into a per-day goal). I do my questions at <strong>first by category<\/strong> (for example, all of cardiology, then all of endocrine) so that I can get a handle on a topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When I don\u2019t understand a topic, <strong>I start with an Osmosis video to build a strong conceptual foundation, then complete the associated flashcards and practice questions to make sure I can apply what I&#8217;ve learned. For more challenging topics, I explore additional references as needed before returning to UWorld.<\/strong> If you have trouble with recall, I would supplement with Anki (can download pre-made decks from the internet and supplement as needed), but focus primarily on questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pediatrics\"><\/span>Pediatrics<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">UWorld and Osmosis were my primary resources for pediatrics. Again, do the questions. When you encounter a topic you don\u2019t understand, watch the relevant Osmosis video and complete the associated flashcards and practice questions to reinforce understanding. <strong>Pediatrics covers a broad range of topics, so having a structured resource to review diseases, developmental milestones, and management strategies can make a huge difference.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"OBGYN\"><\/span>OB\/GYN<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For OB\/GYN, <strong>focus on mastering high-yield obstetrics, gynecology, reproductive endocrinology, and women&#8217;s health topics<\/strong> through Osmosis videos, flashcards, and practice questions. Use UWorld consistently throughout the rotation to apply concepts and identify knowledge gaps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Neurology\"><\/span>Neurology<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Neurology can feel intimidating because there is so much content, but Osmosis made this shelf exam manageable for me. <strong>Work through neurology topics systematically using Osmosis videos, flashcards, and practice questions. Set a realistic daily goal and stick to it throughout the rotation.<\/strong> Combining comprehensive content review with UWorld questions is one of the most effective ways to prepare for this shelf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Psychiatry\"><\/span>Psychiatry<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For psychiatry, <strong>use Osmosis to build a strong understanding of psychiatric disorders, diagnostic criteria, treatment approaches, and psychopharmacology.<\/strong> Reinforce concepts with flashcards, practice questions, and decision-making trees, then use UWorld to further develop your test-taking skills and clinical reasoning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Surgery\"><\/span>Surgery<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">NMS Casebook. Supplement this with UWorld and Osmosis videos for any surgical, anatomy, or perioperative topics that need reinforcement. Also, make sure that you have an anatomy book to prep for cases. <strong>Reviewing anatomy and common procedures before cases can help you better understand what is happening in the operating room and contribute more meaningfully during your rotation.<\/strong> Surgery Recall remains a useful resource for preparing for questions on rounds and in the OR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Bonus_tips\"><\/span>Bonus tips<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A caveat of all these tips is that even if you do everything right, there is no guarantee of honors. Try to remember that most things are out of your control. What is within your control is the amount that you learn. I found that, ultimately, <strong>asking questions and showing that I wanted to learn mattered more than showing the knowledge that I already had.<\/strong> Nobody knows everything. Be as prepared as you can be, but also recognize that everyone (even the most stellar attending) is constantly learning, and this is the gift of medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Don\u2019t forget to have balance in your life too. Reach out to a mental health professional if needed if your stress level is becoming overwhelming (if not for you, for a friend). Keep some hobbies, even if that is going out on a Friday night to party with your long lost college friends.<\/strong> We\u2019re only human.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the biggest lessons I learned during clinical year is that <strong>consistency matters more than perfection.<\/strong> <strong>A sustainable daily study routine built around active learning, practice questions, and spaced repetition will take you much farther than cramming right before an exam.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Good luck! I believe in all of us becoming great future doctors.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_Takeaways\"><\/span><strong>Key Takeaways<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Consistent use of practice questions is one of the most effective ways to prepare for shelf exams.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Active learning through videos, flashcards, and question banks improves retention more than passive reading.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tailoring study resources and strategies to each clerkship helps maximize efficiency.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Identifying weak areas early and focusing review around them leads to stronger performance.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sustainable study habits, balance, and attention to mental health are critical during clinical year.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"About_the_Author\"><\/span>About the Author<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Claire Donnelley is a 3rd year medical student at Columbia University in New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/09\/Blog_Display_Ads_MD1_2023.png?w=700\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5904\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/09\/Blog_Display_Ads_MD1_2023.png 700w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/09\/Blog_Display_Ads_MD1_2023.png?resize=300,107 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong><em>Try Osmosis today! Access your\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/login?type=create\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>free tria<\/em><\/a><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">l<\/a><\/em>\u00a0and find out why millions of clinicians and caregivers love learning with us.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Clinical year can feel overwhelming, but effective studying doesn\u2019t require perfection. Discover practical, high-yield strategies for shelf exams, clerkships, and balancing medical school with life outside the hospital.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":50,"featured_media":10310,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[27,5,10,28,46],"tags":[468,3178,817,3177,84,308,462,3077,221,3176,385,670,192,316,1386],"class_list":["post-2674","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-medicine","category-clerkships","category-clinical-skills","category-mental-health","category-student-stories","tag-active-learning","tag-clerkship-success","tag-clinical-rotations","tag-internal-medicine","tag-medical-education","tag-medical-students","tag-osmosis","tag-pediatrics","tag-psychiatry","tag-shelf-exams","tag-spaced-repetition","tag-step-2-ck","tag-study-strategies","tag-surgery","tag-uworld"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ 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