USMLE or the United States Medical Licensing Examination is a distinguished one in the field of medicine. However, many people start panicking despite their sound preparations when the USMLE Step 1 exam dates are approaching nearer. It is important to avoid such worries and keep a calm head so that you can give a good exam.

1. Avoid irregular sleeping cycles. Get a minimum of 8 hours sleep every night. You might feel at times that by staying up for a few extra hours every night you will be able to cram in another section or chapter, but you will feel drowsy at odd hours of the day. So, fix your sleep cycle and not wait until the last moment on the night before the exam.
2. When the exam dates are near, many students try to make a last-ditch effort and start cramming up new information with renewed vigor. Do not do this. Instead revise your old lessons. This will give you a better chance of scoring well.
3. Do not avoid all human contact. Go out for short periods of time when the exams are near. This will give you a breath of fresh air and replenish your brain’s capacity to learn.
4. Do not quit watching TV. Watch programs which are funny or not serious and mindless. Watch cartoons. Avoid programs which will compel you to ponder or think, because those will be distractions. Watch light programs to freshen your mind up.
5. Many students mistakenly drink up a lot of coffee before taking their exams. They feel it will make them more alert. Do not change your caffeine intake from what is regular; you might experience caffeine withdrawal symptoms. It is best you avoid these when your USMLE Step 1 exam dates are approaching. Stick to your normal diet.
6. Do not plan too much about your test day, because when things do not go as you planned then you might feel that everything is falling apart. Make small plans in your mind about what you should do before taking the test, like what color of shirt you would wear or what you will use. But do not over think on any of these matters.
7. You may feel that there is nothing beyond your USMLE Step 1 exam dates and it is your dooms day. But always plan something to do after your exams. This will refresh your mind and give a calming effect on you. Try to look beyond the exam for something fun to do with your pals.
8. When your exam dates approach, you will feel like comparing your preparation with that of your friends and peers. Never do this. You might feel other people are better prepared and this can result in making you feel demotivated. Forget about everyone else and just focus on your preparation. Do not let these thoughts come into your head when you are approaching your USMLE Step 1 exam dates.
9. Spend time with your family. They are your constant source of support. Often people tend to shut themselves off from the world completely, including their family. While removing distractions is good, but do not ignore your family. Talk with them, ask them about their day. Nobody understands you better than your own family, always remember that and never take their advice for granted.
10. Do not feel afraid that you will not perform well. This is common in many students. But stay confident and be sure of your preparation and efforts. Drive away all negative fears, especially right before your USMLE Step 1 exam dates.

Conclusion

USMLE is a very difficult exam and candidates prepare hard for it by investing a lot of time, effort and money. It is imperative that you keep a calm head when the USMLE Step 1 exam dates are approaching fast. The USMLE is a highly competitive and a very difficult examination with thousands of students taking it every year and all of them targeting the top few medical schools. You must hence ensure that you do not keep any loopholes in your preparation whatsoever. When you are aware of the top mistakes that people make and are likely to make, you are better equipped to ensure that you do not make those same mistakes yourself in anyway. Thus, this article will be helpful to make you more organized and your examination preparation plan a stronger and free from any potential errors. A calm demeanor will prevent you from making any silly mistakes which might otherwise make you lose points or marks unnecessarily.