My journey started in my second year of medical school when I came across a USMLE Step 1 score report on Twitter. It piqued my curiosity, leading me to spend an entire semester learning about the exam and the pathway to residency. This ignited a deep passion for pursuing this path, motivating me to see it through.
Initially, I started preparing as part of a group during my second year, but mistakes were made, and I had to pause due to circumstances beyond my control. I resumed seriously at the end of my fourth year. During the two-year gap, I balanced studying Step 1 materials alongside my college rotations, though my focus was more on medical school.
Financial constraints were a significant hurdle, but by working from my third year onward, I saved enough by my fourth year to reinitiate my preparation. To refocus, I relied on study partners who helped me regain momentum and avoid distractions.
I dedicated about 1.5 years to active preparation, though frequent interruptions occurred due to exams, work, graduation projects, and personal circumstances.