A journey in ink

Every life is a story written in indelible ink

Author: JIIN

  • USMLE preparation- Step1, Step2 and OET

    GOLDEN RULES

    Trust the process. 

    UWorld is the golden tool. Review it thoroughly and understand the logic behind each answer. UWorld is a study tool; the score does not matter and should not discourage you.

    Devour as many practice tests as possible. NBME is your best friend. Try to take practice tests in an environment as close to the real Prometric center as possible. I took mine in local libraries using old computers and headsets.

    STEP 1

    • First Aid + UWorld + practice tests are the core resources.
    • For Step 1, First Aid is your foundation of knowledge, while UWorld is where you learn the logic behind the questions and answers.
    • The Rapid Review section at the back of First Aid is gold.
    • Practice tests:
      • NBME
      • Free 120
    • Additional resources I used:

    STEP 2

    • UWorld + AMBOSS + practice tests were the core resources for my preparation.
    • First Aid was not particularly helpful for me for Step 2. Instead, I used a variety of resources.
    • AMBOSS
      • Library: I reviewed a wide range of articles, including epidemiology, biostatistics, and legal medicine.
      • Qbank: Must-read sections included:
        • High-yield articles
        • Ethics
        • Statistics
        • I completed 1500+ AMBOSS questions. For AMBOSS, I reviewed only the questions I answered incorrectly.
    • UWorld has a higher-quality question bank overall, but AMBOSS provides another layer of knowledge and strengthens problem-solving skills. I highly recommend combining UWorld and AMBOSS for Step 2 preparation.
    • CMS Forms (approximately 30 forms): approach them similarly to UWorld by focusing on understanding the logic behind each question.
    • Self-assessments:
      • NBME 10–15
      • UWSA 3
      • Latest two versions of Free 120
    • Additional resources I used:
      • Divine Intervention
        • High-yield Step 2 series
        • Biostatistics
        • Ethics
    • I ultimately solved 9,000+ questions during my preparation.
    • In my experience, Step 2 scores often correlate with the number of questions thoroughly studied and reviewed.

    OET

    • You likely will not have major difficulties with OET as long as you feel comfortable communicating in English and can interact with native speakers without significant barriers.
    • However, it is still important to become familiar with the exam format.
    • I recommend taking 1–2 practice tests daily for 1–2 weeks, depending on your level.
    • Memorizing the scoring guidelines is extremely important, especially for the speaking section, since some components are graded subjectively as well.
    • OET has its own YouTube channel and scoring explanation videos, which I found very helpful.
    • Practice writing regularly and ask ChatGPT to grade your responses. I also studied with a book, Dear Doctor, which was helpful.
    • If you want structured preparation covering all four domains of OET, I recommend finding a tutor online and preparing with structured courses.

    Testing Environment

    • The real testing environment may be noisier and colder than expected.
    • Bring multiple layers of clothing.
    • Practice becoming accustomed to background noises such as mouse clicking, keyboard typing, and calculator sounds.
    • Bring plenty of snacks, such as protein bars, coffee, or other food that can be consumed quickly during the 10-minute breaks.
    • You may also need extra time to return to your seat because security checks are performed before every re-entry into the testing room.
    • Plan your breaks carefully.
  • God is Good

    God is Good

    God is good

    However deep the hollow,
    He is higher.
    He is mightier.

    He never stops loving us,
    for He is good.

    All good things come from Him.

    In my Father’s presence,
    I find peace.

    March 16, 2026

    God has shown me a way.
    Therefore, I obey.

  • Walking though the valley

    Walking though the valley

    Not everything unfolds as we expect.
    That is why we feel.

    We feel sorrow for what is gone.
    We feel gratitude for what we do not deserve.
    We feel hope for what is yet to come.

    I cannot predict everything,
    but I can choose my response.

    I choose to accept.

    Accept that where I am is not what I would call a meadow.

    Accept that it is okay to be in a valley,
    so long as I choose to walk through it.

    For the steeper the cliff,
    the higher the summit as well.

  • Letting go

    Letting go

    Parting from long-known friends.

    Accepting that my sister now has a family
    that rightfully comes before me.

    Knowing that not everything unfolds as planned.

    Realizing that what I once believed essential
    was never as important as I thought.

    And eventually,
    letting go of myself
    in pursuit of the ultimate truth.

  • Best gift I received

    Few years ago, my friend made a cake for my birthday, inspired by the movie Harry Potter.

    She made it herself and wrote my name on it, which fit perfectly since my name is similar to “Harry.” I don’t exactly recall what I prayed for at that time, but I am certain it included expressing gratitude and hoping that such happiness would endure.
    To this day, she remains my closest friend and one of the most considerate and caring people I know. Indeed, having a friend like her is the greatest gift one could ever wish for.

  • My cat Joy

    Daily writing prompt
    If you could make your pet understand one thing, what would it be?
    View all responses

    This is my cat Joy

    He is a 4 years old, 6kg boy mainecoon.

    We are all living together with my parents but I am planning to get my own apartment soon. Joy will stay where he belongs, with our another cat and my parents. It could be months, or even years before I see him again depending where I get my job offer.

    I hope my cat understands I am not leaving him and I will always come back for him.

  • Nostalgia

    What makes me feel nostalgic is the smell of freshly baked bread, a quiet signal that a new day has begun.

    Over the past few months, I have developed a fondness for bread to the point that it has become a regular substitute for my usual breakfast. Each time I have it, I am reminded of my travels in Europe, where mornings often began simply, with bread and jam.

    It does not have to be an artisans loaf or a carefully crafted pastry. Any bread that is freshly baked and still warm is enough to evoke that sense of comfort.

    Having carried this memory to the moment, I now experience a subtle, almost foreign nostalgia whenever I have bread as my breakfast.

  • Judgement

    Daily writing prompt
    Are you a good judge of character?
    View all responses

    Since a very young age, I have been keenly attentive to reading people.

    Maybe due to personal character and cultural background. I learned to read between the lines and catch nuances even before I spoke my mother tongue fluently.

    This has been both a blessing and a curse, as one might imagine.

    Yet it is one thing to understand a person’s character, and another to judge their behavior, for the latter is an apparent sin.

    Romans 2:1

    You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.

    And it is often a sin with which I still struggle, as though I had any right to do so.

    No one does.

    No one is superior to another, for we are all fall short.

    Only through the mercy of Jesus Christ can we overcome such sin and be free from condemnation.

    However, it is certainly beneficial to understand people better, especially during the Christmas season, as it allows me to prepare more personalized gifts for my family and friends.

    Merry Christmas, everyone!

  • Is my life today what I pictured a year ago

    Daily writing prompt
    Is your life today what you pictured a year ago?
    View all responses

    Yes. Today is the life I envisioned a year ago.

    I did not plan every detail, how could I? Yet I knew I was moving toward my dream, and I am doing so now.

    I see light, and I choose to follow it. I am learning discernment, with the hope that, in time, I will be able to distinguish the sun from the fire.

  • Receiving the greatest gift in the world

    I was born into a very faithful Christian family. My family went to church every Sunday; everyone knew where we would be on Christmas and New Year.

    And I thought I was, too.

    For the last year, I’ve been isolated from the world by my choice. I wanted to focus on my future, and during that time, I had more time to connect with my God.

    I have been studying the Bible recently, as in actual study.

    • I learned the term “gospel”-funny how I didn’t even know the meaning.
    • What sets Christians apart?

    We receive a gift from God Himself-salvation through His one and only Son-so that we, too, can be clean in the eyes of God and enter the realm of Heaven.

    And no work-no amount of good deeds-would be enough to earn that gift.

    That is why it is a gift. All we have to do to get the ticket to His home is to accept it.

    Accept that He is our Lord, and only through Him are we reborn.

    I also learned about the Holy Spirit. His presence was unclear to me all these years. Here is my understanding: He is our advocate. Jesus had to leave so that the Holy Spirit could come to all of us – to protect and guide us.

    And since it is a gift, we are sin-free as soon as we accept Jesus and repent. (it is an instant cure, not a reward you get gradually through a process of work) When we walk with the Holy Spirit, we are whole, we are cured, perfect in ourselves.

    I finally understand these words.