I vividly recall walking into the exam center on the day of the test feeling a combination of confidence and jitters. I had dedicated hours to studying and practicing questions. My preparation was meticulous. I felt prepared to tackle this exam. So, I powered off my phone and placed it in my assigned locker. I took a deep breath and entered the exam room, eager to show all that I had learned. For the first 20 minutes, everything seemed to be going smoothly. I was in my zone, confident that I could handle whatever the test threw at me.
*For those of you that don’t know, a Step 1 score is the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1, a standardized test for medical students. When I took it (ages ago…), you got an actual number as your score. Now, though, the Step 1 test is reported as pass/fail. Still, this story is a good one…
Then, out of nowhere…
The test proctor came up to me and informed me I had to leave the room. She explained that my phone was supposedly ringing in the locker. I was completely taken aback. I argued that it couldn’t be true since my phone was off. Despite my objections, she insisted that I step out of the room. This absolutely wrecked me. I am a slow test-taker already, and now with this unexpected disturbance, I felt defeated. I knew I needed every second to complete the exam.
After unlocking my locker and showing my phone to the supervisor, she just casually remarked, “Oh well must be someone else.” So, I went back to the exam room, but it was too late. The interruption had shaken me and I struggled to refocus. I rushed to finish, but it was too late – I didn’t finish the section. Completely rattled, half in tears, I didn’t recover and struggled the rest of the exam.
That day marked one of the more memorable moments in my professional journey.
I felt frustrated, overwhelmed, and questioned if all my efforts were for nothing. Yet, reflecting on it now reveals a bigger lesson in resilience. It taught me about advocating for myself. It showed me the importance of keeping a composed demeanor amidst pressure. I refused to allow this obstacle to shape my path.
Since then, I matched into a top residency program. I was faculty at a top institution. And now, I’m a board certified ObGyn happily in private practice with patients who love me. My Step 1 score was 203—a number that some might consider average, but it didn’t hold me back. Instead, it was my determination, perseverance, and ability to bounce back from setbacks that paved the way for my success.
So, as you face Step 1 or any other significant milestone, remember this: you are more than a number. Challenges will come, and things might not always go as planned. Yet, what matters most is your ability to adapt, stay resilient, and keep pushing forward.
So, take a deep breath, stay focused, and trust in your preparation. You’ve got this, and your future in medicine is filled with endless possibilities.
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