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Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Reducing State Anxiety Using Working Memory Maintenance
Published on: July 19, 2017
Impacting student anxiety for the USMLE Step 1 through process-oriented preparation
1Department of Neurology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA. rstrowd@wfubmc.edu
Background:
Standardized examinations are the key components of medical education. The USMLE Step 1 is the first of these important milestones. Success on this examination requires both content competency and efficient strategies for study and review. Students employ a wide variety of techniques in studying for this examination, with heavy reliance on personal study habits and advice from other students. Nevertheless, few medical curricula formally address these strategies.
Methods:
In response to student-generated critique at our institution, a five-part seminar series on process-oriented preparation was developed and implemented to address such concerns. The series focused on early guidance and preparation strategies for Step 1 and the many other important challenges in medical school. Emphasis was placed on facilitating conversation and mentorship opportunities between students.
Results & Conclusions:
A profoundly positive experience was reported by our medical students that included a decreased anxiety level for the Step 1 examination.
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