# How to Study for USMLE in First Year

> First-year method: physiology, anatomy and biochem system-wise with your textbook and First Aid open together, annotating every extra point into First Aid.

URL: https://usmlevault.com/blog/year-1.html
Canonical: https://usmlevault.com/blog/year-1.html

## Summary

Argues that first-year coursework and Step 1 prep are the same activity if run system-wise with the standard textbook on one side and First Aid on the other. The core habit: every extra point goes into the First Aid page, never a separate notebook, so two years produce one book holding both syllabuses. Physiology uses Guyton plus Dr. Najeeb for resistant concepts alongside First Aid and the First Aid Guide; anatomy starts from First Aid and the Guide first, then the textbook, with neuroanatomy done from Najeeb during first year; biochemistry is learned directly from First Aid since the university syllabus already maps onto it.

## Key facts

- Method is system-wise with the standard textbook and First Aid open side by side
- Every extra point is annotated into the First Aid page, never a separate notebook
- Physiology: Guyton as the standard text, Dr. Najeeb for concepts that resist
- Anatomy is done First Aid + Guide first, then the standard textbook, in that order
- Neuroanatomy should be done from Najeeb in first year, not during dedicated
- Biochem in the university textbook is already in First Aid; in dedicated it is re-cut into seven pieces, each placed before the system that needs it
- The First Aid Guide covers 646 pages with ELI5, attached videos and MCQs
- The Renal system is free on usmlevault.com

## Covers

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## Source

USMLE Vault — https://usmlevault.com
Author: Dr. Marish Asudani

Updated: 2026-08-26