As a medical student, you face many challenges every day. You may love medicine, but being a student can be stressful and overwhelming at times, because of the hard work and long hours you spend studying and training at the hospital. And even though being a doctor has many benefits, you have to realize that pursuing any kind of medical career is a complex task. Your training will determine the quality of care you provide to your patients. You have to be ready, as a doctor, to handle extreme pressure and life-or-death situations, while doing your job flawlessly so that patients are well taken care of and lives are saved. In this profession, you cannot afford to make mistakes, so as a student, you have to be fully committed and work hard to ensure that you become a highly trained and skilled doctor. No matter what difficulties you may encounter and overcome during your student years, it will all be worth it when you reach your goal of becoming a doctor.
That’s why we have put together some helpful habits and effective study tips that will help you study smarter and be the best medical student you aspire to be.
Study smart
You have to study a lot during medical school. It would be very difficult to acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to become a competent doctor, unless you put in all the effort and dedication that studying requires. Every medical student has their own way of studying, gathering information, and organizing their study time so that they can be more productive and efficient. Some students may like to study with other students in a study group, while others may prefer to avoid distractions and study by themselves. Study groups are a great way to exchange ideas and explain things verbally to each other, it will also help you practice pronouncing medical terms. However, studying by yourself can ensure that you stay focused if your fellow students are not as serious as you are.
You have to figure out the best method for you, as there will be a lot of studying to do throughout your medical school journey. Moreover, don’t hesitate to experiment with new studying methods, which will help you discover what works best for you.
Find what helps you learn the most. If you want to advance further and not just concentrate on your class material, you could also consider online learning classes, volunteering, etc. All of these are great learning tools and will improve your learning and medical knowledge even more.
Get enough sleep
During exam season, when students neglect their own health to focus only on the task at hand, sleep is often sacrificed. However, as a medical student, you should know the importance of sleep. Getting a good night’s sleep will give you the energy and cognitive boost to be healthier, study better, feel happier and more motivated too. Feeling tired and sleepy in class will not help you become a successful physician. Make sure you track your sleeping patterns, set a schedule and stick to it. Developing a good sleeping habit will help you maintain good health and focus on your goals!
Join in with social activities
A doctor does more than just perform surgeries, treat patients, and write medical prescriptions. A great doctor is one who can empathize, communicate, and connect with their patients and their relatives and friends too. It can often be difficult to talk to patients when they are suffering from a lot of physical pain. Moreover, doctors constantly encounter patients with different social backgrounds, personalities, and behaviours. That’s why joining in with social activities during medical school will help you improve your soft skills and ultimately help you achieve the successful medical career you are aiming for.
Get organised
Being organised is a crucial part of medical school, so you have to make sure you manage your time and priorities well. It is essential that a doctor is organised so they can avoid mistakes that can endanger a patient’s life. You will learn how to stay organised and plan your priorities properly throughout medical school. Every step you take as a medical student has to be well organised. Being organised now is a key habit to have as a successful medical student. Habits such as giving yourself extra time to study a harder topic, arranging your study material, and being precise with timekeeping and other life organisation skills. All these aspects will help you prepare well for exams, and prepare well for a successful career in medicine.
Take a day to relax
All work and no play will make medical students feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and tired. Doing hospital shifts along with studying in your free time will teach you a lot, but you also need to digest the information so that you don’t feel overwhelmed. You need to allow your body and mind some time off to relax so that you can recover and refresh. Having a day to relax won’t make you a less successful student; on the contrary, it’ll give you the motivation and focus to keep working towards your dream. It will be much easier to stick to your goal when you have the right balance between studying and relaxing.
Search for mentors
Seeking mentors’ help is another habit that successful medical students should adopt to improve their skills and become a highly trained doctor. There is real value and future career readiness to be gained from the doctors that are also teaching at medical school. These doctors have deep experience in your field and there is nothing wrong with asking for help from your mentors to help your understanding of the real duties that a doctor performs in the field. Academic advisors, professors, and teaching assistants are the mentors you will look for guidance during your medical school studies.
