Comments on: Advice for New Medical Students

By: Anton Power

Anton Power — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 17:05:39 +0000

This is advice I will take to heart starting next fall. To be honest, study groups depend on who you are studying with. I’ve had completely unproductive study groups, and very focused ones as well..

Thank you Mr. White Coat!

By: Beth

Beth — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 22:26:31 +0000

During med school I always stayed up too late to study, and drowsed my way through class the next day. Then came home, took a nap, and stayed up too late to study. If I could do it over again I’d have gotten more sleep and paid more attention in class. This also would’ve helped me save up more sleep for residency

By: Allison

Allison — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 04:06:06 +0000

Thank you for this. I’m starting med school again in a few weeks (was on medical leave) and I’m a bit nervous. But these were really great tips.

By: Linda

Linda — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 00:56:02 +0000

Thanks so much for this! I’m starting med school next month and as much as I’m trying to relax and not think about medicine now, your words of advice were much needed. Thanks!

By: KT

KT — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 09:16:58 +0000

Pretty great advice for any university student. Seriously, study is just about never more important than family and friends. When I think about the Friday nights I spent “studying” and daydreaming about going out with my friends at uni, and I told myself when I finish I’ll have plenty of time for that. Now, I work every Friday night and every Saturday morning and I’m kicking myself.

I would also suggest never, ever writing off a subject that you hate studying. I hated the renal system when I was at uni, and actually scored 0 marks on a quiz once about it. Now I’m a haemodialysis nurse!

By: Mingle

Mingle — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 05:07:51 +0000

I hated study groups in undergrad/MCAT classes. Now I feel validated. Yes!!!!

I do think it’s difficult to study without a computer now, whether it’s for med school or undergrad. Soooo very many things are online whether you like it or not. The next best thing is to have a trusted person change your Facebook password so you can’t check it every 10 seconds…Ideally, someone who won’t mess with your account and say embarrassing things.

By: BossNurse

BossNurse — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 22:26:51 +0000

Hmmmm, weird, I didn’t get to finish. Anyhow, the one went on to get her PhD, and the other washed out after two years in the NICU….she was busted for diversion and gave her license to use. Sad. I’m working on my masters. Fun, fun.

By: BossNurse

BossNurse — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 22:25:22 +0000

Loved this post. I studied with the same two friends all the way through 4 years of nursing school. One of them was also my carpool partner, since our school was an hour away from home. We made the car a safe zone, and had some great conversations. Study group was sacred though. The night after the test, we’d allow ourselves a couple of margaritas at my house. Good times. One of my study partners went on to get her PhD,

By: Sarah

Sarah — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 20:51:08 +0000

I would add that in the didactic years, if you study at home, you should pay decent money for an incredibly comfortable desk chair even though you’re poor because that’s where you’re going to spend most of your waking hours. And in the clinical years, pay decent money and get yourself incredibly comfortable dress shoes, for the same reason.

By: CJL

CJL — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 19:00:44 +0000

I’m a recent medical school graduate, and I agree with almost everything you posted, with the following exceptions:

1. I had to study in groups. If I’d had to study by myself, I don’t think I would have made it through my first year of medical school. Med school was a shock to me, and without the support of my classmates/friends who were there to commiserate, I would have done very poorly. I succeeded with this method, and I think if you find people who have a similar studying style to yourself, this can work well.

2. It’s not always possible in today’s medical education system to study without a computer or the internet. There are many online lectures or modules as part of the required curriculum. That being said, I fully agree that study time is not the time to check email, facebook, your phone, etc.

The rest I more or less agree with, especially #5 and #8. I made my house my safe zone. I studied at the library, and when I got home I was done. It’s impossible to know EVERYTHING, and trying will only lead to unnecessary stress. I also tried to make time for “normal” activities. I’m a big college football fan, and I did my best to watch my team’s game every Saturday. Even if I had an exam on Monday, taking 3-4 hours out of my day to enjoy that experience allowed me to stay sane.

Remember, you are not alone. Your entire class is going through this with you, so find a few friends you can count on, and everything will work out.