Zahra Abdali
Starting medical school was one of the most exciting yet nerve-wracking moments of my life. I had bought my stethoscope (I obviously had it engraved too), my scrubs, and all the textbooks I was told I needed, so I thought I was pretty well prepared. Spoiler alert, I was not.
So here it is - everything I wish I knew before starting medical school!
Imposter Syndrome is normal
Being in an environment surrounded by smart, competitive people it's easy to start doubting yourself and your abilities, but this is completely normal! Everyone feels this way at some point during medical school, even if they don’t show it. You didn’t end up here by luck, it was hard work that got you here—you got the grades, passed the entrance exam, and completed the interview just like everyone else. When that little voice of doubt creeps in, remind yourself how much you deserve to be here.
The way you study is more important than how long to study
Research has shown that the most effective ways to learn and retain information is through active recall and spaced repetition. This involves actively engaging with the material in front of you rather than passively reading it. You can do this by testing yourself either with questions, flashcards, or question banks instead of highlighting and rereading information. As a self professed Anki queen, my Anki flashcards and question banks are the backbone of any medical knowledge I have. The other thing I love to do is “blurt” - this is where at the start of a study session I try my best to recall everything I studied the day previously and write it all out on a whiteboard. I usually put on a timer for a few minutes and once I’m done I use my notes to see what I missed out and I write it in another colour. This is great because while I’m actively recalling the information, I’m also identifying gaps in my knowledge.
Self care is everything
To put it simply, you cannot take care of others if you cannot take care of yourself. Medical school is hard even on the good days and if you’re not prioritising your well-being you’ll eventually burn out and crash. When you improve your sleep, diet and overall health your academic life becomes easier to manage. Find things that make you feel good and make it a part of your normal routine whether it's a skincare routine, playing tennis with your friends or taking up a hobby. Whatever it is, finding something that you love and do purely for you is vital. It’s hard to find that balance but once you do it can make medical school much more manageable. Wellness for me looks like socialising with friends, treating myself to a facial, a morning pilates class and making time for an all important episode of the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills right before bed.
Put yourself out there
With medical school you get out what you put in. There’s so much you can do while you’re at medical school - the opportunities are endless but overwhelming so pick a few things you want to get involved in and make the most of it. It can be anything from leadership roles to research - just make it something you enjoy and can balance alongside your studies. You can build great skills and make important connections by taking the steps to be proactive.
Celebrate the small wins
While the big wins, such as passing that one exam you’ve spent months studying for, definitely call for celebration - so do the small wins. Whether you’ve just passed a formative exam, finally wrapped your head around something difficult or just survived a rough week - you deserve to pat yourself on the back and treat yourself. This is a great way to keep you motivated and remind yourself of the great progress you’ve made.
It’s okay to ask for help
Lastly but most importantly, asking for help is okay and sometimes necessary. The medical school will have lots of support systems in place to help you with whatever it is you’re struggling with but they cannot help you if they don’t know what’s going on. It can be daunting to seek help so you can take a friend with you to give you moral support while you talk to student support, your year lead or a tutor you trust. The help will always be available, take advantage of it when you need it.
The days are long but the years are short so enjoy it while it lasts. Medical school will be the most amazing years of your life - I will forever cherish the memories and friendships I have made. It’s a rollercoaster so by the end you’ll probably want to put your arms up and scream, but it’s okay, most of us do.
Comments