Med school is not for the faint of heart. It requires the utmost commitment and true excellence, and a big part of that is doing well in school. It's not just about good grades—it's about building a strong foundation for your future as a health professional. Working in the health industry involves treating patients and saving lives. Therefore, as much as possible, the medical profession leaves no room for error. You must strive to acquire deep health knowledge, develop strong medical skills, and establish savvy academic habits to get there. Here are a few recommendations to help you be the best med student you can be and achieve more academically.
Set academic goals
Establishing goals can make a huge difference in your personal or professional life. As a medical student, it’s important to have reasonable expectations and set realistic goals for the school year. Doing so can guide your academic life and help you graduate with flying colors. Be sure to establish SMART goals:
- Specific: List what you specifically hope to achieve for the academic year.
- Measurable: Make sure you can measure and monitor these goals, like the number of medical cases you can tackle in a month.
- Achievable: Ensure these objectives are realistic by assessing if these goals are within your skills and abilities as a medical student.
- Relevant: These goals must be relevant to your aspirations as a medical student.
- Time-bound: Set a specific timeline for each task through the end of the school year.
Employ time management tactics
Time is of the essence in medical school. Unfortunately, many students juggle a lot of tasks, from classes to internships to constant reviews. And for the most part, they never seem to have enough time. With that said, time management is key! Try some of the following techniques to get your work done more efficiently:
- Eisenhower Decision Matrix: Prioritize your tasks by deciding what to handle first and last based on order of urgency and importance.
- Eat-The-Frog Rule: Start with the most difficult, extensive, and important task. Don't stare at it; go ahead and get it done.
- The Pomodoro Technique: Work for 25 minutes, rest for five minutes, and repeat. This strategy is perfect for those who can't help but procrastinate!
Related: 4 Practical Time Management Tips for Grad Students
Capitalize on learning resources
Unlimited learning resources are readily available today. The internet is a goldmine of medical information through free online courses and programs. You can even take a break from your medical studies by pursuing other creative interests—try taking an art class or tackling a Latin language learning program, for example. As a medical student, you should also start building your resources library early since you’ll turn to it often after graduation. You may need it for review when you take the board exam and when practicing your profession, so invest in quality books from trusted sources.
Be systematic and organized
Navigating the world of med school can be complex. Whether you’re exploring human anatomy and memorizing all parts of the body or handling various medical cases in clinical settings, being systematic and organized can have a major impact on your success. As a medical student, can’t just casually refer to your schedules for classes and duties. Keep a digital or manual record and schedule all your school-related activities with a system that works for you. Sort all your tasks by priority for certain deadlines and task size. The more on top of it you are, the less stressed you’ll be.
Enhance your focus and concentration
As a medical student, you should study almost every day. That can make or break your academic success. Start by refining your focus and concentration skills. Learn how to lengthen your attention span, and when you actually sit down to study, remove all possible distractions, such as clutter, background noise, and technology. If frustration starts to set in, remind yourself why you’re studying and why med school is important.
Stay curious and interested
People who succeed are curious about the world around them. If you want to become a pediatrician, you should be genuinely interested in childhood health. If you want to become a surgeon, you should have a knack for doing incisions. To help people with mental health conditions, you should be driven by the desire to explore the human mind. To learn fast and effectively in medical school, you need to be interested in the medical world.
Related: How to Improve Your Study Skills for Grad School
Navigating med school is no easy feat. Consider all these practical tips, from setting goals and employing good time management to maintaining your curiosity and interest. They can help you succeed as a medical student and future health professional with a little more confidence and a lot less stress.
You've learned about the importance of maintaining your mental and physical health, plus how to improve academically as a medical student. Next, find ways to collaborate and build relationships inside and outside the classroom with part 3 of our Med School Success Guide.
