Finally, you got into medical school. Congratulations! It is undoubtedly a remarkable achievement. Your hard work, medical school application, good GPA and MCAT scores have already proved you are capable of succeeding in medical school. The key is to follow the best study strategies and put your best efforts into improving your research, communication and critical thinking skills to succeed in medical school.
Many medical students find it a bit challenging to manage the transition to new ways of learning. It is because during four years of medical school you will read plenty of books. Furthermore, the learning environment at medical school is entirely different from college.
Students are expected to learn a massive amount of diverse information, ranging from hematology to pharmacology and anatomy. They are required to learn how to take blood and perform basic medical processes. You are expected to build important skills and knowledge in order to work with a patient and make a diagnosing and management plan.
In order to succeed in medical school, students need to find out how to learn efficiently and build important study skills. Here are five things you need to ensure academic success in medical school.
Let’s explore.
- Prioritize What Matters Most
In medical school, you are supposed to learn a sheer amount of course material. It is impossible to master all the study material without knowing some effective learning techniques. The key to succeeding in medical school is to figure out what is important and memorize only important information that is relevant to the exams. Prioritize things that matter most to becoming a competent physician.
- Practice Effective Study Strategies
Following an efficient study schedule will help medical students to keep up with the material. Memorizing a huge amount of information sounds intimidating, but when you learn how to prioritize things, you can easily figure out what concepts you need to learn first and what your weak areas that need your immediate attention.
Knowing some really effective study techniques will improve your ultimate performance in the most important courses. For instance, many students find the three-review rule very effective. It is one of the best study techniques in which you are required to review the material before, during and after lecture. This learning technique helps students better understand the material and improve their retention.
There are many study strategies for medical students, such as the Pomodoro technique, active learning, problem-based learning, spaced repetition and more. Getting familiar with all the famous and effective study techniques will help medical students improve their academic performance and succeed in medical school.
- Make the Most out of Learning Resources
There is no denying the fact that practicing study strategies will make you a successful medical student. But it is important to make sure you have the right study material and resources to make it easier for you to master all the intricate concepts. In addition to class lectures, notes and readings, there are a number of reference books, YouTube medical channels, slideshows, podcasts, flashcards, lecture videos and Qbanks that cover exactly what you need to know for medical school exams and licensing exams, USMLE. You will find a number of learning resources to prepare for nearly all medical school courses.
It is important to keep in mind that the level of detail required for anatomy is entirely different from biochemistry. Some subjects require a lot of memorization, while some courses require you to use your critical thinking and problem-solving skills to master the concepts. The key is to figure out the type of knowledge each medical course requires and then find learning resources and education tools as per the course requirements.
- Set Aside Time for Yourself
The medical school journey is extremely tough. Taking care of yourself physically and mentally is critically important to stay healthy and keep you on top of your studies. Set aside study time that doesn’t affect your eating and sleep schedule. Eating healthy and getting an adequate amount of sleep is important to stay physically fit. Take time for extracurricular activities and hobbies that excite you. Plan at least one fun activity each weekend to refresh your mind. When your mind is fresh, you can better absorb the course material and memorize things longer, which will eventually help you perform well in medical school exams.
- Seeking Help
Medical students, residents and physicians lead very stressful lives sometimes. Many medical students come across different stressful situations throughout the medical school journey. Even mental health issues are common among medical students. Asking for help when you need is nothing to be ashamed of.
Sometimes an effective study schedule, regular study, eating healthy and relaxation are not enough. It is recommended to find a senior, resident, psychiatrist, health professional, counseling service, or student welfare organization. These professionals will answer all your questions and help you manage stress and become a competent physician.
Final Note
Succeeding in medical school requires you to learn clinical, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. Medical students need to learn important learning techniques, use important study resources to perform at their best during exams. Achieving academic success in medical school and getting your MD will become easier if you follow the above-mentioned tips. Apply to Windsor University School of Medicine and get ready for a successful medical school journey.
