Devising Your Medical School Journey
What is medical school like? In truth, the road to obtaining a medical degree is filled with experiences that can be challenging, surprising, and also rewarding. It’s not an easy journey, but to succeed as a medical student, you will need to work hard and remain committed. Thus, it is recommended for medical students to have their own study strategies and planning when it comes to organising the volume of study materials per hour and per day.
The materials presented in medical schools might be difficult and overwhelming at times, as they require both active and passive learning. Active learning involves making decisions about the study materials and understanding the bigger picture of a subject matter. Passive learning, on the other hand, involves reading pages of text or going over notes in hopes of absorbing the information faster. Hence, it is important to strategise your journey in a medical school at the outset. Here are some tips on how you can plan your pathway to excel in a medical school.
- Create a study timetable
Having an organised study timetable will allow you to see how to spend your time, and ensures that you are setting aside enough time outside of class to complete homework and assignments, study for tests, and review and retain the information you are learning. It is important to comprehend what you can realistically accomplish with your time and that you leave enough time for essential tasks.
- Start assignments sooner rather than later
Do not procrastinate. Procrastination can have a negative effect on students’ grades and even their overall health since they tend to burn the midnight oil in order to complete assignments. Studies show that students who procrastinate experience higher levels of frustration, guilt, stress, and anxiety – in some cases leading to serious issues like low self-esteem and depression. Hence, instead of procrastinating through assignments, one could maintain consistency by scheduling time to do parts of the assignments across a period of time.
- Set aside some time to relax and embrace family time
While it can be tempting to start hitting the books as you think about how to prepare for medical school, it will be useful to maintain a balance between your study and life. The next few years in medical school will be busy and sometimes difficult, so it will be beneficial for you to plan some free time in your schedule. Find ways to spend time with your family and friends, and importantly, remember to allocate time for yourself. It is best to have a good routine, including a proper sleeping schedule, and this can help recreate some normalcy in your daily life.
- Create a support network
Developing relationships and building a support network is an important aspect for medical school students. Support networks can help to keep you going when things get tough. They can provide insights and ideas on coursework, internships, and career advice, and they can connect you with others who can help you further. Support networks such as student associations can be expanded and used to encourage your future aspirations in the medical field.
Renowned for its excellent support services, Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia (NUMed) is committed to prioritising its students’ well-being at all times. NUMed seeks to develop an inspiring environment for students while providing them with an affordable, world-class medical education. To find out more about NUMed’s programmes, excellent facilities, and student life, email admissions@newcastle.edu.my, call 07-555 3800, WhatsApp 011-1231 5411 / 012-7849456 or visit www.newcastle.edu.my
