5 Tips Every Medical Student Needs To Know

You got into medical school! Congratulations! Whether you’ve already started your studies, or you’re still preparing for day one, these tips can help you succeed. Here are the five tips every medical student needs to know.

1. You’re Not A Doctor

You may be a doctor one day, but right now you’re a student. That means:

● You’re not legally or professionally qualified to give medical advice, and you could get in
real trouble if you do.
● You still need to study, getting into medical school was just the first step.
● You are most likely paying a lot of money for your education, so don’t waste it. Parties and relationships will still be there after you’ve studied for the big exam.

Don’t ruin your career before you even have one.

2. Prepare For The Job Hunt

Don’t wait until you’re done with school to start planning for your first job. Here are a few things
you can do to set yourself up for success after graduation.

● If there’s a certain location you want to live in, find out what medical jobs are in-demand
there and aim for one of them.
● Check out job sites like Practice Match to see what areas of the medical field are hiring,
and what skills they require.
● If your chosen practice will require you to do a residency, research the best schools for
your intended specialty.
● Equip your resume with volunteer work related to your field.

It’s never too early to start preparing for your job search. The more preparation you do, the
easier the hunt will be.

3. Decide On A Specialty

While you don’t have to decide on a specialty right away, it’s important to start looking. The
sooner you settle on a specialty, the sooner you can begin preparing for it. Here are a few in-demand specialties you might consider.

● Psychiatry. This field has seen a rise in recent times as more people are openly seeking
guidance to help them with their mental health.
● Physical Therapist Assitant. You’ll provide hands-on care to patients recovering from
injuries.
● Respiratory Therapist. You’ll help patients who have trouble breathing by offering
treatment and therapy. This field has experienced huge growth since the beginning of Covid 19.

Choosing the right specialty now sets you up for a fulfilling and successful career later.

4. Take Care Of Your Health First

Medical school can be very demanding on your physical and mental health. Take care of
yourself properly by:

● Getting enough sleep.
● Making time for activities that help you relax.
● Remembering to eat proper meals.
● Setting aside time to see friends and family.
● Seeking help if you need it. Because of the high-stress environment, anxiety and
depression are common issues among students. There is no shame in reaching out.

Don’t forget to take care of your most important patient - You.

5. Find When And How You’re Most Productive

Everyone has a time of day that they’re most productive. Everyone also has a way of learning that works best for them. Here are a few ways you can go about finding your ideal learning style.

● Try studying at different times of the day to see when you have the best focus.
● Try different methods of note-taking and studying.
● Try working alone and in groups to see which gives you the most benefit.
● Experiment until you find the time and method that works best for you and then turn it
into a routine.

Finding the schedule and learning style that works best for you will lessen your stress and
improve your performance.

Medical school is hard. These five tips will allow you to help yourself while you’re on your way to helping someone else.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.