{"id":2717,"date":"2024-02-29T00:05:02","date_gmt":"2024-02-29T00:05:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.picmonic.com\/?p=2717"},"modified":"2025-03-05T15:09:24","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T15:09:24","slug":"5-ways-thrive-your-first-year-med-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.picmonic.com\/pages\/5-ways-thrive-your-first-year-med-school\/","title":{"rendered":"First Year Medical Student: What to Expect"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Ways<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

At least 6% of first-year med school students will not become a doctor within seven years, according to a study by the Association of American Medical Colleges.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But how many of the 94% who do finish medical school will actually thrive during those years. <\/span>We\u2019re not claiming the road to becoming a doctor is easy or even moderately difficult. It\u2019s extremely difficult, but some students make it even harder than it has to be. Don\u2019t be one of those students. Instead, scroll down for some great advice and med school study tips to become the shining star of your class starting from your first year.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Expect as a First-Year Medical School Student<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a first-year medical student (M1), you should expect to be busy, busy, busy. Your course load will consist of four to five classes, labs, and loads of studying. Your day-to-day will be jam-packed, and you may find yourself juggling many responsibilities at once. Don\u2019t let this intimidate you. While your first year may be tricky to navigate, you\u2019ll eventually find a groove and balance to it all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Do Before Medical School<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Well, what you should do is figure out how to prepare for med school! If you\u2019re pre-med, you should have all the classes needed for med school. After you\u2019ve completed the MCAT and accepted admission to medical school, you\u2019re ready to complete the paperwork. Submit any requested personal records and documentation to your school. This can include things like transcripts, degree verification, vaccinations, and other forms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, you should be well prepared financially. Don\u2019t miss important deadlines for financial aid or student loans, and get to know the cost of living in your area. Budgeting is really important in med school\u2014especially if you\u2019re moving closer to campus. Other than that, you just need your affairs in order! Don\u2019t forget to consider transportation, school supplies, your grocery list, and other necessities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mistakes to Avoid as a Med Student<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As a M1 medical student, there\u2019s a list of do\u2019s and don\u2019ts you need to follow. Here\u2019s what you should avoid:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Skipping class:<\/strong> While lectures may be recorded and you may receive the provided slides, notes, or textbook pages for the class, you shouldn\u2019t purposefully miss it! This is your chance to absorb information in a distraction-free learning environment and ask questions if you need be. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Cramming for exams: <\/strong>Cramming can be convenient when you\u2019ve procrastinated, but you should never wait until the night before to start studying! Instead, make a schedule to study routinely\u2014space out your sessions in a timely manner to improve your chances of getting a good grade and helping future-you (also known as MDyou) recall information. For new study go-to\u2019s, use this ultimate guide to M1 study tools<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Doing too much: <\/strong>Overcrowding your day-to-day schedule is overwhelming and stressful. If you spread yourself too thin, you\u2019ll feel the impact on your well-being and academic performance. Pick and choose what\u2019s most important to you and your goals, and leave the rest behind.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Not prioritizing yourself: <\/strong>It\u2019s easy to dedicate your whole world to medical school, but you should make time for activities you enjoy and practice self-care. Eat and sleep well, reach out to friends and family for support, and walk into class each day with a positive mindset. Take this year little by little, and be kind to yourself. Not everyone gets it right on their first try, and the joy in learning is trying until you do!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Failing med school? Read these tips<\/a> and bounce back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tips on How to Survive Medical School<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Use these med school study tips to become the shining star of your class starting from your first year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Get Realistic, Real Realistic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    \"Get<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The quantity of material you need to remember is far beyond what you had as a pre-med. Most college classes pale in comparison to the material presented in medical school. Many students waste time in their first year of med school. Do not underestimate the magnitude of the material, and do not waste time in the beginning. Find the right study tools that work for you<\/a> and get into a regular habit of reviewing the material. (Tip: find tools that offer spaced repetition. You will make the most of your study time by retaining more of what you study, long term).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Let this humble you, but don\u2019t let it frighten you. Like the many who came before you, you can do this!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Become the Master of First-Year Med School Organization<\/h3>\n\n\n
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    \"First<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    If you\u2019ve always been unorganized and chalked it up to a whimsical personality or absent-minded genius charm, now is the time to stop. For the next few years, you must make it a practice to be very organized. It\u2019s best to start your first year off right, by creating these organizational habits. You\u2019ll need to keep track of your medical school schedule, slides, lecture notes, book notes, and required reading. So. Much. Reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Input important dates immediately and, if your calendar is digital, set reminders. Save paperwork related to each course in one spot. Consider a note-taking\/organization app like Evernote. Prepare as much in advance as possible by purchasing notebooks, highlighters, page tabs, notecards, and everyone\u2019s favorite med school study partner, Picmonic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    With Picmonic for medical students<\/a>, your high-yield facts for medical school and great medicine lectures for medical students are all in one place\u2014your Picmonic account. Then, with just a click of the mouse, you can organize Picmonic videos by subject, keywords, ranking of how well you know the material, and more. You can also search for any Picmonic, meaning no more hurriedly shuffling through a deck of cards or stack of notes to a topic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    LET PICMONIC ORGANIZE EVERYTHING FOR YOU<\/a><\/center>\n\n\n\n

    3. Determine Your Study Style Early On In Your First Year<\/h3>\n\n\n
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    \"Study<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Once you\u2019ve come to terms with the amount of information there will be, figure out how you most efficiently and effectively can master it. Understanding how to study in medical school will be your key to success in the long term. For example, will you need to read the lecture before class or rewrite your notes after? Are you a visual learner?  Are you a strong note taker and can you keep up during lectures, or should you review recorded versions of them so you can slow it down or pause it? Do you learn better during a lecture or by reading notes, books, and other materials on your own? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    And do you study best alone or as part of study groups?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This last question is especially important as it relates to who you\u2019ll study with during medical school if anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you already know you\u2019re a one-man wolf pack for studying, then skip to the next tip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you think there\u2019s something to be gained from studying with a partner or in a study group, we advise you to choose these study buddies wisely. Some people study best by quizzing each other. Others learn by teaching one another. You may just enjoy studying in the presence of another medical student without actually interacting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Once you are comfortable with how to study in medical school, figure out what works best for you, and figure it out fast. Study time is not the time to make lifelong friends or socialize. If you\u2019re not studying effectively with a classmate, do both of you a favor by ending the study relationship and finding a better fit. Answering all of these questions sooner and finding your best study methods in your first year will help you save time and sanity in the long run for things like Step 1 and other exams throughout school and your career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    4. Don\u2019t Limit Yourself in Med School<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Every word spoken in lecture or written on the syllabus, slides, or notes could become a question on an exam. Don\u2019t think you\u2019re going to get all the information by attending every class and not reading the lecturer\u2019s notes. Likewise, medical students are wise to not assume all the important information will be contained in the notes and slides. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In other words, all those different materials exist for a reason. You will likely need to leverage a combination of lectures, review books, question banks, and mnemonic study aid to truly learn and retain everything you need to know. Take some time to figure out what works for you and stick with it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For more tips on what to expect and how to succeed throughout your medical school journey, read \u201cFrom 1st to 4th Year: How to Operate at Your Best in Medical School<\/a>\u201d written by a practicing physician who scored 268 on STEP 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    5. Remember Your \u201cWhy\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n
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    \"Doctor<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    As a medical student, there will be times when you feel like giving up\u2026usually at the end of an 80-hour study week. Keep something around that reminds you of why you want to become a doctor and what you will contribute to the world when you finish medical school.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Is it a picture of a loved one who passed away from a (currently) incurable disease? Is it a picture you drew as a kid of your white-coated future? Is it a copy of Patch Adams? A copy of Dr. Suess?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Whatever the reason was that spurred you to finish undergrad, pass the MCAT, and get into medical school, it\u2019s a worthy reason. Let it be a beacon of hope for you on the most difficult days. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For some inspiration and advice on loving life in medical school, check out this Q&A webinar by Ron Robertson, Co-Founder of Picmonic, and the Happy Doc<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n