Are you looking for some hard-and-fast ways to cope with the challenges that come with attending medical school? If so, this article is just what you need.
Medical school can be a jawbreaker. It is not a place for the weak but for those who are diligent enough to dream, work hard, pray, and live for it. Despite being oddly passionate about their line of work, medical students across the country have to dig through the ups and downs. They have to juggle the extensive hours of excruciating training to become healthcare professionals.
In some cases, rough school routines and other demands can take a toll on a medical student’s sanity. For instance, you have to manage and master various subjects while acing your exams. And let’s not forget the number of clinical skills you’ll be bound to cultivate. Add a few life-changing events to this amount of work and watch how the tension rises.
One of the biggest challenges of med school is time management, as your professional and personal success depends on it. So if you are overwhelmed with the challenges of medical school, listed below are some ways to beat the odds and come out a winner.
- Create a justifiable study schedule
To cope with the challenge of “studying on time and in the proper headspace,” set a reasonable study schedule. Utilize what otherwise would have been wasted hours of cooking with friends, hitting the gym, volunteering, or practicing a hobby.
For instance, if you’re majoring in a degree that requires research work, such as a master of public health, you may want to create a balance between research and learning. Luckily, today we have online learning resources that allow us to manage study, work, and personal commitments simultaneously. Therefore, opting for an online MPH would be a much better way to manage your routine. You will have more control over your education and can create a flexible schedule conveniently.
While you’re at it, please don’t do it all at once; take one step at a time. Try to study for several hours in the afternoon or morning, depending on your schedule, and then take a break to eat or work out. Then in the evening, you can take out your books for a few more hours before crashing into bed.
By creating a schedule, you will discover your study groove and learn the importance of time management.
- Find a mentor
Another best way to cope with the challenges of med school is to find a mentor. Now and then, we need an experienced person to show us the way. A reliable and good mentor can teach you how to overcome every little bump along the road.
Furthermore, having a good mentor can also help you relieve some stress as they’ve been in your shoes and know how much effort it requires. Mentors can also be classmates. If you choose a classmate, ensure they are a little older than you and have more experience under their belt. So it doesn’t become a case of “the blind leading the blind.”
If you’re having trouble coping with relationships, school, or your well-being, you can ask your mentor for help. It’s wise to have a mentor who is your friend as sometimes, they can turn into your support system and offer you guidance on a personal level.
Furthermore, a good mentor can get you a job later down the road, so choose your people wisely.
- Eat healthier meals
Sure, medical students don’t have much time to prepare five-star meals and often find themselves eating junk food, cafeteria food, and takeouts. It may seem like an excellent shortcut, but sugary, fatty foods can turn you into a weak person. Hence, leading to a less focused and frailer brain.
Luckily, a few healthy foods can power your body with nutrients and ensure you are ready to tackle every challenge. These includes:
Omega-3 fatty acids – meals rich in omega-3 acids are tuna, herring, sardines, avocados, and salmon. These lower anxiety, stress levels, and help increase focus and productivity.
Citrus fruits – strawberries, grapefruit, and oranges are high in vitamin C, which helps boost memory.
- Remember why you came to medical school in the first place
Last but certainly not least is to remember your purpose in medical school. You want to change and save lives. You adore people and want to create a significant impact in their lives, so let that be your inspiration.
Becoming a healthcare professional is a noble responsibility and a special calling. Don’t be discouraged because you get a smidge overwhelmed sometimes – nobody has it easy. Just stick to the course, and all the hard work will pay off once you’re out there, enhancing lives.
Conclusion
As you already know, surviving medical school is no joke. Knowing how to manage yourself is part of the process, and the ways mentioned above explain just that. Keep in mind that learning firmness and adaptability isn’t an overnight process. If it were easy, everyone would be a physician or a doctor.
One of the most important things you can do is create a reasonable schedule and take care of yourself. All of the things that seem like huge problems are only temporary. So, follow these ways to deal with the daily challenges of med school and excel at your studies. The stress of med school will be over before you know it.
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