Something I should really apply, ASAP

by: Erich Rosenberger MD

Medical school is considered by many to be one of the hardest academic curriculums that a person can go through. It is four years of intensive study, long hours, lack of sleep, and exam after endless exam. Good study skills are essential for medical students. As a medical school graduate, I have learned a few tricks over the years that made my study life easier.

There are some things you can do to make your studying more efficient. Of course, everyone is going to have a slightly different style, there is no one-size-fits-all study method for every medical student.

Attend the lectures.

There are lots of medical students who find the lectures an inefficient use of their time. It is true that lectures can take up a large part of your day during the first two years of school. And it's also true that there are some lectures which are a waste of time. However, in general, lectures are the best way to get the information you need in an organized way.

Stay on top of the material.

You've never been in a program that presents as much information to the students as medical school. You will be overwhelmed by the volume of information. None of the concepts in medical school are difficult on their own - the difficultly is in the massive volume. Because of this, you absolutely MUST keep up with the material everyday. 

Procrastination in medical school is a sure way to fail. You simply cannot allow yourself to get behind on the reading.

Repetition is the key to learning. Repetition is the key to learning.

One more time: repetition is the key to learning. Much of what you need to know in the first two years of medical school is based on a large degree of memorization of facts. The best way to learn those facts is to go over the material again and again. This could mean making flashcards, or it could mean re-writing your notes a few times. Whatever works for you. But whatever method you use, the more times you look at the material, the better chance it has of sticking in your brain.

Take a break.

At some point you need to give your brain a chance to consolidate the information. The means that you MUST stop and take a break. Make some free time. Play a sport, go running, watch a football game, do anything other than study for an hour a day. And be sure to get plenty of sleep. Studies have show that information sets in the brain better if you follow a study session with a good nights sleep. Don't underestimate the power of resting your head. Besides, medical school is a marathon, not a sprint.

Good luck - you're going to need it!