I have a friend who just started his first week of medical school this past week. Already he is exhibiting signs of stress and disillusionment because of the workload. He is starting to realize the enormous sacrifice he will have to make for his studies. He is wondering if he chose the right path, if he could have chosen something a bit easier.
In short, he sounds just like I did when I began medical school.
For my friend, and for all who may be in this situation, I have one thing to say: IT DOES GET BETTER!
It really does!
First year is horrible, folks. For a number of reasons:
1) First, you don't know anyone yet, you are trying to get readjusted to a new social environment, you are thrown into a new level of professionalism very quickly, you want to make a good impression with everyone - the social stakes are much higher here.
My advice here is, do not be pressured to be something greater than what you are - or to know more than is expected at this point in your education. Remember, the admissions committee deemed you med school-worthy, otherwise you wouldn't have gotten accepted. Have confidence in that. More importantly, remember that God chose you for this path - pray constantly for His guidance and support.
2) Secondly, you have never been exposed to this type of studying before, and frankly, you don't really know how to study. So much information to learn in such a short amount of time - you don't have any extra time to waste to figure out how to study it all!
Well, my best advice is - just do whatever worked for you in college. Stick to an honest study method but don't worry too much about it - you'll definitely figure it out in time. Were you a handwriting-notes type of person? Keep doing that. Prefer to type your notes in class? Fine. Flashcards? Maybe, for some courses, but don't waste too much time making them - buying pre-made flashcards for courses like Anatomy and Pharmacology is well worth the money.
3) You might be having trouble finding a healthy balance between studying and actually living. Entering medical school is basically like having a whole new life in some ways. You really don't have time for anything except studying most days of the week. Finding it difficulty to get to Sunday School, youth meetings, or Bible studies at your church?
This is probably the most important thing you can do for yourself when you are starting out your first year: Never stop going to church services REGULARLY. Liturgy is NOT a sacrifice you should make for medical school, EVER. Maybe you won't be able to go to a Bible study the week before an exam, maybe you can't go to tasbeha as much as you would like. But never, ever, EVER stop going to liturgy!!! This is seriously the most important thing you can do for your spiritual and emotional health. Also, don't stop reading your Bible, and keep up with your prayer discipline!!!
Additionally, it is very important to maintain your physical well-being while in medical school - this will help you study and keep you from getting too stressed out. Get to the gym if that's your thing, or do some physical activity outside. Make the most of your break times - don't just sit and watch TV, but relax your brain in a different way - read a book, engage in some artwork, take a walk with a friend.
Finally, don't lose whatever it is that you are passionate about. Too many medical students lose sight of the end goal and become bitter and disillusioned by the time they graduate. Don't let this happen to you. Whatever particular hobby or interest you have - whatever it is that fires up your spirit and gives meaning to your life - don't let go of this.
Most of all, remember that MEDICINE IS AWESOME. Once you start getting into the hospital and seeing how doctors really do change the lives of their patients, you will remember why you chose this path. There's nothing so satisfying as diagnosing an illness in a patient early enough to revert its progression, or pulling off a surgery that literally restores a patient's vision, or helping a patient regain use of his limbs after a stroke. Interacting with patients is the BEST part of medical school, it's what makes medicine so wonderful.
You want to be the best doctor you can be for your patients, right? Keeping that in mind, studying your histology slides tonight might seem a bit easier. Godspeed :) .
