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Medical school is just the beginning of a busy lifestyle that challenges students to learn how to balance work, education, and daily responsibilities. Students that are starting medical school should prepare themselves early to prevent being overwhelmed by the workload required to be a successful student and future MD. Here are some tips to help you get ahead of your peers:

1. Get all your paperwork done early

It might be tempting to give yourself a break before your first semester, but don’t forget that many of your forms and applications have deadlines. This includes paperwork related to FAFSA, promissory notes for loans, completing any online training, and setting up meetings with faculty members.

2. Make a schedule

Create a daily schedule for yourself to organize your school workload, routine responsibilities, and self-care. The strictness of this schedule varies by person, but having at least some sort of schedule gives you a better idea of how much time you have in your day. Applications like Evernote are great for helping you stay organized and can give you an easy way to plan your time. You’ll also want to schedule breaks for yourself to avoid burning out.

3. Find a study method that works for you

You’ll more than likely receive all sorts of advice on what methods are best for studying. Everyone is going to have a different learning style, so don’t be afraid to experiment with a few different techniques to figure out what’s most efficient for you. This also includes creating a study environment where you won’t be distracted or bothered. Gather some ideas from other medical students to see what’s worked for them.

4. Start building your resume

Even though you’re just entering medical school right now, it’s important to build a resume for your residency application that includes test scores, clubs, grades, job and volunteer experience, and any other professional experiences that might be relevant. You should optimize the amount of time you have in your first two years before your schedule becomes too busy for extracurricular experiences. Pick activities that will demonstrate interest and patterns in your chosen field of study.

5. Ask lots of questions

It’s okay to not know the answer to every problem you come across. Take the extra time to ask about or research what you don’t know. Start with learning basic ideas and then dive into the details. Your performance will improve as you repeat the materials and outline the information you’ve retained.

As you explore and learn about the medical field, consider reaching out to a trusted ally like the team at Enterprise Medical Recruiting. Since 1990, we have placed thousands of physicians and advanced practitioners in top medical positions nationwide. Through our decades of experience, we’ve learned the ins and outs of the medical recruiting industry and bring our skills and knowledge to you.

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