As the beginning of a new school year approaches, I thought about making some changes to the blog like sharing more or my experience as a medical student and also how I keep up with my relatively natural lifestyle while in school. I said relatively because some days, I have to choose studying over bedtime, exercise and meal prep.
As a a professional student (7 years post high school with a ton more to go) I wanted to just pop on here and share some things I've learned form being in school all these years, this is by no means an exhaustive list but I do hope that the 6 tips below can help you to navigate this new school year. Whether you're starting or continuing the bits below can help you to face the new school year with grace. Well anyway, here goes..
1. Find your study style and stick to it.
Most colleges have some guides to help with this. I remember in undergrad our counselling department did sessions on study styles. To some people its something to skip over but its really beneficial to quality studying. If your find out early how you study best it'll save you quite a bit of time in the long run preparing for tests and exams.
2. Meal prep when you can.
Fast food as convenient as it is makes you pretty sluggish. I usually set aside Sunday to meal prep for at least 3 days out the week because i'm one of those nap, eat, study kind of people, you know the ones that roam the fridge just after waking up. Studying makes you hungry and if you have good options to eat readily available you won't settle for the junk that you'll regret later.
3. Talk it up
I use to be one of those kids who wasn't big on office hours in undergrad but i've learnt that they are beneficial. If you don't understand something, block out some time and find that teacher/professor. Teachers really appreciate when you come in and they can do the rest of their job that can't be completed in a 1-3 hour block in the classroom. In most colleges/med schools office hours are given but you will notice that professors will not run behind you to use them. Trust me when I say this, good students know these hours and use them regularly. Don't forget to have at least 1 friend you can hash school work out with (2 brains are often better than 1).
4. Make your notes understandable
It may take a bit of time but go through those notes and explain concepts in your own words, make it something you can remember. Whatever you find interesting is a good thing to use, because that'll make for notes you won't ever forget. For me I call this #dreaspeak (dorky I know lol). I'm going to share with you something I came up with during my first semester of medical school
eg. Haemalavendeta- Lavendar tube, EDTA as the chemical agent used for haematological studies
All great students are able to take the notes and concepts given and understand them so they can apply them. Through this process you'll develop what I like to call 'crib notes'. Crib notes will be all your jottings, acronyms, cooky phrases that remind you of info you've chunked in your brain. Looking over your crib notes will be like review after you've studied since they are condensed course notes.
5. Find the balance
My very first semester of med school almost ran me ragged. I studied so much and barely came up for air. Although the grades were great, I didn't do much but study. My second semester I decided to change that and took way more off days...bad idea. Finding the balance of school is challenging because there are so many variables like writing papers, studying, group work etc but let me remind you as I had to learn myself that if you don't take care of you all of the pushing will be in vain. I remember falling asleep in an exam...where dey do dat at? lol and also going blank until the last 10 minutes...It's only so much you can write in 10 minutes people but after that I learnt to try my best, study hard and take moments to breathe. No matter how small, sometimes just getting out of your room is enough, treating yourself to a good meal after an exam, a little retail therapy...whatever floats your boat.
Lastly,
6. Encourage yourself
There will be days no matter what programme your in and how long you've been in it that you will want to give up. Those are the times when you have to dig deep and motivate yourself. I keep a list of scriptures and quotes on my walls that I tend to refer to before I head out the door that keep me grounded and levelheaded.
I hope in some small way that these tips can help you to look towards the new school year with great expectation. Make 2015/2016 the best one yet.
With love,
Drea
