Making the Most of Your Time in Medical School

Medical school is well-known as a long and demanding career path. From the extensive coursework to the countless hours of studying and training, medical school requires a huge investment of time and energy.

Before starting my first year, I assumed that my entire focus would be on studying once classes began. I even made sure to fully immerse myself in my other passions, like reading, traveling, and cooking the summer before school, thinking I wouldn’t have time for them later. However, when I look back, I realize my assumption was wrong. It wasn’t just about constant studying; medical school became some of the best years of my life. Without realizing it or consciously choosing to, I made the most of my time as a student. Let me share how!

Study for the Future, Not Just for Grades

The sheer amount of knowledge students have to learn in medical school can feel overwhelming. As a perfectionist, I’ve always wanted to be at the top of my class, always raising my hand first, seeking higher grades to ensure my yearly scholarship. I focused so hard on memorizing all of that information that I lost sight of what was truly important: building a strong foundation to serve me well in clinical practice.

I still worked hard but started filtering information, prioritizing what would be essential later. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think there’s such a thing as “useless information.” However, instead of asking, “Will this be on the test?” I shifted to, “Will this help me care for my patients?” That shift in perspective made learning more meaningful and the process more efficient.

Get Involved in Volunteering

Whether related to medicine or not, volunteering is an effective and fun way to prepare yourself to operate as part of a team. Fortunately, my university offered diverse opportunities, and I jumped at a new opportunity as a first-year medical student. I worked with children with autism, helped organize blood donation campaigns, and coordinated exchange programs for medical students nationwide.

These experiences pushed me to improve skills like public speaking and organization, and embrace the spirit of teamwork so vital in medicine. Over time, volunteering boosted my confidence enough to take on leadership roles in those projects. Navigating teamwork and sometimes tough human interactions taught me invaluable lessons. Volunteering isn’t just about giving back; it’s an amazing tool that can provide personal and professional growth wrapped into one meaningful experience.

Take Advantage of Opportunities for Professional Growth

One of the best things about being a medical student or a student in general is that it’s completely okay to say, “I don’t know how to do that.” Medical school is a time for learning, exploration, and stepping into new experiences without prior experience. Embracing this mindset is important because as we progress in our careers, it often becomes harder to admit that we lack confidence in a particular area.

One of the best things about being a student is that it’s okay to say, “I don’t know how to do that.” Medical school is your safe space to explore and try new things without previous experience or fear of imperfection. As you progress professionally, it will become harder to admit we have gaps in our knowledge, so why not embrace a learning mentality now? Adopting this mindset is important because as we progress in our careers, it often becomes harder to admit we don’t know all the answers.

In the face of the unknown while also trying to manage all the responsibilities that come with studying medicine, we might say “I am not ready for that” or “I will learn that later when the time comes“, but I think quite the opposite.

Universities typically offer a wealth of opportunities for professional development, including research projects, paper presentations, statistics courses, and clinical workshops. In the face of the unknown, while also trying to manage all the responsibilities that come with studying medicine, it’s tempting to think, “I’m not ready for that,” or “I’ll learn that later,” but building essential skills is essential for your future career.

However, engaging in these experiences builds essential skills for a future career in healthcare. Knowing how to write and present scientific papers, interpret data, and effectively communicate research findings are core competencies for every medical professional. You might as well start practicing while it’s still common to make mistakes!

Prioritize Your Well-Being

It might surprise you, but I never sacrificed sleep to study or neglected healthy eating or exercise. It’s tempting to see a few years of unhealthy habits as a short-term compromise for long-term success, but, in reality, medical school is only the beginning of a lifelong journey. It’s genuinely baffling that we eagerly advise our patients to eat healthfully, practice good sleep habits, and stay active, yet we often neglect that side of our own lives!

Taking care of my physical and mental health allowed me to stay focused and resilient, and I encourage every medical student to do the same! Staying connected to loved ones and making time for the activities that bring joy helped me handle stress and stay motivated, making any challenges much easier to manage.

Explore Interests Outside of Medicine

I truly believe that having an identity beyond being a medical student is crucial. It helps with self-discovery and can even influence future career choices. During one of my summer breaks, I decided to do something completely different from what I had done before: I joined a student work program that enabled me to work in the U.S. in the most beautiful fudge store (all the way from Romania)!

At first glance, it seemingly has nothing to do with medicine. Yet, working in a completely new environment, speaking a second language, and interacting with people from different cultures and backgrounds taught me invaluable lessons about how to handle the unexpected, how to communicate efficiently, and even how to be more confident in myself. These are the same skills that make a great doctor. It also helped me understand what kind of work environment I thrive in and those I should avoid; insights that will be invaluable when choosing my specialty.

These are just a few ways to make the most of medical school. For me, Osmosis has played a key role in my journey by helping me study efficiently, providing helpful resources on mental health and research while connecting me with a global community of aspiring healthcare professionals.

Medical school isn’t just about passing exams. It’s about growing into the doctor and person you want to be. By mastering the balance of study time, self-care, and embracing diverse experiences, these years can become some of the most rewarding of your life.

About the Author

Roxana-Elena Busioc is currently in her final year of medical school at Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest, Hungary, as well as a being a Student Leader in the Osmosis Health Leadership Initiative. Her main area of interest is neuroscience, and she hopes to have the opportunity to teach in the future. She enjoys traveling and reading classic literature and has read Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice in every language she’s studied.

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