{"id":501,"date":"2021-10-11T01:34:00","date_gmt":"2021-10-11T01:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/?p=501"},"modified":"2025-10-06T17:13:38","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T01:13:38","slug":"how-to-be-a-better-medical-student","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-to-be-a-better-medical-student","title":{"rendered":"How to Be a Better Medical Student"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">In This Article<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-to-be-a-better-medical-student\/#Tip_1_Learn_how_to_learn\" >Tip #1: Learn how to learn<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-to-be-a-better-medical-student\/#Use_USMLE-style_practice_questions\" >Use USMLE-style practice questions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-to-be-a-better-medical-student\/#Make_use_of_medical_mnemonics\" >Make use of medical mnemonics<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-to-be-a-better-medical-student\/#Find_a_study_buddy\" >Find a study buddy<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-to-be-a-better-medical-student\/#Tip_2_Stay_focused_while_studying\" >Tip #2: Stay focused while studying<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-to-be-a-better-medical-student\/#Pursue_mindbody_balance\" >Pursue mind\/body balance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-to-be-a-better-medical-student\/#Use_the_Pomodoro_Technique\" >Use the Pomodoro Technique<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/how-to-be-a-better-medical-student\/#Tip_3_Put_yourself_out_there\" >Tip #3: Put yourself out there<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Are you looking for ways to be a better medical student and tackle the new semester full steam ahead? Here are some tips that I\u2019ve found very useful!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I remember how challenging my first year of medical school was, and how much I wished I had someone to offer tips or guidance on how to go about dealing with this new chapter of my life. The first couple of months were very daunting, but I eventually found my groove and a plan on how to drink as much water as possible from the metaphorical fire hose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tip_1_Learn_how_to_learn\"><\/span>Tip #1: Learn how to learn<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It can be quite demotivating when you put in a lot of hard work but don\u2019t yield the results you were expecting. I lived this terrifying reality for the first couple of months of med school until I realized the key is to study smart and not hard. I discovered the gem that is \u201cactive learning\u201d and it completely changed my entire method on how to tackle the first year. There are quite a few different ways to implement active learning, but I will share my top three favorite methods today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Use_USMLE-style_practice_questions\"><\/span>Use USMLE-style practice questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One way to work smarter is to use practice questions! I can\u2019t emphasize enough how underrated practice questions are in the first year. At first, I used a lot of textbooks with practice questions, then I went on to find better resources like&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/2019\/11\/13\/how-to-use-usmle-question-banks-efficiently-on-osmosis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">USMLE<\/a>&nbsp;RX and the Osmosis question bank. I didn\u2019t use these questions to test how much I know; it was quite the opposite. Depending on what I got wrong I would make a list and go over those topics, whether it was by videos or reading a textbook. Also practicing questions gives you a better idea of what to expect when a particular case is present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/76.png\" alt=\"Osmosis ad to create an account\" class=\"wp-image-503\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/76.png 700w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/76.png?resize=300,107 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Make_use_of_medical_mnemonics\"><\/span>Make use of medical mnemonics<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Secondly, make mnemonics your best friend! Mnemonics are a great way to help remember the order of something, a particular drug name, or a pathology. One of my favorite mnemonics is MUDPILES, which stands for the different causes of metabolic acidosis. The great thing about mnemonics is you can make them suit your personality whether you want to go funny, dirty, or simple it\u2019s really up to you! It doesn\u2019t even have to make sense to someone else, once you understand it and it helps you remember that\u2019s the key. A great resource with tons of mnemonics is the USMLE First Aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Find_a_study_buddy\"><\/span>Find a study buddy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lastly, get a study partner. You don\u2019t have to do&nbsp;<em>all&nbsp;<\/em>of your studying with this person. The most effective way would be for both of you to read a particular topic and then meet to discuss or quiz each other on what you\u2019ve learned. It\u2019s interesting to gain things from another perspective and your study partner will often pick up something you missed and vice versa. Being able to explain a topic to your partner is the best way to ensure your own understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tip_2_Stay_focused_while_studying\"><\/span>Tip #2: Stay focused while studying<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is something I struggled with and still struggle with sometimes, With the age of social media, Netflix and so many other things to do out there, it can be quite difficult to stay focused when you\u2019re trying to get work done. This is especially true&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/2019\/11\/13\/how-to-use-usmle-question-banks-efficiently-on-osmosis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">during quarantine<\/a>&nbsp;or simply experiencing those days when you\u2019re trying to push through and not exactly in \u201cthe mood\u201d to be as productive. Here are two of my favorite things to do to stay focused on my work:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pursue_mindbody_balance\"><\/span>Pursue mind\/body balance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your mind isn\u2019t where it needs to be your body would most likely not cooperate. I\u2019m currently studying for my NBME exam, to set the mood for the day and bring my mind to a calm place I meditate in the morning, it is super relaxing, while this isn\u2019t for everyone you can substitute it with something that helps you with mind body balance, whether that\u2019s going for a morning jog or doing simple stretches and breathing exercises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"467\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/77.png\" alt=\"Student preparing himself to bring peace to his mind and to calm himself in the morning\" class=\"wp-image-504\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/77.png 700w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/77.png?resize=300,200 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Use_the_Pomodoro_Technique\"><\/span>Use the Pomodoro Technique<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The technique uses a timer to break down work into intervals. I would usually turn off my phone Wi-Fi, set my timer to 1 hour or 30 minutes, work straight through without any distraction and then take a 10 minute break when the time is up. When you use this technique you\u2019re more likely to accomplish your tasks without getting burned out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tip_3_Put_yourself_out_there\"><\/span>Tip #3: Put yourself out there<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I know med school is challenging enough already, but at the end of it all, believe it or not, your degree alone isn\u2019t going to be good enough. You\u2019ll be competing with thousands of other students that have an MD or DO degree just like you\u2014so how do you plan to stand out?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your first two years of med school are the perfect time to start networking and getting involved in extra activities to help&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/2020\/03\/10\/how-to-build-an-outstanding-curriculum-vitae-during-medical-school\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">build up that resume<\/a>. I\u2019m not saying to go and do everything out there just for the sake of a resume. Instead, get involved in things that you are actually passionate about and enjoy doing. Get involved with research at your school, volunteer at the hospital on weekends when you\u2019re free, join or create an on-campus organization, or join the student council. Whatever you find meaningful will help you build yourself&nbsp;<em>and<\/em>&nbsp;your resume!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>About Michael<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Michael Beaton is a third-year medical student at&nbsp;<\/em><em><a href=\"https:\/\/tauedu.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Texila American University<\/a><\/em><em>&nbsp;who is interested in specializing in Emergency medicine. Fun fact: when he was seven he asked his mom to sew him a lab coat and he pretended to be a doctor, going around knocking on his family members\u2019 knees with a plastic patella hammer.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>________________________<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Try Osmosis today! Access your&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/login?type=create\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">free trial<\/a>&nbsp;and find out why millions of current and future clinicians and caregivers love learning with us.<\/em><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\/pa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/plans\/pa\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/71.png?w=700\" alt=\"Osmosis ad to sign up to the app\" class=\"wp-image-489\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/71.png 700w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/71.png?resize=300,107 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you looking for ways to be a better medical student and tackle the new semester full steam ahead? Here are some tips that I\u2019ve found very useful! 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