The leap from 6th form to university is immense – but the leap from
6th form to medical school can be likened to jumping from one side of the Grand Canyon to the
other. But fear not, young traveller, for after reading this survival guide you will most assuredly rise to
the upper echelons of the medical world.
One of the most important things you should do as a medical student (if not the most important
rule) is seek help when you are struggling. You may be finding that lectures aren’t an effective
learning tool, or that you weren’t able to fully understand a particular solution to a question or even
something as basic as not knowing where to go on your timetable. Seeking help has to be an active
process which you initiate – you are at university now and no-one is around to babysit you or constantly
check up on your progress. Highlighting any difficulties you may be having early on in your studies is
essential; it can be the difference between passing and failing your end of year exams. Pick out key
people – personal tutors, lecturers, peers – and approach them with your concerns. Although it may be a
bit embarrassing at first, it will serve you well in the long run and ultimately aid you in your
success.
Get organized! That doesn’t mean simply file everything into neat folders and colour code your timetable.
By organization, I mean organize the way you work. The volume of knowledge which you will be assessed on
at medical school is gargantuan. You have to know anatomy, pharmacology, physiology, sociology,
biochemistry and on and on and on. It can often feel like you are completing multiple degrees. You need
to work out a method early on as to how you will record information in a format which is easily
accessible and simple to remember. Acronyms, mnemonics, tables – however you wish to store information
is it up to you. But always ensure that you cover everything because the depth at which you are assessed
can often be microscopic. Many people regret glazing over a certain paragraph, sentence or even a phrase
because it often rears its ugly head when you need it least – during your exam.
And lastly, you must persevere. Your medical career begins the moment you enter medical school and unlike
other courses, medicine is unrelenting and arduous. You must recognize that this is a marathon and not a
sprint. Pace yourself, find time to let off steam and always keep your head up with the hope that you
will succeed.
How to become the best medical student you can be was written by a Medical Student at UCL
Additional resources:
Medical Schools
Medicine in South Africa
Knowing Science
