Hey, hey! Welcome to the Med School Diaries section of my blog! In this section, I will be documenting all the amazing experiences I am having in medical school! Thanks for following along!
If you are reading this, then I have officially finished my first two weeks of medical school. I say first two real weeks because the first week was orientation and although that week was filled with lots of activities, required meetings, and impromptu vaccination boosters (shout out to those titers), my full first two weeks of learning has been filled with with lots of studying (or learning how to study), quiz prep, and excitement for learning new things like clinical epidemiology, microbiology laboratory techniques, pharmacology, and histology!
On the morning of my first microbiology lab, to be honest with you, I was so nervous. I was worried that I would be behind since I took microbiology during COVID times and never had the chance to do an actual lab. However, cellular biology is really my thing so I just tried to focus more on my excitement than my nerves. I am definitely a cell signaling girly (we love a good pathway, lol) and ended up enjoying lab!
When I think of labs, I get both really excited (because I love hands on learning) and also really anxious (because I’ve had a history of lab partners more interested in speeding through the assignment to go home rather than taking the time to learn). So to say I over-prepped for this first lab is probably a giant understatement. But I LOVED my lab partner and lab instructor! They were so chill, engaging, and amazing at creating a comfortable learning environment where I felt like I could truly understand the material and ask questions when I didn’t. And I mean let’s be honest honestly, can you really be over prepped for medical school?
Speaking of prep, one of the exciting “prep” materials that I am loving is my medical school’s podcast hosted by MS2s students to help guide MS1s during their foundations phase. Yes, I listen while going on hot girl walks. On the podcast, they interview students and professors about tips and tricks to succeed during your first year through your your system blocks. (By the way, a block is like a set of 4 to 6 weeks that focuses on one particular body system or group of related topics. This block I am studying right now is called principles of medicine. It includes lots of your basic science themes such as foundational cellular biology, microbiology, pharmacology, and other basic sciences.)
Theresa’s Med Diary Pearl: Be mindful of your expectations—of yourself, others, and opportunities. Approach things with an open mind, controlling what you can control and bringing a positive energy to the space you’re entering. You are almost always in control of your mind and body. Don’t take that lightly.
Where did all the time go?
Okay, wait. Can we talk about it? This CAN NOT be the same 24 hours that I had while in Greece a couple of months ago! Like where in the world did all my time go?! Since starting medical school, I wake up around 6am, blink my eyes once or twice, and its 11pm and I still haven’t gone through my Anki for the day (flashcard spaced-repetition learning system…on steroids). Figuring out my rhythm is going to require giving myself lots of grace. Yes, I successfully managed my time in graduate school, but medical school includes more of a time commitment with regards to content quantity as well as other additional learning enrichment activities like labs, small groups, and social health classes.
Theresa’s Med Diary Pearls:
Overall, adjusting has taken some time, but I am slowly finding a rhythm. Slowly but surely. I LOVE medical school so far and can’t wait to see what I will learn next! With each post in the Med School Diaries section, I will be adding some things (beyond academics) that I am learning. Check them out below!
- Trust in your training and adapt as you need. When you start medical school, it can feel like you need to completly change the way you study and start from scratch. The reality is, when you focus more on change instead of adapting, you can put yourself in a little trouble. You know how you study because you had to study to get here. Will those studying techniques adapt? Yes. Do you have to change your whole study style? For most people, probably not. Don’t get too caught up.
- James Clear stated “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” This is true here too. Make sure your systems are sturdy and realistic. For me, that means talking to my family and friends, playing Wordle each night with my partner, and taking a walking break when needed.
- Self care is not a luxury. Put it on the calendar or you’re going to regret it later. For me, this looks like weekly Pilates at a studio, and ten-minute yoga before bed
- People are different. Learn to respect that without making yourself feel small. Just because you or someone else learns or studies different doesn’t mean it’s wrong. You doing you is not a bad thing.
- Always say thank you. Sending a meaningful thank you note…it’ll get you farther than you think.
- At this point in your life, your success is more than just good grades. You have to move like a professional. Lean what that means and slowly incorporate that into your life.
- Eat dinner and call your people. (At the same time if you’re super busy like me lol.)
- Figure out what is a priority each day (because it’ll change).
- Understand that time is your rate limiting step so use it wisely.
- Ask questions and stay humble. You’re a student. Embrace that!
- You’re going to be uncomfortable. That won’t last forever. Go through it to get to it.
- You are capable.
Alright y’all, that’s all I have for this post. I will be back with a Principles of Medicine (Block 1) wrap up sooner than you think! Beyond blessed to be here and I’ll check back in soon!
With love, your future doc for the people,
TD
