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Going to medical school can be a daunting process. Tasks like moving, financial aid and meeting new professors and classmates can seem overwhelming.
Here are seven steps students can take to help students facilitate a smooth transition to medical school, both inside and outside of the classroom.
1. Attend the exit interview with the undergraduate financial aid office: This provides valuable information on how much you owe on college student loans, how to transition your loans to in-school deferment or forbearance.
Getting your financial house in order with respect to your undergraduate loans sets you up for borrowing for medical school. Your medical school financial aid office will be able to help you identify lenders for medical school.
You can also think about who you want to live with, as a roommate who is like-minded can prevent future issues. Living with a professional student from a discipline outside medicine provides some variety of people to meet and potential social outlets. Living with a fellow medical school student creates an atmosphere of shared experiences.
3. Organize your space: Keep rooms free of clutter for ease of study. Organize undergraduate notes and study aids that you found beneficial.
It may also be helpful to keep a photo or copy of your undergraduate degree available to save in a secure file for easy access, as you will need for the licensing and board certification process.
4. Prepare mentally: In my experience, medical school was more enjoyable than undergrad because everything presented was relevant to my dream of becoming the best physician I could be.
4. Prepare mentally: In my experience, medical school was more enjoyable than undergrad because everything presented was relevant to my dream of becoming the best physician I could be.
Before beginning medical school, do a personal assessment and determine which study techniques served you best – or hurt your academics – in college. Think about how you were able to remedy unproductive behavior.
Visualize medical school graduation and matching in the residency of your choice. Since medical schools select high-achieving individuals and create a milieu of learning, know that your acceptance and successful matriculation embody that endorsement. Work to fulfill that promise.
5. Meet with upperclassmen: Speaking with a current medical student, tour guide or student ambassador can provide a wealth of knowledge from a student’s perspective about the specific academic process at your school. This insight can help new medical students find success in particular classes and learn about volunteer and research experiences.
6. Attend the receptions: These are great opportunities to network in a less formal environment. Medical school receptions and networking events for newly admitted medical students allow you to put a face with a name so that you have a point of reference when you meet with your faculty adviser, clerkship director or dean in the coming months.
As you meet faculty, take note of those who sparked your interest to consider for future mentor or research opportunities.
7. Relax: The hardest part is getting into medical school. Put down the anatomy textbook and biochemistry review book. There will be plenty of time for studying once classes start. Enjoy your summer.
Written by: Sylvia Morris, M.D.
Source: www.usnews.com
