A letter to my incoming medical students

Congratulations! You have been accepted to medical school!! I remember that day as if it was yesterday. So excited yet, so nervous all at once. I couldn’t wait to get started but also so scared to leave my family and hop on this journey by myself. To all my incoming medical students, here are a few things that I think might help make your beginning just as little easier (some general med school & studying tips!):

1. Don’t worry, you won’t be alone. You will find some amazing people that share the same passion as you. I met my best friends day 1 of medical school.

2. Don’t beat yourself up! You won’t always be at your best when it comes to studying. It’s normal. You can’t ask your brain to be at 1000% all the time.

3. Remember that you need to take time for yourself. Go to the gym, read a book (and I don’t mean First Aid, ha!), go on a walk, hang out with friends. Whatever makes you happy & brings you peace is necessary for your mental health! Don’t ever feel bad for taking that time for yourself!

4. First Aid will become one of your best friends but, remember that in order to take Step 1, you have to pass your semesters. Focus on those first and slowly implement whatever book and/or question bank you want to use for your Step exam. This is a marathon, not a sprint !

5. Don’t overwhelm yourself with resources. Pick just a few things that you know will work for you. If you have too many resources, unnecessary stress will kick in. It’s like trying to pick the perfect outfit to go out... doesn’t that give you anxiety when you have too many choices ? (To my people out there that don’t have this problem, I envy you)

Lastly, I want to tell you that: You are enough You are capable You are smart You got this!