Medical students are under immense pressure to do well in school. But this comes with the territory since pursuing medicine is no easy feat, and to have a successful career, you need to be dedicated to your education.
However, there’s no denying that studying for an advanced degree and staying on top of your syllabus can be a challenge. Unlike an undergrad, post-grad degrees are far more intense, have way more material to cover, and require you to retain older concepts you picked up in college. So, in these stressful circumstances, how can you pursue an advanced degree without feeling anxious or strained by the work you must do? Here’s what you need to know.
Study Tips for Medical Students Pursuing Higher Education
1. Opt for an online degree
One of the perks of technology is that it has made pursuing a higher degree slightly easier by introducing online degrees. Virtual education is far more manageable than a traditional school. From the comfort of your home, you’re able to learn highly complex concepts, access numerous resources and, above all, get the opportunity to research various healthcare-related fields beyond the conventional doctor and nurse. As a medical student, you can contribute to society in many ways, one of which is by studying public health.
Suppose you like knowing how communities live and how their lifestyle influences society. In that case, you’re well suited for an online MPH, as it will touch on topics like nutrition, community health, epidemiology, infectious diseases, and health policy management. Most of this material you may have studied in medical school already, so all you’ll have to do is brush up on the basics while the degree adds to what you know. Ultimately, if you’re looking for a convenient way to get a higher degree that is flexible, easier to manage, and allows you to pace yourself, go for an online degree.
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2. Use Medical Mnemonics
Mnemonics are a great way to remember lengthy and complex terms such as drug names or critical concepts in pathology. While pursuing a higher degree in any healthcare-related field, you’ll come across many phrases and words you must remember. To memorize them, you can try mnemonics. This technique is unique because you can customize it according to your style and personality.
For instance, in medicine, to test the vestibulo-ocular reflex – which in layperson means to examine the reflex that stabilizes the gaze when the head is moving is through the caloric reflex test. During this test, warm or cold water is irrigated into the ear canal, and the results are evaluated based on the temperature. So, a common mnemonic used by most medical students while studying the caloric reflex test is “COWS,” which stands for Cold Opposite Warm Same, which helps students deduce the patient’s condition. You should do the same and create mnemonics you have no trouble following or remembering.
3. Partner Up
Studying in groups is sometimes far more effective than studying alone. When you’re covering extensive coursework, it’s easy to be overwhelmed. Higher education requires a fraction of focus and dedication. For this reason, it will serve you better if you get a study buddy and divide your workload with them. It allows you to finish the syllabus while helping each other out efficiently. Having a study partner also lets you discuss a particular topic, quiz each other, and catch up on lost work.
You also gain valuable perspectives and information about your degree that can help you professionally. You don’t have to limit yourself to finding a study partner in person. If you’re pursuing an online degree, tap into virtual student forums and groups to connect with students worldwide studying the same subject. Once you find students you feel compatible with, you can use any online platform, including social media applications like WhatsApp, to create a group exclusively for studying and discussing.
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4. Go Beyond Your Coursework
If you wish to make a prolific career in any healthcare-related field, do more than your coursework tells you to. Gaining extra knowledge or studying more than the bare minimum will make you an excellent student. Reading publications, articles, and research helps you become more disciplined in learning. When you expose yourself to extensive literature, you develop the focus and patience to read for hours without feeling bored or restless.
Furthermore, researching teaches you the art of picking and compiling important information into one practical resource. If you wish to expand your field knowledge, try volunteering at hospitals or joining organizations run by students exploring healthcare careers. Hands-on experience teaches you real-life knowledge that no textbook can compete with. You also learn about various ailments in person and better understand what diseases look like instead of relying on images and pictures from books.
Using your experience to study is a type of visual learning. This study method involves observing the scene before you and extracting useful information. For example, if you see a patient suffering from jaundice, notice key components like skin colour, eyes, and fingers. Likewise, watch how a doctor approaches them, administers care, and how the patient responds to the treatment. These experiences will make you a well-informed student and a better learner.
5. Limit Your Distractions
While studying, you need to limit the distractions in your surroundings to stay focused on what you need to do. Start by choosing a quiet place in your house, such as your room, where you can easily absorb your coursework without anyone bothering you. Unless needed, put your cell phone away and set social media applications on a timeout, effectively removing the temptation to log into them. There are applications designed to enhance your focus and remove distractors.
Similarly, try not watching a movie or tuning into Netflix as you attempt to study. Purchase a desk and chair for yourself instead of studying on the bed. Sitting upright lets you keep your posture rigid and attentive, preventing drowsiness or fatigue from settling in. But, if you can’t study properly at home, try carrying out your study sessions at a library.
Conclusion
Studying and paying attention in class can be daunting for students, especially when pursuing a complex field like medicine. Education gets more intricate and complicated as you move towards advanced stages like post-graduate degrees. However, with slight effort and determination, you can graduate with flying colours. Therefore, if you plan on pursuing higher education, you must prepare for the road ahead by changing your study habits.
You can do this in numerous ways, including choosing an online degree, using mnemonics, or having a study partner. As a student, try exploring different methods to help you improve your focus and ability to retain information and enhance your attention span.
