Understand how to learn and study at medical school - Med school is very fast-paced and there is a lot of work involved. The way you may have learned before may not be suited to this new and different way of learning. By understanding this, you will learn to study smarter, not harder.
Stop comparing yourself to others - Adjusting to medical school will be a learning process but constantly comparing yourself to others will lead to unnecessary stress. Learn what works for you and stick to it.
Develop relationships with the staff and admin teams - These are the people who know more than you and the other students, they’ve usually been around longer. They will teach you about the medical school procedures and processes as well as what you are taught in the classroom.
There is no way to learn everything - No matter how much time you spend studying, it will be impossible to master all the material. A key to succeeding in medical school is learning to prioritize what information is relevant to the exams and to be a physician. This is a skill that will be learned over your first year.
Take advantage of all non- academic aspects that med school brings you - Make sure you take the time to enjoy your personal activities and interests as it will have an overall positive impact on your well-being and ultimately your studies.
Seek out help when needed - If you find that you need support in any capacity whether it be through therapy, a psychiatrist, tutoring, or academic support, do not be ashamed to seek it out. Getting help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of maturity and self-awareness.
Keep a record of everything on your computer - During your first two years, you will cover a humongous amount of material and attend many, many lectures, and it will be vital to keep track of all your study notes. The function CONTROL + F will be your best friend when you want to look back.
Be sure to block out time for yourself - There is no upper limit on studying in medical school. Unlike in undergrad, you are never done, there is always more to learn. Probably for the first time in your life you need to prioritize taking breaks to do something that brings you joy.
Mental health comes first - Everyone knows how important a balanced lifestyle is in everyday life, especially to help when studying. Sleeping well, eating well, and spending time with the people you care about, are all vital to your well-being.
Play the doctor role from day one - be professional - As a future physician, society will view you in a particular way, this is not something you have direct control of, but you can play your part. People around you will notice your actions and words as a professional and your presence will be noticed.