If you’re reading this then it means that you have or are on the brink of deciding to engage in a medical program. If so, that’s great! Working in a medical profession is one of the most rewarding professions there is, filled with challenges along the way that mean no two workdays are the same. But while that’s all incredibly exciting, it’s also daunting.
As you begin preparing to start looking for courses, or to actually start your course, there are a few small things that you should do. These will ensure that when you eventually begin your studies, the transition will be as stress free as possible.
Create Your Perfect Study Space
Chances are once you begin your course there will always be some extra work for you to do. Whether this is more reading, essay writing or proof-reading, you are going to want a study space that makes such extra-curricular learning comfortable. By having a comfy chair and tidy desk, you’ll be surprised at just how easy it is to engage with learning outside college.
This element may be especially prevalent now as over the past year, more and more colleges have learned not only that learning online works but can actually be more beneficial than learning in person. The online learning approach is currently being used by the Boston College Masters in Healthcare Administration program and is receiving excellent reviews by both students and teachers alike.
Join Social Media Groups and Connect with Peers
You don’t have to wait until you have officially enrolled anywhere to start connecting with peers. Social media is one of the greatest ways that we can connect with each other and so if you have questions about the profession, careers or colleges, then reach out to someone on one of these apps.
You could also get in touch with current students to find out more on what you can expect by joining and any recommended reading or websites to look into that will give you a head start.
Practice Your Time Management
Becoming a student involves a lot of work and as such it can be incredibly hard to manage your time. You should make a practice of creating and sticking to a schedule so that when you are working and trying hard to juggle everything, you have more of a structure to follow rather than just going with it.
Practice more time management techniques, too, such as study methods and decide which one is the most efficient for you. You could also consider practices like meal prepping, which can help save time. As soon as you’ve worked out how long it takes you to do certain things, as well as what your priorities are, then you will be able to figure out exactly how you should pursue your academics.
Take Some Time to Congratulate Yourself
This is probably the most important point. When you’re studying, it can be incredibly easy to get so bogged down in your work that you forget just how much of an achievement it all is. When you complete some work, turn in an assignment or pass an exam, just take a minute to really soak in how much good that is. Acknowledging those victories will give you the necessary drive to keep going.
