A medical student going back to school may bring back feelings of stress, anxiety, or even sadness. After all, your desire for learning isn't the same per semester - you may be enthusiastic at the beginning of each semester, but then it gradually wanes. Your own learning style may also be incompatible with the style that your classmates may have adopted, such as keeping flashcards or working with study groups. You might even be missing extracurricular activities that you and your fellow students in medical school have previously been interested in.
In this article, we will learn about healthcare student survival tips, including good time management, knowing which study materials to use, making the most of online learning, tutorials you might need, and skills that you can equip yourself with to meet the demands of medical school. Especially since students don't just come from one cohort and diverse backgrounds are celebrated, we'll be taking that into consideration as well.
It can be easy to throw yourself into your studies and toss everything else aside but don't forget to take time for yourself. It's important to remember to take time to enjoy non-healthcare-related activities like practicing self-care, going to a movie, going out with friends, checking in with family, playing sports, and the like so that your brain has a chance to rejuvenate and be ready for your next round of classes, exams, and study sessions.
Read more: Barbara Olas, a Nurse Whose Passion Is Inspiring Caregivers to Be Their Best
There is so much to learn as a healthcare student, and as you go through your courses, you will end up with tons of lectures and material to study, so it will get increasingly harder to keep track of your notes. Keyboard shortcuts like CTRL + F will help you look something up quickly, saving you precious study time.
Here are some Apple keyboard shortcuts you may keep in mind:
Similarly, if you're using a Microsoft computer, here are some keyboard shortcuts you should also keep in mind:
The healthcare students in your class can share how they learn, the notecards they make, and what works for them, but you're not obligated to do the same things as they do because what works for them may not work for you. You will learn at a different pace, and your study habits need to be your own. After all, while it's good that they have found what works for them, ultimately, you need to find the methods that work best for you.
Some study methods for healthcare students include:
You will learn at a different pace than your peers. You will have strengths and weaknesses that are different than other healthcare students – and that's completely okay. At the end of the day, you are all in school for the same reason: to achieve an education in your healthcare field so that you can be the best healthcare worker that you can be when you are in the workforce.
If you have a mentor in your corner, you will have a wealth of knowledge at your fingertips. They will know where the best study spots are, offer advice on professors, recommend the best places to celebrate after a successful exam, provide study tips, and offer general support. If you're unsure where to find a mentor, you can always go to the student counsellor or student office at your school and ask to be introduced to one. You won’t regret it, and sometimes, they can become lifelong friends.
Take time to get to know your classmates- connections are always useful, especially if topics get confusing or you get into trouble and need some help. You won’t regret it, and you may even find lifelong friends who will walk by your side through your educational career and right into life after college. Healthcare studies can be hard and time-consuming, and you may find that other friends and family will be missing your presence, so consider checking in with them once in a while to update them on how you’re doing. Keeping updated is key to maintaining friendships and enriching your social life.
If you are struggling with a topic that you are studying, there are many avenues that you can reach out to for help: professors, TAs, tutors, classmates, your mentor, anyone. Don’t wait too long to ask for help if there is something you're not understanding. The sooner you ask for help, the easier it will be for you to move on to the next topic.
If you're struggling with your mental health while in school, there are also many options for seeking help for your mental health: student counsellor, your family doctor, your friends, your family, classmates, helplines, etc. Just remember, you are not alone. Taking on something as intense as healthcare studies can leave you feeling alone, overwhelmed, and stressed out. It’s okay not to be okay, and it’s okay to reach out for help when you need it.
It’s never too early in your healthcare career to start focusing on how you act professionally. This could mean:
Have you ever tried searching for a job in the healthcare industry? It can be time-consuming, overwhelming, and frustrating, to say the least. That's where a healthcare employment platform comes in handy.
These platforms are specifically designed to connect job seekers with employers in the healthcare field, making it easier than ever to find your dream job. Not only do they list available positions from top hospitals and healthcare facilities, but they also provide valuable resources such as resume builders, interview tips, and career advice.
With just a few clicks, you can browse through hundreds of job listings tailored to your skills and experience. So why waste hours scouring countless websites when you can streamline your job search on a healthcare employment platform? Save yourself the hassle and let technology do the work for you--which is exactly what Caring Support does.
Caring Support strategically reaches out to and matches potential candidates and healthcare organizations. Utilizing targeted digital marketing campaigns, networking events, and partnerships with industry associations, Caring Support can help increase brand awareness for employers and attract top talent to give jobs to healthcare workers. We take pride in our user-friendly interface, comprehensive job listings, and personalized career development resources.
Caring Support has established its credibility within the healthcare community with our testimonials from satisfied users and success stories of healthcare employees who have found rewarding careers through the platform. Continuously engaging with stakeholders through informative content, webinars, and networking opportunities, Caring Support helps cultivate strong relationships and foster trust as a reliable resource for healthcare professionals in Canada seeking new opportunities.
Create an account with us or log in if you have an account already. Also, check out our podcast, blog, and social media channels for valuable healthcare resources.
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