The lessons I learnt from Year 1 at medical school
Waiting to start your first year at medical school is like standing in line for the tallest, most frightening ride at Thorpe Park. Except, for you first years, the line is now a socially distanced one, everyone is wearing masks, and you must wait while the seats are washed after every turn. The wait is always worse than the ride, and the ups and downs that come with medical school are as thrilling as they are challenging. When talking about the new class of BSMS student with my peers, we appreciate that things will be much harder for you all. Issues such as meeting people and learning the content are going to be more of a challenge. So, when I was reflecting on my first year at BSMS, I thought of some pieces of advice that might prepare you for your enormous task ahead. Although my first year will be different from yours, I believe these tips still apply, and you may find them to be of use.
Recognising ‘Imposter Syndrome’
You may have heard of ‘Imposter Syndrome’ before since it is talked about often in the medical community and describes the feeling that you do not deserve to be where you are because you are inadequate. Commonly new medical students are used to being the top of the class and assume that the same thing will happen once they are in medical school. However, now, they are with the best of the best, people with vastly more experience and being the top is quite a bit harder now. When we get a low grade on a test its normal to not feel quite as good as the person sitting next to you, and being in an environment where people are much more knowledgeable than you are might spur you on and make you a better student. However, if this feeling of inadequacy begins to absorb you, causing you to lose sleep, give up your hobbies, sacrifice time spent with friends, this may mean your self-worth has fallen. Even though you will be working every minute of every day, this feeling will then start to harm your mental health and your academic progress. You cannot progress if you do not think you deserve it. So, when you feel this taking over, identify that this is happening and talk to your peers because it is likely happening to them too. Remember that you were a given a place here, in a system where admissions were so rigorous that they would not have let you in if they did not think you could do it. However, if this feeling begins to affect you in such a dramatic way that it is altering your life, seek help. Student support at BSMS are brilliant, and they will point you in the right direction to get the help you need.
The balance and how to keep it
The work-life balance has been most likely drummed into you a thousand times before. However, despite constant reminders, we do often forget and prioritise our studies. Now, there will be times where you must put those things aside, especially during exams, but remember how long the course is. Do not get used to a lifestyle of constant work into the early hours of the morning because it simply is not sustainable. You are in this for the long haul, so take care of yourself. But, I can understand that when you take on this advice and have that 'work-life' balance and you are still not getting to the place you want to be, it can be frustrating and you feel the need to sacrifice the 'life' part. However, this is unlikely a reflection on your ability. This is likely the way you are studying that is simply, not effective for medical school. The methods I used during A-levels did not stand the test of medical school. I could talk for hours about different study techniques, but the biggest piece of advice I can give is to test yourself. Whatever the method, testing yourself is the best way to memorise all the information.
Moreover, hobbies are a way to let ourselves breathe from swimming in the endless river of medicine. The Cristina Yang's of the world who consume themselves with medical knowledge and see everything else as less significant do not exist, and if they do, do not make very well-rounded doctors. We need those hobbies to take us away from the lecture slides for a bit. So, keep them, whether that's art, or music, or sports. BSMS has a fantastic list of societies in all these areas, so if you are struggling to strike a balance commit to their events to force yourself to keep them up and meet people with similar interests.
Remember what you are studying for
I think it is easy to get caught up with memorising all the different parts of the heart, and what blood groups there are or how respiration works. But remember why you are learning; it will help motivate you. Remember that one day you might need this piece of information to help a patient. On the other hand, if you are struggling to remember every tiny detail, comfort yourself with the fact that once you are a doctor, you can consult colleges and resources to jog your memory. So, try not to panic.
Medical school is known to be quite competitive, although this is something, I have never felt to be the case at BSMS. Healthcare, however, is built on teamwork so help each other, do not compete or compare. But I can appreciate that it is difficult not to compare yourself when you hear someone talking about their extensive extra reading when you are already ten lectures behind. Or when someone masters measuring a patient’s blood pressure when you cannot even find your pulse. It is tough, but this will never change. There will always be someone that will know more than you, so work with them, not against them, you are stronger working together than working alone.
Working through COVID-19
Now my experience last year is going to be much different from yours. Not only do you have the pressure of exams, meeting new people and, for many, living on your own for the first time, you also must be mindful of social distancing, PPE on placements and online classes. From my experience last term, the online courses were very effective from an academic perspective. However, since the course will be online, you will have a much larger responsibility for your studies and your progress. So, plan, know where you are on the course, consult with peers and work together on the parts you are struggling with.
Additionally, all the social events we enjoyed so much last year, unfortunately, must be put on hold. We have adapted by providing more socially distanced activities and online events that I urge you all to get involved with. Because when you are working mostly from home studying can feel quite consuming, so letting yourself have some fun and attending an online quiz or going on a wilderness walk can help you connect with other people and give you a much-needed work break.
Final piece of advice
My final piece of advice comes from my tutor; there are many different types of doctor, and you cannot be them all, but you are going to be one of them. Whether you are good at memorising facts or good at working with people, or a leader, or an organiser, or just good at making people laugh, you are one of them. So, my tip for preparing yourself for medical school is to find what you are good at, and when you do not feel your best, remember it because it will help you keep going. It is a long, long course, and you are going to fall at some point, everyone will, even if they don’t admit it. But getting up and trying again is so much more impressive than sailing through on calm waters.
Finally, I would like to say that I am still learning, I am giving you the best advice I can think of, but I still have far to go, and I could rewrite this article next year with a completely different set of ideas. But we are all learning together because that is what we came here to do. You are all incredible to get here, so help each other, learn from each other and remember why you came here.
Good luck first years!
Alex Whitworth, Year 2 student