University/ MED Students I need your advice

cherryshiii

I'm studying to be a neuroscience which is my major (I recently got an associates degree) I am also learning music production as a extracurricular activity which I recommend a lot if you are passionate in music. My plan for the future is to get a bachelors degree then head to med school.

I'm horrible at giving advice but just do what interests you the most about the human body whether it's the heart, eyes, stomach. Try to look at what specific jobs are in demand because you'll get paid better if you begin working in that field. Always try your best with the work and ask questions of you're confused! This is generic but study hard! It goes a long way.

Edit: I'm not too sure about applications if that's about applying for med school. I'm also from Scotland so our system are different from the US.

Good luck!

Jichu

I went to pharmacy school which is similar to the med school path but I would say probably less competitive. However, I was in a unique program straight out of high school which means I did not need to get a degree, just two years of undergrad and then that's it. No extracurriculars required.

However in your case, you just need to volunteer your ass off. Be part of the pre-med society at your school also helps, perhaps take some kind of chair there. Any kind of leadership in any kind of society would help even if it's not related to medicine. Shadowing, getting a job as a med assistant or something like that too.

Quote from dontwannacry04

Oh wow, you all are so smart and just so involved in your fields!

For leadership, I was thinking of joining a research team at my uni, and essentially making my way up. But, idk how that even works since I never joined any clubs before.

honestly I was decently involved during high school

but during uni I just didn't care so :P

You just show up to their informational meetings to see if it's right for you. Usually during the orientation and crap people set up their booths to share information. Hopefully there is a comprehensive catalog of clubs on the uni website or something.

Quote from dontwannacry04

@dummi  Jichu  cherryshiii

How did you guys manage or balance a heavy course load, volunteering, and work or free time?

I usually used a planner to plan out my day and how many hours I'm gonna do this and that. It may be hard getting accommodated with a new schedule but it worked out in the end for me. Also don't study for too long because that's usually how people end up having no time. Take an hour or two. Use a timer if you lose track of time easily.

Quote from dontwannacry04

Also what are some studying tricks that could be useful in Uni.

There are LOTS of youtube videos on this that will explain it better than me. But one tip is to try to stay as focused as you can and there are some extensions you can use that will convert the text you may be reading to speech so it's easier to focus.

Quote from dontwannacry04

Also, how do you exaggerate the importance of your activities on applications?

Sorry this is the only question I feel like I can answer from here. A lot of colleges, I think, have a career/resume help center that all students are allowed to use for free. Just schedule an appointment with them and talk to them about what you need help with and they'll help you. It's their job to. Literally.

If that isn't an option, I'm sure there must be YouTube videos on this subject, but I don't know any off of the top of my head to link or that I've watched before. As for my personal advice: don't be afraid to sound like you're bragging. Make everything you did sound like the best thing ever (or if you did fall short, explain how you improved since then, but that may take up too much room, so maybe don't do that actually). You won't sound prideful, you'll sound confident and assured, which is probably what they want.

Quote from dontwannacry04

@dummi  Jichu  cherryshiii

How did you guys manage or balance a heavy course load, volunteering, and work or free time?

Also what are some studying tricks that could be useful in Uni.

For reference Im a bio student and have 5 classes and 3 labs each semester (every week), all stem courses, what are some studying tips that you guys could suggest?

Also, Sorry for bothering you guys with so many questions! 😭

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Try to get your hands on old tests IF some of your classes recycle the same questions but with different variations.

My school had something kind of like student teachers who have taken the class before and hold their own review sessions. Basically, try to utilize the (hopefully free) tutoring sessions and what not.

You need to get a feel first for how hard your classes so you don't spread yourself too thin. So definitely focus the academics first before your start loading on the extra responsibility.

If your courses have "lecture objectives" or some kind of slide(s) that spell out what they want you to take away from the lecture, you can use those as a study guide of sorts but definitely don't completely rely on them.

Form study groups but personally I like just a study buddy because I think it's too distracting with a lot of people.

Download the slide deck (if they use that) before hand so you can just take notes in the note section of powerpoint/google slides of what the lecturer is actually saying that's not contained within the slides already.

Quote from dontwannacry04

I actually didn’t know universities offered that, thank you so much! I will definitely check that out and see if they can help me in the future.

Also, when I was in HS, I sounded like a loser each time since I felt like if I overplay it I will come across as arrogant and always ended losing the job. But thankfully someone was desperate enough to hire an inexperienced kid like me. But, I did learn my lesson, don’t underplay yourself.

So I will definitely keep in mind what you said. Thank you!

Neither did I once upon a time, but it’s very useful and a real lifesaver. Sounds great!

Also, I missed it earlier, but I do have some studying tips.

1) I’ve heard that the best way to learn something and learn it well is to teach it to someone else. Find another willing classmate and offer to teach each other a recap lesson based on what was learned. Feel free and make it fun too. Studies show that you remember stuff better if you make it fun.

2) Take breaks every once in a while. Burnout isn’t good. Studying is a marathon, not a sprint, so work hard, but don’t push yourself to your absolute limits either.

3) I can’t stress this enough: ALWAYS go to office hours or schedule them, even if you don’t think you need to. It’s extra practice from the teacher or TA’s for free, which will be helpful. They won’t judge you for it. If anything, it’ll show them how dedicated to learning you are and they’ll probably love it.

4) Motivate yourself. Tell yourself: “If I finish X, I can do this fun activity!” and then do it.

5) Form a study group or partner if you can.

6) Take practice tests if you get any.

7) Make to do lists or mark down due dates so you don’t turn in things late.

Always turn stuff in, even if it’s not the best. Anything is better than a 0%, even a 1%, so it’s best to turn it in on time but unfinished than late but complete (unless you get partial credit for late work, in which case, you’ll need to make that call on your own).

I'm not sure how things work in us. But i can help you with the study material. I have completed my graduation in medicine (bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery) and currently pursuing residency in paediatrics. I prepared for USMLE as well but it was all too unaffordable for me to. As of now we here don't need any extra curricular activity specific for med school except for good score in biology in senior year

ps I'm an old user. some might recognise based on what i do.