Word on the street is you’re starting med school. First off, conFREAKIN'gratulations on this mind-blowingly awesome accomplishment! Feeling super pumped and simultaneously overwhelmed?? Hey, we get it! That first year is a wild ride with all its highs and challenges. To help you out, we asked current med students to answer some high-yield FAQs for you to check out before diving into this new chapter of your life. Now go forth and conquer!

First things first: What do I do the summer before medical school starts?

By the time you've stumbled upon this guide, you may likely already be past the summer before your MS1 year starts. But don't panic. The good news is if you didn't do much, you're actually off to a great start! Let me explain...

Alright. Now that's covered, this is where the fun begins:

How do the years of med school differ?

Each year of medical school can differ depending on the institution and its curriculum structure. However, at my medical school, I noticed distinct differences between the first three years:

• First Year: Traditionally, years 1 and 2 of medical school are “book” or classroom learning. This is where you’ll learn the foundational science underpinning medicine—anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, etc. You’ll also have a “doctoring” course where you get to learn how to be a doctor! Some schools will weave in longitudinal clinical experience into the preclinical years, too. In first year specifically, the focus tends to be on building a strong foundation in the basics of medicine and understanding how everything works together. 
  
  
• Second Year: Like I said, this is book year #2. Since you got your foundations in year 1 however, you can expect however a significant emphasis on understanding the underlying causes of diseases. Additionally, many students take their first major exam, Step 1/COMLEX 1.
  
  
• Third Year: Year 3 is notorious for being the hardest year of medical school—it’s the year you rotate through the various core specialties. But, 3rd year/clinical year is typically when you learn the most, grow the most, and get to do the most! Some schools have a “home” hospital where you will rotate, others you may go state-to-state for different rotations. 
  * Key milestones: every single rotation! Step 2, your first suture, delivering your first baby!
  
  
• Forth Year: Year 4 is a combination between the busiest and easiest year all in one! The first half is full of sub-internships, away rotations, and filling out ERAS. The second half is interviews, hopefully “easy” electives, and end of the year festivities! Cherish those last few months. 
  
  Some students may choose to take a research year between years three and four if they're interested in pursuing research in their future career, while others move straight into the fourth year, focusing on away rotations and applying for residency positions before graduation.
  
  

What am I graded on in medical school?

Grading varies depending on the school, but in my first year of medical school, I was evaluated based on a combination of written exams, anatomy practicals, and attendance. Here's how it worked:

• Written Exams: We were given 1-3 multiple-choice exams per organ system block, covering all the material we learned during that block. These exams tested our knowledge of the basics of each organ system and everything covered in lecture.
• Anatomy Practicals: We had 1-2 anatomy practicals per block, where we were tested on our ability to identify structures we learned in anatomy lab on cadavers or anatomical models.
  
  

Studying for Step 1 (or Level 1)

Many, but not all, students take Step 1 following the completion of the first two years of medical school. Most students do not study for Step 1 during M1. A few students will begin studying in the summer between M1-M2. Most begin studying sometime during M2, likely in the winter months before a March-May Step 1 date. 

The first goal is studying and passing your school’s classes as studying for those is studying for Step 1. As you get closer to “dedicated,” you may consider adding in more focused Step 1 practice, namely reviewing things from M1 such as anatomy and physiology. As you get closer to dedicated, you should incorporate more practice questions into your daily routine. 

Since Step 1 is now pass/fail, is it easier and less important?

No!!! It’s true that since it is pass/fail there is some pressure taken off the exam. But, it is certainly still incredibly important. Do not underestimate this exam. Its reputation is well earned.

What are the best resources to study in medical school, generally speaking?

Sketchy, Duh!

Other Anatomy Block Study Resources

Bootcamp Anatomy: During my pre-clinical years, Bootcamp Anatomy was invaluable. Their cadaver images and practice questions provided an excellent visual aid, making it easier to learn and remember complex anatomical structures. The content videos were particularly helpful, featuring useful mnemonics that aided memory retention.

Michigan Blue Link: Another great resource for anatomy was Michigan Blue Link. Their cadaver images were highly useful for visualizing anatomical structures in detail, which greatly enhanced my understanding and recall.

Other Physiology Block Study Resources

Medschool Bootcamp: For physiology, Medschool Bootcamp's explanation videos were incredibly helpful. They provided a clear and organized breakdown of complex concepts, making it easier to grasp and remember. The structured format of their videos allowed me to focus on specific areas of need, and their resource sheets covered everything I learned in class and more.

Other Microbiology & Pharmacology Block Study Resources

Trust me, you just need Sketchy :)

A Note on Anki

Although I didn't initially use Anki effectively during the first half of my first year, I learned to harness its power by the second semester. Anki proved to be a game-changer for memorization, helping me retain information more efficiently in a short period of time. It's worth trying out Anki before dismissing it entirely, as it can be incredibly effective for many students.

Devices for Effective Studying

To study effectively, I rely on a combination of devices. In my opinion, every medical student needs both a laptop and an iPad.

Laptop and iPad: The iPad is extremely convenient for taking notes during lectures and is ideal for quick tasks on-the-go. While it can be tempting to rely solely on an iPad, I believe that having a laptop is still essential for tasks that require more computing power or a larger screen. If I had to choose between the two, I would opt for an iPad, as it offers a great balance between portability and functionality.

Ultimately, finding the right resources and tools that work best for you is key to succeeding in medical school. Use what helps you learn and retain information most effectively, and don't be afraid to try new methods until you find what suits your learning style best.

Medical School Exams and Studying FAQs

Still want to know more? The guides below were written to help orient you to various aspects of building study habits to ace your blocks and beyond.

Who Should I Befriend in Med School?

Medical school can be full of friendship but also isolating. A common group of friends is your anatomy group or the group you do your “doctoring” course with. I’d encourage you to go to the events the school puts on early in the year—those are a great way to meet and make friends! It's also crucial to surround yourself with people who share your goals and are committed to finishing medical school just like you are. Look for friends who will:

• Hold you accountable for your progress
• Support you through setbacks and failures
• Motivate you during times of self-doubt

These kinds of friends will be invaluable in helping you stay focused and motivated throughout your journey. They'll be your rock, your confidants, and your study partners. By befriending people who share your commitment to finishing medical school, you'll create a network of support that will help you navigate the ups and downs and emerge stronger on the other side.

Mental Health in Medical School

Medical school is time consuming, difficult, and stressful. But, you don’t have to give up your life or the things you enjoy, you just need to be more strategic. Make sure you put medical school first (mostly) as you will need to put in the time to succeed. But, don’t be afraid to take time off, go to weddings, travel, etc. The more medical school you complete the more comfortable you will feel in taking some time off for yourself to reset and recharge.

Preclinical can be done as a 9a-5p or whatever hour range you choose. When you are in study mode, make sure you are “on.” This means minimizing distractions, full attention to the lecture/material/questions, and having all of your necessary resources and materials at hand. Especially initially, you may feel you need to study 12 hours a day to succeed. But, as you get more efficient and learn more material, you will be surprised at how much information you can intake and retain in a shorter time frame. Most of all, listen to your body. Feeling burnt out? Starting to get sick? Haven’t exercised or made your own meal in 2 weeks? Take a day or two off. In the long run, medical school exists but you are much more than just a medical student. Don’t forget to do things that make you happy, even if it means taking some time away from studying. It will pay off in the long run. 

Choosing/Preparing for a Specialty

The point of medical school is to learn the basic sciences and the basic clinical science behind medicine and to prepare you to be a resident. But, it’s also to expose you to the wide world of medical specialties! Some people figure out the specialty they want to do the day before residency applications are submitted. You have plenty of time to figure this out and the best way is to 1) shadow early and 2) fully take in each M3 clerkship. 

Knowing what is right for you can either be extremely difficult or an epiphany moment. Either way, be sure to evaluate both the pros and cons of the speciality, the pay, the day-to-day, and the job market. Talk to M4s applying into that speciality, join the “interest group” at your school for that speciality or any you are interested in, and shadow/talk to residents and attendings. 

What Is the Most Important Thing to Get Out of Med School?

In my opinion, one of the most important things to get out of med school is mentorship. Having a mentor who has gone through the same journey and succeeded can provide invaluable guidance, support, and insight. Medical school can be a challenging and overwhelming experience. A mentor can help navigate the ups and downs, share valuable advice, and offer a fresh perspective on complex topics. Moreover, mentors can help students avoid common mistakes, provide emotional support during stressful times, offer a sense of accountability to stay on track and advocate for you when needed. With the right mentorship, you can ultimately become better prepared for your future in medicine.

In addition, medical school is your time to make mistakes. Medical school is about learning the basic sciences and then applying it in the hospital, but no one is perfect (ever). The mistakes you make during all of medical school are the best way to learn and are the reason why you are a student. Learn from your mistakes and take in the learning points from each one, it will be something you remember forever. 

Different Post-Med School Pathways

Most commonly, live after medical school follows this pattern:

1. Graduate from Medical School
2. Intern Year (pass Step 3 and obtain MD license, depending on state)
3. Residency, 3-7 years (take any specialty board cert exams required)
4. Fellowship, 1-3 years (take any sub specialty board exams required)
5. Attending Physician

However, post-medical school pathways depend on your specialty and whether you matched or applied for residency. Some specialties require students to take a transitional year before beginning their specialty training, while others jump right in. Residency program length can range from 3-7 years depending on the specialty.