Let’s talk about what the first year of medical school is really like: the good, the bad, and the ugly. While that may seem like I have a lot of negative things to say, that’s not entirely true. Sure, I definitely have a few critiques. But there are also a lot of things about medical school that I genuinely enjoy, so I’m eager to share both sides with you.
Keep in mind that every medical school is unique, which means students can have widely different experiences. I’ll answer your top ten questions with my personal experiences from my school, as well as some insights I gathered during interview trails that I found interesting. (And I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little scared to be this honest!)
This post is all about finding out what is medical school like.
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What is Medical School Like? – An Honest Review
Does Medical School Have a “Cut-Throat” Environment?
One of the biggest concerns prospective medical students often share with me on Instagram is whether medical school is super cut-throat and competitive. Many of you worry that everyone will be arrogant. While it may be true for some medical schools, my experience has been quite different.
During my interview trail, I heard a shocking story about a student who allegedly ripped a page out of a textbook to sabotage others’ studying. That’s so ridiculous! As you’re considering medical schools, I would recommend evaluating the vibe on interview day. Don’t choose a school simply because it has a prestigious name. If a highly competitive environment is a concern for your mental health, opt for a school that promises a warm, welcoming, collaborative, and supportive atmosphere. There are definitely plenty of schools out there that have these qualities.
However, even in schools that are predominantly supportive and collaborative, you’ll still encounter “gunners,” students who are overly competitive. There have been instances at my own school where one classmate told another, “Hey, let’s compete this year to see who can get the most research publications.” That’s so uncalled for! Why? What’s the point? There’s absolutely no reason for it.
Overall, though, I’ve found the atmosphere at my school to be very collaborative. Even during virtual interviews, I could sense this vibe. When I asked, “Do you guys share resources? Do you share notes? Do you have a lot of group study sessions? How do you share resources?” they responded, “Oh, yeah, in the Discord, we’re constantly sharing new resources that are helpful for us.” That was a great sign! When I finally attended orientation in person and the white coat ceremony, the warm welcome I received felt like a big hug. Everyone was genuinely friendly.
I was also accepted into the University of Cincinnati, which is known for its amazing vibe and supportive culture. Honestly, if I hadn’t grown up in Ohio and wanted to explore new surroundings, I might have chosen that school for its cozy, collaborative atmosphere. So, yes, while competitive behavior absolutely exists, there are many schools out there with invaluable support systems that prioritize collaboration over rivalry.
How Do I Make Friends in Medical School?
I can assure you, don’t stress about it at all. First off, there are Facebook groups and Discord chats that kick off before you even start your journey. So, connect and get to know people over the summer if you move in early.
Then there’s orientation week, which is your week to meet people. By the end of the first day, you’ll be completely exhausted from all the introductions. It’s a whirlwind of “Oh hi, what’s your name?” followed by “Where’d you grow up?” and “What did you do before med school?” Conversations like these happen constantly throughout the week. I formed a lot of friendships during this time, and as the weeks went on, our group expanded even further.
Now, we have a group chat and spend weekends together, snowboarding and doing lots of fun things together. One aspect that has made it easier to connect is that I lived on campus during my first year. The neighborhoods surrounding the school turned out to be less safe than I had anticipated. So, to stay in a more secure environment, I chose to live in an apartment complex on campus in the beginning.
Living on campus has been a significant pro for making connections. Not only is it convenient for walking to class, but it also means that many of my classmates live nearby. After tests, it’s easy to suggest hanging out. “Hey, let’s walk across the street and chill at my place!” Plus, I often take my dog, Oakley, along when I hang out with friends, which makes it even more enjoyable.
If you’re really worried about making friends, I would highly recommend considering on-campus living. It might be a bit pricier than the apartment complex across the street, but the safety and accessibility it offers are worth it, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area.
Anyway, making friends should be at the bottom of your list of concerns. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to connect with others, and you’ll soon realize that you’re not alone in your worries. So, you’ll be just fine. I promise!
Will I Be Able to Handle the Curriculum? Is There Too Much to Learn in Such a Short Amount of Time?
One question I frequently receive is whether medical school is only for the ‘smartest of the smartest,’ and I can sense the fear in those who worry they may not make it. Believe me when I say if medical school were exclusively for the brightest individuals, I certainly wouldn’t be here. I have never achieved a perfect score, not even during one year of undergrad. I am not a genius, and I assure you that you don’t need to be a genius either to understand the content. If you’ve gotten to this point, know that you are intelligent enough to handle the demands of medical school.
Another common concern is the sheer volume of material to learn in such a short period. Yes, there’s an overwhelming amount of content. I remember my first day was super intense. Seriously, I felt like my mind was just fried. It’s completely normal to feel this way during the first week and to think it’s all a bit crazy.
Here’s my number one tip: Focus on what your lecturers emphasize. Pay attention to the common themes throughout your lectures, particularly from instructors who clearly indicate the important points. They often drop hints like, “Did you bold, circle, or star this?” These emphasized points are likely crucial for your studies.
Instead of getting bogged down in the nitty-gritty details, focus on the content that your lecturers highlight. Great lecturers will help guide you by saying things like, “You need to memorize this; it’s important for your test,” or “This is way too detailed; don’t memorize it.” Take their advice seriously; it can save you a lot of time and stress. For instance, if a slide presents a long list of genes related to a particular disease, tell yourself, “I don’t need to know all that. It’s way too detailed.”
Medical school really does feel like drinking from a fire hydrant or facing a stack of pancakes every day. If you fall behind, it can feel overwhelming. However, concentrating on core content and not worrying about memorizing every little detail makes it possible for sure to succeed. If I can do it, you can do it!
For lots of tips, check out my blog post How to Study in Medical School: Yes, You Can Create Life Balance.
Should I Look for a Medical School That Offers Active Learning?
I highly recommend the podcast “All Access Med School Admissions,” where I first learned about active learning. The University of Vermont has successfully integrated this approach into its curriculum, and from what I’ve heard, it’s amazing. If the ideas discussed by the deans resonate with you, I encourage you to seek out schools that prioritize active learning.
However, when I started as MS1 my school was in the first year of a new curriculum, and it wasn’t going well. While we had a block with two out of three weeks featuring active learning through pre-work and small group discussions, most other blocks just weren’t hitting the mark for active learning. It’s really more like traditional lectures with maybe a few questions thrown in. I often feel my time would have been better spent using third-party resources in the fantastic office I set up for myself. (Sketchy is amazing, BTW. As a very visual learner, it works so well for me!)
Ultimately, I recommend exploring medical schools with a strong focus on active learning and minimal required lectures. Especially schools that allow for flexibility in your study routine are ideal. For example, if you prefer to watch lectures at one-and-a-half or two-times speed, being able to do that in the library after the lectures are uploaded allows you to maintain a consistent daily study routine. When classes are required, that flexibility is not possible.
I did interviews at schools like that and truly wanted an environment that supported that. Unfortunately, I ended up at a school where I feel very micromanaged. This fixed schedule for mandatory lectures disrupts my ability to establish a good study routine. That’s the brutally honest part of my experience.
Am I Going to Have to Cram for Tests and Quizzes in Medical School?
One aspect I really appreciate about my med school is that we have quizzes every Friday. If you’re worried about that, don’t run just yet! During interview trials, I’ve heard a lot of my friends agree that this is key to staying on track. Our weekly quizzes have a pass rate of only fifty percent, which is amazing for keeping us accountable and maintaining our motivation to study each week. By the time finals come around, you’ve already been studying consistently.
I can say with confidence that I have never crammed for a final. In fact, I find myself feeling less motivated during finals week. This is because I know I’ve been putting in the work leading up to that point. It’s like, I put in the effort, so this can be a more chill week. Without our weekly quizzes, I guarantee I would have not stayed on top of my studies. Especially since I’m a chronic procrastinator, and the quizzes helped a ton.
What is the Structure Like at Your Medical School?
As I mentioned in the last question, my medical school has a structured approach to learning that includes weekly quizzes every Friday. Following the quiz, we participated in a small group facilitated review. This is where we gathered in groups of four to discuss three of the most commonly missed questions on the exam. We thought through what we believe the answers were before moving on to a large group facilitated review. During this class session, we covered the commonly missed questions from that week’s quiz. Also, the professor explained the answers and provided detailed explanations.
This review process can be quite intense, and the tension in the room is often high. This makes it not the most enjoyable experience, but it is an essential part of our learning structure. Additionally, we had finals at the end of each block.
Our anatomy lab practicals took place roughly every two months. So we typically had two blocks followed by a “compass week.” During this compass week, we had our anatomy practical as well as our docs practical. This is where we learned how to interview patients and conduct physical assessments. However, it’s important to note that each school’s structure can vary significantly from this glimpse into the structure of my medical school experience.
How Can I Study Effectively Without Feeling Overwhelmed?
As a medical student, it’s normal to feel worried about finding the right way to study while dealing with the fear of not understanding anything. We’ve already discussed the potential of active learning, but I want to highlight my love for third-party materials when lectures fall short. I often turn to resources like Sketchy or Boards and Beyond. Sketchy is golden! It’s amazing to understand material if your lectures aren’t doing it for you. I’ve also incorporated more and more Anki for practice questions into my routine.
Discovering the best study methods involves a lot of experimentation. Initially, I tried creating questions for myself on each topic but eventually transitioned to Anki. Interestingly, I had a strong dislike for Anki during undergrad, so this was truly an experiment for me. Despite having attempted Anki three times before medical school and not sticking with it, I found that I ended up loving it in this new context.
During those first few weeks, I recommend watching a variety of YouTube videos showcasing how other medical students study. Experiment with the different methods you come across and give yourself grace. Everybody is starting off on the same foot, and I promise you will figure it out.
Is Your Medical School a Traditional or a Pass/Fail System?
My school has a true pass/fail system. Now, some schools will say they’re pass/fail, but it’s actually a disguised A, B, or C grading system. This includes categories like honors, high pass, pass, or whatever. It literally mimics the A, B, C, D, F system. So, watch out for that!
I think the perks of pass/fail are significant. When I was on my interview trail, students frequently talked about this system like it was the best thing since sliced bread. There was one girl, for example, who is going to be a plastic surgeon. I thought, if she can pursue such a competitive specialty with this mindset, then there’s no need to worry about being competitive myself. She mentioned, “Oh yeah, since it’s pass-fail, we just study to pass the test and then we have fun on the weekends.”
I’m very grateful for students like her who shared that their goal is to pass and then enjoy their lives. Honestly, that girl is probably the reason I’m so adamant about not studying on the weekend. Her attitude that you can have a life during school really resonated with me.
Pass/fail systems also tend to foster a more collaborative environment. In comparison, schools that use the traditional A, B, C, D, F system might create a competitive atmosphere where you want those A’s, and they might be more likely to rank students. That’s another question to consider when evaluating schools: “Are the students ranked?”
My school does rank students internally for residency purposes, and I’m not mad about it at all. This is because it helps you prepare for that next step. However, if you’re someone who doesn’t want to be in a cutthroat environment during your first or second year, especially where you’re constantly comparing yourself to others, I would suggest looking for a school that emphasizes collaboration rather than competition. Mine doesn’t put that pressure on students. Rankings are kept internal for residency, which I believe is beneficial.
Am I Going to Feel Like I Need to Study All the Time?
Many of you might be worried about non-stop studying and not having time for anything else, fearing that medical school is super difficult and miserable. The truth is, I often feel that I could study continuously. Even on my first day of winter break, I could sit down and find plenty to study for hours because “I still need to prepare for our next anatomy practical!” The reality is that there’s always more you can study, and the material never runs out.
If you don’t want to feel like you’re always studying, you have to actively manage your time and be really intentional about your study schedule. Establish non-negotiable study hours and stick to them. It’s important to say to yourself, “Okay, I’m going to study in the mornings until this time in the afternoon, then I’m done.” It’s not easy to enforce that boundary and simply say, “Okay, I’m done.”
While you could always put in extra hours, what’s the real benefit? Especially if you’re in a pass-fail program, at the end of the day, you’re either going to pass or you’re going to pass. So why study until midnight when you could simply stop at six, enjoy dinner, get a good night’s sleep, and still achieve success?
That’s definitely my approach. I do study every day, but I rarely stay up late doing it. Instead, I often prioritize my life tasks, including my “It’s Life by Maggie” activities, over extra studying. Sure, I’ve stayed up until midnight working on projects for Road to Acceptance students, but honestly, not yet for medical school. So just know your non-negotiables, be intentional, set a certain time or an hour limit, whatever works best for you. Just be intentional about it. Yes, it’s a lot of studying, but you can still finish at six-thirty every night if that’s what you want to do.
How Do I Maintain a Work-Life Balance in Medical School?
Many of you might be worried about finding time for balance, especially when it comes to your partner and family. How do you juggle studying while managing general life and maintaining a work-life balance, all while staying in touch with family and friends?
I can tell you that it is possible. Just the day before, I spoke with my mom. And two nights earlier, I chatted with my friends Brooke and Chloe. All in the same week that I had my end-of-block final! You might think finding that time is impossible, but you can do the same with studying. Again, it’s all about how intentional you are! Write down your non-negotiables. For instance, decide that no matter what, you will talk to your mom once a week and stick to that commitment. If you realize it’s been seven days since you last spoke with her while buried in studying, stop for the day and reach out.
I often multitask by using my time walking my dog as an opportunity to call my grandma. I’ll take Oakley on a longer walk and have a chat with her on the phone. I also have classmates who manage to make it work despite having kids and husbands. At our orientation, there was another classmate whose wife had twins. Personally, I have been snowboarding a lot on the weekends, and I didn’t study at all during that time. So yes, work-life balance is definitely achievable!
My husband often tells me that he doesn’t see a difference between my schedule now in medical school compared to before. Before med school, I had a five a.m. routine where I’d work on my blogs before going to my job from ten to two, followed by three hours of tutoring. Even though he thought I would have no time for anything outside of studying, we’ve enjoyed many adventures together. Just recently, we spent three days at an Airbnb in Breckenridge and explored the town.
So yes, finding time for a life outside of medical school is not only possible but can be incredibly rewarding with a little intention and planning!
Final Thoughts on Answering Your Questions on What Medical School Is Really Like
I truly hope that this post was insightful for you and that you enjoyed hearing about all the good and the bad of medical school. While any and all of these concerns could be true in your experience if you’re intentional about where you go to medical school, how you prioritize your study habits, and how well you honor your non-negotiables, I think you will enjoy medical school overall. It’s so exciting and fun to finally make it here and be a medical student!
Thank you for sharing you honest perspective on this, super helpful!
Great post!