medical school application essays

With all the thick books that medical students have to read, terms, and body parts to memorize, and paperwork and reports to finish, it is not surprising that most medical students go through pulling all-nighters to be able to meet deadlines and review for exams. Pulling all-nighters has become so common among medical students that this has been referred to as a rite of passage for everybody who wishes to have a career in the medical profession.

Nevertheless, everybody knows that depriving oneself of sleep is never good for the health. So, what must a medical student do to avoid his or her chances of having to pull an all-nighter or at least take good care of his or her health come times an all-nighter is needed? Here are some tips to help you cope with all-nighters:

* Limit your sugar and caffeine intake. All right, sugar and caffeine really help in keeping you awake and focused when you pull all-nighters because these food products act as stimulants that give you that bubbly, lively feeling to see you through the whole night. But too much of these and you know what happens – you get to be at risk for diabetes and a slew of heart diseases, as well as insomnia. Too much sugar and caffeine may also cause you to pull all-nighters at times when you don’t want to. Instead of sugar and caffeine, try protein-rich food including dairy products such as cheese and carbohydrate-rich food such as sandwiches. This way, you improve metabolism and boost brain power without overdoing it.

* Listen to what your body is saying. If it is already tired and in need of sleep, then it is about time that you take a much-needed rest. Chances are, you’ll even get more refreshed this way and more energized to fulfill your tasks.

* As much as possible, try to get some sleep during all-nighter sessions, even if it is just an hour or two. This is especially important if you have been depriving yourself of sleep for quite a long time. Do you know that even just two days without sleep can be seriously bad for your health? So, try to get even just a quick nap. And, stock up on vitamins to boost your immune system.

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All doctors have the prime responsibility of caring for their patients. So far, everybody knows that at least most of the doctors in the world today really work hard to fulfill this responsibility. If that is so, then why do some doctors tend to be more successful than others?

Want to know how to be a successful doctor yourself? Check out the following tips:

* Work on your communication skills. Successful doctors are excellent communicators. Never mind the honors and the rewards that come with being an innovator in the field of medicine. If you can’t communicate your ideas well to other people, most especially to your patients, then you remain to be a flop.

Also, successful doctors are great “people” persons. They have the natural ability to feel what a patient is feeling, to sympathize, but remain firm and be able to hold himself together so as to provide the patient with strength.

Thus said, what particular communication skills do you need to work on? Read on:
- how to deliver good or bad news to patients
- how to explain medication to patients
- how to display sensitivity enough for the patient to know that you are sincerely concerned about their health and welfare

* Successful doctors are extremely meticulous about detail. You have to be a keen observer. You should keep in mind that every big disease starts as a small one. It is very important that you are able to pinpoint symptoms and diagnose a disease as they start and are still curable.

* Work on your time management skills. Successful doctor are time management experts. Starting from medical school, learn how to balance your time between schoolwork, family, and friends. You should learn efficient yet effective ways on how to fulfill each task on hand.

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There are many things you can do to ensure survival in med school. One of the essentials in surviving med school is by joining study group sessions. Joining study sessions have many benefits for med school students. For one, you can find out which among your medical school classmates can be your regular partner when you study for exams. Study group sessions will also give you a chance to improve your study habits and, as a result, your performance in the academe.

Being responsible

Because study group sessions are functional if every member performs his or her duty well, there is no room for you to procrastinate. You have to bear in mind that, in a study group, your efforts have to benefit all the members of the study group, so you have to be responsible for all the tasks assigned to you.

Sharing ideas

One great feature of study group sessions is the sharing of ideas among the members. In these sessions, you have a chance to explain a concept to everybody or pose questions that the group can brainstorm on. Through these exchanges of ideas, you will learn many things. You will also have better chances of knowing what to expect on your tests because of these discussions.

Developing essential skills

Friendship and better study habits are not the only things established in study group sessions. You will also have a room for the development of your skills necessary in succeeding in the career path you choose. In study group sessions, you will develop your self-confidence and improve your interpersonal skills which are very important skills needed by a doctor. The sessions will also train you to improve your listening skills, attention span, and ability to recall. The exchange and analysis of ideas in group sessions will also enhance your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

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Sometimes, you really have to struggle to get through the rigorous demands of medical school. To win this struggle, you have to be prepared spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally, and financially. You have to equip yourself with proper training and you have to exceed other’s expectations of you. The following are some of the preparations you have to make for medical school survival.

* Enroll yourself in the required courses

Even though there is no required pre-medical college course for a medical degree, it is still better to equip yourself with the science-related courses like chemistry and biology. Some necessary subjects for a medical degree are chemistry, biology, and English. These will prepare you when you take up pharmacology, anatomy, biochemistry, and other pure biological sciences when you are already in a med school.

* Develop study habits that work

Medical school can be very demanding. The school works can overwhelm you. In med school, relying on stock knowledge is not enough. You have to develop a study habit. As part of your preparation, you may also read medical textbooks in advance to familiarize yourself with medical concepts. You may also practice answering medical quizzes on the Internet. You have to practice as early as possible so that you can establish your study habit.

* Be physically fit

It is important to prepare your body as well when entering a med school. Because med school is demanding, you have to be physically fit so you can face the challenges in it. With a healthy mind and body, you can bear the pressure, huge amount of schoolwork, and limited hours of sleep. This is also necessary to prevent yourself from getting sick which will cause you to miss your lectures and laboratory activities. So if you dream of becoming a doctor, you should develop healthy habits for yourself.

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