6 Good Habits Every Student Should Develop to Study Smarter
Student life can be a daily challenge and if you are a medical student, it is extremely overwhelming. Due to the sheer amount of knowledge you have to learn, long hours of studying and clinical rotations, it is quite difficult for you to stay on top of your studies. You need to put in the hard work to make sure you become a successful doctor and eventually a highly trained, skilled doctor.
Medical students face a number of challenges during their academic life, it will all be worth it when you complete an MD degree and finally become a doctor. Building some good study habits can better prepare you for all the challenges you will face and make you a top student.
Here is a list of some daily good habits every medical student should develop to maximize their study potential and gear up them for a successful medical career.
- Organize Your Time
Time management is the key to becoming a successful student and finding a rewarding medical career. When you start your medical school life, you will learn how to stay organized and plan your priorities. From organizing your study material to preparing for exams and completing your assignments, you need to build efficient time management skills to stay successful throughout your medical school life.
Learn how to divide your time in an efficient manner so that you can manage your academics, extracurricular activities, and other social activities. Create a schedule and set aside dedicated slots for all the activities. Prioritize tasks that you need to finish first, break them into manageable chunks and you will definitely stay on the right study track. This strategy will help you survive in a Caribbean medical school and become a smart student.
2.Good Eating Habits
You need a healthy, balanced diet to stay physically strong and mentally fit. Unhealthy food choices, binge eating, skipping meals, and dieting are a few poor eating habits that you need to break. Opt for a mindful approach to eating and stay focused on eating healthy. Fostering a healthy habit of eating a balanced diet will help you stay physically fit, which will eventually enhance your overall wellness and improve your academic achievements.
3. Active Studying Techniques
Being a medical student, you are supposed to study a lot. It is quite challenging to develop the required skills and knowledge to become a great student and highly qualified doctor. Every student learns differently and at their own pace. Some students are visual learners, while some are auditory learners. The key is to find your learning style and organize your study periods and you will feel more productive and efficient.
There are many active study techniques that you can try to learn efficiently and become a smart student:
- Flashcards
- Rewriting notes
- Reread chapter summary & outline
- Memorize theories
- Reread textbook
- Highlight material
- Review highlighted material
Experiment with these active studying techniques and you will be able to learn study material more efficiently and effectively.
4.Stress Management
During medical school, many students feel overwhelmed, depressed and sad because of a significant amount of stress and anxiety. Assignments, extracurricular activities, social challenges, high school to medical school life transition – there are a number of causes of student stress. It will eventually lead to poor mental health and bad academic performance. Learning how to manage stress is important to get good grades and stay active during your academic life.
One of the easiest and healthiest ways to say goodbye to stress is to get regular exercise. Several studies have shown that regular physical activity can lower levels of stress. If you find it hard to get some time for exercise from your busy schedule, there are some tips to get involved in a physical activity.
· Do yoga and meditation in the morning
· Walking or biking to class
· Reviewing for a class quiz while walking on a treadmill at the gym
· Taking an elective gym class
· Join an intramural sport
5. Effective Note-Taking
It is one of the most important skills you should develop to understand the information and stay on top of your studies. Note-taking is an important practice that allows you to focus on what is important, and helps you remember that material. You can better structure your notes with headings, sub headings, number lists and bullets that help you distinguish major and minor points. Structuring your notes can help you revise your notes later and set you up for exam revision.
It is advised to highlight the point the teacher repeats, as repetition is your clue that it is very important. Reviewing your notes regularly will deepen your understanding of the material and retain more information. There are a number of note-taking methods that can help you with your studies:
· The Cornell Method
· The Outline Method
· The Mapping Method
· The Chart Method
6. Follow a Consistent Sleep Schedule
A regular sleep cycle is very important to maintain your cognitive function and overall well-being. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night to stay fresh and energized throughout the day. Getting enough sleep will give you a cognitive boost, make you feel happier and focused.
Sleep deprivation can make you feel tired, less focused in class, which will eventually affect your studies. Make sure to set a sleep schedule and stick to it. Forming a good study habit will allow you to stay physically and mentally fit and gear you up for achieving academic and personal triumphs. Keep in mind that a well-rested mind can lead to optimal cognitive function and academic success.
To Conclude it All
These are a few good habits that every student should develop to succeed in their academic life. These necessary skills will prepare you for memorizing the key information, important concepts and revise your lectures when needed. Hopefully, these skills will prepare you for a successful medical school life and rewarding career.
