Now That I'm Done With My Second Year Of Med School, Here Are 10 Things I Wish Someone Would Have Told Me Earlier

Becoming a doctor isn't easy. After finishing my second year, here are a few things I would have done differently

1. Learn How to Learn

Your undergrad years matter. That's the time to learn how you learn. Are you visual? Can you learn from reading the book? Do you prefer videos? How do you best study? These are questions that need to be answered sooner rather than later.

2. The MCAT matters, so prep early

Your MCAT score is your ticket in the door! Don't slack off, or wait until the last minute to take it. Do a review course if you need (like Kaplan or Princeton Review). Take it seriously, because your MCAT score will stick with you throughout application season. If you have to take it again, don't rush. You are better off waiting until the next application season to take the time to boost your score, rather than cramming and rushing to take it again.

3. Be careful who you ask for Letters of Recommendation

Start asking for letters early. Don't be afraid of asking a professor "Would you feel confident enough to write me a good letter of recommendation?" Don't take it personally if they say no. Also, if they tell you they use a template, you might want to ask someone else. You don't want your letter reading like a Mad Lib.

4. Don't Be Afraid To Say No

Your first semester of med school, you'll want to join all the clubs and activities. While it's great to get involved, you don't want to fall behind in your studies. Pick one or two clubs that you really enjoy instead of spreading yourself thin across many.

5. Ask For Help Early

Email your professors. Show up to office hours. Join study groups. It's ok to not know everything and to ask for help. As soon as you think you might be struggling academically, get the help that you need. They might be able to point you to some resources that will make your life easier.

6. Don't Spend All Your Money on Every Outside Resource

Some resources work better for some people. I suggest using the free trial, seeing if that website works for you, and then make a decision. Don't shell out all of your cash at once. Pick and choose what best works for you. Some resources that have helped me and my friends are Anki, Sketchy, USMLERX, UWorld, Pathoma, Osmosis, and Amboss just to name a few.

7. Make Sure You Have a Good Support System

Med School is hard, and there will be days where you feel like quitting. Don't give up! Talk to your friends. The friends you make in medical school are friends you will have for life. They are experiencing the same stuff you are and are dealing with all the new changes too. They'll understand what you are going through. Reach out to your family. Utilize your school's psychological services. What you are doing is not easy, and is to be admired. It gets better. I promise.

8. Don't Study 24/7

It's ok to take a break every now and again. Yes, you need to study hard, and learn all the material, but don't become a hermit! It's important to see the sunshine every once in a while. There needs to be a balance.

9. Don't wear your $100 scrubs to anatomy lab

Everyone will be wearing a certain brand of scrubs to look cool and fit in (If you know, you know). My advice to broke medical students is to buy the cheap scrubs from Walmart, because you will eventually get some type of fluid on them. If you want your $100 scrubs to smell like formaldehyde or get stained, that's up to you. Don't say I didn't warn ya.

10. Be kind to people

I shouldn't have to write this, but be a good human to other humans. You aren't at the top of the food chain yet. You do not deserve to have a God complex. You may be smart, but you do not know everything. Kindness matters. The more empathetic you are, the better of a doctor you will be.