Medicine

Studying in a Pandemic

October 26, 2020 /

Now I know when we all said “2020 is going to be THE year, my year” in January 1st.  Pandemic, stores and job closings,  masks, and a temporary “hugless” society were not what we imagined AT ALL. However, here we are; in the middle of it all.  So how do we continue our goals of working toward that degree, applying for medical school in my case, and studying for exams with ALL of this going? 

Obviously it’s not easy in the slightest BUT it is ACHIEVABLE. So how do you juggle it all? Here are a few tips I use DAILY that’s helped me:

So here are some tips for studying during a pandemic: 

  1. Get some ear plugs

 I get distracted super easily especially after a long day so earplugs help curve my attention to the chapters I’m reviewing or even the practice questions. 

2. Be flexible with your study schedule

My MCAT study schedule and secondary application plan have changed so many times in the last week alone that I’ve lost count of the many revisions. However, I’ve learned the times I’m most effective in studying and when I’m not. After work, studying is definitely a NO for me. The same applies to doing secondary applications. I’m already exhausted so my attention span is at its worst. The early mornings work best and even then I have to revise based on the needs of my physical well-being.  

3. Give yourself grace 

It’s easy to feel down or discouraged when your studying begins to suffer or even if your missing “simple” things while practicing or studying . But remember, YOU are your own worst enemy at times.

Take a deep breath, and repeat these words. “I am smart, I will succeed, I won’t give up and I am enough”. 

4. Don’t forget your breaks

It’s best to break about 25-30 minutes for every 2 hours of straight studying as experts say. However, feel free to tweak that if needed.

5. Schedule in some ME time

Often times we forget this step because we feel we have way too much to do. Especially us, millennials. With everything that we do on a daily basis, whether it’s work and school or taking care of a family and work, we get in this mentality of  “relaxing is a waste of time” or “ I can push my “me time to another day”.

Either thought process can be detrimental to your health. As we all need a ME day and canceling or rescheduling is NON NEGOTIABLE. I have learned the hard way. I’ve been burnt out both in college and again even after which has to lead me to even reconsider applying for medical school at times.

Some time to recuperate is 100% necessary.

Even if it starts as just an hour a day, to recharge, read a good book, take a bubble bath, watch your favorite movie, or draw; Anything that you love will do. You can’t afford to forget about yourself NOW, especially with everything going on.

Remember, you can’t pour into others from an empty glass. 

I hope these tips help you as much as they have helped me.  Leave me a comment below if you have any other tips as well. 

XO, 

Ashleigh 

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