Premed.blog by MedAngle Premed
Premed to Med - Shift in Study Styles and Life in General
Hello, Premeds! Wardah Ashraf here, a first-year medical student at CIMS Multan. If you’re reading this blog about the transition from premedical to medical, congratulations—you’re already one step ahead! Yay!
Throughout my premed journey, I've experienced both highs and lows, and I’m sure every student can relate. From cramming and building concepts to dealing with class tests, the anxiety of monthly reports, dreaded parent-teacher meetings, lengthy exams, and struggles with time management, it can be quite overwhelming. But in the middle of all these challenges you should destress all the burden on your shoulders by creating never ending memories as you’ll miss this time more than you can imagine.
Now, let’s dive deeper into MDCAT preparation. Some students opt for physical academies and some prefer online learning. It all depends on your personal study style and preference. When you begin preparing for your MDCAT, it’s important to adjust your study pattern significantly. It might take a while but once implemented you will be one step closer to your dream school. Embrace the fact that some parts of the exam will need to be memorized and you need to develop a way of studying that better suits this pattern of learning. Moreover, focus on time management and practice solving as many MCQs as you can. For end-minute revision and to master your problem solving skills, Premed.Net.PK offers Topical MCQs, Mock Tests, Live Quizzes, Past Papers and so much more to fine-tune your MDCAT prep. The catch is – it's absolutely FREE.
For those taking a gap year, believe me when I say — it’s completely okay. The only thing I want you to change is your mindset. You’re not a "repeater" because you won’t be repeating your mistakes. You’re an improver. If anyone asks, confidently tell them you’re in a gap year. I took one myself, and it was perfectly fine. Investing one dedicated year in your future self is more than worth it!
After the MDCAT is over and you have been accepted into your dream university, welcome yourself to the post-MDCAT phase! This is your time to relax—sleep in, experiment with cooking, and learn new skills like painting or knitting. Catch up on all the dramas and movies you’ve been saving, spend time with friends, help out with chores, and do whatever makes you happy. You’ve earned this well-deserved break, so take a moment to look back, be proud of how far you’ve come, and enjoy your reward.
For hostelites, there’s even more to manage, including adjusting to your roommate and bearing the loneliness of being away from your friends and family. Then there’s the experience with ragging and anti-ragging groups—don’t take these moments too personally. Instead, enjoy them and use this time to build strong relationships with your batchmates and immediate seniors. Show respect to your seniors and professors as they’ll guide you through this journey.
One of the biggest changes you’ll face as a medical student is transitioning to Student-Centered Learning, where you’re responsible for studying on your own. Take the time to figure out what study methods work best for you. You might need to let go of some old habits and adopt new strategies. Remember, not every piece of advice will work for you. It’s great to hear others' experiences and try new approaches, but in the end always stick to the study methods that suit you best.
Scoring in medical school is vastly different from premed, so you will notice a drop in your performance initially. Give yourself time to adjust, and things will fall into place. Time management is now entirely your responsibility—no one will check in on how you're doing. You’re essentially your own guide now.
Make sure to participate in extracurricular activities during your first year. These experiences will become cherished memories you’ll carry with you for the rest of your life. Be adventurous, bold, and open to exploring new things.
Meet you in the next blog. Goodbye!
Edited by: Abia Khalid, MedAngle Premed President
Author:
Wardah Ashraf, MedAngle Premed President
