25 things I learned my first year of Medical School
1) First day is awkward for everyone. Actually, the first few weeks are awkward for everyone.
2) Everyone will look like they have their shit together.
3) After orientation you will suddenly find yourself behind in biochem, physiology, etc. When did we even start the official lecturing? huh?
4) You will discover that people actually don’t have their shit together, including you. (don’t freak out because eventually you’ll get the hang of it)
5) Its alright to skip a class once every while. Seriously, who wants to attend a biochemistry class at whatever ungodly hour they schedule it
6) If you decide to delve into the world of textbooks, it might take you a while to find that one holy textbook that explains things better than any professor.
7) Don’t be surprised when you come back home and realise you’ve had nothing to eat all day
8) Always carry a granola bar or a light snack and water. Always. ALWAYS.
9) Coffee machines are your best friend. Especially when you don’t have time to take a trip to get decent coffee.
10) If seniors tell you that this class/professor/whatever is hard/mean/whatever, don’t listen to them. Nothing is hard if you work hard enough.
11) Its absolutely okay if you don’t make a hundred friends.
12) There are people I’ve gone to class with for a year now, yet never spoke to. Thats ok too!!!!!!
13) It might take a while for you to get comfortable around people because you might be scared, guess what? others are scared too.
14) Try to keep up with lectures everyday because theres no way you’re gonna be able to cram in everything one day before the exam. (this is my #1 advice)
15) You know that one person who sits in the front row and writes down everything the professor says and they don’t share notes and they’re generally assholes? you might know him/her as the gunner. yeah, stay away from them because you will feel like throwing Robbins’ pathology textbook at them and knocking them out.
16) Someone along the way will piss you off and how you deal with that says a lot about you.
17) Take part in events like awareness days, conferences, etc because you need something to balance out the intensity of studying all day and night.
18) If you do research first year, good for you because you’re getting a head start.
19) There will always be that one professor who will always talk nonsense. Like I said, find that holy textbook.
20) Make time for things you enjoy doing. (exercise, playing an instrument, whatever it is, MAKE TIME FOR IT.)
21) You will meet some genuine people and some not-so genuine people. Stick with the genuine ones.
22) YOU DONT SHOCK PEOPLE WHEN THEIR HEARTS STOP BEATING!!
23) Um, that gigantic pharmacology textbook will give you the creeps.
24) People will first think of themselves before anyone else, and honestly, so will you at some point.
25) Everybody will judge. Don’t give people the upper hand by letting them get to you.
