Helpful tips for the first year of medicine and pharmacy school

The first year of medicine and pharmacy school can be intimidating and overwhelming, with students facing new challenges every day. But those who have made it through will tell you, it is doable. To help welcome our first-year Walking Whales to campus, we tapped the shoulders of alumni, second-, third- and fourth-year students, and friends of NEOMED for their advice on how to best approach the NEOMED experience.

Advice from the NEOMED community 

• Your perspective will determine your reality. If you choose to focus on being tired, working a lot and things you have to miss, then you’ll fulfill the role of the sad, tired student. If you focus on the fact you’re living your dream, learning to save lives and working hard to be deserving of that immense responsibility we are trust with, you’ll be fulfilled and grateful every day. What we do is one of the greatest privileges that exist. We are entrusted with the lives of our fellow humans, don’t ever let yourself lose sight of the tremendous fulfillment that comes from the enactment of those duties!” – first-year emergency medicine resident and alumnus, Class of ’23
• “You are not on an island. Be willing and open to learn something from anyone. Maintain your honesty, integrity, compassion and a good sense of humor. Finally, realize all of the awesome people, priceless moments and opportunities there are to sustain you and take care of yourself along the way. – otolaryngologist and alumnus, Class of ’85
• “Give your best effort every day and celebrate the small wins. Enjoy the journey and reach out to your friends, peers and mentors when you need help. You’re never alone and keeping the end goal in mind of where you’re going will make a big difference.” – first-year pharmacy resident and alumnus, Class of ’23
• “Schedule time for self-care. Take one day off of studying per week.” – second-year psychiatry resident and alumnus, Class of ’22
• “Progress over perfection.” – pharmacist and alumnus, Class of ’12
• “Time flies. Cherish the connections you make.”  - first-year rehabilitation medicine resident and alumnus, Class of ’23
• “Your time in school moves faster than you know. Don’t forget to enjoy the ride.” – second-year pharmacy student
• “You are not your failures or your test scores. Your patients will only know your compassion.” – hospitalist and alumnus, Class of ’19
• “Don’t doubt yourself, it gets better than you can imagine!” – third-year pharmacy student
• “Always make time for friends, family and hobbies.” – third-year emergency medicine resident and alumnus, Class of ’20
• “You will grow to surmount everything that scares you now.” – first-year emergency medicine resident and alumnus, Class of ’23
• “Focus on being your best self.” – second-year psychiatry resident and alumnus, Class of ’22
• “Don’t give up the things you enjoy. There’s never enough time.” – fourth-year medicine student
• “Find people who encourage you to participate and volunteer, not people who discourage you!” – second-year pharmacy student
• “Remember that you are in your own lane, own race, own page.” – second-year medicine student
• “Slow down. What’s meant to be, will be.” – fourth-year pharmacy student

Other advice

• “Learn something new every day, ask questions, don’t shy away from challenges, learn and rise when things don’t go your way or you feel defeated. Believe in yourself, and most important, be thankful for what you have and the opportunity that will lead you to a better future.”
• “Sleep is but a fond childhood memory. We know a little about everything and a lot about nothing.”
• “Ask for help when you need it – academically, socially, emotionally – it doesn’t matter. There’s no prize for trying to figure out everything on your own.”
• “Get involved, build relationships and say yes to the opportunities that come your way!"
• “Do your best, pass and learn from your friends. The better you get at teamwork, the earlier you start, the more fun school and beyond will be.”
• “Never back down. Never give up.”
• “Let the rough time hit you, stand back up and stare adversity in its eyes until it crumbles.”
• “Listen, learn and lead. You are among the best that will help you succeed.”