by Willa Tracy
How to Improve Your Study Skills to Become a More Competitive Med School Applicant
As an aspiring doctor, you have a lot on your plate. Take an honest inventory of your current routine and ask yourself where there’s room for improvement! For example, now is a good time to invest in upgrading your study skills to help you learn more efficiently, save your time, improve your grades, and establish the skills that will see you through medical school. Here are six tips to get you started:
1. Identify your learning style.
Since we are all unique learners, one approach will not work for everyone. It’s important to test as many methods as possible to figure out what works and what doesn’t. The extra time you spend refining your study strategies can actually decrease the amount of time you spend studying – just like finding the right pair of shoes will help you run faster.
Most people are auditory, kinesthetic, or visual learners. There are dozens of free tests available online to help you identify your primary learning style. As a visual learner, I know that rewriting my notes, using different colors for different topics, and reorganizing material into flash cards, concept maps, or other visual formats will help me learn the information more quickly. Different subjects require flexibility in adapting your strategy.
2. Try the Pomodoro Technique.
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method that breaks work into focused 25-minute intervals followed by five-minute breaks. Longer breaks (typically 15–30 minutes) are taken after completing four Pomodoros. This technique is designed to improve focus, reduce fatigue, and prevent burnout by incorporating regular breaks into the workday. Follow five simple steps:
- Choose a specific task.
- Set a 25-minute timer.
- Work without distractions, and focus solely on the task until the timer rings.
- Take a five-minute break to relax and recharge.
- Repeat steps 1–4 three more times, then take a longer break (15–30 minutes).
3. Review your notes ASAP.
To save yourself the time and effort required to “relearn” material, review notes from a lecture as soon as you can – ideally, within hours after class. The sooner you review them, the more you will remember and the less time that you will have to spend later relearning information that you could simply be reinforcing.
4. Attend office hours regularly, and come prepared!
Professors and TAs are experts in their subject area, and office hours give you the chance to ask your instructors about the best way to study their material. To use office hours most wisely, go with the intention of covering the topics that you have the most difficulty understanding. Prepare specific questions ahead of time for your instructors on a weekly basis to help you better prepare for the exams.
5. Create practice tests to identify gaps in your knowledge.
As a standardized test tutor, I can tell you that the best way to prepare for exams is by taking practice tests. The name of the game is learning the format of each test and how it evaluates your knowledge. Identify your strengths and weaknesses, and then focus your time and energy on filling in the gaps. If you find a topic you feel shaky on, conduct daily, targeted drills until you have mastered it.
6. Collaborate with your peers.
As a fun challenge, try creating practice exams with and for friends. By examining the class material from other people’s perspectives, it may become easier for you to predict how and what you will be tested on. Two (or more) heads are better than one! Compare and combine notes and study guides so your academic strengths can complement those of your classmates.
I hope these tips will help you feel confident in your study routine! Don’t be afraid to get introspective and confront your academic strengths and weaknesses. The strongest thing you can do in life is to ask for help when you need it.
Accepted can help! Schedule a free consultation with an Accepted expert. We can assist you in creating an admissions strategy that works for your unique situation.
Willa Tracy attended Brown University, where she earned her MA and BA in philosophy with a specialization in logic and a priori epistemology. As a tutor with nearly five years of experience, Willa has an expert understanding of the SAT, ACT, ISEE, SSAT, SHSAT, and LSAT. Through her patient and thorough approach, she empowers students to balance the rigor of problem-solving with curiosity and mindfulness when met with new challenges. Her SAT students gain an average of 210 points from their baseline scores!
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