To help manage your studies, keep motivated and stay on top of your training, we’ve compiled ten study habits of highly effective medical students. These tips are proven and backed by research in the journals Advances in Medical Education and Practice and MedEdPublish, so you can feel confident that they’ll help you succeed.
1. Manage your time strategically
Avoid the stress of last-minute cramming by creating a clear daily schedule and outlining specific goals each day. Use prioritization techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix to determine what you should work on first, based on how urgent, difficult or important a task is.
2. Limit distractions
Protect your study time by minimizing phone use. You can even set your phone to “do not disturb” mode. Also, choose a quiet study spot to limit interruptions.
3. Review learnings the same day
According to research, reviewing content the same day it’s introduced helps you remember it better. It will also make exam prep easier because you’ll have less new material to review and study all at once.
4. Aim for consistent daily study (3-6 hours)
Rather than tackling a marathon study session, researchers found medical students performed better when they studied 3 to 4 hours regularly or 6 to 8 hours during their preclinical years. Turns out, consistent study habits for medical students are more effective.
5. Prefer active study methods
Instead of reading through your notes for the hundredth time or watching lectures, consider doing a practice test or creating digital flashcards you can run through daily. MedCerts’ online structure is also intentionally designed to keep you engaged, with elements like 3D animated demos, augmented reality, game-based learning and more.
6. Balance solo study with peer teaching
Research on the study habits of highly effective medical students found that most top students studied alone, ensuring they were able to focus on the material. However, it’s also beneficial to explain the concepts to your peers. This is another proven way to reinforce and strengthen your knowledge of an idea.
7. Use lecture slides and notes effectively
High test performers tend to use lecture slides and notes for daily study sessions. Once the exam is a few days away, run through previous test problems and review multiple-choice questions to really hone your knowledge on the test subjects.
8. Be selective with resources
Surprisingly, having more resources doesn’t always lead to better performance. According to researchers, it’s better to rely on a few trusted resources like textbooks, Pathoma or First Aid. MedCerts also makes exam prep easy with helpful guides and resources.
9. Stay motivated with personal goals
Stay motivated by mentally connecting your studying to your “why.” Whether you’re studying to support your family, prepare for residency, or be the first in your family to get a college education, remind yourself with sticky notes, songs or whatever it takes to avoid burnout.
10. Protect balance and adaptability
One of the most important study methods for medical students is to prioritize sleep, rest and exercise. This is crucial if you want to maintain focus and performance. Research shows students who adjust and adapt based on their needs perform better in the long run, so don’t be afraid to listen to your body. Completing an online healthcare or medical program is a huge accomplishment. MedCerts makes it easier to apply these evidence-based study habits of highly effective medical students with flexible online programs, study resources and support teams to help you through.
