Applying for medical school is an exceptionally stressful time for anyone. In modern medical interviews, you can be asked questions on a range of different topics, both professional and academic. The stakes are high, with one weak answer often being the difference between success and failure.
This can put significant pressure on anyone applying and their families, which can lead to high levels of anxiety and depression. It is easy to feel isolated in this situation, and many people struggle to cope. However, it is essential to remember that you are not alone and that most of your peers will be going through similar circumstances.
In this blog post, we’ve compiled a few helpful coping mechanisms current medical students have used in the past to get through this difficult time. We’ve included some tried and tested tips and advice which made the difference when we were all applying, but the list is not exhaustive.
Start early
Since there is so much content to cover for your interview, you must give yourself plenty of time to prepare. Be realistic about when you are likely to work in the period before the interview and how much free time you will have. One of the biggest, yet most avoidable causes of stress is leaving it all to the last minute, then realising you’ve got no time to prepare.
Make a comprehensive preparation plan and then stick to it. There is no ‘perfect’ amount of time to spend preparing as it depends entirely on your schedule. For medical school interviews, we’d advise you to start preparing roughly 2-3 months beforehand and increase the intensity of your practice in the last month. For those getting ready to face the UCAT exam, we’d recommend six weeks of preparation.
There is a wealth of information available online to help you prepare. Blogs like this one on medicine entry requirements (https://www.medistudents.com/en/medical-school-applications/medicine-entry-requirements/) and this one on the UCAT (https://www.medistudents.com/en/ucat/how-to-prepare-for-the-ucat/) will give you all the information you need to start revising effectively.
Add relaxation periods to your revision schedule
It is all too easy to try and fill every spare moment you have with revision. However, this can have a very adverse effect on your
Talk to someone
Some anxiety is normal and can help keep you motivated. However, if you find that your anxiety levels have become unmanageable, then it’s crucial you don’t ignore it.
Speaking to someone you trust about your worries and concerns can be very helpful in this situation. Talking, in general, has been shown to be one of the most effective treatments for a wide variety of
Exercise and eat well
It’s all too easy to live on fast food during your revision period. You certainly won’t feel like you have the energy to cook each evening. One of the things we did that helped us the most, was at the beginning of the week, we would create a sizeable vegetable-rich healthy dish, and then eat that whenever we didn’t feel like cooking. Combining this with regular exercise will also have a substantial positive impact on your
Plan a holiday for after the interview
This isn’t always possible for those with tight schedules or commitments at home, but where possible, our ability to cope was improved by having something we looked forward to. A weekend away can make all the difference and give you a chance to blow off steam at the end of the process.
Most of all, try to stay positive. Remember the stress you are under is temporary, and things will get better!
This post has been sponsored by medibuddy
Dr Alexander Trevatt
Dr. Alex Trevatt is a Plastic Surgery Resident in London, UK. He has a special interest in medical education, and his websites Medibuddy and Medistudents address the huge lack of educational resources available online for doctors and medical students.
