How to Build Effective Study Habits for Medical School

Students have many issues in their lives and because everything has its own priority, it’s hard to concentrate on studying. If you are in college, especially in medical school, you have to make studying your number one priority in order to progress from year to year. The key to effective studying is not to study harder and longer every time, but rather to study in a smarter way. Make the studying process easier by following these simple steps.

1. How you approach studying matters

Do not approach the study material as a necessary task, but rather as enjoyment or an opportunity to learn.
Researchers have found that the way you approach something matters almost as much as what you do. Being in the right mindset is essential in order to study smarter.

Sometimes, it is hard to have a positive attitude and make yourself love learning. It is during such moments that the best thing you can do is avoid studying. If you are distracted by a problem or an upcoming event, then studying is just going to be frustrating and exhausting. You should return to your studying when you are not focused on something else in your life.

There are multiple ways in which you can improve your study mindset. You should think positively when you study and take into account your skills and abilities as a student. Avoid comparing yourself with others because that type of mindset tends to lower confidence levels.  

2. Where you study is important

If you pick a place that is not conducive to concentrating, that will make it very hard to study. Places where distraction is a constant factor make for very poor study areas. Studying in your dorm room can cause distractions from the computer, TV, or a roommate more interesting than the reading material you are trying to learn.

The study hall, library, a nook in a student lounge or a quiet coffee house are good places to study. Choose the quietest areas in these places that do not have people coming in and out all the time. Explore multiple places on-campus and off-campus and always try to find an optimal place for studying. Finding an ideal study place is essential because it will be the one place you can rely on for the next few years.

3. Bring the essentials for studying with you

Unfortunately, when you find an ideal place to study, sometimes people bring things they will not need. For example, while it may seem ideal to type notes into a computer and revise them later, computers can be a big distraction for many people. This is because you can do so many different things while on the computer, such as playing games and surfing the internet. So, ask yourself if you really need your laptop or if you’d better just use a notebook and pen, because this could determine your productivity.

Do not waste time going back and forth for an unnecessary book, notebook, or some other material you believe you need to be succ
essful. All you need is to focus and think positively.