A new school year marks the perfect time to organize your goals and priorities, which is why we’ve done the preliminary work for you. Here’s an easy-to-navigate list of the top tasks students should prioritize during their first and second years of training, including resources on studying, building your CV and choosing a specialty. Keep this list handy as you move through your early years of training. Succeeding in medical school: First and second years Welcome to the great transition. These first two years of med school often entail major changes. You may suddenly feel just how big the difference between attending college and medical school is as you’re determining the best ways to study, deciding whether to sleep or nap at night, or cancelling plans for your third consecutive Saturday and drinking your third consecutive coffee. No matter the issue, life in medical school is completely unique and requires its own unique strategies to succeed. But not to worry—these first two years can be very rewarding. While specific courses vary by medical school, expect to spend your first year in lectures and labs, mastering your knowledge of basic sciences and human anatomy. By year two, you should be prepping for Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) and thinking about which specialty you’d like to choose. Dive into your medical passions and broaden your exposure to different practice fields, so by the time you begin clinical rotations, you’ll have a clearer sense of your professional interests. During your first two years, be sure to prioritize these activities: Start building your CV Getting published or gaining new clinical skills early in training can help you build a stronger application for residency programs. Expand your CV by taking advantage of these resources and opportunities: 4 reasons to build your CV at the AMA Research Symposium. The 2015 deadline for abstract submissions is Aug. 19. If you can’t participate this year, mark your calendar for next year. Where to publish: Top journals for physicians in training. Knowing where to submit your research is half the battle of breaking into medical publishing. Check out this must-have list of journals that accept submissions from trainees. 9 top tips for getting published in a medical journal. These tips are from published residents and fellows and the deputy editor of clinical content atJAMA. The AMA’s Section Involvement Grant. This program helps students fund innovative events at their medical school campuses. Hosting an event is a great way to get involved in your medical community while developing CV-worthy leadership skills. Learn to balance work and wellness While it may be tempting to spend every free moment studying, try to avoid doing so. Replacing personal hobbies and self-care with endless work can lead to burnout. Instead, try to take mindful breaks for yourself, even if only for a half-hour each day. Follow this advice to develop healthy habits on a student budget and schedule: 7 ways to avoid “distress” in medical school. Learn the key signs of student distress, so you can boost well-being during medical school. 5 student-friendly tips for eating healthy on a budget. See these tips from a registered nutritionist and recent medical student for planning meals that fit your lifestyle. How to fit wellness into your busy schedule. As a busy medical student, you might find it hard to dedicate time to wellness, but by committing to your own health, you also are committing to the health of your community and patients. How volunteering can make you happier and healthier. Caring for patients at volunteer clinics can give you experience and feed your passion for medicine and offer a mental break from some of the daily stressors that lead to burnout. Join student clubs and specialty groups Deepening your knowledge of specialties is crucial to your success in residency and practice. Exposing yourself to versatile fields of practice can help you choose a specialty based on genuine insights rather than limited knowledge. By the end of year two, plan to contact physicians in your specialty of interest to ask if you can shadow them. This will help you arrange clerkships and meet physicians who can offer guidance as you choose your specialty in your third year. Be sure to access these resources: 10 things students overlook when choosing a specialty. Learn how to choose a specialty with tips from a physician advisor who understands your mindset. check our guide to choose your medical specialty. Prepare for the USMLE You may feel stressed as you prepare to take the USMLE Step 1, but this advice can help you make the most of your preparation: 4 mistakes to avoid while studying. An expert highlights four common mistakes not to make when preparing for this test and gives advice for studying smartly. Your definitive USMLE Step 1 guide. Consult this roundup for top tips and study advice. Want an expert guide for your third and fourth years of training? Stay tuned for part two of this story, which will offer a second checklist on the key steps students should take to succeed in clinical rotations and prepare their best residency program applications. Source
