Source: www.tronviggroup.com
Adaptation is difficult. A change of medical school, an entrance to a new academic session, even as simple as starting your clinical years. As an Egypt transfer student currently doing my clinical years in Malaysia, the system here proves to be a challenge and is very much hands-on approach. Stephen Hawking quoted, “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change”. Adaptation and transitioning to a new system has not been a walk in the park for me but I think I have managed to do it (hopefully). Here I’ve decided to compile some tips to help those in any sort of transition towards the clinical years in Malaysia – also applicable for medical schools abroad.
Always be ON TIME
Punctuality is key and you never want to miss the introduction of any session which is a brief overview of what you are doing to be doing later on.
Get enough SLEEP
The brain functions the best when you get sufficient sleep. Sleep deprivation is not a very good thing for students as it impairs your focus and attention to a certain level. So keep the candy crush marathons away from yourselves at night.
READ up on your PATIENTS
Remember to read up on your patients’ charts and their suggested treatment and why that particular course of treatment is chosen instead of the other. Remember their course of diseases and have a brief idea on most patients in the ward.
Never do NOTHING, volunteer
Never be idle during ward work. Continue clerking patients and assisting doctors with procedures when you can. You actually learn more by doing. Remember in medicine it is always the “See One Do One Teach One Rule”
Be a TEAM player
It sure is cool to be the lone ranger but working with others will polish your skills to teach and learn. Teach and learn from others for maximum benefits.
Learn how to SPEAK TO OTHERS
One of my lecturers once told me a good doctor knows how to speak to four types of people, Patients, Peers, Public and Powers that be. Always be nice and keep smiling.
Build your STUDY METHOD
Like anatomical variations study methods also differ. Learn the best skill and way of studying for yourself and follow through. Keep a schedule and don’t expect to be spoon-fed. Study hard the more you know the better.
Study DAILY IN A GROUP
Being a good student requires developing good study habits. As cliche as this is, it is really, really important for a medical student. There is a huge volume of material being presented, and it is very easy to fall behind. Even if you can’t study every single day, try to read at least a little bit whenever you can.
Have an overview of the chapter or subject
Start with the big picture. Sift through the assigned chapter or unit in the beginning of your studying and get a rough idea of what you will be covering. While you are skimming through, decide which material must be thoroughly understood versus the minor details that can be memorized closer to the exam date. Take your time and think through the steps of the major concepts while you have plenty of time. More than likely, the mundane facts will only reside in your short-term memory and will only frustrate you if you first attempt to memorize words and diseases you don’t understand.
ENJOY what you’re doing
If you find yourself getting bored while you study, stop. Take a break, and think of a way to make what you are studying interesting, whether that is by turning it into a game, making it interactive, more visual, or even reading interesting case reports online of a related disease. Sometimes, pegging the knowledge onto a case report or vignette can make the information much more “sticky” in your mind, which is all that matters.
In summary adaptation can be made easy it may seem difficult at first but it will definitely be your second nature once it sets in.
As human beings we do change, grow, adapt, perhaps even learn and become wiser.
-Wendy Carlos
This article is written by Izzuddin Azaharuddin, a 4th year student at Cyberjaya University College of Medical Sciences. Learn more about the Young Columnists the main menu.