Preparing for the First Day
Congratulations on your acceptance! Now how should you prepare for the first day of medical school?
Relax
Whether you are entering straight after college or perhaps you took some time in between, try to arrange at least a short break before starting school. Medical school can be extremely challenging, both in adapting to a new environment and adjusting to the overwhelming amount of information taught during the pre-clinical years. Being well-rested before you start will help you have a positive mindset.
Logistics
There are important logistical to-dos before the first day. Some highlights include:
Housing: some medical schools have subsidized housing. These may be in high demand, so check with your school as soon as you can. You can also reach out to current students to see if you can take over their lease - typically the best time to reach out will be at the end of March, after Match Day. As M4 students will know where they are going for residency, they will know at this point whether they want to renew their lease or not. It is common for prospective students to form a group (via Facebook, Groupme, etc) to facilitate classwide conversation - if you are looking for a roommate, this will be a great place to start searching.
Insurance: most schools offer insurance through the school, but if you already have insurance (either through your parents, partner, etc) you can waive the school insurance. You should consider what specific coverages you need as you pick your insurance.
Schedule: figure out your sleep schedule (including how much sleep you need nightly) and workout schedule. The time commitment in medical school can be tough, so having a set regimen in place can be immensely helpful.
Cooking: it is always a good idea to learn how to cook simple dishes and learn how to meal prep. Meal prep can especially save you a lot of time and money, as dedicating a few hours on a weekend can set you up for success the rest of the week. Many schools and hospitals have cafeterias where you can purchase food, but packing food can be handy during clinical rotations when you have limited time to eat or during night shifts when the cafeterias are not open.
Transportation: many students bring their car to medical school, and it is especially useful when you rotate at different hospitals during your clinical years. Note, depending on where you are, there may be extra expenses to consider such as parking costs (where you live, at the school, or at hospitals).
Budget: whether you are relying on loans or not, it is always a good idea to have a predetermined budget. You should write down what the fixed expenses are for each month (insurance, car payments, rent, etc) and figure out a reasonable budget that suits your needs.
Books and resources
I would recommend against purchasing any resources or medical school-specific tools until you matriculate. Many schools offer complimentary or discounted subscriptions to specific resources. Certain resources also offer group discounts, and it may be cost-saving to ask if other classmates are interested in joining a group order. Note, by joining the American Medical Association (AMA), as a first-year student you can receive a free copy of the First Aid for USMLE Step 1 (a widely considered gold standard for step 1 studying). There is a membership fee to join the AMA, but certain schools cover the membership fee as well. An important point of contact is the upperclassmen, as they will be able to tell you what resources are available through the school and they may even have second-hand books to share.
For tools such as stethoscopes, otoscopes, etc I would also not purchase any before matriculation, unless instructed to do so by your school. For the same reasons as textbooks, you will get a better idea of what you need once you speak with upperclassmen and once you become involved with your coursework.
Studying?
“Medicine is a marathon not a sprint”
You will hear the phrase time and time again. It is critical to make sure you do not burn out in medical school, especially given the volume of learning and demanding schedule. Brushing up on certain topics may be helpful, especially for those that have had longer gap years between college and medical school. However, make sure you prioritize spending quality time with your family and friends, and relaxing. It is difficult to truly prepare for the rapid pace of the curriculum beforehand, and you will be much more productive if you are able to start well-rested than burned out.
