By Aymen Dar
With every passing year in medical school, one of the things that starts to dawn upon you is how much your calendar starts to fill up. It’s not just about fitting everything in though. Sure, one needs to turn up to the ward on time, log into the online lectures and crack open those books in the library but what is more important is having the right balance for you. Especially when it comes close to the dreaded exam season and the clock is ticking, stress levels are at an all time high! It’s all too easy to start feeling like a hamster on a wheel unless we pause from time to time and reflect on our priorities. Here are my thoughts on how to cope with exam woes:
Eat well
I understand that this is easier said than done. Food becomes the least of our priorities in the lead up to exams. Some of us switch to an instant noodle diet, others snack, consuming sugar laden, calorie dense foods for a temporary endorphin boost. However its at these times that we need to be especially more mindful of the nutritious value of what we consume. A balanced diet and regular exercise routine helps keep the mind sharp and body energised.
Don’t learn everything
This might seem counterproductive because our brain is programmed to want to know the ins and outs of each and everything and cement the details in. Whilst we try our best, it’s important to understand that we can’t know everything at once, and that it’s important to focus on the key information and learning objectives for your exam to ensure success. Work hard but also work smart to make optimal use of limited revision time. Making a timetable and adhering to it, having a study partner/ group, drawing mind maps/ using ANKI flashcards & spaced repetition are some feasible strategies to adopt during revision.
Don’t forget the things you love
When exam season dawns upon us, we do not stop living. It’s more important than ever to pursue your hobbies and interests. Go watch that movie you’ve been waiting for or spend the day with some friends. At first, it might seem like you’re losing precious revision hours, however soon enough you realise that medical school isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon and that you do need that time to relax and recharge your brain. Come back stronger than before!
Burnout
Exam burnout is real and it comes quicker than you think. Don’t compare your progress to others, we’re all going to get there in the end, but each of our journeys will remain unique. It doesn’t matter how many medications someone else can recite off by heart or that they’re spending double the hours in the library, take your time to plan out your revision and find what works best for you. Let us make a conscious effort to self-introspect and recognise signs of burnout in ourselves . Self-care through periodically checking in with yourself, creating healthy habits and unlearning bad behaviours/ poor coping mechanisms helps minimize burnout.
At the end of the day, exams are always stressful and it can be even harder when you have to balance this with placement. Make sure to go at your own pace and get support where and when you need it. You’ve got this!
Support available:
Here are some sources of support , whether it be with exam techniques or mental health. Reach out to seek assistance and remember, we all are in this together!
Your university wellbeing team
University libraries
NHS mental health services
Clinical supervisors
MindHealthUk
Doctors support network
Samaritans
BMA
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