How to SURVIVE second year?

Popularly dubbed as “hell year” in medical school, second year can put you on a stress level like you’ve never been before. There is insanely so much to learn with so little time. Probably, the second years are starting to feel the everyday exam routine. And as the weeks go by, you realize conversations with classmates are down to a minimum consisting mostly of “unsay exam ugma?”, “humana kag study?”, “kapuya na kaau bai” and the infamous “wa ko ka.study ky nakatulog jd ko gabii”. However, despite its bad reputation, your determination to move on will surprise you. Besides, many have managed to actually survive second year, the statistics are in your favor, so keep your hopes up!

Here are a few tips which might help you get started:

1. Just study!

The most practical way to survive is just do what you ought to do ---- study! Set your mind on reading the book or notes or even both. I know it’s too much work, but that is the work you signed up for. At some point, you will eventually feel the mental fatigue or physical burn out. Just rest and relax for a while, and then get back to work. Every exam is worth so much and you can’t afford to fail second year just because you were lazy. So just go on studying, your efforts will never go to waste! After all, we all came here, to become doctors, right? 

2. Time management

You go to school early in the morning and you go home just a few minutes before dark. And you still have an exam or two to study for and probably a worksheet to do as well when you get home. This will be your routine and the only way to get used to it is if you find a schedule that will fit your way of studying. Some start reading at school, others may opt to study after dinner up to midnight and mostly there are those who would want to sleep first then study at dawn. Find out what works well for you then make a schedule around it. Prioritize subjects you have difficulty with but don’t neglect the others. Do away with unnecessary distractions, just think of it as the earlier you finish, the more time to sleep. 

3. Be psychologically prepared

Results come fast! So be prepared to see your scores. If you get high marks, then great job! Continue the momentum, but don’t be overconfident, scores can screw your ego easily. If you didn’t do quite as good, then do better the next time. A poor exam result can sometimes become the best fuel to study for the next. So, NEVER be discouraged. There are still many exams to conquer.

4. Help each other

Crabs don’t make it well in medical school. So as much as you can (not to the point of cheating though) help one another. Do group study, share notes or simply remind each other of the focus points that doc mentioned (e.g. tables to memorize). And the most important help is to encourage each other, all of you are going through the same, so pull those who are falling and push those who are just wandering. As you may have heard, this is a marathon, not a sprint; wouldn’t it be awesome to finish it together?

5. Remember that you’re not just a med student

Always remember that there is life beyond med school. Once in a while, enjoy yourself! Spend time with your family and friends. Do not get too caught up and suffocated with all the school work. You deserve to relax and be stress free even for just a few hours. Go watch a movie or read a good book. Go on dinner dates with your family, friends and special loved ones. Catch up on what’s happening around you. Even warriors need a little R&R. Most importantly, give credit to God for all that He has done to sustain you throughout this journey.

Second year is definitely tough, but I know you are tougher! As long as you take on whatever it is in front of you with heart and determination, you will surely succeed. Second year of Medicine will come by fast and easy so don’t fret and just keep on going, Survivor!

Natalie Hipe