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If youre medical school-bound, youre probably experiencing a mixture of pride, fear, and excitement about your acceptance.

In 2017, its harder than ever to get into medical school given the increased competition and interest in the field. These programs are designed to create the next wave of healthcare providers, researchers, and specialists who are well-equipped to care for others. For this reason, youll want to make sure youve got everything you need to thrive in your program and what better time is there to prepare than summertime?

Here are four ways to get a taste for life as a medical school student while summers still in session:

1. Perfect your study practices

Without putting it lightly, youll need virtually flawless study habits and skills as you go into medical school.Falling behind in your studying could set you on a less than optimal path. If you know youre usually most successful when studying with multiple people in a group, make a point to find study buddies right away in the first couple days of class. If you know youre best off studying alone, find an environment with few distractions and plenty of resources (where all your materials can be kept in one place).

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Think about what strategies have led you to the highest degrees of success in the past, and consider how you might optimize them. Stock up on flash cards if those are your keys to success, or get a membership to Quizlet Plus (an online flashcard service that features different games and tests to help you remember information).

In sum, zero in on whatever works for you study-wise, and ensure you have all your materials by the end of the summer. You dont want to be unprepared on your first day of medical school!

2. Find and try cooking recipes you can take to go

Medical students have long days packed with lectures, labs, and other commitments that take up hours of their time. Youll need to eat well to stay focused and healthy, so the best way to get through a long day of medical school is to pack ample snacks and meals that are easily transported. Over the summer, invest in some plastic Tupperware containers of different shapes and sizes (theyre inexpensive if you get store brand containers).

If youre stumped about what to cook for yourself during med school, dont worry the internet has ideas for you! Budget Bytes is a great online resource for students trying to eat as inexpensively as possible, where you can find plenty of recipes that are tasty, creative, cheap, and transportable for the most part if you have enough containers!

Over the summer, practice living like a medical student by trying out some of these easy and affordable meals on websites like Budget Bytes (there are others too, of course) to see which ones you like best. The faster you can learn how to cook yummy meals, the more ready youll be for the school year; skimping out on nutrition wont help you when exams pop up.

3. Create a budget

Its rarely a good idea to work part-time while in medical school, according to many sources in an article by U.S. News, G. Richard Olds, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the school of medicine at University of CaliforniaRiverside, states Students that are successful in med school are probably putting 40 to 60 hours a week into medical school.

If youre getting financial aid (you should be, if you cant really work), make a budget from the amount youll get in aid. Map out when your expenses are due and try your best to stretch your financial aid as far as you can. If you can end the summer with a good understanding of how youll be managing your money during medical school, youll have more time to focus on school and wont be spending time worrying about how youll pay rent on time.

For the summer, try to limit your spending to items and expenses you truly need youll get used to staying frugal when med school rolls around.

4. Identify (and use) your support system

Medical school is extremely tough, as nearly all pre-med students should know. This means itll likely take a toll on your mental health. Some students even experience what is called imposter syndrome, which is essentially a state of questioning your own capabilities, value, intelligence, and worth in relation to your status as a graduate student.

You might feel you arent good enough or dont deserve to be in school. If you do ever feel this way, its best to reach out to trusted friends, loved ones, and any family who can help remind you of your importance. Over the summer, it could also be a good idea to visit your universitys counseling and psychological services department to become familiar with services there, just in case you need some extra support during med school.

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Medical School Bound? Practicing Med Student Life Over Summer - Uloop News