If you ask a dozen medical students how they study, you’ll get a dozen different answers. Sure, everyone knows about active recall and spaced repetition – but how do students really put those into practice day-to-day? This article pulls back the curtain on how U.S. med students actually study, grounded in firsthand accounts from Reddit, Student Doctor Network, and other forums. We’ll start with my own study method, then explore a variety of strategies that thrive in both pre-

Whether it’s mastering your studies, safeguarding your mental health, excelling in clinical rotations, building mentor relationships, managing time, staying motivated, or thinking long-term about your career – here’s guidance from those who’ve been in your shoes.