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-

I remember sitting alone at home during my first year of medical school, trying to study for an upcoming exam. I hadn’t slept the night before—something that had become all too common—and the sleep deprivation was compounding my long-standing mental health struggles. My mind felt sluggish. No matter how many hours I spent with my notes, I couldn’t retain information. The stress mounted. I began slipping in classes, and with every poor quiz grade, my self-worth plummeted furth

When it comes to preparing for medical school, one of the most persistent myths is that you have to major in biology or another science to be a competitive applicant. While it’s true that many premed students lean toward science-heavy degrees, the truth is much more flexible—and, in some cases, more empowering than you'd think.

Looking back, I wish someone had warned me about the GPA risk of science-heavy majors. Many upper-level science courses are graded harshly, have demanding lab components, and are packed with premeds vying for As. For someone like me — who wasn’t always the best at showing up to early classes or grinding through long lab reports — that added difficulty led to a few Bs that lowered my GPA just enough to make me a less competitive applicant.

Writing your medical school personal statement can feel like one of the most important and nerve-wracking steps in the entire application process. As a current medical student who just went through this myself, I want to help guide you through every stage. This is the ultimate 2025 guide on how to write a medical school personal statement, filled with real-world tips, relatable advice, and everything I wish I knew when I was in your shoes. By the end, you’ll feel ready, clear

As one review notes, around 70% of high-achievers report feeling like imposters at some point pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. In other words, many of your classmates and even professors have had these doubts. This article explores what imposter syndrome is, why med school tends to fuel it, and – most importantly – how you can cope using evidence-based strategies.

H.R. 6951 mixes new student aid (more Pell) with stricter borrowing limits and institutional accountability​. The House Education & Workforce Committee reported the bill in November 2024 (H.Rept. 118-739)​, but it has not passed the House as of April 2025. Its fate will depend on legislative priorities, with Republicans championing it as a cost-cutting measure and Democrats criticizing cuts to aid.

Study what you love. You can major in anything if you excel in it. In fact, medical schools now accept students from all sorts of majors​. The key is to still complete the pre-med science courses and do well in them, because grades and MCAT scores matter most​.

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.