Congratulations! You have completed your first two years of medical school and you are now entering into your third year. Instead of simply spending hours studying for your next written exam, you will soon be using that knowledge outside of the classroom through real-world experiences interacting with patients and delving into different clinical rotations. In this new school year, you will embark in a schedule that requires you to learn how to truly prioritize your time and your goals while staying focused and ahead of the game. Here are 3 tips for success in your third year of medical school:
1. Find Your Perfect Match
Ask any healthcare professional about what guaranteed them success in medical school and they will confidently answer that it was all about finding their match. Access to graduate medical training programs, such as residencies, is a competitive process known as “the Match“. During the fourth and final year of school, medical students typically begin the application process for residency programs; however, it does not hurt to start the search early! You can begin your search by using FREIDA Online, an interactive database that offers listings for approximately 9,800 medical residency and fellowship programs. Students should also consider locum tenens jobs for residents and fellows through Barton Associates to start your career on the right track, and begin to build your CV with real world practical application of your skills in a variety of settings.
2. Build Your CV
Your Curricula Vitae (CV) is an in-depth document that contains a high level of detail about your achievements spanning your entire career. In your third year, you are exposed to experiences that help to develop your clinical skills, but you also have the chance to use your medical knowledge for publishing opportunities. At Barton Associates, our blog covers everything from healthcare news and trends to professional tips and guidance for providers. You can use your newfound skills and knowledge to write a blog and have it published on our platform for our network of tens of thousands of healthcare professionals to see. (For more information, please contact Danielle Ligenza at dligenza@bartonassociates.com)
3. Understand the Importance of a Work-Life Balance
Your first two years of medical school were spent studying in the library and fueling your medical knowledge in the classroom. Your third year is spent in the real-world, communicating with patients during clinical rotations. Needless to say, it’s going to be a busy year for you! On top of researching residency programs for next year and building your CV, experiencing burnout is very common among medical students, and it’s crucial to understand how best to avoid it. Not only is it important to eat healthy and get some type of physical exercise in your busy schedule, it’s also important to remember to have some quality “me time”. Whether it’s catching up on your favorite television show, spending time with friends and family, or enjoying a hobby of your interest, set aside time each day to devote completely to you. At the end of the day, just remember that you’re on the right track to where you want to be in your career, and you deserve that hour of Netflix binging. Stay tuned for more tips for success, and check out Bartonassociates.com for future career options. It’s never too early to start planning.
