This AMA resource is designed to provide wellness tips, insights and strategies to support medical student well-being and help you thrive in medical school and beyond.
Who should read: Students in their first through fourth year of medical school.
Why it matters: Stress is a constant throughout medical school. Managing stress at an individual level means understanding your own strategies and coping mechanisms to maintain well-being.
How can I support my mental health during medical school?
Numerous factors contribute to a medical student's overall well-being. Familiarity with the key elements of medical student well-being gives you a baseline for assessing your mental health and identifying areas for improvement:
- Physical: Maintain a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and good sleep hygiene.
- Emotional: Being aware of negative emotions can help you address and manage them.
- Social: Find outlets to talk with those in your support system and work together on solutions.
- Sense of purpose: Take time to clarify your core values.
Don’t hesitate to seek help from your medical school when stress starts to build. Early intervention and ongoing peer-to-peer support can provide helpful emotional and logistical guidance for managing anxiety and preserving well-being.
Remember, building a routine is key to staying grounded. By making well-being part of your weekly routine, you can reclaim time for rest and recreation. Hobbies and nonscholastic activities are great outlets for combating stress. Don’t feel like you must face stressful times alone. Lean on your support system, whether it’s a mentor, fellow student, friends or family.
Stressful points are inevitable in medical school. Celebrate small wins, whether you aced a presentation or simply made it through a challenging week. These moments help you keep perspective.
How do I stay physically healthy in medical school?
Physical health during medical school often requires extra attention to nutrition, exercise and sleep, especially given demanding schedules and stress.
Maintaining a healthy diet can be challenging, particularly for students experiencing food insecurity. To stay on track:
- Don’t skip meals. Plan a grab-and-go breakfast or lunch before heading out.
- Keep healthy snacks ready for when you need them.
- Choose water over sugary drinks.
- Plan ahead. Preparing your own meals gives you control over nutritional content.
- If you need help, reach out to your medical school. Many offer resources for food insecurity and other basic needs.
Regular physical activity reduces stress. Consider short, intense workouts or try activities you enjoy, so it won’t feel like a chore. For instance, if you find running tedious, try alternatives like rock climbing or pickleball. The more excited you are about an activity, the more likely you'll fit it into your schedule.
Sleep hygiene is critical. Medical students face risks from sleep deprivation, so prioritize a good night of sleep (seven to eight hours is recommended) for optimal health and functioning. A consistent pre-sleep routine can improve sleep quality. Limit screen time before bed, monitor caffeine intake and reserve your bed for sleeping, not studying.
How should I structure my study in medical school?
Thriving academically requires strong time management and effective study strategies. Students in the early years of medical school can benefit from practical tips like creating structured schedules, prioritizing tasks and breaking big projects into manageable parts to avoid feeling overwhelmed. If you're unsure about how to study, ask faculty or fellow students for advice, or join a study group. Focus on the main themes in each lecture to guide your studying.
As you move through medical school, you may need to be more efficient in your studying, especially during exam periods. Keep a dedicated, regimented study plan throughout the year, particularly in the weeks leading up to exams. Structured routines and prioritizing high-impact tasks help you stay organized, even in busy weeks. Evidence-based strategies such as active recall, spaced repetition, and regular self-testing not only deepen understanding but also make prepping for exams less daunting.
As the stress of Match approaches in the fourth year, counter anxiety by staying productive and balancing your training with life outside it. Practice self-care and adapt your study habits to each phase of your training to help build resilience.
How do I balance medical school with family planning or parenting?
Family planning during medical school involves careful consideration of academic and personal needs. Research the support your program offers for student parents, such as childcare, family-friendly policies and flexible scheduling. Communicate openly with your school and set boundaries to protect time with your family. Plan early, but stay flexible—pregnancies and life events can be unpredictable, so be prepared to adjust timelines.
Seek practical advice from your support systems and reach out to faculty or mentors who have had similar experiences. Social media groups can help you connect with others in your situation. When considering your specialty or residency, remember it's a decision that also takes into account your partner’s support system and career goals, as well as how these align with your own needs.
How do I cultivate social support and peer relationships in medical school?
Building healthy peer connections fosters a sense of belonging and provides valuable emotional support, which many students find valuable given the differences in social environments between undergraduate studies and medical school. Find meaningful interactions through opportunities like study groups, student-interest groups, clerkships, professional organizations or hobbies outside medicine.
As a medical student, having a partner who understands the unique pressures can help you navigate the demands. Set realistic expectations and maintain open communication about your time together, especially during clinical years.
Medical school mentors are invaluable, offering guidance on everything from school and residency to specialty choice and career moves. Consider having more than one mentor—for instance, both a research and a clinical mentor. Reach out to your dean of students or student services to connect with mentors aligned with your interests. Attend mentoring fairs and other events to meet faculty, and look for mentors who are a good emotional fit for you.
