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Study Tips: Keeping the Stamina Going

As you know, I’ve been studying nonstop for about 5 weeks now, and I’m really hitting that point where it’s getting REALLY hard to motivate myself to study with the same level of intensity as before! My test is exactly one week away and I almost wish it were tomorrow so that I could just get it over with already. I think I’m getting too old to be studying everyday, trying to memorize fact after fact, while my brain kind of turns into mush. Either that or my brain is at capacity and I can’t stuff more facts into it!  Thank god it’s my last exam for 10 years <- me warding off more tests.

Some of you have asked me about study tips and how I structure my day. While I’ve been studying in SF this past week, I’ve been trying to take short breaks for breakfast and lunch, and a break to work out in the afternoon. I generally rest after dinner, or I’ll do some sort of low-key studying activity like looking at pictures of skin diseases and generating a differential diagnosis.

A few study tips I’ve found helpful personally:

Minimize distractions

Distractions come in all forms:friends, TV, parents, coworkers, pets, spouses, children, even household chores! Whenever I’m at home studying I inevitably end up getting distracted by dirty dishes, laundry that needs folding, a table that needs wiping, etc. (Funny, when I’m NOT studying, I seem to never notice these household chores that need to be done! haha!) So when you’re in intense study mode, try to minimize your exposure to distractions. One of my tips while studying is to turn your phone on silent and flip it over so you can’t see the screen. I mean, phones are great but they are so darn distracting! As a reward, I will let myself check my phone after studying for a certain amount of time. Speaking of rewards…

Set goals

I use either timed goals or achievement goals to set when I can take my breaks. For example, I have to get through 100 flash cards and then I can use my phone for 5 minutes or I can chat with my study partner for 10 minutes. Or I need to read a chapter of basic science before I can get a snack. Timed goals are instances in which I need to read for 1 hour before I can go to the gym or do flashcards for 30 minutes before wandering around the house eating random snacks. I personally like achievement goals more, because I like the idea of finishing a portion of my study plan before taking a break. It feels sillier to me to break in the middle of doing flashcards, only to come back and do more flashcards afterwards. Personal preference.

Dr. Elizabeth (Peds MD at U Chicago) shared with me the idea of the pomodoro technique. I hadn’t heard of it before but it sounds like a more formalized version of what I do myself! I think I want to try it this week. The idea is that the app or website sets a timer for 25 minutes of uninterrupted study time, and after 4 of these sessions (or 100 minutes) you get to take a little break.

Don’t overwork yourself

This one is important. At some point everyday I hit the point of diminishing returns; by evening I’ve reached my capacity for learning and it takes me 2-3 times as long to read a sentence or learn a new fact than it does in the beginning of the day when I’m fresh. Know when you reach this limit. After that, either take an extended break or hold off until the next day when your mind is ready.

Clear your mind

For me, a great study break is working out. I either take a 305 dance fitness class, or go for a weight set or running for 30 minutes at the gym. It’s short, good for my health, and totally clears my mind for studying again.

Focus your resources

There are so many textbooks, study notes, online resources that you can study from, and it can become overwhelming. I know for dermatology there were way too many textbooks and study guides (my guide to textbooks here). I chose to simplify and focus my studying on two review books (Alikhan is my main one and Jain is my backup). Take all your notes into one review book so that all your study notes are in one place. I also love electronic versions of textbooks because they are searchable. I can quickly and easily look up whatever I need to.

Eat healthy

I get super tired when I eat a heavy meal with carbs or thick sauces, so I try to steer clear of these during the day. I don’t want to risk falling into a food coma after lunch, which would totally derail my study goals for the day!

Get into a routine

It’s much easier to stick to a study schedule if you find your groove. My typical day:

9 AM: wake up, eat a simple breakfast

9:30 AM – noon: study flashcards and online dermatopathology slides

Noon – 1 PM: break for lunch

1 PM – 4 PM: study old lecture notes

4 PM – 5 PM: workout

5 PM onwards: dinner and then light studying if I can after dinner

That’s it for now! Please share your study tips below as well!