Since we are at the beginning of the semester, I’d like to think we’ve started mapping out our study plans, checking out the syllabuses and such. No pressure if you haven’t, but you should probably get to it soon- week 1 becomes week 5 real quick.
To aid in this, I decided to reach out to a fellow student who has made tremendous academic achievements as a PTE medical student, one of which includes winning the coveted ‘Outstanding Student of the Year’ award. Just to give you an idea of how impressive this accomplishment is, check out the requirements to qualify for this award here. Quite heavy, and it does happen that no student may meet the stated criteria, but in 2023 our interviewee today won it. So who better to get study and self-improvement tips from? I reached out to Jessica, a 5th year medical student from Germany and she was more than happy to share some valuable information with us. Let’s get into it!
Q: Thank you for agreeing to be a part of this, Jessica. I am sure this will be a productive and useful conversation that other students can benefit from. To start off, what motivated you to pursue your current field of study?
J: I was first inspired to pursue medicine when one of my friends experienced a syncope during one of our high school trips to London. Witnessing the compassionate care provided by healthcare professionals during that challenging time sparked my interest. As I progressed through my academic journey, I volunteered at a local clinic during the summers and shortly after finishing high school I began a voluntary practical year in my hometown hospital. I am driven by the desire to make a positive impact in peoples lives and I am excited about the continuous learning and growth that a career in medicine offers.
Q: How do you effectively manage your time to balance both academics and other activities?
J: Tough question! The semester’s a bit of a rollercoaster. There are times during the semester, especially during the first weeks, where I can concentrate on other activities besides studying, such as teaching, pursuing research, and spending time with friends and family, and then there are other times usually before and during the exam period, where I spend most of my time at my desk!
Q: Do you have any specific study techniques or strategies that have worked well for you?
J: If I could go back and chat with my younger self that just started medical school, I’d say, “Figure out what study style works for you.” I wasted too much time in the first semester trying every study method under the sun, instead of just focusing on what worked the best for me, which was writing my own scripts for every subject.
Q: Can you share a memorable learning experience that had a significant impact on your academic journey?
J: During my 4th year surgical summer practice at the heart clinic, I was often allowed to join in as a first assistant in the operating room. Besides it being one of the most memorable experiences to hold a beating heart in your hands, I learned a great lesson about teaching. The best mentors are those that trust you during challenging situations and foster your growth, while recognising your boundaries and providing guidance along the way.
“The best mentors are those that trust you during challenging situations and foster your growth…”
Q: What extracurricular activities are you involved in, and how do they contribute to your overall development?
J: Actively participating in the Circle of Demonstrators (DDK) and Students’ Research Society (TDK) has enriched my academic pursuits. While tutoring other students certainly reinforces your understanding, it also gives you new insights about a subject you thought you already comprehended the first time. Engaging in research allowed me to enhance my critical thinking abilities and explore solutions outside of the realms of medical books and spiked my interest to pursue a PhD in clinical neuroscience.
Q: That’s amazing. So how do you approach challenges or setbacks in your academic journey?
J: Every setback is a learning experience for me. Every redo of an exam shows me I didn’t know as much as I thought the first time around.
Q: Are there any specific professors or mentors who have played a significant role in your academic success?
J: Plenty throughout my time at the university, but I would like to pay my special respects to Dr. Balázs Gaszner from the Anatomy Department and his wife Dr. Viktória Kormos from the Pharmacology Department, who introduced me to the scientific world of research and supported me throughout all these years. Special thanks must also be paid to Dr. Erika Pétervári, an incredible teacher and supporter outside of the lecture room. Clinical departments that I would like to thank are the I. Internal Clinic for supporting my DDK work and the Department of Neurology and the Emergency Department for supporting my TDK and PhD work.
Q: What a strong support system! And you’ve had quite a lot to do outside of academics. How do you stay organised with assignments, projects, and deadline?
J: I cannot recommend Google calendar enough!
Q: What advice do you have for students struggling with motivation or focus?
J: Find something interesting in every subject you tackle. Even if you think a topic is dull, there’s always an aspect waiting to grab your attention.
Q: Are there any particular resources or tools you find especially helpful for your studies?
J: UpToDate, Via Medici, and Amboss are my go-tos.
Q: How do you prepare for exams, and do you have any tips for preparing for PTE-style exam revision and also managing the stress and pressure that come with exams?
J: I personally write my own scripts during the semester and revise them before each exam.
Q: What are your future career aspirations, and how have your academic experiences shaped those goals?
J: Although I cannot yet say which specialty I am going to choose in the future, ever since spending more time in acute care I am interested in Emergency medicine. Shadowing physicians in the Emergency department also enhanced my interest for my field of research, as I am investigating the prognostic factors and outcomes of recanalization therapy in acute ischemic stroke patients.
Q: And finally, what advice do you have for incoming freshmen or students just starting their academic journey?
J: Start early and be consistent. It is much easier to study for an exam when you’ve already gotten familiar with the material during the semester. And don’t stress about how others are doing!
So many valid and important points were made in this interview session, one of which I would like to harp on- do not worry about what other people have going on. Focus on yourself. This will be important not just for academics but for the rest of your life.
So what to do: I’m not typically one to tell people what to do but I find that in certain things, a little bit of direction is needed. So making an exception, I will give a general outline of what my own plan for the past few semesters has looked like. I somehow got to the 11th semester with this so there is some validity to its effectiveness.
That being said, I truly have nothing much more to add other than to emphasise my last point: get to work now. The results of tomorrow are shaped by the decisions of today.
If you have any questions, comments, suggestions for me or fellow students, be sure to leave it in the comments or send an email.
Author’s note: My sincere appreciation goes to Jessica for graciously participating in this interview and sharing her experience to inspire fellow students towards academic and personal growth.