4 Things Every Pre-Med Student Should Know
- Dr. Jen Caudle
- Feb 18, 2020
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 21, 2023
You dream of becoming a physician because you want to help people. You want to make a difference in this world and you’re excited to embark upon the journey to become a doctor. You’re premed (yippee!), but being premed can be stressful and difficult at times. Sound familiar?
If you feel this way you’re not alone. As an osteopathic family physician and Associate Professor at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, I’ve been in practice for almost 12 years but I vividly remember being premed in college. It was tough. I worried if my grades were good enough, I worried about where I should apply and most of all, I worried if I would get into medical school.
If you worry too, it’s understandable. Here are some tips that might be helpful:
1. Avoid Comparing Yourself to Others
It can be tempting to compare your path to the path of other premed students. Whether it’s grades, educational opportunities, or study tips, comparison can be difficult to avoid. In addition, social media makes it all too easy to “see” what someone else is doing which can further promote comparison.
The truth, however, is that your path is YOUR path and it cannot and should not be compared to those of others. Also, things aren’t always as they seem, so don't draw conclusions about yourself based on assumptions you make about others. Avoid comparing yourself to others- it will save you a lot of headaches. I promise.
2. Work Hard
I know that you know this. But I’m not saying you should work hard only to get good grades, though this is important. I’m saying this because getting used to hard work will help you be successful in med school and beyond. Being a medical student and resident is one of the hardest things you will ever do. In my opinion, it’s harder than actually being a physician. If you get used to working hard now it will prepare you for your time as a medical student and beyond.
3. Develop Outside Interests
For years I sat on the admissions committee at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine. I really enjoyed meeting applicants and hearing about their personal journeys into medicine. One thing that was really important to me was understanding the extra-curricular interests of the applicant. It was helpful to learn about a student’s work with their church choir, their volunteer efforts or their passion for drawing or painting. Make sure to cultivate your outside interests while working to get into med school. Not only will this make your application more interesting, but your passions will help you keep you happy and fulfilled as a med student, resident, and attending.
4. Believe This:
“You are Braver than you believe, Stronger than you seem, and Smarter than you think.”
-Christopher Robin
I love this quote. Remember that when times get tough, you’re tough too and you will make it through it- I promise!
Soon,
Dr. Jen
Dr. Jen Caudle is a board-certified Family Physician, Associate Professor at Rowan University, tv health expert, and video creator. Sign up to receive Dr. Jen's Daily Health Tips to get daily emails (Mon-Fri) with health information you can use to live a healthier life. Follow her on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
A great reminder for every pre-med student navigating the challenges of preparing for medical school. Avoiding comparisons, developing a strong work ethic, maintaining interests outside academics, and believing in yourself can make the journey much more manageable. Success isn’t only about grades—it’s also about resilience, balance, and staying connected to what motivates you. Resources such as mystatlab answer key can also help students manage difficult coursework while working toward their goals.
This article shares valuable advice for pre-med students who are preparing for the challenging journey toward becoming physicians. The reminders about staying focused on your own path, working consistently, maintaining personal interests, and believing in yourself are important lessons for any student. When I get bored, as a joke I say I need Assignment Help to survive medical school topics, but learning about the dedication and mindset needed for a healthcare career is genuinely inspiring.
This is a great reminder that becoming a doctor is about more than grades alone. Avoiding comparisons, developing a strong work ethic, and keeping interests outside academics can make the demanding pre-med journey more balanced. When I get bored, for a joke I sometimes say, “Online Exam Help,” but honestly, building confidence and learning to handle challenges independently are much more valuable in the long run.
This is a great reminder that the pre-med journey is about more than grades and getting into medical school. The advice about avoiding comparisons and maintaining interests outside academics really stands out, especially because it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the pressure to constantly achieve. Even when students are juggling unrelated responsibilities, such as searching for “Pay Someone to Take My Online Accounting Class,” keeping perspective and taking care of themselves can make a big difference. The emphasis on believing in yourself is a message that applies well beyond pre-med.
I really enjoyed this article because it highlights several important things pre-med students should understand before moving forward in their medical careers. The advice about not comparing your journey with other students is especially valuable, since everyone has different academic strengths, experiences, and timelines. I also liked the emphasis on developing interests outside of medicine, maintaining healthy habits, and building the confidence needed to handle the demanding pre-med workload. Preparing for challenging classes and assessments requires consistent organization and time management, and students who feel overwhelmed may sometimes look for additional academic support, including options to take my online exam for me. Overall, these points are a helpful reminder that becoming a strong medical-school applicant involves personal growth, balance, and…