New Year's Resolutions for Aspiring Medics

Stay passionate about Medicine

Whether you’re waiting to get invited to interview or thinking about your Personal Statement for your application next year, one of the most important things is to keep up your passion for Medicine.

New Year’s Resolution: Keep learning about Medicine and stay interested in the parts that make you feel passionate and confident that it is the right path for you.

How to stay interested:

• Keep reading books
• Watch documentaries, TV shows and films
• Listen to podcasts

Keep engaged

Medicine is a constantly evolving field with new and exciting developments happening all the time! It is important that you stay up to date with some of these developments as well as what is happening in the NHS.

Not only is this vital for interviews, but also good for you to have an up to date view of the field. It can be a good idea to know about some of the non-medical things that affect the NHS such as staff shortages and how government policies can have an impact.

New Year’s Resolution: Keep up to date with the latest health and NHS news.

How to stay up-to-date:

• Check our hot topics guide for some analysis on the biggest stories of the year
• Download a news app and browse the health section for five minutes each day
• Sign up for newsletters on healthcare news

Get exposure

The best way to learn about Medicine and what being a Doctor involves is to get exposure to it. Work experience might be challenging at the moment, but you still have plenty of options.

New Year’s Resolution: Get as much work experience as you can! Build a realistic view of the profession through experience to become confident that it is the right choice for you.

How to build your experience:

• Find out what the work experience requirements are at Medical School
• See what your COVID-19-safe alternative options are
• Think about volunteering opportunities
• Speak to anyone you know who works in the NHS
• Read a book by a health care professional about their experiences

Stay on top of your academic and admission requirements

Medicine has a lot more requirements that most other courses you could be applying for at university. Make sure you know when all of your deadlines are for applications and tests like the UCAT or BMAT. Then make a timetable of when you want to start revising or preparing.

Many deadlines may occur around the same time, so it is a good idea to plan early to avoid stress down the line. This can also help you to avoid getting overwhelmed with the amount you need to do.

New Year’s Resolution: Make a plan or a timetable of revision, admissions tests, and interview prep and ensure you meet all of your deadlines.

How to make a timetable or plan:

• Check our blog for tips on making a revision timetable
• Plan ahead for your Personal Statement
• Read our UCAT revision tips blog

Make sure you have a work-life good balance

It is so important that you have a work-life balance to keep yourself healthy and to stay motivated to study. Creating a work-life balance won’t get any easier at Med School so it is important for your wellbeing that you get into good habits now.

New Year’s Resolution: Look after yourself by making sure you still do the activities you enjoy.

How to look after yourself:

• Make time to keep doing the things you love. This might be playing for a sports team or playing a musical instrument. Or perhaps you really enjoy drawing or love to read for an hour each day.
• Make sure you get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet and drink enough water.
• Looking after your mental health just as diligently as you do your physical health.