The decision to go to med school is a big one. So big, in fact, that you should really start preparing for a career in medicine as early as possible. And by the time you get to college, you should be ready for a pre-medical (pre-med) program.
Pre-med is a series of undergraduate courses that prepare students for medical school and, eventually, a career in medicine or healthcare. However, pre-med isn’t a major. So, you have to choose a major that supports pre-med courses.
Pre-med has some levels to it, to say the least. But don’t fret. If you’re wondering what it’s like to be a pre-med student today, keep reading.
Choosing Areas of Interest
As mentioned above, pre-med isn’t a major. It’s essentially an indicator that you’re interested in a career in medicine or healthcare and want an educational pathway that supports this.
So, aside from choosing pre-med, you also must choose an undergraduate major that allows pre-med courses. It should also reinforce your area of interest or focus for your career. Remember that pre-med isn’t just for those who want to become doctors.
For example, you can pursue pre-med if you’re interested in dentistry. Attach a biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, biomedical sciences, or another science-related major to your pre-med courses, and you’ll be on your way.
Sticking with the dentistry example, pre-med combined with one of the majors above will ensure you’re educated on the foundational concepts of medicine and dentistry. You’ll also start growing your skillset, learning modern techniques in dental care, like 3D printing teeth molds.
You’ll want to spend some time defining your area of interest in medicine or healthcare and let that inform your major.
Pre-med Course Requirements
In addition to choosing an area of interest and undergraduate major, understanding the pre-med course requirements is critical. Students must complete their major classes and their pre-med educational requirements.
Exactly which courses you must complete are unique to the school you’re attending. However, Berry College gives a great rundown of what pre-med studies are typically required:
- One year of biology with lab
- One year of general chemistry with lab
- One year of organic chemistry with lab
- One year of physics with lab
- At least one semester of biochemistry
- A math requirement (calculus, statistics, or both)
- One year of English
One of the most significant benefits of pre-med courses is that completing them successfully prepares you for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
Class load expectations
Pre-med students usually take on a full-time class load, around 12-15 credits per semester or three to four classes.
The class load can sometimes be overwhelming and time-consuming, especially if you plan on working, taking an internship, engaging in research, and participating in other extracurricular activities while in school.
That said, it’s doable with proper time management and support.
Working or Taking an Internship While in School
Establishing a career in medicine or healthcare requires much more than pre-med courses. For example, you may need to work in a healthcare facility while studying. In addition, you’ll absolutely take part in extracurricular activities like volunteering and shadowing medical professionals.
Furthermore, you’ll do a lot of research as an undergraduate. Research opportunities as a pre-med student are abundant and diverse, from compliance and regulation research to clinical trials to exploring specialized fields like stem cell therapy.
Volunteering, shadowing, research, and professional work experience bolster your resume and prepare you for a solid medical career.
Can You Have a Life Outside of School?
As we can see, pre-med students are expected to do a lot to get into medical school and excel through it. The class load alone makes it seem like a life outside of school for a pre-med student is impossible.
Of course, studying medicine and making a career out of it will require serious sacrifices. Still, having a life outside of school is feasible and necessary for every student. This is because burnout is real, especially for pre-med students taking on heavy course loads.
You’ll need to find a balance to achieve what you want to as a pre-med student and create a full life.
How To Succeed as a Pre-med Student
Now that the life of a pre-med student is laid out let’s dig into some tips to help you succeed if you’re considering the pre-med life.
Choose Your Direction Wisely
Being a pre-med student is tough. It’s even tougher if you don’t want to be there or have chosen the wrong direction for your education. Make the challenge of being a pre-med student enjoyable by choosing your path wisely.
Pre-med isn’t for the faint-hearted. Nor is it for those that don’t have a genuine interest in a career in the medical or healthcare field. So, your first step is determining if you have the heart for pre-med and an authentic interest in medicine.
After that, you need to choose your major carefully. Make sure you’re choosing one that supports your area of interest. You can change your major if that’s what needs to happen in the future. But do your best to be on track early on.
Master Time Management
Pre-med students have a whole lot to do. Pre-med courses, major classes, volunteer work, research, and studying are just the beginning of a long list of pre-med student responsibilities. And don’t forget about navigating a social life and other passions.
It isn’t just about getting all of the above done. Instead, it’s about doing all of the above genuinely and well. And that requires some excellent time management skills. Learn to master your time, and you can successfully navigate life as a pre-med student.
Learn about and experiment with the following time management strategies to see which helps you best conquer your days:
- Time-blocking
- Pomodoro technique
- Parkinson’s law
- Rapid planning method
- Eat that frog
- Using a daily planner
In addition to these time management strategies, you’ll want to work on your mindset and commitment. Time management strategies mean nothing if you aren’t consistent with them. They also mean nothing if your mind is set on partying over priorities.
So, work on how you think and see something through to the end.
Create a support network
College is difficult to navigate on your own. Being a pre-med student can facilitate a lonely college journey even more just because of how much work you’re asked to do and the time you’re asked to put in to be successful. ‘
However, doing everything alone isn’t the best pathway to pre-med or college success. A strong network of supportive family, friends, fellow students, mentors, professors, and so forth is. They can help you navigate the down times better, celebrate your successes with you, and introduce you to opportunities that facilitate growth in your career.
So, stay in touch with family and friends back home. Strengthen your relationships with your professors. And put yourself out there to meet fellow students and grow real relationships with them.
Moving Forward
This is just a glimpse into what it’s like to be a pre-med student. Ultimately, your pre-med journey will be unique to you. Ensure it’s a successful one with the tips above.
