The first week of medical school is a whirlwind of excitement, nerves, and endless possibilities. This week will etch itself into your memory as the start of an incredible journey.
Imagine walking through those hospital doors, stethoscope in hand, ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. This adventure is not just about cracking open textbooks and memorizing anatomy; it’s about forging bonds with people who will become your second family, finding mentors who will guide you through the toughest challenges, and setting the foundation for your medical school success.
The friendships you will make, the lessons you learn, and the experiences you share in this first week at medical school will resonate throughout your medical journey, shaping not just your career, but the physician you will become.
So, dive in headfirst, embrace every moment, and prepare to create memories that will last a lifetime.
1 | Make Friends
Orientation Events
The first week of medical school is filled with orientation activities designed to help you get to know your classmates and the faculty at your school. Take full advantage of these events—they are not just about formal introductions but also serve as excellent opportunities to meet the people who will be your support system throughout medical school.
Whether it’s a campus tour, a mixer, or a (very cheesy) team-building exercise, try to connect with as many people as possible. Remind yourself that everyone is in the same boat. Don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation and build friendships from day one.
Study Groups
One of the most valuable assets in medical school is a great study group. Start thinking about forming or joining one early on. Study groups will provide a platform to discuss and review complex topics, share resources, and quiz each other, which can greatly enhance your understanding and retention of material.
More than just academic support, these groups can also offer emotional support during stressful times. Oftentimes, the members of your study group will become lifelong friends, even if it’s not your intention. Don’t wait too long to start; the earlier you form these bonds, the more cohesive and effective your group will be.
Even if you are the type of person who is most productive at home and hates studying in groups, at least carve out a few hours. Complete your busy work (because that isn’t left behind in undergrad, unfortunately) during this time, allowing you to still be a meaningful member of your study group.
Social Activities
Outside of academics and formal orientation events, it’s a guarantee that your classmates will want to explore the new town they are living in. Be sure to join in, as engaging in social activities is crucial for building a sense of community.
Many classes will create social group chats, organize social outings, or start interest-based clubs. If they interest you, join them!
For example, at my medical school, there are group chats for people who want to explore the local food scene, play weekend softball, compete in weekly video game competitions, and there’s even a Harry Potter watch party group.
You will never regret having more friends, so take the time to make them during your first week of medical school.
2 | Talk to Upperclassmen
Advice on Courses
Upperclassmen are an invaluable resource when it comes to navigating the rigors of medical school. And even better, they navigated your medical school. They have been through the classes you are about to take and can offer insights that go well beyond what you could find online.
Don’t be afraid to be blunt when you ask them questions. For example, questions like “What courses are poorly taught?” and “Do you feel like the lectures prepared you for USMLE?” are completely fair game. Additionally, they will likely have tips and tricks they used to succeed that they will be eager to share with you.
As an upperclassman, I am always eager to help the M1s at my school set their priorities and manage their time. I’m confident the upperclassmen at your school are equally enthusiastic to help their M1s.
Mentorship
Developing relationships with your upperclassmen can lead to mentorship opportunities, especially if you are entering medical school with a specialty in mind. A good mentor will help you get through medical school, but a great one will help you navigate the personal challenges that come with the journey while setting you up for long-term success.
Personally, I used my upperclassmen mentors to become connected with the specialty I am most interested in. This allowed me to set up shadowing experiences throughout my first semester at medical school and ultimately gave me the connections (and letters of recommendation) I needed to land a highly prestigious summer research fellowship.
Finding a great mentor early in medical school will only make it easier for you to achieve your career aspirations, especially if you are already thinking about applying to a more competitive specialty.
Extracurriculars
Upperclassmen can also provide guidance on which extracurricular activities are worth your time. Whether it’s joining a medical student interest group, participating in student government, or getting involved in research, they can offer perspectives on what activities are most beneficial for your future residency application.
Of course, you shouldn’t only do an extracurricular because you think it will help you in the future (remember that you need to have fun—even if you are taking the hardest classes you likely ever will), but it’s not a bad idea to find extracurriculars that help you find personal fulfillment while giving you things to talk about during residency interviews.
Equally important, upperclassmen will be brutally honest and can warn you about which activities might be too time-consuming or less valuable in the long run. This will ultimately help you make more informed decisions about how to spend your time outside of class.
To share a story about the latter piece of extracurricular advice, I ended up dropping the student organization (within two months!) that I spent so much time writing about in my secondaries and talking about in my interviews for my medical school. On paper, my background and long-term career goals make me a perfect fit for that group. However, the hours they required from me were unmanageable, and I didn’t find the tasks as fun as I thought I would.
Don’t be afraid to say no because expectations will not always meet reality.
3 | Learn How to Use 3rd Party Resources
Choosing Resources
The number of third-party resources available to medical students has exploded in the past few years, making the options overwhelming. During your first week, start identifying which resources the upperclassmen are constantly recommending.
In general, there are two types of third-party resources. There are lecture resources, like Bootcamp and Boards & Beyond, and review resources, like Anki, UpToDate, and FirstAid.
Lecture resources are fantastic at teaching you the same material covered in-house but with a more focused approach on Step 1. This source is best used to supplement what you are learning in-house. And frankly, they often teach the material better.
However, a word of warning to those who go to a medical school that uses in-house exams. Third-party resources are third-party, meaning they are not likely to emphasize or even cover the same concepts within the same topic.
An example of this for my school is how we covered a less common form of Type 1 Diabetes: latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). This topic is barely even mentioned in most third-party resources. However, because the physician who gave us our diabetes lectures is a world-renowned LADA expert, we spent nearly an hour on this topic.
If you attend a school with in-house exams, you must take in-house lectures seriously and not replace them entirely with third-party resources.
Review resources serve as quick reference books to help you remember a topic after you have already learned the material. Ask any upperclassmen, and they will tell you themselves that you can’t directly learn from Anki or First Aid. Rather, you need to have already built the foundational knowledge for reviewing to be effective and not a massive waste of your time.
Time Management
This is the theme of your entire orientation week, and really, the whole first semester of medical school. Balancing third-party resources with your coursework requires strong time management skills. It’s easy to get caught up in the vast amount of information these services offer, but it’s crucial to manage your time effectively to avoid burnout.
Create a schedule that allocates specific times for using these resources with equal time to review in-house lectures. By doing this, you are setting yourself up for success at your medical school and casually preparing for USMLE—which will put you at a massive advantage when your pre-clerkship years are ending.
However, remember the goal is to enhance your understanding, not to overwhelm yourself with too much information. As you progress, you’ll naturally fine-tune this balance.
4 | Take the Time to Get Settled
Personal Organization
Medical school is demanding, so getting organized during your first week of medical school is essential. Take the time to set up your study space, whether it’s at home or in the library.
Organize your notes, textbooks, and digital resources in a way that is easy to access and reference when it gets closer to your exams. Synchronize your school calendar with your personal calendar so it includes all of your classes, dedicated study time, and personal activities. Taking a couple of hours to do this at the start of medical school (and the beginning of each block) will help you stay on track and not miss assignments.
The more organized you are from the start, the easier it will be to manage the heavy workload that comes with medical school.
Explore Your City
Whether you are moving across the city, state, or even the country, chances are you will be in a new environment. Adjusting to a new environment takes time, so use the first week to explore your new surroundings.
First, familiarize yourself with the campus and locate essential services like the library, student health center, Office of Student Affairs, and gym. If you have extra time on campus, search for the best study spots. Personally, the two things I always look for are lots of natural light and little foot traffic.
If you are in a new city, this is probably the most time you will ever have to explore it. Knowing where to get groceries, coffee, or a quick bite can make your day-to-day life smoother and help you feel more at home.
I’ll also add that if you are attending a medical school where you are familiar with the local area, invite people out to your favorite bars and restaurants. It’s a surefire way to make some friends and help your classmates feel at home.
Self-Care
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and stress of starting medical school, which is why it’s vital to establish a self-care routine early on. Make the time for regular exercise, even if it’s a simple 30-minute morning workout, an afternoon yoga session at your campus gym, or a weightlifting session—again, add this time to your calendar!
Ensure you are eating healthy and getting enough sleep, as these are crucial for maintaining your energy and focus. Additionally, set aside time for relaxation and hobbies that help you unwind. For me, this means keeping every Saturday afternoon free from all medical school activities. Every weekend, I make it a point to get out of my house and do something new—like going to a baseball game or visiting the new beercade.
Taking care of your mental and physical health from the start will help you maintain your wellbeing throughout medical school.
Have Confidence Every Step of the Way
Your first week of medical school is more than just an introduction to a rigorous academic journey—it’s the beginning of friendships, mentorships, and habits that will support you throughout your medical career.
By making connections, seeking advice, exploring resources, and taking the time to settle in, you are laying the groundwork for both your personal and professional growth. Embrace each moment, trust that you are in medical school for a reason, and remember that this is just the first step on a path that will lead to your success as a physician.
Congratulations—you earned this incredible opportunity!
Sign up for our newsletter and follow our blog for the latest medical school application news, guides, and study strategies.
