Tips to expertly navigate your final year of medical school

Medical school can be full on. Each academic year presents unique challenges to navigate – particularly your final one. Here, recently qualified doctors offer their top tips to help you navigate your last year of studying.

Stay organised

There’s a lot to do in your final year, including procedure sign-off, planning your medical elective, your UKPFO application and completing placements. And don’t forget exams of course! Make sure you plan each week so you’re prepared.

Use time wisely

If you’re unable to find a useful learning moment while on placement, use this time to go to the library and catch up on some revision. Waiting around for one can often be inefficient.

Be proactive

If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Although there are a few clinicians who aren’t keen to teach, the majority are very eager. If you would like to see something specific or cover a certain topic, be sure to ask them.

The nurses are your friends

Nurses are available to medical students, especially in final year when it comes to practicing and signing off practical procedures. They are often highly skilled at these tasks and are keen to get you signed off too.

Shadow foundation doctors

This is the job you will be doing in a few months, so who best to shadow but the foundation doctors? They are often most keen to help as they were in your position only a few months before.

Start revision now

Due to the volume of content and the commitments of final year, cramming for finals is unlikely to yield great results. Start regular revision at the beginning of final year that complements your placement.

Repeat, repeat, repeat

Spatial repetition is key to learning all things medicine. There’s a lot to cover, so it’s key to review content regularly.

Revise with friends

Revision can be boring at times, so try a different dynamic by revising with others. This can help make it more exciting and encourage you to consider an alternative way of understanding a topic.

Build your CV

Student life makes building your CV much easier when you’re working. Your time is more flexible and there are countless opportunities to get involved in societies, events, research, teaching and more. These opportunities can be both inside and outside of medicine.

Take some time for yourself

Final year can be very stressful, so it’s important to take time for yourself at regular intervals. Everyone has their own way of doing this. Some choose one medicine-free day a week, others choose a couple of trips abroad or daily gym sessions.