A medical degree is a once in a lifetime asset to obtain, but there is a lot of work involved
Getting accepted into medical school is a fantastic achievement but it’s also just the start of your teen’s hard work. It’s no secret that obtaining a medical degree involves a great deal of effort, and this can be a daunting prospect for soon-to-be students just starting their university experience.
But there are plenty of things you can do to help your teen prepare for their medical degree. By following our tips, you’ll ensure that your child leaves university with a qualification they can be proud of. Let’s take a look.
Manage their expectations
Before your child heads off to university, it’s important that they understand that it will be very different to school. They will be a small fish in a big pond, and it’s all too easy for the increased workload to become overwhelming. Help them get used to the idea that medical school is supposed to be challenging, and let them know that they always have you to talk to when they are struggling.
Help them create a professional image
As a medical student, your teen will have a slightly different university experience to most people there. This is because not only are they just another student, they’re also a student doctor. This means they’ll have to know how to be both polite and professional, especially when in a hospital environment.
Encourage them to build a strong knowledge base
It’s all too easy for students to simply learn the information needed for their next exam, but in the long run this isn’t going to build up their medical knowledge in the most effective way. By reading around medicine in a more general sense, alongside specific revision, your teen can form a strong basis of medical knowledge to fall back on.
Find out what kind of learner they are
Everybody learns in different ways. Some people are visual learners, benefitting from diagrams and images. Others are more textual learners and prefer making copious notes. Some people like to study alone while others benefit from study groups. Find out what kind of learner your teen is so they have the best chance of successful study.
Give them the means to be healthy
A healthy body equals a healthy mind, which means better results. So make sure your teen knows how to stay healthy once they start living away from home and looking after themselves. A few decent meal recipes will stop them from relying too heavily on ready meals and takeaways.
Allow them to be social
Be sure not to put so much pressure on studying that you discourage your teen from making friends. Socialising is a huge part of the university experience, and having people to share things with and enjoy downtime with is just as important as studying.
Help them pack
Practically speaking, one of the best things you can do as a parent is help your teen get packed. Packing for university can be a stressful experience which only adds to the nervousness your teen is already feeling, so do what you can to make sure they have everything they need to succeed.
Enrol them in summer school
If you want your teen to get a head start in medicine before they head off to university, consider enrolling them in a two week medicine summer school at Cambridge from Cambridge Immerse. This will give them a firm knowledge base while allowing them to gain new experiences and confidence.
