How-to Show Support to a Medical School Student
Offer to be Study Buddies
Even if you don’t personally have a background in science, you can still help someone study. During the first two years of medical school, much of the process of attending school requires a great deal of rote memorization. Much of this memorization can be done with help from others. A study buddy can also help the student in many other important ways. They can remind them of upcoming exams, help them review material they have already studied and serve as a sounding board about their concerns. Just listening as the student lets off steam is an act of warm caring.
Share Their Enthusiasm
One of the greatest things about attending medical school is that students get to learn a great deal. During this time, many medical students find themselves learning new things they want to share with others. Working on a cadaver to examine human anatomy in detail can be an eye opening experience that many students find transforms their worldview and ignites their further love of the profession. Those who love students attending medical school can share in the joy of learning with them. Better yet, they can take this time to learn more about their own bodies and how to fix something that goes wrong.
Provide Little Treats
As people go through medical school, they may find doing so very grueling. It can be hard to manage to eat enough, find time to sleep and master all the material they need to know. A friend can help. They can offer lots of nutritious snacks, take someone out for dinner and even offer to cook meals for the student several times a week. They can also help by watching a medical school student’s children if they have any and doing little things like organizing a birthday party. This is a great way to help the medical school student stay connected to the outside world. It can help the student realize that what they do will have meaning outside of the walls of the lecture hall, the school cafeteria and hours they spend looking through a microscope in their biology lab.
Respect Their Accomplishments
Getting through four years of intensive study requires patience, determination, stamina and other qualities. A would be doctor needs to learn a great deal in a relatively short time. Recognizing this is one way to remind them that they are doing something special. A friend, close relative, spouse and others can take the time to periodically celebrate their accomplishments. As they study hard, taking time out now and then to let the world know about their progress is one way to remind themselves what they hope to do once they’re done with medical school and starting their actual medical practice.
Recognize They May Not Be There All The Time
It’s also important to understand that attending medical school takes a lot of time. Medical school students spend lots of hours in class each day. At night, they often go home and do yet more studying. Those who love them should understand they may not always be there for them right now. A medical school student may have to miss an important anniversary because they have a big exam in the morning. They also may want to sleep rather than spend hours partying. It’s good to remind the students that their friends and relatives understand the demands of their studies.