Survival Tips [for medical students]

The focus is maybe for the doctors-to-be. But for me, every single tip can be applied to all of us insyaAllah. Even you are a Law or Physics Student. As long as we try hard... Its gonna take some time, to read through these tips by heart. But very meaningful. At least for me myself. 

[tips from Dr Harlina]

Tip no. 1 - Thank Allah for this golden opportunity.

Allow yourself to be trained with the basic medical knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours that are essential for the profession. If you're a caring, responsible, unselfish and emphatic person, half the battle is won. If you're not, it's a long way ahead! 

Tip no. 2 - Do not be afraid to make mistakes now.

As students, you learn thro' your mistakes and corrections by your teachers. If you're scolded or criticized for your mistakes, be strong. You could only be hurt or affected as much as you have allowed yourself to be! 

Tip no. 3 - Look forward for your exams, instead of being depressed over them.

Two reasons for that; first - exams are TRADEMARK of medical schools (they are here to stay!), secondly - they serve as signboards, telling you how close (or how far) you're to the destiny. Enjoy & cherish them! 

Tip no. 4 - Enhance your passion & hunger for knowledge.

You might have your own learning style, but you can always switch your approach from superficial to deep. Learn because you really wanna know, not for simply passing exams (superficial approach)! 

Tip no. 5 - Appreciate the cooperative patients who have agreed to allow you to examine them.

Give them their due respect. Despite their pain and misery, they let you `disturb' their rest/sleep. Promise yourself that you will be a competent doctor one day, so all the patients' sacrifice for you would not go wasteful! 

Tip no. 6 - Apply active participation in your learning process.

Force yourself to come forward the next time your clinical teacher looks for a volunteer to clerk a patient, perform a physical exam, assist in a procedure or operation. You will be rewarded with a great sense of achievement, much more than your passive friends - even if you gonna get some criticism/ negative feedback at the end. 


Tip no. 7 -  Do not procrastinate, submit assignments before deadline. 

Do not postpone till the very last minute, no matter how tempting it is to delay. Put in your best effort in everything you do. Be exceptional, not just a mediocre! 

Tip no. 8 - Ask questions, clarify any area of doubt.

Make it a must to ask your teacher before a teaching session ends. Keep asking - there are no such things as stupid questions - only stupid answers! A lot of active, critical thinking must come before asking...it might be too much for some, eh? No wonder you all are no longer asking these days! 

Tip no. 9 - Never leave God behind in your pursuit to be the men/women of medicine.

 As healers, we are the INSTRUMENT of God's mercy. Continue your strive to be close to Him, for you will definitely need Him endlessly. It is through your hands, words, eyes and smiles that God is going to cure and care for the sick and fallen. May you deserve such honour! 

Tip no. 10 - Keep in touch with your parents & family.

They're your best support. Update them with your progress. Include them into your busy, busy stressed-up life. Share with them your sorrow, but convince them that you'll be fine with their prayers tagged along. 

Tip no. 11 - Try your best to make your teachers feel respected and appreciated.

Take what is good from them, whilst forgive them for their shortcomings. Assist your teachers by getting actively involved in teaching learning activities. Make them interactive, lively, fun and enjoyable. Help your teachers, they need you to be on board! 

Tip no. 12 - Strengthen your friendship with peers, seniors & juniors. 

Don't be a loner. Help one another always. Study in a group, studying alone limits your understanding & perspective. The best way to learn is to teach! So, teach one another - you'll be amazed by the result of such teamwork. 


Tip no. 13 - Spend your holiday/semester break with your family.

 Visit your grandparents, uncles, aunts & cousins. Let them see the `new, better, matured' future family doctor whom they're so proud of. Impress them with your improved communication & interpersonal skills. Listen attentively to their complaints, groans & moans. Gently remind them, you're not yet licensed to treat... 

Tip no. 14 - Manage your time wisely.

Sleep early and wake up fresh. Do not compromise your sleeping time by spending too much time online. Chronic sleep deprivation will only result in higher level of stress! Stop the vicious cycle, NOW! 

Tip no. 15 - Pluck your courage to greet ALL your teachers when you meet them at the corridors/cafetaria/lifts etc.

 Don't expect them to remember your name, unless you're really exceptional. They might not be smiling back to you, but your consistent greetings will somewhat make your face familiar to them. At least they realize that you EXIST....and that really matters. 

Tip no. 16 - Train yourself to serve others always.

After all, medical profession is about public servitude. Your calling is to go all out to help, assist and facilitate others. Altruism (placing other's interest before one self) is the keystone of medicine. Without it, the whole arch of medicine collapses! 

Tip no. 17 - Overcome your fear, sadness and uncertainties with constant reminder that what you're aiming for is not something ordinary.

Training to be a medical doctor pushes you to your limits! Be warned, the sailing is not going to be smooth, it's an uphill climb, a lifelong commitment. 


Tip no. 18 - Learn to be genuinely interested in your patient's life - not simply his/her diseases.

Remember this equation : Patient = Person + Disease. While learning how to doctor the disease, never forget to doctor the PERSON, who is made up of body, mind, heart & soul. 

Tip no. 19 - Jump out of the bed with enthusiasm and excitement each morning.

Promise yourself that you're going to make full use of the many golden opportunities in front of you. Say your morning prayers consistently, without fail. Look into the mirror and say it out loud : I believe I can be a better person today, better than yesterday, InsyaAllah! 

Tip no. 20 - Be emotionally intelligent.

Manage your emotions wisely. Remember, emotion is the window to your thoughts. When you're feeling happy and motivated, you're thinking positive thoughts. When you're feeling down and demoralized, your head is full with negative thoughts. Ask yourself, how much do you want to ALLOW the trigger/stimulus to affect you emotionally...it's your own choice! 

Tip no. 21 - Stop being a perfectionist, for one good reason - no human being can be perfect!

Be kind to your self, please. Set an achievable target, strive to overcome challenges and acknowledge your own achievement, no matter how small. Wanting to excel will motivate you, aiming for perfection will only drain you out DRY!

Tip no. 22 - Focus on your study.

Do not allow distractions to interfere with your concentration. Apply deep learning strategy - focus on YOUR own pumping heart when you're studying CVS, on YOUR own thinking brain when you're reading about neurons & synapses! Studying is not supposed to be burdening, it should be liberating, enjoyable and empowering.

Tip no. 23 - Fight your laziness with this reminder - nobody likes to consult a LAZY doctor, not even yourself!

Being lazy is a waste of resources, a thief of your precious time and a betrayal to your potentials. Come on, grab the books, spend a lot of time in the wards/clinics and finish off your calls. Say goodbye to laziness TODAY!

Tip no. 24 - Seek professional help ASAP once you detect symptoms of depression & anxiety within yourself.

Lack of energy, loss of interest, insomnia, isolation and crying spells...to name a few. Help your friends with such symptoms - esp. if they're still in denial. Life as medical students can be very challenging & frightening, so monitor your progress closely!

Tip no. 25 - Be exceptionally strong in your spiritual development.

 A doctor's soul needs constant enhancement and purification. It's your pure and sincere intention that serves as a shining beacon in the dark, showing you the way. Do not ever neglect your soul, or else you'll get easily de-motivated, demoralized, derailed and defeated!

Tip no. 26 - Optimize your studying time to obtain as much medical knowledge as possible.

Take up all opportunities to sharpen your generic and medical skills. Equip yourself with appropriate manners and attitudes. Do not just aim for a borderline pass. How would you like consulting a doctor who only knows 5 out of 10 causes of acute abdominal pain?

Tip no. 27 - Take care of your love life, if you have decided you’re ready to commit for one.

If it’s taking away too much of your time and energy, simply trying to make the other person happy – I guess you know where you’re heading to. Be wise in managing your priorities, first thing first! If things between you and him/her turn sour, do not mourn too long. Pick up the pieces and move on.

Tip no. 28 - Return to your old schools if you have the opportunities to do so.

Meet up your old teachers and motivate the juniors to follow your footsteps. Walk down those familiar corridors and bring back good memories, of how confident and enthusiastic you were feeling, once upon a time! Wonder where have all those feelings gone to? When did you exactly lose them? Work hard to regain those feelings.

Tip no. 29 - Pray that you are going to do everything better today, InsyaAllah.

Promise yourself that today is going to better than yesterday and tomorrow should be better than today. That's the only way to improve and move forward. If you're doing otherwise, whereby today is worse than yesterday - you're really regressing, not progressing here!

Tip no. 30 - Pay attention to the needs of your body, mind, heart & soul.

When your body is tired & your mind is exhausted, find rest by uplifting your emotion & spirit. Do not drown your soul with fake entertainment - providing temporary relief. Handle your fragile emotion with care.