Finding Time to Write Med School Applications
The first month of university is notoriously busy—new classes, extracurricular activities, social events, and a host of responsibilities demand your time. For students applying to medical school, this period coincides with a crucial part of the medical school application process, from submitting primary applications to preparing secondary essays and managing medical school interview requests.
With all of these competing priorities, you may wonder how it’s possible to dedicate time to medical school applications without falling behind academically. The key lies in effective time management and establishing strategies that allow you to focus on your goals without burning out. Here are some proven strategies to help you balance your university workload with med school applications.
1) Create a Detailed Schedule for the Month
The first step to balancing med school applications with your university obligations is to create a detailed and realistic schedule. You may already have your university schedule on hand, but it’s important to map out every hour of your day, including time for studying, assignments, extracurriculars, and, of course, writing med school applications.
Here’s how to set it up:
Weekly Planning: At the start of each week, review your academic and personal obligations. Dedicate specific blocks of time to your med school application work. For instance, you might set aside two hours every evening or reserve your weekends for larger tasks like personal statements and secondary applications.
Daily Task Lists: Break down your weekly goals into daily tasks. Focus on small, manageable objectives like drafting a paragraph of your personal statement or completing a secondary essay for a specific school.
Having a visual representation of your time can help you stay committed and ensures that no part of your life is neglected. Tools like Google Calendar or time-blocking apps, like TimeBloc, Notion, and Akiflow, can be invaluable here.
2) Prioritize What’s Urgent and Important
The first month of university often feels like a whirlwind of urgent tasks. It’s essential to distinguish between what’s truly urgent and what’s important for your long-term goals. Med school applications may not feel urgent next to academic deadlines, but they’re certainly important for achieving your life goals.
Here’s how to balance the two:
Rank Your Tasks: Use the Eisenhower Matrix to separate tasks based on urgency and importance. Tasks like submitting secondary applications should be both urgent and important, while social events might be less critical in the context of your med school aspirations.
Batch Similar Tasks Together: If you need to dedicate time to both university assignments and application writing, try batching similar tasks. For example, if you're already writing an essay for a course, transition directly into working on your personal statement while you're still in writing mode.
By strategically prioritizing and batching tasks, you ensure that both your university responsibilities and your med school applications receive the attention they deserve.
3) Use Small Time Windows Wisely
One of the biggest misconceptions about applying to medical school is that you need long, uninterrupted blocks of time to make progress. In reality, you can accomplish a lot in smaller chunks of time.
Strategies for optimizing small time windows include:
The Pomodoro Technique: This method involves working for 25-minute intervals followed by a short break. This focused approach is ideal for working on secondary applications, as you can tackle one essay at a time and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Write on the Go: You don’t need to be sitting at a desk to brainstorm ideas for your personal statement or secondary essays. Use your commute time, time between classes, or even while waiting for an appointment to draft notes or outlines on your phone or notebook.
These small pockets of time, when accumulated, can result in significant progress without requiring you to set aside entire afternoons or weekends.
4) Leverage Campus Resources
Many universities offer resources that can support your med school application efforts. Make sure to take advantage of them:
Writing Centers: Many campuses have writing centers where you can receive feedback on your personal statements and essays. A second pair of eyes can provide valuable insights and help you polish your writing.
Advisors: Set up meetings with pre-med advisors who can guide you through the medical application process and help you stay on track with deadlines. These meetings can also help clarify your priorities so you can manage your time better.
Study Groups: Consider forming study groups for your academic classes. If you can share the load with others, you might free up some time to dedicate to your med school applications.
By tapping into these campus resources, you can streamline parts of the application process while staying on top of your academic work.
5) Designate “Application Days”
Depending on your course load and university schedule, you might benefit from designating certain days of the week as “application days.” On these days, you can focus exclusively on medical school applications without the pressure of academic assignments.
Some strategies to consider:
Weekend Focus: Dedicate one weekend day to your applications. This could be the day you work on secondary applications, practice for interviews, or finalize details like recommendation letters.
Evening Focus: Alternatively, set aside two to three evenings per week solely for application-related tasks. Let your friends and family know that these evenings are dedicated to your future, which can help reduce distractions and interruptions.
This designated time allows you to commit to your med school applications without feeling like you’re constantly juggling too many things at once.
6) Practice Self-Care and Manage Stress
The first month of university, combined with the pressure of med school applications, can be incredibly stressful. That’s why it’s crucial to prioritize your mental and physical well-being throughout the process.
Some ways to manage stress include:
Mindfulness Practices: Set aside time for mindfulness activities like meditation, deep breathing exercises, or journaling. These practices can help you stay focused and reduce anxiety during hectic periods.
Exercise: Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining your energy and focus. Whether it’s a daily walk, a gym session, or yoga, make sure to move your body to release stress and boost productivity.
Sleep: Sleep is non-negotiable. A solid 7-8 hours of sleep each night will help you function optimally and think more clearly when writing essays or preparing for interviews.
By prioritizing your well-being, you’ll be better equipped to handle the demands of both university and the application process without burning out.
7) Stay Flexible and Adapt
As the first month of university unfolds, you may find that your initial plans need adjustment. Unexpected academic deadlines, changes in class schedules, or social obligations may arise. Staying flexible and adapting your schedule is key to maintaining balance.
Reassess Weekly: Set aside time at the end of each week to assess your progress and adjust your plans for the following week. If you didn’t get as much done on your applications as you’d hoped, adjust your schedule to make up for it the next week.
Communicate: Don’t be afraid to communicate with professors or peers if you need extensions on certain assignments or help balancing responsibilities. Most people will understand the pressures of applying to medical school and might offer flexibility.
Remember, the med school application process is a marathon, not a sprint. Being adaptable will allow you to maintain consistent progress while keeping your stress levels manageable. And these skills will be tremendously helpful when you start med school and later become a physician.
Final thoughts
Writing medical school applications during the first month of university is undoubtedly challenging, but with careful planning and a proactive approach, it’s possible to find balance. By creating a detailed schedule, using small pockets of time wisely, and leveraging resources on campus, you can make steady progress on your applications without sacrificing your academic performance. Don’t forget to prioritize your well-being and stay flexible as your university and application obligations evolve. Ultimately, the time you invest in managing both will pay off as you work toward achieving your goal of becoming a medical student.
Our experts have helped countless students through this process. We offer strategic guidance and support to help you refine your focus and develop a mindset that enables you to approach your med school applications thoughtfully, creatively, and effectively. To learn more about how we can help you, book a free consultation or send us your questions here.
