From acing study skills to self-care, Ellie reflects on what truly helped the transition into university life and what she wished she had done differently.
Going into the summer after A-levels, I genuinely thought I should use every spare moment to “get ready” for medical school. It felt like my only chance to get ahead before everything began. The reality was very different. Medical school is not something you can fully prepare for in advance, and it is not worth spending your entire summer worrying about. Everyone starts in the same place, even if it does not feel like it.
What I realised quickly is that the most useful preparation was not learning medical content early but building the skills that carry you through the degree and beyond. There are four areas that mattered most: organisation, study skills, communication and self-care.
In sixth form, I relied heavily on systems to stay on track. Calendars, structured plans and to-do lists were part of my routine. I even shared plans with friends to stay accountable. It sounds simple, but it gave structure and made everything feel more manageable. It also helped me prioritise. I always knew what needed doing first, which made it easier to stay focused.
Sixth form is structured. You have specifications, past papers and constant guidance. University is different as there is no single 'perfect' way to revise. I quickly realised my old methods may need altering. Flashcards and last-minute revision did not match the pace or volume of content of a Medicine degree. So I adapted.
Active recall and regular reviews became essential study skills. I used lecture notes, reading week questions, older students’ resources and AI-generated questions to test my understanding. The key is consistency. In sixth form, I found craming revision effective. At university, I learned that does not work for me. You have to stay on top of content continuously.
Communication matters more than you think. It is feeling comfortable to speak with your peers and lecturers, ask questions and interacting with people you do not know. Confidence to do this can come from jobs, clubs or small everyday interactions.
Group work, presentations, teamwork and eventually clinical settings all involve regular communication. Being able to speak up early makes a real difference. I have always been fairly extroverted, but I still wish I had pushed myself more to actively build connections.
Self-care is the most overlooked especially with a busy degree like Medicine. Making enough time to sleep, exercise and rest is essential. University can feel overwhelming. Exercise helped me reset. Sleep improved focus. Even small things like walks, hobbies or talking to home friends made a difference. There were times I lost this balance and struggled to do basic things. The only way back was starting small again and prioritising these things.
1. Relax over summer before starting university. I did have an amazing summer spending time on holidays, at concerts and with friends. But I don't think I fully enjoyed it as there was always a feeling of background anxiety. Would I make friends? Would I keep up? What would it feel like living away from home? Looking back, this is the biggest lesson I have learnt so far. Live in the moment! There is no point stressing about things you cannot control. You cannot predict university, but you can control how you live it.
2. Take care of your finances. It feels like a rite of passage to go slightly broke in first term, but I was too relaxed with money. I could have planned better. There are always unexpected costs, and while experiences matter, financial stress does not help.
3. Explore the city. I had visited Birmingham before, but I did not really know what it had to offer, from hair shops to cultural areas. I explored more once I arrived but doing it earlier would have made the transition smoother. It would not have changed my experience, but it would have reduced early nerves going into the city.
If I could sum everything up, it would be this. You do not need to prepare for everything. You just need to arrive ready to figure things out as they come. Enjoy your experience and live in the moment!
Medicine and Surgery MBChB
Hi, I'm Ellie, a first year Medical student. I enjoy the gym, reading and exploring new places. My experience so far has...
