3 answers
Jaxson
Student
Ashland, Nebraska
1
Question
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On average going to into med school, how many hours on average a day did you spend studying?
#premed #medicine #doctor
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3 answers
Vickie X
Internal Medicine Resident
16
Answers
East Lansing, Michigan
Updated
Vickie’s Answer
Hi Jaxson!
I'm currently in my last year of medical school, about to graduate. The average studying time each day will differ depending on the year of medical school.
In general, most medical schools function on 2 years pre-clinical studies and 2 years clinical studies. This means your first two years will be spent in the class room (there are some exceptions to this depending on the medical school you attend). During these years, you will likely spend the mornings and early afternoons attending class. Afterwards, you spend the evenings studying and completing coursework. I would say I averaged about 4-6 hours during these years. In general, you have to find a balance between studying and living your life outside of school.
After your 2nd year of medical school, you will take board exams. Most schools give a dedicated few weeks for this where you self study for the boards. On these days, I'd average about 7-8 hours of studying. Keep in mind, this is with taking breaks and such which is important to being able to study well.
Your last two years of medical school, are clinical years. This is when you will be in the clinics and hospital setting so studying will look a little different. 3rd year, you will complete your core rotations where each rotation will have an exam at the end of the month. I'd average about 1-2 hours a day during this time as you are busy seeing patients most of the time and by the time I got home, I would only do a handful of practice questions and call it a day!
4th year is a lighter year, you are completing elective courses and applying to residency programs. As a current 4th year, I don't really have dedicated "studying" any more. Instead, I generally will read up on a few topics that I come across during my time at the hospital if I want to know more about something.
In summary, you will study a considerable amount during your 1st and 2nd years. When you enter the clinical setting during your 3rd year and 4th year, the studying time gets shorter because you are learning more on the go and learning by seeing patients.
I'm currently in my last year of medical school, about to graduate. The average studying time each day will differ depending on the year of medical school.
In general, most medical schools function on 2 years pre-clinical studies and 2 years clinical studies. This means your first two years will be spent in the class room (there are some exceptions to this depending on the medical school you attend). During these years, you will likely spend the mornings and early afternoons attending class. Afterwards, you spend the evenings studying and completing coursework. I would say I averaged about 4-6 hours during these years. In general, you have to find a balance between studying and living your life outside of school.
After your 2nd year of medical school, you will take board exams. Most schools give a dedicated few weeks for this where you self study for the boards. On these days, I'd average about 7-8 hours of studying. Keep in mind, this is with taking breaks and such which is important to being able to study well.
Your last two years of medical school, are clinical years. This is when you will be in the clinics and hospital setting so studying will look a little different. 3rd year, you will complete your core rotations where each rotation will have an exam at the end of the month. I'd average about 1-2 hours a day during this time as you are busy seeing patients most of the time and by the time I got home, I would only do a handful of practice questions and call it a day!
4th year is a lighter year, you are completing elective courses and applying to residency programs. As a current 4th year, I don't really have dedicated "studying" any more. Instead, I generally will read up on a few topics that I come across during my time at the hospital if I want to know more about something.
In summary, you will study a considerable amount during your 1st and 2nd years. When you enter the clinical setting during your 3rd year and 4th year, the studying time gets shorter because you are learning more on the go and learning by seeing patients.
Jenn Larnino
Medical Student
2
Answers
Bridgeville, Pennsylvania
Updated
Jenn’s Answer
Hey Jaxson,
That’s a great question! Some others already have great answers about the workload in med school itself. I interpreted your question as currently in college, how much studying for going into med school, especially with the premed hashtag.
I was a biology major and psychology minor in college. I tried to study at least an hour per day. However, depending on the schedule, sometimes after classes I wouldn’t study at all, and sometimes 2-3 days before a big exam I would study all night. It really depended on when I had tests or quizzes coming up. For me personally, I found that as long as you showed up to class and honestly put forth a good effort in listening to the lectures, studying in college wasn’t too bad. I would often record the lectures on my phone and relisten later on, to make sure I got all the notes and to hear everything again. It was a bit time consuming, but was very helpful for me to relisten to the lectures.
Another thing to remember in college is although it seems hard in the moment sometimes, the volume of medical school work is so so so much more that every pre med student should definitely make sure you are well prepared for the exams, but don’t be afraid to have fun and spend time with friends weekly. You only go to college once, and med school is much harder, have fun while you can!
That’s a great question! Some others already have great answers about the workload in med school itself. I interpreted your question as currently in college, how much studying for going into med school, especially with the premed hashtag.
I was a biology major and psychology minor in college. I tried to study at least an hour per day. However, depending on the schedule, sometimes after classes I wouldn’t study at all, and sometimes 2-3 days before a big exam I would study all night. It really depended on when I had tests or quizzes coming up. For me personally, I found that as long as you showed up to class and honestly put forth a good effort in listening to the lectures, studying in college wasn’t too bad. I would often record the lectures on my phone and relisten later on, to make sure I got all the notes and to hear everything again. It was a bit time consuming, but was very helpful for me to relisten to the lectures.
Another thing to remember in college is although it seems hard in the moment sometimes, the volume of medical school work is so so so much more that every pre med student should definitely make sure you are well prepared for the exams, but don’t be afraid to have fun and spend time with friends weekly. You only go to college once, and med school is much harder, have fun while you can!
Sarah DG
Family medicine physician resident
2
Answers
Hyattsville, Maryland
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Graduated 2 years ago. On days with 8 hours of lectures, 3-4 hours a day. On weekends, 11 - 13 hours a day. On days off before exams, like 15 hours.