Residency Advisor Logo Residency Advisor
Programs Map SmartPrep
SmartPick ShortList Interview Questions Knowledge Hub
    Knowledge Hub     Surviving First Year

Surviving First Year

94 articles

Back to Knowledge Hub
Behind Closed Doors: How Struggling MS1s Actually Get Discussed
Surviving First Year

Behind Closed Doors: How Struggling MS1s Actually Get Discussed

Inside faculty committee meetings: how struggling MS1s get flagged, labeled, and supported. Now learn triggers for review and steps to respond effectively.

Myth vs Reality: You Don’t Need to Study 12 Hours Daily to Survive M1
Surviving First Year

Myth vs Reality: You Don’t Need to Study 12 Hours Daily to Survive M1

Winter Break in M1: How to Rest, Reset, and Plan for Boards Wisely
Surviving First Year

Winter Break in M1: How to Rest, Reset, and Plan for Boards Wisely

Maximizing Success: The Crucial Role of Leisure in Medical School
Surviving First Year

Maximizing Success: The Crucial Role of Leisure in Medical School

Group Study vs Solo Study in M1: Performance and Satisfaction Metrics
Surviving First Year

Group Study vs Solo Study in M1: Performance and Satisfaction Metrics

More Articles

Test Week Panic Moves: Last‑Minute Decisions That Hurt Exam Performance
Surviving First Year

Test Week Panic Moves: Last‑Minute Decisions That Hurt Exam Performance

Avoid last‑minute panic moves that harm test week performance. Learn practical study, sleep, and review strategies to maximize medical exam scores.

Burned Out Before Boards? A Practical Recovery Plan for First‑Years
Surviving First Year

Burned Out Before Boards? A Practical Recovery Plan for First‑Years

Recovery plan for first-year medical students burned out before Step 1. Stabilize sleep, cap study hours, triage content, and rebuild learning capacity.

The Truth About All‑Nighters in Medical School: Performance Data Review
Surviving First Year

The Truth About All‑Nighters in Medical School: Performance Data Review

Discover evidence on all-nighters in medical school — how sleep deprivation hurts exam scores, memory, and clinical performance, and better study strategies.

Is Suffering a Badge of Honor in Med School? What the Evidence Says
Surviving First Year

Is Suffering a Badge of Honor in Med School? What the Evidence Says

Evidence-based take on med school suffering: learn how burnout and chronic stress harm medical students' performance and what improves learning and well-being.

Mastering Medical School: Essential Study Tips for First-Year Students
Surviving First Year

Mastering Medical School: Essential Study Tips for First-Year Students

Transitioning to medical school? Discover vital study tips, time management strategies, and mental health resources to face your challenges confidently.

Mastering First-Year Medical School: Key Mistakes to Avoid for Success
Surviving First Year

Mastering First-Year Medical School: Key Mistakes to Avoid for Success

First 6 Weeks of Med School: Adapting Before Bad Habits Cement
Surviving First Year

First 6 Weeks of Med School: Adapting Before Bad Habits Cement

How Do I Know If My Stress in Med School Needs Professional Help?
Surviving First Year

How Do I Know If My Stress in Med School Needs Professional Help?

Anatomy Lab Stress: Targeted Coping Tools for Cadaver and OR Exposure
Surviving First Year

Anatomy Lab Stress: Targeted Coping Tools for Cadaver and OR Exposure

Browse All

Latest

Unwritten Rules of Emailing Attendings Without Annoying Them in M1

Surviving First Year

Essential Support Systems for Med Students: Thriving in Your First Year

Surviving First Year

Is It Okay to Say No to Research or Clubs in My First Med School Year?

Surviving First Year

Mastering Medical School: Balancing Social Life and Academic Success

Surviving First Year

What If One Bad Exam in First Year Ruins My Future Residency Chances?

Surviving First Year

Mastering Medical School: Essential Strategies for Student Life Success

Surviving First Year

Exactly What to Do After Failing Your First Med School Exam

Surviving First Year

Silent Burnout: Early Warning Signs First‑Year Med Students Ignore

Surviving First Year

Even More

Scared I’ll Lose All My Friends Outside Medicine: Can I Keep Balance?

Scared I’ll Lose All My Friends Outside Medicine: Can I Keep Balance?

If You’re Starting Med School with ADHD: Structures That Actually Help

If You’re Starting Med School with ADHD: Structures That Actually Help

Should I See a Therapist During First Year or Wait Until It’s Bad?

Should I See a Therapist During First Year or Wait Until It’s Bad?

Handling Chronic Illness in M1: Accommodations, Disclosure, and Stamina

Handling Chronic Illness in M1: Accommodations, Disclosure, and Stamina

Sleep Sacrifices That Backfire: First‑Year Fatigue Errors to Stop Making

Sleep Sacrifices That Backfire: First‑Year Fatigue Errors to Stop Making

Structured Reflection: A Stepwise Method to Process Difficult Patient Cases

Structured Reflection: A Stepwise Method to Process Difficult Patient Cases

How to Create a Personal Crisis Plan for High‑Stress Weeks in Med School

How to Create a Personal Crisis Plan for High‑Stress Weeks in Med School

Managing M1 While Long‑Distance with a Partner: Boundaries and Routines

Managing M1 While Long‑Distance with a Partner: Boundaries and Routines

International Move for Med School: Handling Culture Shock and Isolation

International Move for Med School: Handling Culture Shock and Isolation

I Regret Choosing Medicine: How Common Is It in First Year?

I Regret Choosing Medicine: How Common Is It in First Year?

The Social Life Triage Plan: Reconnecting Without Sacrificing Grades

The Social Life Triage Plan: Reconnecting Without Sacrificing Grades

Evidence‑Based Sleep Strategies Tailored for First‑Year Med Schedules

Evidence‑Based Sleep Strategies Tailored for First‑Year Med Schedules

The Real Reason Some M1s Burn Out by Spring While Others Gain Influence

The Real Reason Some M1s Burn Out by Spring While Others Gain Influence

Essential Time Management Tips for First-Year Medical Students

Essential Time Management Tips for First-Year Medical Students

Mindfulness Techniques for Medical Students: Boost Well-being & Resilience

Mindfulness Techniques for Medical Students: Boost Well-being & Resilience

Exercise, Step Scores, and Stress: Quantifying the First‑Year Payoff

Exercise, Step Scores, and Stress: Quantifying the First‑Year Payoff

USMLE Step 1 Anxiety: Survey Data on What First‑Years Worry About Most

USMLE Step 1 Anxiety: Survey Data on What First‑Years Worry About Most

I’m Afraid to Tell Faculty I’m Overwhelmed: Will They Judge Me?

I’m Afraid to Tell Faculty I’m Overwhelmed: Will They Judge Me?

If You’re the First Doctor in Your Family: Coping Without a Roadmap

If You’re the First Doctor in Your Family: Coping Without a Roadmap

Orientation to Thanksgiving: Building Sustainable Habits Step by Step

Orientation to Thanksgiving: Building Sustainable Habits Step by Step

Test Anxiety in M1: A Structured Exposure Plan That Actually Works

Test Anxiety in M1: A Structured Exposure Plan That Actually Works

Starting Medical School with Limited Savings: Stress and Budget Tactics

Starting Medical School with Limited Savings: Stress and Budget Tactics

How Faculty Quietly Judge Your Coping Skills in M1 and Why It Matters

How Faculty Quietly Judge Your Coping Skills in M1 and Why It Matters

Which Coping Strategies Predict Lower Depression Scores in Med Students?

Which Coping Strategies Predict Lower Depression Scores in Med Students?

Cognitive Load in M1: Specific Techniques to Keep Your Brain from Melting

Cognitive Load in M1: Specific Techniques to Keep Your Brain from Melting

Social Media Mistakes in M1 That Can Haunt Your Residency Applications

Social Media Mistakes in M1 That Can Haunt Your Residency Applications

How Many All‑Nighters Are ‘Too Many’ in Medical School?

How Many All‑Nighters Are ‘Too Many’ in Medical School?

The 14‑Day Reset Plan for Overwhelmed First‑Year Medical Students

The 14‑Day Reset Plan for Overwhelmed First‑Year Medical Students

Email and Messaging Missteps That Make You Look Unprofessional in M1

Email and Messaging Missteps That Make You Look Unprofessional in M1

The Hidden Reputation Game: First‑Year Behaviors Attendings Remember

The Hidden Reputation Game: First‑Year Behaviors Attendings Remember

How Sleep Hours in M1 Correlate with Exam Scores and Burnout Risk

How Sleep Hours in M1 Correlate with Exam Scores and Burnout Risk

Why Being the Smartest in Class Won’t Protect You From Burnout

Why Being the Smartest in Class Won’t Protect You From Burnout

Peer Group Red Flags: How the Wrong Friends Wreck Your Med School Start

Peer Group Red Flags: How the Wrong Friends Wreck Your Med School Start

How Many Hours Should a First‑Year Med Student Actually Study Daily?

How Many Hours Should a First‑Year Med Student Actually Study Daily?

Study Volume vs Outcomes: What High‑Yield M1 Students Actually Do

Study Volume vs Outcomes: What High‑Yield M1 Students Actually Do

Already a Parent in First Year: Realistic Time and Energy Management

Already a Parent in First Year: Realistic Time and Energy Management

Mastering Medical School: Prioritize Self-Care for Success

Mastering Medical School: Prioritize Self-Care for Success

What If My Anxiety Meds Affect My Med School Performance?

What If My Anxiety Meds Affect My Med School Performance?

Can’t Focus in Med School? A Step‑by‑Step Protocol to Rebuild Attention

Can’t Focus in Med School? A Step‑by‑Step Protocol to Rebuild Attention

How Much Exercise Is Realistic in Med School Without Hurting Grades?

How Much Exercise Is Realistic in Med School Without Hurting Grades?

Do You Really Need to Be Miserable in First Year to Match Competitive?

Do You Really Need to Be Miserable in First Year to Match Competitive?

Does Research in M1 Truly Matter More Than Your Mental Health?

Does Research in M1 Truly Matter More Than Your Mental Health?

Harnessing Stress: Top Techniques for Success in Medical School

Harnessing Stress: Top Techniques for Success in Medical School

Overcommitting in First Year: Extracurricular Traps to Avoid at All Costs

Overcommitting in First Year: Extracurricular Traps to Avoid at All Costs

How Clerkship Directors Review Your Pre‑Clinical Years (That You Don’t See

How Clerkship Directors Review Your Pre‑Clinical Years (That You Don’t See

Summer After M1: Strategic Rest vs Research vs Board Prep Timeline

Summer After M1: Strategic Rest vs Research vs Board Prep Timeline

Micro‑Breaks and Pomodoro: Fine‑Tuning Focus for Long Med School Days

Micro‑Breaks and Pomodoro: Fine‑Tuning Focus for Long Med School Days

Surviving the Mid‑Semester Wall: A Week‑by‑Week Recovery Roadmap

Surviving the Mid‑Semester Wall: A Week‑by‑Week Recovery Roadmap

Finals Season in First Year: A 4‑Week Countdown Stress‑Control Plan

Finals Season in First Year: A 4‑Week Countdown Stress‑Control Plan

Seven Toxic Study Habits That Quietly Derail Your First Med School Year

Seven Toxic Study Habits That Quietly Derail Your First Med School Year

What Deans Really Notice About First‑Year Med Students Under Stress

What Deans Really Notice About First‑Year Med Students Under Stress

Burnout Prevalence in Pre‑Clinical Years by School Type and Region

Burnout Prevalence in Pre‑Clinical Years by School Type and Region

Building a Resilient Identity: Professional Self‑Concept in First‑Year

Building a Resilient Identity: Professional Self‑Concept in First‑Year

Screen Time, Social Media, and Mental Health in Medical Students: The Data

Screen Time, Social Media, and Mental Health in Medical Students: The Data

Is It Normal to Feel Constantly Behind in M1? What’s Truly Typical?

Is It Normal to Feel Constantly Behind in M1? What’s Truly Typical?

Should I Tell My Dean About My Mental Health Diagnosis in M1?

Should I Tell My Dean About My Mental Health Diagnosis in M1?

Mastering Medical School: Overcoming First-Year Anxiety with Success

Mastering Medical School: Overcoming First-Year Anxiety with Success

Terrified of Cadaver Lab: What If I Freeze or Pass Out?

Terrified of Cadaver Lab: What If I Freeze or Pass Out?

How to Build a Weekly Stress‑Proof Schedule for M1 From Scratch

How to Build a Weekly Stress‑Proof Schedule for M1 From Scratch

Mastering Emotional Resilience in Your First Year of Medical School

Mastering Emotional Resilience in Your First Year of Medical School

Why Some First‑Years Get Extra Help and Others Don’t: Insider Criteria

Why Some First‑Years Get Extra Help and Others Don’t: Insider Criteria

Navigating Imposter Syndrome: CBT‑Style Exercises for New Med Students

Navigating Imposter Syndrome: CBT‑Style Exercises for New Med Students

Using Active Recall and Spaced Repetition to Lower Stress in M1

Using Active Recall and Spaced Repetition to Lower Stress in M1

Daily Routine Blueprint: Sample Schedules for Low‑Stress Med School Days

Daily Routine Blueprint: Sample Schedules for Low‑Stress Med School Days

What If Constant Stress in M1 Means I’m Not Cut Out for This?

What If Constant Stress in M1 Means I’m Not Cut Out for This?

Mastering Medical School: Essential Study Habits for First-Year Success

Mastering Medical School: Essential Study Habits for First-Year Success

The ‘Gun Over Grind’ Myth: Why Outworking Everyone Isn’t Sustainable

The ‘Gun Over Grind’ Myth: Why Outworking Everyone Isn’t Sustainable

When Med School Collides with Grief or Family Crisis: Immediate Steps

When Med School Collides with Grief or Family Crisis: Immediate Steps

Explore All Topics in Knowledge Hub