50 Hilarious Memes Shared By Medical Students

We got in touch with Iris Gorfinkel, M.D. who is a general practitioner, medical researcher, and the founder of PrimeHealth Family Practice and Clinical Research, and asked her to share memories of her own time in medical school.

"The thing I remember the most is having the perpetual feeling that no matter how much I studied, it would never be enough," she told Bored Panda.

"At the time, the exams at McGill Medical School, Canada, were essay questions and felt like they were hit or miss. And I really had no idea that a lot of the other students had the advantage of having copies of the old exam."

Gorfinkel herself didn't have such luck. "Unlike many fall students, I wasn't living at home like they were as well. Yet the stakes were super high because if a student failed more than two exams, they were thrown out of school."

"I actually did fail two exams and had to retake them knowing that if I failed even one of them the second time around, I'd be thrown out," the doctor said.

"Luckily, I passed, but for years I had recurrent nightmares about not passing," Gorfinkel recalled.

"In those dreams I'd come late to the exam, or I was already taking the exam and knew nothing ... Fortunately, these nightmares finally stopped, but it actually took about 10 years."

Echoing Gorfinkel's experience, one study involving students from nine geographically diverse medical schools in the UK found that 54% of them had symptoms of insomnia, 38% showed signs of anxiety and depression, and 19% exhibited symptoms of paranoia.

19% also said that they considered dropping out from medical school due to their mental health.

Another survey by the British Medical Association (BMA) showed that 43% of local medical students have considered leaving or pausing their course due to financial pressures. The researchers also discovered that:

1. 62% of respondents spent less on essentials, such as food or heating;
2. Nearly three quarters asked their parents or family for additional financial support;
3. Over two fifths used their overdraft to cover living costs;
4. About 15% accessed hardship or emergency university funds.
5. One in ten took out a credit card or loan to cover living costs.

The study authors added that medical students leaving school had important implications for the health workforce, globally estimated to have a deficit of 6.4 million doctors.

In Europe, there have long been concerns about health worker shortages as the population ages.

Some estimates suggest that in EU countries and the UK, there could be a shortage of 4.1 million health workers including doctors, nurses, and other professionals by 2030.

Gorfinkel thinks the number one, two, and three rule for those med students who want to succeed is to not sell your soul. "Stay with a good diet, exercise regularly, and do not sacrifice sleep. A minimum of seven hours, hopefully non-negotiable, whenever possible."

She said, "Remember that memories — and that includes what we want to study and learn — require sleep in order to get consolidated."

"Another good suggestion is to try to maintain social connections and don't try to isolate yourself."

When it comes to learning itself, there aren't any quick fixes. "It's hard, so take notes, test yourself. Flashcards are helpful because that's active learning, not passive," the doctor said.

An idea worth considering is interleaving, which can also help with retention. It's a technique that involves mixing together different topics. For example, "instead of studying only biochemistry the whole night or in one sitting, it's better to mix it up. So, you might do some biochemistry, and then physiology, and later, anatomy," Gorfinkel said.

"If you know you're struggling emotionally or academically, don't be afraid to ask for help," Gorfinkel added.

"Nothing is worth [more] than your mental well-being, which brings us back to the rule number one, two, and three: don't sell your soul."