Advice from Phase Two Students

Clerkships are one of the most challenging yet rewarding parts of medical school. It’s a time where the most growth happens, but like with any major life changes, it comes with some growing pains.

When it comes to preparing for the actual clerkship, advice for success will really vary per clerkship, so the best advice is to ask your Big for their tips, or to connect you with someone who has been through that rotation. As clerkships move along, you can also start asking your classmates for advice. Each rotation will have its specific challenges and tips for success, and I really relied on talking to someone who has been through the rotation for key information.

Generally, though, it’s important to be prepared. Read up on patients and make sticky notes in Epic so you can see them efficiently in clinic. Read up on conditions that are highest yield for your rotation, and set expectations with teams on the first day. When you have at least some background knowledge and are able to stay engaged, it makes the learning stick so much better and makes everything so much more interesting.

Self-care during this year is critical to prioritize. Build routines that work for you — whether that be meal prepping, grocery shopping on certain days, setting a day aside for chores, or building in time dedicated to your hobbies or exercise. Also, build time for relaxing and turning off your brain! Something that keeps me motivated throughout each clerkship is scheduling activities with friends to have something to look forward to, especially during the weekends. Some of my friends and I always have a paint night during each clerkship, and it has been one of the things I look forward to the most. Clerkships can feel extremely time consuming, particularly with all the studying, but being able to connect with your people can help you stay grounded and de-stress. Don’t be afraid to take a day — or more — off if you need it.

Also, a quick plug for mental health services that WashU Med’s Student Health offers at really reasonable co-pay rates ($10 per session). It can be extremely helpful to have someone to talk to through the ups and downs of clerkship year, and I know many students have really benefited from seeing a therapist regularly. You can find more information at studenthealth.med.wustl.edu/students/mental-health-information/.

Remember, you will learn SO much during clerkships, but the reality is that it can be super tough to juggle it all. Be kind to yourself if you can’t follow the rigid study schedule you had set for yourself at the start, or when you incorrectly answer a question your attending asks. It is all a part of the process! At times you may feel incompetent or like a deer in headlights on a new rotation, but the whole point of this year is to learn things you have never experienced before. You are not expected to know it all. At the end of the day, you are finally doing what you came to medical school to do — to take care of patients. Don’t forget that! Build relationships and go the extra mile for your patients. Often times, medical students can make the biggest difference, and it is truly a rewarding experience to finally be able to make a real difference in patients’ lives.