University of Medicine (OUM) welcomed its largest incoming class this month. Prior to Orientation Week, and the first day of class, a lot of helpful advice on medical school success was imparted to these 55 new medical students, from classmates, Student Ambassadors, and faculty members who focused specifically on time management and study skills.

It is no secret that medical school is demanding, with long hours, massive amounts of complex coursework to master, and a limited amount of downtime to recharge. But OUM faculty members take great pains to help students prepare for the challenge, beginning with two webinar sessions centered on honing time management skills and strengthening study skills.

Be Flexible and Open to New Ways

Being accepted into medical school means you are successful. Already. Or you wouldn’t be here. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that all of the skills you employed in the past, particularly study skills, will serve you well and do the job in medical school. 

“How you studied, who you studied with, the way you managed your time — those methods will change. I would say at least 95 percent, if not a higher percentage of our students change their study strategy after they start medical school,” says OUM Study Session co-facilitator Nicolette McGuire, PhD, Deputy Dean for Student Engagement, and Endocrine and Reproductive Lecturer.

That’s largely because they start med school thinking ‘This is how I’ve studied in the past and I’ve done well, it got me here,’ says Dr. McGuire. “But the study of medicine is going to be vastly different from anything that you’ve studied before, even if you come from a healthcare or scientific background. So, be willing and thoughtful about possible changes,” she adds.

And that willingness to be flexible and kind to yourself during the transition is key.

“It is really important for students to be aware of that flexibility you need to give yourselves, along with the grace to know that change is ok — and be positive with your self-talk,” says Chinwe Okeke, MD, Study Session co-facilitator, Student Success Advisor Manager, and Pre-Clinical Faculty. “You need to know that your study habits will change, from body system to body system, maybe between topics within a course, so strive to be flexible and to be kind to yourself during those times.” 

The Role of Master Schedules and Routine

The importance of a well-organized schedule, which includes a Study Timetable, cannot be overstated for managing the rigorous demands of medical school, and different templates were shared by Drs. McGuire and Okeke during their session. Students are advised to map out all of their commitments, such as live lectures, study groups, plans for recorded lectures, family time, appointments, kids activities (if you’re a parent) quality study time, work time (as some OUM students continue to work during preclinicals if they are able to maintain their studies), and even sleep time, meals, and breaks. 

“This ‘master schedule’ will serve as a blueprint for your week, helping you see where your time is going,” says Dr. Okeke. “Timetables are really good, so you can ‘see your week,’ a phrase I borrowed from one of your classmates during Pre-O-Week. It’s good to ‘see your week,’ which doesn’t necessarily mean you rigidly stick to that timetable, but it helps you get an overall picture of what needs to be done, personally and academically.”

A good schedule also allows for the establishment of routine, says Dr. McGuire, which can be especially important to new students as they set out on their medical school journey. 

“Things that are expected, that you don’t have to continually make decision after decision after decision are helpful. Having things in place that become familiar and routine are really important. Make them things that work well for you, something you don’t have to make decisions about. Avoid ‘decision fatigue,'” she adds.

Recommended Mantra: There Are No Shortcuts

As Dr. McGuire and Dr. Okeke shared their thoughts on study skills and time management, they also emphasized a vital concept: there are no shortcuts.

“Something that’s very different about medical students versus other health professions is the fund of knowledge that medical students are expected to master. There is absolutely no shortcut to gaining mastery of the knowledge you need, first as a medical student practicing patient care, and eventually as a doctor and lifelong learner practicing medicine in your communities,” says Dr. McGuire.

And Dr. Okeke agrees, saying she “could not overstate enough that there are no shortcuts.”

“It is a lot of material to learn. It’s voluminous. But it is also incredibly rewarding in the end. Each one of your days turns into weeks, months, and before you know it you are in your clinical rotations and nearing the end,” says Dr. Okeke, also referring to something Dr. McGuire said regarding the knowledge medical students acquire.

“Remember that Dr. McGuire reminded you to think ‘I’m learning this for my future patients. I’m not shortcutting this because my future patients are depending on me to master this material.’ Always keep them in mind.”

Don’t Do It Alone

Students who began their medical degrees at OUM in 2024, during the class that matriculated in July, were asked what advice they had for the January 2025 cohort. They said:

“Have a person or people to talk to during your journey. It’s so important to be connected to others in your cohort, and also to be connected to your friends, families — and family pets.”

OUM’s most successful students have long been those with strong support systems at home, at work, and in their university relationships from peers, to Student Ambassadors, to Student Success Advisors (SSAs).

“Whether we’re helping to navigate study challenges, testing anxiety, or balancing life’s responsibilities with med school, OUM is invested in student success and Student Success Advisors make student success a priority,” says Dr. Okeke.

And at the end of the day, success in medical school, including time management and study skills isn’t about just getting through each term — it’s about finding a balance between academic excellence and personal well-being. Time management is also a skill that improves with practice, so start small and gradually refine your strategies until you find a system that works best for you.