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studywithnaomi
studywithnaomi

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A young woman works on a laptop in a library, surrounded by bookshelves. The image features text about "toxic premed friends" and advice from someone who "figured it out."
A grand library with high ceilings and wooden study carrels. Text overlay discusses how premed friends lie about their study habits, downplaying effort to make others feel inadequate.
A library interior with students studying. Text overlay advises that cold emailing professors for research opportunities actually works, despite what some friends might claim.
A desk with open textbooks and study materials, with a library in the background. Text overlay emphasizes the importance of real clinical hours over just shadowing for medical school applications.
A desk with study materials and a laptop in a library setting. Text overlay suggests using technology to generate summaries, quizzes, and study guides from lecture notes to improve efficiency.
A library interior with study carrels. Text overlay explains that retaking the MCAT is a strategic move, common among successful applicants to achieve higher scores.
A young woman walks on a university campus with a large brick building in the background. Text overlay states that gap years can make medical school applications more competitive by allowing for experience and maturity.
A laptop and open books on a desk, with a library background. Text overlay advises applying broadly to many medical school programs, as admissions are unpredictable.
Two people relax on a grassy lawn with a laptop and tablet. Text overlay emphasizes that real friends support and share resources, rather than gatekeeping information or downplaying effort.
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things your toxic premed friends won’t tell you

2025/12/22 Edited to

... Read moreNavigating the premed journey isn't just about studying hard—it's about understanding the realities behind the process and learning strategies that actually work. Many premed students often downplay their true efforts, saying they "barely studied" when they’ve actually put in over 8 hours a day. This can mislead you into underestimating the dedication needed. It’s crucial not to get discouraged but rather to focus on building your own authentic, sustainable study habits. One of the key truths is that cold emailing professors for research positions is surprisingly effective. While some may claim research opportunities are impossible to come by, many successful premeds send 50+ personalized emails demonstrating specific interests, which leads to meaningful lab offers. This proactive approach can set you apart. Clinical hours are another important factor. Many premeds settle for shadowing 40 hours, but real, hands-on patient care, like becoming a CNA, EMT, or medical scribe with 1000+ hours, is highly valued by medical schools. This experience proves you can handle the reality of medicine rather than just observe it. Technology can be your ally—tools like TLDL help transform your lecture notes into summaries, quizzes, and study guides, saving time and boosting learning efficiency. This smart approach allows you to avoid burnout while maximizing your study output. Don't be ashamed of retaking the MCAT. It's a strategic decision that many top applicants make to improve their scores by a few points, which can make a decisive difference in acceptance chances. Taking gap years is often stigmatized, but in reality, it enhances competitiveness. Gaining experience, maturity, and clarity during this time is far more impressive to admissions committees than rushing through the process. Applying broadly is vital. Although many claim they apply only to "reach schools," most successful applicants send 30-40 applications. The medical admissions landscape is unpredictable, so a strategic broad application improves your odds. Finally, true support matters. Real friends in the premed community will share resources and celebrate your progress. If someone is gatekeeping information or downplaying your efforts, they’re not truly supporting your growth. Surround yourself with those who want to see you succeed and offer genuine encouragement.