The world is experiencing an unprecedented epidemic right now, forcing us to be indoors. It is a difficult time, and it’s important to know we are all in this together. However it’s also important to recognise that this won’t last forever! Before we know it well be outside, picnicking and partying with our friends (fingers crossed the weather stay like it is now!). So it is also necessary to keep in mind what our goals are, for now, and for when we come out of lockdown.

While we are safe at home, for those working in the healthcare profession this is not the case. They are risking their health, improving the lives of countless people battling this virus; that is truly inspirational! As a current medical student, and as prospective medical students yourselves I can say with great excitement that one day I would like to fill their shoes, and hope to improve the health and wellbeing of our societies, just as they are doing right now!

There are numerous ways you can keep yourself busy, and stay motivated to achieve your goals. One way to do this is to create small, manageable daily goals that you would like to achieve. This will help you to keep your long term vision of getting into medical school. Although it is also important not to drain yourself with just medical school prep, and so having a balance is essential. Now is an incredibly important time to ensure you’re keeping up with your hobbies outside of school, and maybe it’s time to start a new one! I recently ordered a guitar and have been practicing every day, maybe there’s an instrument you’ve always wanted to play but just haven’t had the time, now’s your time to shine!

It’s also really beneficial to read/listen to audio books. While documentaries and Netflix series are great and (sometimes) informative there’s nothing that gets your mind going like a good book! Some books prospective medical students might enjoy include “Cutting for stone” by Amraham Verghese, and “The man who mistook his wife for a hat”, by Oliver sacks. Wider reading is something all medical schools like their students to do, and who knows maybe you’ll find the inspiration and motivation you were looking for!

You should also ensure you are keeping in touch with your fellow aspiring medics. It’s nice to spend time with our friends, while abiding by the lockdown rules and it’s also beneficial to share tips on your application process, and it may be useful to revise for your UCAT/BMAT or even A-Level topics together, during this lockdown.