How to manage stress during a medicine application

It can be useful to get support from others and it shows great strength to admit that you may need support managing the pressure. Suppressing how you feel will be extremely unhelpful, and may hold you back during the application process. There are several sources of support available:

• Yourself – It is important to be kind to yourself, acknowledging and validating your own emotions. The NHS website has useful information about how to support yourself through stress but prioritising sleep, self-care, your diet, and time to exercise and relax are integral.
• Other applicants – In recent years the number of medicine applicants has continued to rise with 23,710 applicants last year. Many other medical applicants in your year are likely to be highly driven, naturally intelligent, and competitive. However, viewing your peers as competition rather than supporting one another will not benefit anyone. Utilise each other’s experience to help each other out, sharing resources and advice that you are using. It may be worth considering setting up a medical society or club at school. This is a perfect opportunity to share experiences. Describing how you used your initiative to create a medical group at school will be impressive in your personal statement and at interview. There are several interpersonal skills which you can develop through this and reference.
• Family – Many parents experience the challenges of a medical application hand in hand with their child. The application process can create uncertainty for all involved, especially parents who are trying to protect their children. Your parents may not be doctors or graduates themselves, but they can fairly claim qualified wisdom through life experience. Try to be open with your parents, listening to their advice. Remember you will be the one studying and going to work every day so the motivation to study medicine must come from you.
• Teachers and careers – Your careers advisors and teachers are there to provide encouragement and support throughout the application process. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a teacher even if they aren’t in a specific career based role.