What I Wish I Knew Before Starting Medical School

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This week, at my school, the new medical students start. I have spoken to a few of the incoming first years, and the questions seem to be the same, is it hard? is it fun? How should I study?
Here are seven things I wish I knew before starting medical school.
📜 Write Up - www.zhighley.com/what-i-wish-...
📸 Instagram - / zachhighley
🐧 Twitter - / zachhighley
Here are some of my other videos:
Why I'm able to study 70+ hours a week and not burn out (how to stay efficient): www.youtube.com/watch?v=FARXr...
How I Take 0 Notes in Medical School: • How I Take 0 Notes in ...
How to Study More in Less Time - 3 Mistakes Most Students Make: • I Tried Running for 30...
How I Study For Exams in Medical School | 9 Day Plan: • How I Study For Exams ...
I tried Running for 30 Days and My Life Will Never Be The Same: • I Tried Running for 30...
Time Stamps:
0:00 Intro
0:21 It's not that hard
2:37 Enjoy the journey
4:43 The amount of content is hard, not the actual content
5:31 Find a mentor
6:49 Med school is collaborative
7:57 Wellness
9:20 Patients are the best teachers
11:53 Outro
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Who am I:
My name is Zach. I’m a third-year medical student in Philadelphia. I make videos about medical school, entrepreneurship, and other cool things. I love trying new things and often mess up. However, every time I screw up I usually learn something. Whatever I learn I post either on KZbin or my website 🌐 (zhighley.com/).
I write a weekly newsletter 💌 (zhighley.com/newsletter/) linking the best things I read, watched, and listened to that week. Join the 1800+ that follow it every week!
The Gear I Use to film videos: zhighley.com/resources/#_YouT…
What I’m Reading: zhighley.com/resources/#_Books

[@deborawotton6210]

So helpful and reassuring. Thank you. Starting med school this semester at age 49!

[@kishwarnoori7254]

It's inspirational.

[@GH-nn6jt]

Wowww that’s inspiring. I wish you all the best!

[@alyssalauren1906]

That's awesome! You're paving the way! Congrats and good luck!

[@JimATLANTA1]

Very cool!

[@TyTy-mr7cc]

Wow, 34 y.o. here and prep to take MCAT. So inspirational! Wish you the best!

[@keirra1897]

I'm a pre-med student and the thought of entering med school: MCAT,tests etc scare me but now I'm encouraged thanks.

[@ZachHighley]

good luck!

[@goldenazucar3726]

You can do this!

[@Anon-xz6hu]

you've got this! do your best!

[@recently1897]

Study smart play hard ٩( ᐛ )و

[@gawd4940]

@@ZachHighley hey Zach am from india here NEET is MCAT ...we give it just after highschool...yah no college. I m 17 and your techniques are helping me a lot ...#ZankiRocks

[@maskitmati]

I'm not even a med student but i love your aesthetic

[@sayedhossainkingdom9255]

You love him😃. Zack brother I have found a girl for you.

[@yashsvibhandari8288]

@@sayedhossainkingdom9255 bruh

[@Musicgirl708]

Lol me too

[@riskacendana8085]

@@sayedhossainkingdom9255 i think whos not?

[@anshvinamrashrivastava9548]

Me too 😂

[@vcetutorialshub8599]

Just got accepted into med school, I am terrified. Thank you for this :)

[@FacundoMD]

CONGRATS !!!

[@poorvishavasanth6915]

I'm proud of youuuu

[@googlemeets9672]

Yessir

[@yougotthis1340]

Congratulations !!!

[@pathosomes]

You got this!

[@ronaldlnz]

I am an incoming second year medicine student, thanks for reminding me that I belong.

[@ZachHighley]

you def do

[@poehlerity]

“the amount of content is hard, not the actual content” is something i realised along the way in pharmacy school as well… love watching your videos even though i’m not a med student!

[@JatinGarg]

Mentors has single handedly changed my life so I can definitely vouch for that. Very genuine advice Zach!

[@ZachHighley]

yes! I need to find one now going forward...

[@JatinGarg]

@@ZachHighley we’ll always have Ali at the end of the day haha

[@fai6598]

These are such nice things to hear, 5th year medstud from 6 years programme here and this video speaks truth. Had many "should've done that" moment but the way you convey it makes me still hopeful and feel like improving myself for the next time, and got a load of useful tips and strategies from your channel too! Wish i watched your videos since first year but you weren't even here yet lol. Thank you so much Zach!

[@BEAfriendPH]

This is so helpful! Definitely eased my anxiety. Love from an incoming 1st year medical student in the Philippines

[@emmanuelle8032]

5:15 "plan out what you want to learn". So true! This advice resonates so loud as I do practice the same in internal audit. Thanks again Zach for such a great content.

[@oluwatosinbabarinde5927]

I start Med school in a few weeks and your video has reassured me! I really appreciate this and I’ll keep sharing this with others!

[@benhongoie1622]

That first point is what I needed to hear. Every material I've read or video I've watched seem to be overly focused on stressing that medical school is hard without bringing out the positives. Thank you for the encouraging words

[@DrEldersAnatomyChannel]

If you're smart enough to get into medical school, you're smart enough to graduate from medical school. You got this

[@keonroy9097]

I have to admit Zach is one of the most productive KZbinrs I follow. Sometimes I try to emulate some of the med school KZbin channels by changing my studying techniques and keeping calm during stressful times. In the end Zach provides great advice for pre meds and med students. I love this channel.

[@jana9163]

2nd year medical student here- your videos have been a life saver for me!!! Really hoping you will post your boards study plan, what resources you used, and your overall thoughts!

[@athduncan4526]

Really grateful for this video as a first year med student that feels like I haven't figured it out yet. Thanks Zach!

[@Aaron-wr5kl]

Thank you for this! Awesome video as always. I start medical school in August at a US MD school and have been high key stressed. This video definitely help to put some of those stresses at ease! Also, keep up the good work. I’ve been subscribed since the beginning and have enjoyed seeing you progress!

[@all.ways.active]

Really appreciate how you share strategies that ACTUALLY work to be successful as a student (not only in academics, but also in life). And I agree that it's so important to focus on prioritizing your wellbeing by practicing healthy habits like exercising🙌

[@flamebReath]

Hey Zach! I’ve been watching your videos for awhile and I love your content! I’m actually going to pharmacy school but I still love watching all of your videos about tips for medical school and I plan to apply them for myself!

[@livelovelizz03]

Thank you so much for this video! I am currently in my gap year studying for the MCAT. I needed to hear this!❤️

[@asoo860]

*I don't see a Channel like this in the whole KZbin really-Zach's channel- is like no other💖*

[@kazzudotempee3173]

Zach, you probably have one of the best quality out here and the coloring is to die for

[@noahbrown9497]

PERFECT timing!! Thanks for the tips!

[@h_ss.n_7761]

I love this channel. Its honestly underrated.

[@christinaj22514]

Watching this after taking step 1 this morning (it was so freaking hard!) and I had already decided to take a research year after clerkships. The one thing I did not give up was my health and fitness regimen during dedicated because I did not want to work harder to get back into shape

[@missxyz4963]

Admit it, even before you started medical school, someone might already warned you not to enter it, but here we are.

[@asadabdullah8375]

Just saw this video before my medschool entrance exam, and all this while I was thinking if the struggle is actually how people make it seem. But after watching this video I feel very motivated to make the leap to get into school. Thank you so much Zach!!

[@yihoonshin176]

Zach, your videos always take away so much of the angst. Thank you so so much for making these videos!

[@mdayyyan]

It's been so long since I've listened to a stunning and wholesome advice. Thank you :D Good luck and have fun for future medical students!

[@cmarboladura6760]

Thank you very much for this, I really needed it! I’m an incoming first year medical student.

[@gwon3765]

Another gem of a banger. Thank you for this, Zach!

[@ZachHighley]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tristandiaz8548]

Thanks man! Im starting med school at Temple in august and have been going through all your videos! Feel like I’m starting with all the right tools! 🤘🏽🧠🤘🏽

[@pathosomes]

Great advice, thanks for sharing! Enjoy the journey friends.

[@seerubhatia4001]

Thankuuuu so much for letting us know!! God bless u!! U can do it!! Keep going!!😊👍👍

[@saikolaflahad.8762]

your videos are like pro advertisements and major plus for the contents .. love them!

[@AAA-ml4ds]

at this point i just use Zach's channel as both free therapy and motivation, can't find enough words to thank you :)

[@118.shivanis7]

Thank you for this super cool and informative video ✌🏻

[@ayom23]

You're the man, Zach. I've been following your content for a while now. I'm now entering my M1 year and I plan to continue watching your stuff. Thanks for your hard work and quality videos

[@ZachHighley]

Thanks and congrats!

[@lilyminhh]

Hi everyone, I'm a highschool student who has attentiveness in medicine and science. I've just known Zach for a month but he has already been the most inspired teacher to me. I just wanna say thank you so much for your advices and incredible videos. Let's try hard for this dream, guys! 💛🇻🇳

[@TheNatEight]

Thank you for this video. I have been pre-med for 7 years, applying for the first time this year. I have a high gpa and decent MCAT but I still doubt my strength/resilience/ability to handle the rigor of medical school. This was really reassuring!

[@blockhead777]

You have inspired me to make content about medical school! Great video as always Zach! :)

[@richielynmaeminon4263]

Thank you! I’m an incoming clerk and COVID is really putting s toll on the clerkship since we are only limited on dealing with patients and some of it are online

[@TheChillestBrosidion]

I start medical school tomorrow and really needed this!

[@johermendez9246]

As a medical graduate and now a Post-Graduate Graduate Intern in the Philippines, I believe when he highlighted the need to take it ONE DAY AT A TIME, to make LEARNINGS worthwhile and ENJOY the process. You are an inspiration!

[@ethanmaner1720]

Starting M1 in a few weeks at UT. This is an awesome, encouraging video. Thank you very much for all your advice and reassurance!

[@Olivia-ns5dj]

How are you doing??

[@notmrslayer8374]

Oh my god, the quality! ✨✨ Appreciate your hard work, Zach! You motivate me so much! I am in grade 10th right now, so there's a lot of stress going on, but when I see your videos I feel that even the difficult things are possible. Thanks!

[@ZachHighley]

you will do great, good luck!

[@notmrslayer8374]

@@ZachHighley thanks : ) 😢, sending you blessings!

[@ieatfreshmen]

Zach’s videos are my favorite 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@engyayman6168]

You gave me a breath of relief 🤍

[@sundersinghelwinstar6239]

Thank you for these tips.. They're helpful

[@AhmetKaan]

*Growth and change is painful, but nothing is painful as being stuck where you don't belong.* Love from a small youtuber 🖤

[@FacundoMD]

With that in mind subscribe jajajaja. Too much man ! "small youtuber" 😂

[@shivanshjaiswal007]

You're gonna be a great youtuber one day 💫

[@FacundoMD]

@Adnan Nawaz Khandey You will get there !!! Stay constant and it will happen. I havent posted in almost a month ;( ER work in july has been soooo hard and covid is back ! and new intern training. Stay safe !

[@Oracle842]

Greetings, thank you for sharing your knowledge and experiences.

[@jonathonchio4724]

This is awesome and so timely! I'm starting medical school in August in US MD school. Thank you so much for the video! Good luck to my fellow Class of 2025 classmates and applicants in this cycle and beyond! Hope to call you my fellow physician colleagues one day :)

[@ZachHighley]

Congrats!

[@Sona77.]

You’ll do great!

[@hibaimene9684]

Hello, comgrats for getting in ! Would you mind sharing your background studies and if you had any career shift before considering medecine ?

[@slashholt23]

How’d it go?

[@Olivia-ns5dj]

How is it going?!

[@UseTheSchwartz26]

Incoming DO student in August, this helped a lot. Thanks man.

[@safi.studyy7415]

All the best ❤️

[@SH-mp2kh]

Same, pcom 2025

[@milosmarojevic3255]

I got accepted last week. Your channel really helped and motivated me during the entrance exam preparation. I'm really excited to see what this new chapter brings.

[@angiejacks1835]

Hey ,which med school did you join? How is it going for you ?

[@sarafahmy498]

My first day of med-school is in 15 days.. I was really nervous because lately I've been watching too much negativity about med school on socialmedia.. I was seriously thinking about changing my major before even starting it.. The problem is not that I don't believe in myself but I am afraid I might not have the greatest passion towards medicine. I've worked so hard in high school to get the highest grades but I was never tutored well to find my true passion. Thanks to your videos, I am now less stressed, more excited about this new chapter, maybe med is really my passion. Thank you so much for sharing these tips. The editing is also a masterpiece! keep going ♥️

[@ImjustGabie]

@sara mohsen how’s it going so far?

[@Olivia-ns5dj]

How are you doing?!

[@zara4529]

I'm not a med student but I am a college student (and yeah I started college in the middle of a global pandemic) and I would say your videos helped me a lot. Thanks and keep going the way you are doing. 😀

[@rayyan3253]

I’m starting med school after 2 weeks! Thank you so much for the advices bro!

[@nooraliq565]

Your videos always made want to study more and get to medical school thank you so much ❤❤

[@burnoutminion]

It's important to have a good supervisor/mentor who is genuinely interested to guide you along, to show you the path and right way to do things in medicine. You would start learning more when you take on responsibility because without being accountable for your patient you would not take your learning that seriously. Thats what made me learn after I finished my residency.

[@nataliassvv]

I started med school 1 month ago. Its very exciting yet sometimes scary. This made me feel sm better ❣️

[@palesasambo9576]

i really needed this, thank you🥺

[@ZachHighley]

thanks for watching!

[@wueskew169]

Congratulations, ZACH, as you start your third year of medical school.

[@Ricardo7250]

That music is pretty good. Whoever did it well done

[@melindaaa1404]

This was better than any motivational speech ever. Thank you.

[@aprameyamishra2715]

Great Video with great content..your videos are really very interesting and informative too... Thank you so much for coming in front of camera for these good contents... And i would like to mention one more thing,, the whole colour combination of your background set up is just fantastic.. I love that...

[@ZachHighley]

Haha thank you so much

[@santiagoperalta2038]

Unfortunately for those of us that started medical school online last year, we haven't had the chance to experience it fully. Hopefully this year, as restrictions are ceasing, and things are opening up, we get the chance to experience it fully. So far, I've been loving it. PS. Appreciate all the advice man, your anki settings and tips have changed my study game this summer. Cheers from Mexico City!

[@MilesLeslie]

Good luck to all future med school students and future physicians! ❤️🤞🏾

[@Thomasromer2002]

I just got accepted into med school, and this video answers a lot of my questions/fears about the school 🏫

[@brandond.7768]

I'm going back to school for PA after 10 years after finishing xray school and you're stuff would have been great to have back then, it's great to have now. It's general advice for any field really.

[@FacundoMD]

HEY ! My wife is a PA student !!! GREAT CHOICE !!!

[@claudiaah6603]

Yes! I graduated nearly 15 years ago but I now use this stuff for professional learning.

[@edaj1990]

I like that you’re ranked in thirds. My professor always announces who gets the top 3 scores for quizzes/exams and it really bothers me!

[@alissam6255]

Im starting med school in less than a month. I am getting super nervous but everything you said i needed to hear. Saved this for when I need to hear it again. I can do this!!

[@Olivia-ns5dj]

How are you doing?!

[@MedSchoolGirl]

Immediately adding this to my “KZbin videos for medical school” playlist! Definitely want a motivational playlist when things get rough 😅. 😁. Thank u for this video!!

[@Ahmed-xf3hk]

Heyy:) please how’s it going! Can you also advice me , I’m going soon to med school

[@MedSchoolGirl]

@@Ahmed-xf3hk Ay that's awesome! I am actually just starting medical school in July as well! So we're prob in the same boat haha, my channel has a lot of vids for interested undergraduate students tho :).

[@enterusername2855]

Much needed! 1 week left for me

[@vevenaneathna]

i found learning about disease states so much more natural by humbeling myself and asking pts to explain their dx. I think there is a little bit of insecurity where us providers are quick to say we know what someones talking about like of course ive heard of your rare blood dissorder (or i can atleast stick the latin words togeather in my head and get an idea) but if you actually let people explain it to you.... like think back to tribal times in human evolution. story telling was how we appearently evolved to remember important history for the tribe and its just so much more natural in my mind to understand disease states by having people explain what they go through day to day. good vid.

[@Indriani77]

It's a fight to be a doctor and it's another fight being a doctor. It takes a lot of courage to be one! Feliz to you! Vivre to all doctors in the world! They are going through some tough times these days due to pandemic! I pray that you all be well protected, safe and sound until this terrible pandemic passes away! ❤️

[@xoxnerd]

I really wanted to know who's that person to dislike this wonderful video!! Vid quality is just awesome ❤️

[@jamesruz6684]

Can we just take a moment to admire his insane growth of subs? Almost 200k. But still, the video quality, content, and presentation deserves waaaay more than 200k

[@ZachHighley]

thank youuuu

[@ATGG]

Ahh. I’m an aspiring med student. I don’t think I’ll make it, but Thank you for this video! Means a lot.

[@niftybaker5967]

I'm a third year in HS, but these tips are great! Ty

[@joaoaox5485]

Thanks for your existence. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt. What's your advice for creative pre-med students? How can I link medicine to my passion of graphic design/illustration?

[@lorilucena9764]

i'm studying to get into med school and while the process where i live (brazil) is a little different it really motivates me to hear someone who's clearly so passionate about medicine speak about their experience. so thank you :) i'll be back in january to tell you you helped me pass hehe

[@ZachHighley]

See you in Jan

[@Jhgmota]

Mesmo que seja um pouco diferente o que ele disse no vídeo ainda se aplica com a gente. Falando nisso esse canal é ótimo para se adequar ao processo de mudança do ensino médio pra faculdade. Pelo menos pra mim o método de estudo dele tem me ajudado bastante. A dica que eu posso dar para entrar na faculdade, no caso do enem (que foi o meu caso) é que todo o conteúdo é importante para prova, até arte até porque a maioria das pessoas não dará atenção para essas matérias mas acertar todas as questões dela te dará bastante diferença dos outros candidatos. É muita coisa eu sei mas tente manter a calma e não exagerar. Boa sorte

[@drsakshijoshi]

I LOVE your videos!

[@FernandoChaves]

Probably the best presentation I have seen on this topic by a student. Understanding definitely trumps memorizing. After teaching and mentoring more than 2,000, what I wish they were told or taught is the foundations of integration and practice. Sadly, I have found exactly none that were formally taught this to any degree since Osler's text was left behind. Certainly they often think they were taught it, but that is most often an illusion. I teach it, but that's just me. Generally, after 10 to 20 years of practice they will learn it if they don't find a mentor to teach it to them sooner. Few find it earlier simply by virtue of their aptitude. Medicine is not science, it is an art. I have met numerous that score very high on exams that can't tell a hemorrhoid from pharyngitis.

[@waedjradi]

Very good video 👍

[@ciararobb8049]

Starting school Monday ...just got done with orientation ... Thanks for this ❤️

[@ZachHighley]

you're going to do great!

[@ciararobb8049]

@@ZachHighley I've been recommending your Anki playlist for everyone in my class 🤣 a bunch of people have told me how helpful your channel is and thanked me for sharing it. So thanks for all the effort you put in !

[@Anon-xz6hu]

@@ciararobb8049 good luck! hope you will help many!

[@gudetamaenthusiast8315]

as a pre-med student about to take her MCAT next year, this really eased my anxiety 😭 med school’s always been my dream and i’ve been feeling really down lately but this helped me get my hopes back up, thanks! ❤️

[@anthonym1625]

Hows it going

[@MultiNerve]

One tip I got when I started that REALLY stuck out to me was "the books, material, and lectures will always be there when you sit at your desk to study. Your family, friends, and your sanity won't always be there though. Make time for each one." It wasn't to say you should slack off; however, studying for 12 hours/day every single day is horrible for your health in the long term

[@nadiatarannum5007]

Hey there! I really get encouraged by your videos!I am in12 th grade from Bangladesh🇧🇩and gonna meke preparations for medical admission test. Hope to crack it In Sha Allah 🙂

[@asimanayak304]

Committed a big mistake of not socially interacting with seniors in my first year. I was with my books all the time, skipped going out on weekends and was basically all by myself for being awkward while the others lead a less pressured life. Results came and I did not perform nearly as good as my friends did. It took me so long to get over how I wasted my time paying too much attention to details that did not matter much in the long run. Missed out on those specific topics that form the central theme on which questions were mostly asked. This and not going through previous years papers contributed to the biggest downfall in that year. Its totally different in schools, colleges when you have a syllabus and can handle things by your own. Its not the same in med school. So I learnt not to be pressed about the outcome and I can say I am enjoying the journey.

[@ZachHighley]

Glad you've found your way, good luck!

[@beactivebehappy9894]

That’s the exact way I am going about it right now and I totally realise this is not okay but now it’s my finals so can’t do anything much….😓

[@asimanayak304]

@@beactivebehappy9894 hey. dont overthink the whole situation. just go with the flow. I assure you it will go smooth. Wishing you the best for the finals.

[@lexywithay7768]

Start med school in 8 days this video has calmed my nerves so much! And ofc always amazing quality

[@arriettyfilm]

Hoping to get into medical school next year.❤i will work hard.. And update this once I get in.

[@Colombiana__]

Thank you so much 😿🙏🏻

[@gamingfirst01]

Im gonna start soon. In sha allah. Thank youu

[@ApekshaGA]

I start medical school in exactly 1 month!!! So thankful for your videos!

[@ZachHighley]

Congrats - I'm sure you'll do great

[@Anon-xz6hu]

good luck

[@MarleyOnThaBluff]

Update?

[@DecibelAmann]

Wow🙏That's great❤

[@neescott]

Every medical school should play this video during orientation, it’s that good!

[@chaturapoornima211]

Hello, Thank you so much , from Sri Lanka

[@Yourmisssyyy]

I love this😊❤

[@ravindusohan6748]

You're great🔥🔥

[@g.k61]

After 5 years of working , I’m changing careers and going to med school next year. Thanks for the video! It’s encouraging

[@TheHpnumber1fan]

If it’s okay for you to share, what did you work as before? And why did you decide to become a doctor specifically? Why not a physiotherapist or a nurse? All genuine questions. Sorry if my questions seem sudden, I’m currently questioning my own decision and I’d like to see different perspectives!

[@g.k61]

@@TheHpnumber1fan not at all! I studied “commercial engineering” which is basically business. I was led there by my family at an early age because of the business we have… so I can take over when my dad retires (since I was 13 I’d work in the company on holidays). I always liked biology and medicine in general but went with the flow because I lacked maturity i guess. I’m 28 now, working at a bank as an executive for medium to big companies for the past 3 years (also encouraged by my family to work here to understand how banks work and to have an insight on other companies). But as years passed by I started realizing that I don’t like what I do, nor studied, at all. It’s just not for me. So I began to study last year on my own (my best friends are doctors and lend me some of their books and classes that they had from their first year) and made the big decision. I’ve always been attracted to psychiatry that’s why I never considered physiotherapy or nurse. Telling my family wasn’t easy haha, but they have come to terms with the idea. Also I’m from an arabic family, and the eldest son, in case it seems odd that my family basically chose my first career and professional path at an early age.