1. Adjusting to Medical School
Rarely happens overnight- today we’ll talk about some common stages/experiences you might expect as go through adjustment process, signs you may be having more difficulty/need help to navigate, suggestions to facilitate the process
A balancing act

2. Stages of Adjustment
Honeymoon
Uncomfortable/Hostility
Humor
Balance

3. Honeymoon Stage Feelings of excitement, anticipation
Meeting new people, sense of welcome
Sense of freedom

4. Uncomfortable Stage Culture shock Academics Social
Feelings of uncertainty
Homesickness
Illness
Culture-new place, people, housing, food, surroundings, etc
Academics-Stanford printout
Social-Busy schedule may make you feel like you’re losing touch with friends and family, don’t have time to establish conections at school; values and/or beliefs that are important to you may feel devalued or not understood by others
Uncertainty- at first may be challenging to adjust to pace and assessments of med school, leading to questioning “am I smart enough to handle curriculum?”; may worry about having prof skills and personality to connect with and optimally help patients; major life changes cause us to question who we are, what we’re good for/at, are we on the “right” path in life
**given all of the above, makes sense that may also experience periods of frustration, anger, anxiety, feeling down/depressed

5. Humor Stage Initial adjustment
Regaining sense of routine, studies start to feel more manageable
Starting to relax, make friends, laugh at minor mistakes

6. Balance Stage Feeling connected to campus, community
Able to navigate demands of studies
Integrating good experiences along with challenges
Adjustment and integration; feeling more like “home”, friendships and connections deepen

7. How to know if you’re having difficulty adjusting
Isolating yourself
Excessively irritated/angry over small things
Feeling extremely homesick
Changes in sleep and/or appetite
Lack of engagement, feeling disconnected
Physical symptoms
Feeling sad/blue, crying more than usual
Relationship strain
Loss of ability to study or work effectively
Physical symptoms-headaches, gi upset, fatigue/excessive tiredness
Any of these may happen from time to time—if they become an issue everyday or most days, might be a good idea to seek help

8. What can help Patience Maintain self-care habits
Seek out opportunities to get involved on campus and connect with others
Practice time management and prioritize
Maintain self-care habits
Utilize campus resources
#1-transitions can be challenging, everyone experiences some “growing pains” during change; don’t feel like should know everything/have it all figured out
#2- join student orgs, study groups, attend social functions
#3- organizing schedule allows time for work and self-care, leisure time
#4-many first term students feel there is no time for anything outside of study, important to maintain habits/activities that help with managing stress and maintaining health
#5-PSC, DES, DOS, advisors

9. Campus resources Psychological Services Center (PSC)
Campeche Hall
Department of Educational Services (DES)
Next to Pensick Hall
Dean of Students Office
Bourne Hall, upper level