For the Headless Chicken in Panic Review Mode

The finals season is the most emotionally taxing time of the academic year for a medical student*. It is during this time that our frustrations are brimming and the stress level is just too damn high.

*may apply to non-med students, too

How do you show some love for the headless chicken in panic review mode? Until the revolutionary inventions called learning-by-osmosis and knowledge-donations are yet to be realized, here are few of the ways:

Coffee

Coffee is probably man's best invention after  fire (this is probably an exaggeration, but not right now). This is our poison of choice when we need to stay awake. Be keen enough to make the right mix for your favorite medical student: some like it black, sweeter than usual, while others may prefer another drink altogether (eg tea, soda, etc). Also, offer coffee during their sleepiest time of day (night owls will have to drink it in the morning, while the early birds need it at midnight). Pay attention to those details!

Home-cooked Meals

After a long day in school with those frustrating examinations that we stayed up all night to cram for, home-cooked meals are just heaven-sent. They are the perfect solution to relieve our stress-induced hyperacidity, too. Word of caution: avoid cooking high-fat and high-salt foods prior to your medical student's exam because those foods can make him/her feel sluggish and bloated. 

Study Music Playlist

Look for existing study music playlists or better yet, make one for him/her! Songs with lyrics, especially pop songs won't probably do the trick. You won't want us LSS-ing to Blank Space and All About That Bass, instead of remembering pathophysiology of diseases, right? Classical, EDM, house, and instrumentals would be your best bets.

Hugs

There is a certain degree of closeness required to be able to offer a good hug. This is a simple gesture that speaks volumes. There's an "I'll help keep your broken pieces together" feeling with tight hugs (dramatic, I know, but really). The warmth of human touch will also be appreciated after having book authors as our only human connection for hours on end. Just make sure to ask for permission before you do it, in case you're dealing with an introvert.

School Supplies

Post-its, envelopes, highlighters, alligator clips, papers, folders, you name it- we probably need it!

Encouraging Words

There's so many things to learn in sooo little time! More often than not, your med student needs affirmation of their intelligence and skills. There's the threat of failure, of not being good enough. Knowing that there's someone who's rooting for them just might be the push that they need. Word of caution, though, DO NOT be condescending and DO NOT minimize their med student woes. You just might end up pressuring them without you even knowing it. Example conversation;

Med student: "There is a huge possibility of me failing my second year in medschool."

You: "Are you kidding me? You, failing med? That's impossible! You're our class valedictorian!"

Gee, thanks. When you are unsure of what to say, try being silent. You may also just encourage them to keep talking. Perhaps they just need to unload feelings of self-doubt without you having to say anything.

Human Alarm Clock

We will probably want to bite your head off for waking us up early to study but we'll thank you later, promise. Do whatever it takes to wake us up if we ask you to, provided that you won't leave permanent scars on our body. Haha. 

Prayers

We need Divine Intervention to survive everything. Our skills and intelligence combined with your support can only do so much. Help us pray for discernment, knowledge, and wisdom. Pray that we do not miss the fun parts in medicine, even as we go running in circles for dear life.

It may be tempting to just leave us alone inside our own world filled with readings, mnemonics, and diagrams, but please give us some love before you do. *puppy eyes*