Trying to do Everything? Let's Talk About Burnout
Burnout is something that doesn’t get talked about enough, especially when you’re trying to juggle everything at once. Interviews, academics, extracurriculars, hobbies, and still finding time to rest. Many aspiring medics are managing all of this simultaneously, and it can quickly become overwhelming.
Burnout is something that can affect a lot of aspiring medical students at some point in the application journey. There’s a lot to navigate, the pressure builds fast, and it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly behind. I know that feeling well. In Year 13, I wasn’t meeting my predicted grades, I was overwhelmed by interview prep, and my motivation was at an all-time low.
However, I went on to achieve 4/4 medicine offers and A*A*A. What helped me was learning how to work smarter and build habits that actually prevented burnout. You don’t need to be a genius. You just need the right strategies. And that’s exactly what I want to share with you.
The first method that genuinely saved me was time-blocking. And it’s surprisingly easy to do. Time-blocking simply means deciding in advance what you’re going to work on and when. At the start of each week, look at your free periods and how many hours you realistically want to work. Then plan those hours intentionally, whether that’s making notes, revising content, completing homework, or doing pre-reading. Having this structure removes the constant decision-making that can make studying feel far more overwhelming than it needs to be. Using your free periods to get most of your A-level work done can also make evenings feel less intense and free up time to focus on interview preparation. By actively planning what you’re going to do, you’re able to cover everything without feeling scattered. Even though it sounds simple, planning tasks into your calendar, what you’re doing and when, can make a huge difference. It helps you feel more in control, removes analysis paralysis, and takes away that overwhelming feeling of having too much to do but not knowing where to start.
On that note, it’s just as important to actively plan in rest. Because rest is productive too. One of the biggest risks for aspiring medics is overworking without giving yourself proper breaks. So when you’re planning your week, make sure there’s intentional space for rest. This could be time for a hobby, doing something you enjoy, or anything that helps you properly switch off. Treat these rest blocks with the same importance as your study sessions. They aren’t a reward for working hard - they’re a necessary part of staying consistent and protecting your wellbeing.
The final tip is to work out what kind of student you are. Some people work best in short bursts, others prefer longer study blocks, and some need time to ease into focus before they can really get going. Burnout often happens when you force yourself to study in a way that doesn’t suit you. Either working for too long or constantly stopping before you’ve built momentum. That’s why it’s important to find a study rhythm that works with your brain, not against it.
Here are three simple study methods you can try, depending on how you focus best.
If you find it easier to work in short bursts, the Pomodoro technique might work well for you. This involves studying for 25 minutes, followed by a short 5-minute break. These frequent breaks can help prevent mental fatigue and make studying feel more manageable, especially on low-energy days.
If it usually takes you a bit of time to get into the flow of studying, the 5-10-15 method could be a better fit. You start with 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break, then increase to 45 minutes of study with a 10-minute break, and finally 75 minutes of study with a 15-minute break. This gradual build-up allows your concentration to develop naturally without feeling overwhelming.
Finally, if you prefer working for longer periods once you’re focused, the Flowtime technique offers more flexibility. Instead of working to a fixed timer, you focus on one task and continue until your concentration naturally dips. You then take a break that’s proportional to how long you worked - usually around 20–30% of the session length. Over time, this helps you understand your natural focus patterns, avoid interrupting deep work, and study in a way that feels sustainable rather than forced.
Interviews can feel tough, but they are a skill and definitely something you can improve on, with practice! But it is important that you practice the right skills. So to help you with your interview preparation, I’ve created several different interview resources that you can use no matter which part of your interview preparation you are struggling with.
If you are struggling with the large amount of content medicine interviews have, then check out my medicine interview document. This document has 50+ pages of all the medicine interview content, ranging from the ethics and principles to NHS hot topics and research skills. All the notes are written in an active recall format, so you can actually work smarter for your interview preparation. And with over 30+ NHS hot topics and 100+practice MMI and interview questions, this can be your complete toolkit to help you prepare for your interviews strategically.
The Ultimate Medicine Interview Guide - All in One Knowledge Pack
Ace your medical school interviews with this all-in-one preparation resource, created to give you the knowledge you need... Read more |
If you don’t want burnout or poor preparation to hold you back from a medicine offer, personalised support can make a huge difference. You can email me at loveleenj241@gmail.com to book a 1-to-1 interview tutoring session or a mock interview in the style of your chosen university. You’ll receive detailed, targeted feedback and support focused on your individual weaknesses and goals.
Becoming an Academic Weapon
If you’re doing GCSE or A-level Biology or Chemistry and feel like you need that extra boost to secure those top grades, you’re in the right place! I offer tutoring that’s genuinely made a difference - my students have jumped from a grade 4 to an 8, and others have gone on to absolutely smash an A* in their exams. My classes stay intentionally small so I can really focus on you and what you need, but that also means spaces disappear pretty quickly. If you want to grab a spot before they’re gone, drop me an email at loveleenj241@gmail.com and let’s get you working towards that dream grade.
As someone who received 4/4 offers and was in the first batch of offer holders at both King’s College London and the University of Birmingham, I’ve poured everything I know into creating the best possible interview resources, so you can achieve your dream of studying medicine. If you want to get your medicine offers, check out my interview resources on my website!
Additionally, you can check out my website for resources such as the A* AQA A-level psychology notes and my notes templated designed in an active recall format.
📸Here are the links to each of my social media pages, so make sure you follow! In all, I detail the advice and tips you need to help make your application to medicine so much easier! If you ever need any help, feel free to reach out to me at loveleenj241@gmail.com
