13 Tips for Thriving in Your Third Year
It's been said that the first two years of dental school are
about learning how to stay in successfully, and the last two years are
about learning how to get out successfully. Starting the third year of
dental school is a huge transition for many, as students realize that a bulk of
their didactic coursework is completed, the National Boards Part I is in the
books, and now they are scheduling patients full time and applying their skills
and classroom knowledge in a clinical setting. It is important to keep these
thirteen tips in mind to make the most of your remaining time in school:
Get
involved in interesting clubs.
As an active member of many
organizations and clubs, I have acquired so much valuable information from
upperclassmen and peers in different organizations, which opened so many doors
for me. Some clubs open their lunch and learn events, tutorials, socials, and
other events to non-members as well, so it’s worthwhile to get involved, meet
new people, and learn new things.
Become
a member of an organization.
In dental school, you’ll meet so many
professionals, including practicing dentists, former dentists, researchers, and
potential employers. It is important to establish professional connections,
which may help in the future. Organizations such as ASDA, ADEA, and various
fraternities—such as THE NEXTDDS—invite speakers to inform students of the many
opportunities after graduation. These events teach students about understanding
the current job market and what offers
are available upon entering the workforce, as well as how to strengthen one’s
CV and build his or her own practice.
Keep
your CV/resume updated.
During my first year, an upperclassman
was asked to offer new students one piece of advice, and he immediately
responded with, “Log everything you were involved in, including clubs and
organizations, volunteer work, shadowing, awards, etc.” Many students become
busy with schoolwork and extracurricular activities during their time in dental
school. Once it comes time to apply for residency and specialty programs, many
forget which events they took part in and with which organizations they have
membership, leaving out many
achievements from their CVs. In addition, students should update their
resume before submitting them to faculty members in order to take part in
research or externships.
Review
a procedure before the patient arrives.
This helps the student gain comfort and
confidence before beginning a clinical procedure. For example, many schools
require that students practice a crown preparation on a typodont and a
patient’s cast before starting on a patient. This practice helps both the
student-provider and patient feel more comfortable, as the provider is less
nervous and has developed a systematic approach to the procedure that allows
for a seamless transition from one step to another.
Establish
a work-life balance.
It is important to establish a balance between
professional life and personal life by making time for friends and family
alongside completion of dental school requirements. It is imperative to
maintain a balance of mental and physical health. I find that maintaining a
planner is a good way to keep track of scheduling and to-do lists so that
nothing is missed or overlooked, and I can plan the best time to take care of
school-related responsibilities. I can enjoy my free time without worrying
about missing important tasks!
Take
advantage of your time in clinic.
At this point, many students develop
tunnel vision, only looking to get requirements out of the way and work towards
graduation. Many overlook the resources available and tend to refrain from
getting advice or guidance from faculty while they still can. Or, they refrain
from asking questions about procedures they have already completed, and often
forget that it is better to learn as much as possible while faculty members are
readily available. A student’s third year is the best time to learn more from
faculty, gain a better understanding, get requirements out of the way, and make
their fourth year less stressful.
Take
advantage of your time out of clinic.
Many organizations sponsor social events that can
help students unwind, network, and explore local areas. These events are not
only helpful for building professional connections, but also for allowing
students to take mental health breaks. It is important to take advantage of
time off to catch up on sleep, be with family and friends, take part in
volunteer opportunities, and make contributions to the field and to underserved
communities.
Take
care of your health.
Under the constant stress of exams and
clinic, it’s easy to neglect one’s personal health. It is important to set
aside time to go for walks or go to the gym to maintain physical health,
maintain a healthy diet, and visit the doctor when necessary. Just as physical
health is important, taking breaks to unwind and maintain mental health is another consideration. When
stress piles up, remember that a lot of people are going through different
hardships and many have trouble managing stress. Find someone to confide in and
voice concerns. Many schools offer complementary confidential therapy sessions
to help students cope with both school and life stresses, promoting student
wellness.
Go
to conferences.
Attending conferences can help students
make professional connections while learning more about current events and
innovations in the field. By attending association and research conferences,
students can learn more about the profession and explore the field to learn
more about their particular interest in dentistry and how they can contribute
in the future.
Get involved in research.
By becoming involved in research,
students can contribute to advances in their own field with novel technologies
and materials that can help make dentistry more efficient and beneficial for
patients. Through research, we can discover new ways to solve oral health
issues and help patients prevent future issues through evidence-based research
and oral hygiene techniques.
Make
professional connections.
Dental school is a great place to meet
professionals, and after graduation, professors become colleagues, and
classmates can become partners. It is important to talk to practicing
clinicians and former clinicians to get a better idea of what to expect as a
licensed dentist in the working world. The more students speak with experienced
professionals, the more prepared they become for future success. Professors,
guest speakers, and other leaders in the professional world can offer
invaluable advice that can be very difficult to obtain without experience.
Making professional connections can help in the future when one is in need of
advice, or looking to expand business prospects.
Get
enough sleep.
A majority of students do not get enough
sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, studies show that people in
their 20s need an average of seven to nine hours of sleep per night. During my
first two years in dental school, my peers and I would get an average of about
six hours of sleep per night We generally compensated for lack of sleep with
coffee to maintain our attention for early classes, or stay awake to study late
at night. Sleep deprivation has devastating effects on the body, and long-term
caffeine abuse is detrimental to the body as well. Get enough sleep to maintain
focus in class and perform better on exams.
Have
fun!
Make the most of your time in dental
school. As tough as it is to get through the journey, it can pass in the blink
of an eye. With more than half of a doctoral degree completed, it’s easy to
forget that many peers and classmates may move to other locations to begin
their professional career alongside family, or wherever their path takes them.
“Match” programs are difficult to predict as well, so make the most of your
time with classmates and peers, explore
dentistry, travel, and make the most of your time in dental school!