Pre-Med bloggers. They’re everywhere.

The life of a pre-med student can be hard, and we’ve all had some embarrassing moments. If you have ever dropped your entire stack of anatomy flashcards in the street, spent your Friday night in the library, or almost slept through that 7:00am chemistry final, you know this first-hand. You probably don’t go on social media to highlight these moments, though, right?

So, why do pre-med bloggers exist? Well, for one, they’re here to help you realize you’re not alone in struggling through any of the aforementioned pre-med mishaps. That being said, our experience with pre-med bloggers, or influencers in some cases, is mixed. It is easy to showcase beautiful notes, designer scrubs, and inspirational quotes about achieving your dreams. It’s not so easy to put real time and energy into helping to improve the pre-med experience for a group of strangers.

Beware of the accounts that seem to be capitalizing on an audience’s almost desperate desire to get into medical school. There is a difference between promoting healthy study habits, sharing exam prep tips, and encouraging you to keep going, and the accounts that simply promote a product, gadget, or ‘foolproof way to get into medical school.’

At the end of the day, you will be the one responsible for the hard work needed to gain acceptance to the school of your dreams.

While no one may be around to rescue you from the MCAT and studying stress, the Atlantis team is here to offer you encouragement and inspiration, and there are a few bloggers out there doing the same.

To remind you that there are other people out there with aspirations as lofty as yours and the dedication to fulfill those goals, we have compiled a list of the most thought-provoking and helpful medical blogs for your enjoyment:

1. Aspiring Docs Diaries

   This blog is published by the AAMC and features posts from a variety of bloggers. The blog posts are divided into different categories based on their focus: Pre-med, Med School, Residents, Resilience, Motivation and Patient Interaction. If you’re looking for concrete pre-med advice and tips for how to stay focused, as well as inspiring stories and testimonies from doctors and other health professionals, check out this blog.

   One of our favorite posts on the site is How Shadowing Pulled Me Into Medicine. Through simple yet effective storytelling, the author uses a personal experience to educate his readers and enlighten them about the benefits of medical shadowing.

2. KevinMD

   Looking for something a little more substantive? This blog, published by Dr. Kevin Pho, explores topics such as health care policy, patient experiences, and medical ethics. The blog features articles written by the author himself, as well as other doctors and health professionals. The site offers a mosaic of perspectives on issues that are relevant to pre-med and medical students.

   An example of this blog’s provocative nature is the first-person Daily Life with Chronic Illness, which narrates a day in the life of a patient suffering from chronic pain.

3. A Doctor In the House

   Started originally as a medical school blog, this site was created by Andrea Tooley, now a resident physician at Mayo Clinic. Covering topics such as food, fitness, medical school and resident life, Dr. Tooley discusses the health professional life from a highly personal perspective. Her blog’s tagline: “Eat well. Sweat often. Keep learning.”

   Dr. Tooley writes with a relatable and conversational tone and often includes photos, recipes, and workout tips in her blog posts. This blog highlights the everyday life of a doctor and offers an uplifting glimpse into the rewarding and sometimes joyful work of being a doctor. It’s full of practical life advice and is accompanied by a video series on YouTube.

   One of Dr. Tooley’s most relatable posts is How to Survive a Long Distance Relationship in Medical School.

4. PreMed Life:

   This blog is specifically catered to pre-med college students and offers valuable advice on how to study in college, prepare for medical school, complete med school applications, and stay organized as a pre-med student. This site also includes a digital magazine and a resources tab with information on post-baccalaureate pre-med programs, writing personal statements, and studying for the MCAT. As an added bonus, this website offers generic advice to undergraduate students (not limited to pre-med students) on how to stay organized and focused during college.

   How to Make Your Second Year As Successful As Your First Year is a great post, as it provides practical ways to excel in college as a pre-med student.

5. A Little Bit of Lacquer

   This blog is one of our personal favorites. Laura documents not only her life in medical school and residency but also her interests outside of medicine and science. As a woman of well-rounded interests, she dedicates a significant portion of her blog to writing about art, travel, food, fashion, and family life. The reason we love this blog? It allows pre-med students to see that it is in fact possible to have a full life while in medical school. Laura also offers helpful practical tips, including her favorite organizing app, her preferred method for scheduling, and ways to multitask effectively.

   One of our favorite posts on this blog is A Day In the Life of a Harvard Med Student. In this post, Laura breaks down her daily schedule for readers, helping us understand the logistics of a busy yet organized lifestyle.

   The next time you’re feeling in need of a pre-med pick-me-up, check out these blogs and motivate yourself to keep following your medical dreams!