Accountability refers to the responsibility for one’s actions, decisions, and performance. When preparing for a challenging exam like the MCAT, accountability is extremely important in shaping your study habits and productivity. A lack of accountability and MCAT motivation often are the determinants of a student’s success on test day.
A great tool for maintaining accountability is having someone to help you out—an accountability buddy. We will discuss why this is helpful, as well as how to hold yourself personally accountable and how attending a live online MCAT class can help push you through the highs and lows of your MCAT journey.
The Benefits of an MCAT Accountability Buddy
An accountability buddy can be a game-changer in your MCAT preparation journey. This doesn’t have to be a study buddy. It can be someone also preparing for the MCAT or someone who understands the demands of the process. This could be your roommate, a friend in their gap year, or maybe even someone in medical school.
The goal is to choose someone who can provide the support and MCAT motivation you need to stay focused and disciplined.
Mutual Support
Studying for the MCAT can be isolating, but with a buddy, you have someone to share the journey with. You can discuss difficult concepts, share resources, and celebrate milestones together. This mutual support can reduce stress and improve your overall study experience because you know you aren’t alone!
Regular Check-Ins
Establishing regular check-ins with your accountability buddy can help keep both of you on track. Whether it’s daily, weekly, or bi-weekly, these conversations can be used to set goals, review progress, and adjust study plans.
Knowing that someone else is aware of your goals can increase your commitment to achieving them – and it is exciting to have someone to talk to about your successes!
Constructive Feedback
An accountability buddy can provide valuable feedback on your study methods and performance. They can help identify areas of improvement and suggest new strategies. Constructive criticism from someone who understands your goals can be incredibly beneficial, especially if you are stuck and don’t know how to push past a plateau in your MCAT score.
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How to Hold Yourself Personally Accountable
While having an accountability buddy is a great resource and source of MCAT motivation, personal accountability is equally (if not, more) important. Holding yourself accountable ensures that you take responsibility for your preparation and stay disciplined.
1. Set Clear Goals
Begin by setting clear, achievable goals for your MCAT preparation. Break down your study plan into manageable tasks with specific deadlines. Clear goals provide direction and make it easier to track progress. This is especially straightforward with Blueprint MCAT’s free study planner.
2. Monitor Your Progress
Regularly monitor your progress against your study plan. Keep track of what you have accomplished, what still needs to be done, and your practice test performance. Again, the free resources inside the Blueprint MCAT account—particularly the Lessons Learned Journal and in-depth analytics—are perfect for this.
3. Reflection and Adjustment
Take time to reflect on your study habits and performance. Are you consistently meeting your goals? If not, why? Identifying obstacles and making necessary adjustments to your study plan can help you stay on track.
Self-reflection fosters a proactive approach to problem-solving, and can help you develop your ability to adapt and adjust if MCAT studying is not going as smoothly as you had hoped (this is the case for most students!).
4. Rewarding Yourself
Don’t forget to reward yourself for meeting your goals. Small rewards can boost your motivation and make the study process more enjoyable! Whether it’s a treat, a break, or a fun activity, celebrating your progress reinforces positive behavior (hellooooo B.F. Skinner!). Extra points if you and your accountability buddy enjoy a reward together!
Final Thoughts
Whether through an accountability buddy or personal accountability, finding a way to maintain accountability ensures that you will stay focused, motivated, and on track for MCAT success.
It can be incredibly isolating to study for the MCAT, so being able to connect with others going through the same thing can help you achieve your goals. It is also important to find ways to maintain personal accountability since this will be a skill essential for success later in medical school, too.
If you need an external source of motivation and accountability, you might want to consider a live MCAT class or a private MCAT tutor. If you have strong personal accountability, our Self-Paced Course provides you with the ultimate flexibility to prep on your own time.
No matter what your what your goals and study needs are, we have the MCAT prep style that’s perfect for you. Get started for free by creating a Blueprint MCAT account today.