How To Study for the MCAT: Be More Human. Less Academic Weapon.

When I started writing this post, I was going to talk about how to prep for the MCAT, or at least how to not become a student-machine amid your marathon science review.

However, let’s face it, you’ll basically be trained to become an academic weapon in medical school. So, why fight it now, right? Well, the truth is more complicated than that.

The MCAT Influences You In More Ways Than You Think

Is the path to becoming a doctor difficult? Yes, undoubtedly. Will it shape you as a physician? Clearly. But your experiences as an aspiring doctor—starting with your MCAT prep—can only shape you in the ways you let them. Ultimately, what is most important in your medical training is mastering the sciences while retaining your humanity.

So what does this have to do with taking the MCAT? When I took the exam, I did not (and still don’t) have the super-exacting hyper discipline that most premeds feel they need to perform well on the MCAT. And yet, I scored in the 95th percentile, working full-time with a ten-year gap since my last physics class and a five-year gap since a general chemistry class.

How did I do it? I aced the MCAT by being more human.

I actively researched “life hacks” on how people learn best and how they recharge their batteries. I analyzed the relationship between my physical health and mental aptitude. I became an active observer of my behavior, noting which habits catalyzed my MCAT productivity and which ones did not. Although I did need notable self-discipline to study every day, I did not rely solely on regimentation and willpower. I also set up my studies to accommodate how my primitive brain and body work—and how this inner “cavewoman” learns best and thrives.

So here are six ways you can be more human and excel at your MCAT too!

A More Human Way To Study for the MCAT

1. Have MCAT Material Presented to You as a Story

Storytelling is one of the most effective ways for humans to absorb information. So, it comes as no surprise that students can retain larger quantities of material if narrated (ideally colorfully) by another human being. When deciding how to study for the MCAT, I invested in an MCAT course so my instructors could explain the information to me. I watched YouTube animated videos tell the “stories” of more complicated topics. The more fluid and cohesive the explanations, the more likely you are to remember the underlying facts.

With that said, I do have one caveat. If you only have a short time in which to study, you may want to put an emphasis on active learning methods that focus on information recall (e.g. flashcards, practice questions, practice exams) and save audio and video lectures for more complex topics.

2. Tackle Your Toughest MCAT Material Earlier in the Day

I know many of you will be shocked to know that humans do not have infinite willpower. For those currently sitting near a plate of freshly-baked cookies or eating the remaining tortilla chips from last night’s takeout, this revelation will not be as much of a shock. (Side note: I just ate the last tortilla chip. Darn. I totally want more.)

So what is a mere mortal to do? Review that annoying Physics fluids lecture or all the biochemical compounds in glycolysis as your first order of business for the day. That way, you will have plenty of willpower in your reserves to push through your more difficult topic, and enough self-discipline left by the end of the day to relax and review easier material.

3. Let Your Mind Be Creative and Play Again

Children acquire a wealth of knowledge before they formally start school, and much of the time, they learn this information through play. It’s one of the most intuitive and natural ways to learn new skills and facts. Likewise, adults can benefit from this tactic, too. It allows us to stimulate our brain in a stress-reducing and energizing way, boosting our creativity and problem-solving skills just when we need them most. If you’re wondering how to study for the MCAT, incorporating fun and creative methods can make a big difference. Write your notes in colored pens or draw out biological structures. I even found an entertaining song about enzyme fundamentals.

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4. Get Off the Computer and Start Writing

Our ancient ancestors’ brains did not evolve to work with computers. So, if you’re struggling to remember and understand facts, start writing them down mindfully with a pen or pencil. It will solidify the material faster and deeper in your memory than typing out notes. And if you want to get really mindful about your writing, try writing with your opposite hand. It forces you to be aware of what you’re writing, helps with a cramped wrist, and stimulates your brain to think outside of the box, reducing monotony and burnout. Side effect: Your mother might tell you she likes your non-dominant handwriting better. Not like I should know this personally or anything.

5. Burned Out and Need To Recharge Quickly? Try Comedy

Like most people, I reach my limits sometimes and need to take a break. During my MCAT preparation, I sought out methods to recharge my metaphorical batteries quickly so I would not lose precious study time. My most effective trick? Watching stand-up comedy routines from my favorite comedians. The harder and more frequently they made me laugh, the quicker I felt refreshed and rejuvenated and could get back to work.

It turns out there is a scientific explanation for this method. When we (genuinely) laugh, we release endorphins, which are biologically intended to mask pain—or, in my case, emotional burnout. They cause a short-lasting high that helps us push through both physical pain and psychological hurdles—like getting yourself to study Biochemistry in the 13th hour that day. The more such “happy” chemicals we produce naturally, the more we build up our resiliency to extreme tasks, like marathon study sessions.

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6. Don’t Have the Time or Motivation To Exercise? Take Time To Stretch

I hate hearing “exercise more and eat healthier.” I really do. Mostly because you have to give me some pretty strong incentives to put down my favorite salted chocolate caramels and go to the gym. And then I’ll probably argue with you that chocolate has “healthy” antioxidants in it, and driving my gas-guzzling car to the gym is destroying the environment. And then I’ll sit down on the couch. And stay there. For a long time.

For those of you out there like me, I have found that exercise and stretching have some direct study benefits. Yes, I will only admit to direct benefits. You probably have already heard the indirect, long-term ones.

First, if you exercise regularly—especially cardio—it feels kind of like having a psychological catalyst, where the activation energy for completing a task that requires a lot of patience, focus, and resilience (like MCAT studying) is lowered without the aid of coffee. When I exercised regularly, I didn’t get frustrated as quickly with difficult chemistry topics. The same negative stimuli wouldn’t stress me as quickly, and I felt more grounded and in control of my MCAT preparation.

If you find that you do not have the time or motivation to exercise regularly, stretching will provide you with similar short-term advantages. Stretching also increases blood flow, making you feel more energized, grounded, and focused. It also releases the same endorphins that laughter does. Honestly—and I never thought I’d say this—it works better than caffeine for me now to combat stress and anxiety. You can look up some simple stretching poses online.

(Side note: I’ve done child’s pose around ten times now to help me write this post.)

Final Thoughts

So what’s the bottom line on how to study for the MCAT in a more human way? There is a Chinese proverb that says, “Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.” Contrary to what people may tell you, you do not need to be a tense, robotic academic machine to do well on your MCAT. By optimizing your natural tendencies, you can relax more and perhaps counter-intuitively uncover a psychological endurance that will help you beat the MCAT prep marathon.

If you need help refining your MCAT study strategy, Blueprint MCAT experts are here to help! Whether you need the flexibility of a Self-Paced Course, the instruction of a live 515+ Course, or the 1:1 attention of a private MCAT tutor, we have the MCAT prep option that works for your learning style!