Top Study Tips for Paramedical Students

Studying to become a Paramedic/Medic isn’t always going to be a walk in the park. For most people, studying can be challenging; yet by the end of it, most feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and pride because they’re be ready to take on the world.

To make life a little easier, here’s a list of top tips to help better prepare for studying;

Study tips

  • Pick a place and time when you know you’ll have a focus
  • Set up your study space – your study space should be quiet, comfortable and distraction-free. It should make you feel happy and inspired. Decorate it with your favourite pictures or objects.
  • Find your best time – some people work better in the morning., others work better at night. Work out which time suits you and plan to study then.
  • Study every day when you have the opportunity.

If you study a little bit every day, you will be continually reviewing things in your mind. This helps you understand and retain the information. It also helps you avoid the stress of last-minute cramming.

If you are finding it hard to find time to study, cut back on some (not all) of your activities. Prioritising study might mean spending less time online, or it might mean cutting back on shifts at work or giving weekend sport a miss for a while.

Plan your time

  • It helps to have some plans in motion so you can make the most of your study time.
  • Set alarms: to remind you about your study plans. A regular reminder keeps you honest and your plans on track.
  • Use a wall planner: Stick a calendar or wall planner up so you can see it whenever you’re studying. Mark it up with important dates like exams and assignment due dates. Use it to block out your regular study timetable too.
  • Make to-do lists: Lists break tasks down into manageable chunks. At the start of the week, make a list of the things that you need to have done by the end of the week. Make a to-do list at the start of each study session too, so that you are clear about what you need to be doing with your time.
  • Set time limits: Before you start your study session, have a look at your to-do list and give yourself a set time to spend on each task. If you don’t get something done in the set time, consider whether it’s the best use of your time to keep going with it, or to start working on something else.

Be accountable and organised

Studying is a mindset, so set yourself realistic goals and timelines. Without these, you could lack motivation and accountability. One way to help with this is to share your thoughts with a family member or friend, that way you have someone to remind you of these goals and help keep you on track towards that paramedic dream.

As a student of the Australian Paramedical College, you have unlimited access to the dedicated Student Support Team who help you keep your studies on track, reaching your goals within the time frames.

Prioritise Triage

To be clear, triage means to decide the order of treatment (who gets treated first) when a large number of patients or casualties present themselves.

You learn triage as part of your studies, so why not employ it in everyday life. Many students can find it challenging at times to balance study, work and life. If you’re having problems fitting everything in, or you are constantly feeling rushed, try one of these two things:

  1. Identify time-stealing activities such as scrolling on Facebook and minimise them.
  2. Learn to say no to activities that interfere with your goals. 

By doing these two things, you will alleviate some additional stress and likely finish your study sooner.

Set yourself up to study well

Leading on from the above point, it’s always a good idea to set some clear guidelines and plans so you can make the most out of your study time.

  1. Set up a quiet, comfortable and distraction-free space that makes you feel happy and inspired
  2. Identify a regular study time that suits you
  3. Set alarms, make to-do-lists and set timers to help keep you honest and on track.

Once this is all set up, you’re good to go!

Learn from your mistakes

No one is perfect, we all know that. In fact, in the medical field, perfection doesn’t exist. Rather than dwelling on a error you made in a workbook or at a clinical workshop, you need to learn from it and move on. By doing this you will be able to continue moving forward and learning. 

Do what’s best for you

Most people have a preferred style of learning. Auditory (they learn by listening to audio, podcasts, narration etc), visual (they learn by seeing videos, watching demos and looking at presentations) or kinaesthetic (they learn by a mix of senses, yet learn more efficiently by doing physical and practical activities), there is no right or wrong way.

Maybe you could listen to EMS podcasts about how the parts of human anatomy fit together, or make an interactive Powerpoint showing how the body changes during the disease process. You could write up revision cards with different acronyms or mnemonics or invent a song about the diffusion of oxygen and cardiac depolarization.


About the Australian Paramedical College

The Australian Paramedical College is the largest prehospital health care training provider in Australia.

We offer three courses in the health scope:

Our nationally recognised paramedical training programs provide a flexible and affordable pathway to employment in the private sector, or as a stepping stone to university. We offer everyone the opportunity to become a Paramedic/Medic, regardless of their educational background. We believe you should still pursue your goals even though your school or college grades are not where they would have been if things would have been different.

We live in an era where anything is possible when you put your mind to it. With advances in technology and learning methodologies, there is no reason why you can not follow your dreams and become a person who can save lives and contribute to the well-being of the community. Apply to study at the College.

What is your career journey?

To discover how you can become a fully qualified Ambulance Paramedic or Basic/Advanced Life Support Medic, complete a personalised paramedical career development plan.