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What I Wish I Knew Before Prepping for the MCAT While Working a Job

By Dr. Sarah
Last Updated Apr 2, 2025

Summary: A working student shares lessons she learned while prepping for the MCAT with limited study time. She emphasizes focusing on high-yield content, protecting energy, and staying connected to her goals. The Complete MCAT Study Bundle helped her feel in control of her prep.

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When I first decided to take the MCAT, I thought I had to quit my job to prep.Every post I saw online talked about 4–6 month timelines, full-time study blocks, or $2,000 prep courses. None of that was realistic for me. I was working part-time at a clinic, commuting three days a week, and helping out at home. Free time? Barely.But I still wanted med school. I knew I had to figure out a way to prep without putting my life on pause. And I did.Here are the 6 things I learned while prepping for the MCAT as a working student — and how I made it work on just 2–3 hours a day.

1. Stop Trying to Learn Everything

I wasted my first two weeks reading everything. Like… full textbook chapters, long YouTube lectures, 20-page outlines.Guess how much I remembered? Barely anything.What I learned the hard way is that the MCAT is not about knowing everything. It’s about mastering what’s most likely to be tested — and applying it under pressure.If you’re short on time, the best thing you can do is focus on high-yield topics. Look at AAMC guidelines, or find a resource that does the filtering for you. Because reviewing random content might feel productive… but it's just busy work if it won’t show up on test day.

2.Have a Realistic Schedule
(That Doesn’t Burn You Out)

I tried following a “popular” MCAT study plan I found online. It expected me to study 5–6 hours a day, six days a week.With a job? Impossible.So I made a new rule: no more than 2 hours a day, no guilt if I miss a session. The key was consistency over intensity.What helped the most was having a study calendar that told me exactly what to review each day. Not just chapters — I mean specific tasks, like “Watch 3 short videos on enzyme kinetics, then do 5 practice questions.” Clear, specific, doable.

3. Learn in Bursts — Not Blocks

We’re taught to believe good studying means locking yourself in a room for 3 hours with a stack of notes. But that’s not how our brains (or our schedules) work.Some of my best study sessions happened:• On the bus
• On a lunch break
• Between patient check-ins
• While waiting for laundry to finishInstead of cramming, I’d watch a short video, review a flashcard deck, or skim a cheat sheet. These little bursts added up way more than I expected.So if you’re working, don’t stress about the long hours. Look for 10–15 minute windows and use them to your advantage.

4. Active Recall > Passive Reviewing

I used to reread my notes thinking it would help. It didn’t. What actually worked? Active recall.Here’s how I practiced it:• Covering up diagrams and explaining them out loud to myself
• Taking mini-quizzes after watching lessons
• Using flashcards and trying to answer before flippingIf you’re not testing yourself while you learn, you’re not really learning. Especially when you’re tired after work — you need study strategies that stick.

5. Don’t Isolate Yourself — Join a Study Community

Studying for the MCAT while working can feel incredibly lonely. It’s hard when your friends don’t get it or you feel like you’re falling behind.What helped me stay sane was joining a private student community. I found people who were also working, also overwhelmed, also doubting themselves.We shared study wins, vented on rough days, and swapped tips. Just knowing other people were in it with me helped more than I can explain.

6. Protect Your Energy — and Your Why

This might be the most important lesson I learned.When you’re working and studying, it’s not just your time that’s limited — it’s your mental and emotional energy. Some days I had the time to study but couldn’t mentally focus. Other days, I’d feel guilty for resting, even though I was clearly burnt out.Time management matters, yes. But energy management is what actually determines whether you’ll last through this process.Here’s what helped me:• I studied in short, focused sessions instead of long, draining blocks
• I took intentional breaks and didn’t beat myself up for needing rest
• I said no to things that drained me (even if it meant missing out socially)
• And most importantly: I kept reminding myself why I was doing this“Whenever I felt like giving up, I’d close my eyes and picture myself getting my med school acceptance letter.”This journey is hard. But it’s not impossible. Especially when you have the right tools, a smart plan, and a reason that pulls you forward.

Follow These 6 Steps— and You’ll See Results

By following these six proven steps, I was finally able to start making real progress — even while working a part-time job, commuting, and helping out at home. These steps weren’t just helpful — they were necessary to stay on track without burning out.But here’s the challenge:Most students struggle to implement all these steps on their own I did too — until I found a resource that gave me everything in one place: structure, strategy, and support.

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