In This Episode:
In this episode of the Nurses Doing GAMSAT Podcast, Dr. Tom and Mare Forfa kick off the January Jumpstart Challenge by diving into the biggest challenge healthcare professionals face in GAMSAT prep—time management.
They’ll share practical tips to reclaim your time, balance study with a busy schedule, AND focus on what truly matters.
Perfect for nurses and allied health workers looking to make the leap to medical school, this episode will leave you feeling inspired and ready to take control of your GAMSAT journey.
Resources Mentioned:
- Mare’s App blocker https://freedom.to/
- If you’re seeing this after the Jumpstart, then we invite you to join our Nurses Doing GAMSAT Facebook Group.
Dr. Tom (00:00):
Hey everybody! Welcome back to the Nurses Doing GAMSAT podcast. We’re shooting this remotely today, and yes, we’re matching outfits. Totally planned, right, Mare?
Mare Forfa (00:12):
Don’t lie! For anyone watching on YouTube, I left the house first in my green outfit. You copied me. Just saying.
Dr. Tom (00:20):
Okay, fine. It’s not my usual color, but it matches the plants. So there’s that.
Mare Forfa (00:26):
Remember that time we accidentally matched—down to the shoes? Maroon sweater, maroon jacket, jeans, and brown shoes?
Dr. Tom (00:41):
I’m still scarred by that. I’m not a fan of matching outfits, especially Christmas ones. But yeah, no photo evidence exists… or so I hope.
Mare Forfa (01:08):
If anyone in Slack wants to see our matching Christmas outfits, just let me know. I’ll upload them!
Dr. Tom (01:18):
Please don’t. Anyway, today’s topic isn’t fashion—it’s GAMSAT. This is our first official episode of a four-part mini-series called January Jumpstart Challenge. Over these episodes, we’ll help you jumpstart your GAMSAT preparation. If you’re not part of it yet, head to thankflipgamsat.com/jumpstart to register. If you’re watching this later, go there anyway for freebies and tips. So, Mare, what are we talking about today?
Mare Forfa (02:35):
Time! I speak to so many people who say they don’t have enough hours in the day. They’re juggling full-time work, kids, and life. Let’s dive into how to manage time better.
Dr. Tom (02:50):
Great topic, especially for nurses and healthcare professionals who work full-time or shift work. You’ve got work, exercise, commuting, cooking, and family obligations. Adding GAMSAT study feels impossible. But it’s not. Time management is a huge challenge we tackle in our boot camp. So, Mare, share some examples.
Mare Forfa (04:21):
Sure! Annikki is a single mom working two jobs, including shift work. Then there’s ED nurses doing 10-12 hour shifts, or paramedics with unpredictable rosters. Some also have young kids—soccer practice, dance class, and no laundry fairy in sight. It’s a lot to handle.
Dr. Tom (06:15):
But it’s not a reason to give up. With the right strategies, you can make time. One of our students, an ED nurse, went from 8 hours of study a week to over 20 hours by implementing our Extra Study Day Advantage. Today, we’ll share mindset shifts and practical tips to help you create time for GAMSAT study.
Mare Forfa (08:11):
Take Brendan, for example. He was a full-time phlebotomist who reduced his study time from 20 to 15 hours a week but focused on the right materials and got in. Quality matters more than quantity. High-quality study is key.
Dr. Tom (09:40):
Exactly. Many feel guilty while studying—“I should be working”—and guilty while working—“I should be studying.” This constant guilt and rushing leads to burnout. Let’s address that mindset.
Mare Forfa (10:34):
Absolutely. I’ll introduce Einstein Time, a concept from Gay Hendricks’ book The Big Leap. It teaches that you’re the source of time. When something matters, you find time for it. So, take ownership of your time instead of letting it control you.
Dr. Tom (12:20):
Right. Everyone has the same 24 hours. It’s about priorities. If something urgent arises, like a family emergency, you make time. That’s the mindset shift—control your time and invest it wisely.
Mare Forfa (14:02):
Let’s talk practicalities. Aussies spend an average of two hours a day on social media—that’s 14 hours a week. Imagine using even half of that for GAMSAT prep. It’s a full workday reclaimed!
Dr. Tom (14:44):
Most people don’t realize how much time they waste. Check your phone’s screen time stats. If you’re in the Slack group, share your results and start reclaiming that time.
Mare Forfa (16:31):
That’s why we use Slack, not Facebook. Slack is distraction-free and focused. Reclaiming just seven hours a week could mean huge progress—seven hours of study or activities that recharge you.
Dr. Tom (20:00):
Another strategy is pre-spending your time. Treat it like a budget—allocate hours to work, study, and recharge first. Make study blocks non-negotiable and fit everything else around them.
Mare Forfa (22:24):
Pre-spending time also shows you where to save time. Meal prepping, for example, can cut down dinner prep and cleanup. Small tweaks like this free up time for your dreams—because let’s face it, no one looks back fondly on making random Tuesday dinners.
Dr. Tom (23:58):
Exactly. GAMSAT isn’t just about the exam; it’s about leveling up your life to achieve your dreams. Pre-spending time helps eliminate distractions and maximize productivity.
Mare Forfa (25:43):
Also, differentiate between essentials and luxuries. Luxuries like scrolling Instagram can be replaced with meaningful activities like calling a friend or spending time with family. Choose actions that recharge you.
Dr. Tom (26:47):
For homework, reclaim some social media time, pre-spend time on study blocks, and replace mindless scrolling with productive or rejuvenating activities. Share your reclaimed hours and how you’re using them in Slack.
Mare Forfa (27:37):
If you struggle with phone addiction, use app blockers or delete social media apps temporarily. I personally only use social media on my laptop now, with time limits set.
Dr. Tom (29:18):
These changes free up time to create valuable content—like this podcast! So, jump into Slack and tell us how you’re reclaiming and investing your time.
Mare Forfa (30:00):
What are you doing with your reclaimed time? Practice questions, essays, symbolic poetry? Share your wins—I can’t wait to hear.
Dr. Tom (30:48):
Next episode, we’ll tackle myths about GAMSAT, like “practice makes perfect.” Spoiler: it doesn’t if you’re practicing the wrong stuff. We’ll also discuss why some study methods fail and how to overcome the “I’m not smart enough” mindset.
Mare Forfa (32:39):
Looking forward to it! Maybe we’ll wear non-matching outfits next time… maybe.
Dr. Tom (33:04):
Challenge accepted. See you next time!
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