The top 5 survival tips for dental hygiene school

In order to become a dental hygienist there are many steps you must take.

One of these many steps is completing dental hygiene school, which takes a lot of hard work, sweat and tears. But, in the end, it is worth it!  You meet some amazing people who you will share a dental hygiene bond with forever and not to mention how many patients you will help out along the way.

If you want to stay on top, you should follow these top five survival tips for dental hygiene school.

Continue to the next page to see the tips...

Tip 1: Support system

You can’t get through dental hygiene school alone; you need as many people rooting for you as possible. While in school you will feel doubts about making it to graduation and possibly doubts about the profession you have chosen. All of these feelings of uncertainty are normal due to the high amount of stress you will encounter each semester. So, make friends with your classmates. They will be your second family and they will know what you are going through. You will help each other, cry together and, most importantly, lift each other up.

Tip 2: Study groups

I actually am not a big fan of typical study groups as there is a risk that after you get together, you will start chatting and let nothing get accomplished except for gossip and venting. This obviously is an unnecessary distraction when your time is better spent getting ready for an exam.

The study group I’m talking about is when you all quiz each other right before a weekly quiz or big exam. If you get in little groups in your classroom and quickly go through notes and flashcards right before the test, you will most likely cover a few topics you had forgotten about when you studied on your own.  I answered numerous questions correctly throughout dental hygiene school because of these quick study sessions.

Tip 3: Comprehension

Memorization is not going to get you through dental hygiene school. That may have worked for some of you up until this point, but now is the time you have to start understanding concepts. As a dental hygienist, you have to apply your theoretical knowledge to real world experiences with your patients. This is also going to ensure you pass the NBDHE when the time comes. Make sure you really understand the information being thrown at you and start trying to apply it in clinic. This is going to pull it all together full circle.  

Tip 4: Don’t look too far ahead

In dental hygiene school there are so many assignments, tests, lectures, and requirements. How in the world are you going to get it all done? Well, it gets done. But if you’re having a really tough time, take it one day at a time until you can handle taking it week by week. Ask yourself, “What do I have to get done by tomorrow?” It makes everything feel achievable when you break it down and don’t look too far ahead (as long as you are giving yourself enough time to prepare for exams).   

Tip 5: Stress relief

Stress can wreak havoc on our mind and body. In the mornings before you leave home, lift your head and arms to the sky, take a deep breath and say something motivational such as: “I can do this and no one can stop me, not even myself!” Clear your mind throughout the day by drinking plenty of water, eating healthy snacks and getting fresh air any time you have a minute in between classes.   

It is easy to have doubts when we are faced with a challenge, but these challenges you face will only make you a better hygienist and being a dental hygienist is so rewarding!  So apply these five survival tips while you are in dental hygiene school to make sure you stay afloat!

Prepping for the NBDHE? Get a free study guide from HygienistPrep here.