Do what everyone else refuses to do: be hard core with your schedule and studies, work hard, study the textbooks page by page, online animations that studentconsult provides for many of their books, buy specialized books in the basic medical science books (e.g. Pulmonary Pathophysiology, Pathophysiology of Heart Disease, Robbins & Cotran Pathological Basis of Diseases, Rennke's Renal Pathophysiology, etc). I particularly benefited from Klatt's Atlas of Pathology - wonderful source for recognizing histology slides, gross specimens, radiographs...in order words, don't be average. The average MD student uses the shortcuts of First Aid, BRS, Pathoma, as their primary sources. You'll end up just like them. Success is defined as those individuals who do what no one else wants to do. It isn't rocket science but just focused commitment.
Additionally, go with the flow with your faculty and physicians. Listen to them, seek their advice, adopt a few mentors or go-to doctors, ignore the disgruntled comments from the burnt out ones but learn from their techniques, they can be reached if you show them you're different, and soon they'll be noticing you as a dedicated, committed student with much promise. Attendings complain a lot about mediocre MD students and Residents. Show them you're willing to do what they did.
And by all means, work with the nursing/unit staff. Show them who you are and your dedication...offer them a hand. Make yourself a problem solver and not a needy, whiny medical student or resident. I've seen surgical scrub techs humiliate a surgical resident or get them in trouble with the surgical attending because they were jerks to them. It goes a long way to be perceived by nursing staff as a solution instead of a problem. In a word, relationships are key. Attitude and entitlement mark you as trouble
