How to Specialise with Little Money: Study, Organisation and Free Resources to Boost Your Career


If you dream of migrating to areas such as Regulatory Affairs, Medical Devices or Pharmacovigilance, but feel that the budget is short, know that it is possible to specialise with intelligence, focus and few resources. I have been walking this path myself - and I can say: it works!

Here is a practical guide for those who want to learn consistently and spending little:

1. Start with a clear goal and a learning trail

Choose an area (e.g. Regulatory Affairs, QA, Clinical Trials) and set up a study trail with the main themes. You can organise this in a planner, notebook, spreadsheet or app like Notion, Trello or even Google Keep. The important thing is to have a clear vision of what to study and where to start.

2. Use accessible (or free) platforms

Here are some great options:

• Coursera, edX: free courses from renowned universities (with paid certificate option).

•FutureLearn: courses on medical devices, regulation and public health.

•OpenWHO: great content on pharmacovigilance, health surveillance and emergency response.

•YouTube: use with judgement. Search for channels such as RAPS, Science with Norah, EU MDR Explained.

3. How to memorise better: techniques that work

Studying is important, but retaining information is essential. Here are 3 simple and effective techniques:

• Feynman's technique: explain the content with your words, as if you were teaching someone. This forces you to really understand.

• Flashcards (memory cards): create with the Anki app or on paper itself. Use to review technical terms, acronyms of standards and concepts.

• Spaced review: review the content at increasing intervals (e.g. 1 day, 3 days, 7 days...). This activates long-term memory.

4. Organisation of study time

Even with a full schedule, it is possible to create a realistic routine. Here are some strategies:

• Pomodoro Study: 25 minutes of total focus + 5 minutes of break. Repeat 3 or 4 times.

• Thematic Blocks: separate the days of the week by themes (ex: Monday = standards, Tuesday = pharmacovigilance...).

• Visual calendar: use different colours for theoretical content, review, videos, reading articles, etc.

Bonus tip: always have a reserved time to review and apply what you have learned (summaries, mind maps, posts, group discussions).

5. Get involved in communities

Exchanging with other people accelerates learning. Join LinkedIn groups, forums, networks of former course students, or Telegram groups focussed on regulatory issues, AR/QA or global health.

6. Build your learning portfolio

Keep your summaries, translations of standards, case studies and reflections. Over time, this becomes a portfolio that shows not only your knowledge, but your proactivity - something highly valued in selection processes.

Even with little time and a tight budget, it is possible to specialise. The secret lies in the clarity of the objective, in the intelligent choice of resources, and in the constancy of practice.

If you want, I can share my own study routine, organisation templates and courses that I currently use. Tell me: in which area do you want to develop?

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