I’ll be going into sophomore year this fall and for freshmen year, i’ve only had some shadowing experience because Long story short, I realized that business wasn’t for me and much preferred pre-med. I know I have to start volunteering and gathering clinical and research experience and all that, but the fact that I wasn’t able to do much freshmen year is stressing me out! Is it ok to start doing all the major stuff sophomore yr? I guess what I’m really asking is, when did YOU start getting heavily involved in clinicals and volunteer work for med school?
If med school is truly your goal, then get started with shadowing and medical research as soon as possible. Don’t waste time ruing what could have been. Many students start those activities during high school, but others start in college and still get into medical school. Focus on doing well in your courses, especially STEM related and prepare early for the MCAT.
While I agree that shadowing and clinical volunteering should start ASAP, after you have declared premed intention in college, however, I disagree that Mcat should be prepared early, without first at least finish the medical school prerequisites. I was told that biochem has a heavier weight in Mcat, so without first finishing the orgo, you probably will get lost in biochem. As a result, you will be wasting your time to study for Mcat.
In addition, I thought you meant BCMP related courses, not STEM related courses as STEM related courses are not required in med school application.
@PeaceOfMind My parents are telling me to not worry about it over freshman yr summer and to really get into it sophomore year starting this fall… are they necessarily wrong? I’ve been shadowing for this summer so far but they are in a way making me feel as if i’m wasting my time? 
Since OP is transferring to Northwestern next school year, top priority should be - get good grades in BCPM courses since NU is a much tougher school. You need to prove yourself med-school-worthy by getting A’s in those tough gunner-filled weeder BCPM classes, if you can keep up your 3.9 GPA after orgo and biochem.
ECs can be done later. Without good GPA (3.7+), no ECs can save you. Research is optional unless you want to get into top med schools. Long term volunteer activity is important (don’t just do shadowing).
@Andorvw thank you!! That was some of my dad’s argument where this summer is just a trial run for me to just volunteer or take part in ECs that I think I may enjoy to get a “taste” before I really get serious. I guess I’m just a bit antsy of feeling like I’m falling behind or getting a late start (which I guess I am since I had that whole debacle of really disliking anything within business)