Medical students often face issues with their mental health and the academic rigor of classes and clerkships while working towards their Doctor of Medicine. To help support student motivation, self-determination theory can be utilized. Self-determination theory principles can help support medical student mental health and academic success. Instructors can also utilize self-determination theory principles to support student motivation. Self-determination theory suggests that autonomy, belonging (or relatedness), and competence are fundamental psychological needs of students. Instructors can design clerkships in ways that can support these needs, leading to improved student outcomes