Med Series #3 - Free Time in Medical School
So just how much free time is their during medical school? During high school, you probably spent more time playing video games and watching TV then you did studying and doing homework. During your undergrad, you probably spent more time studying, doing research, and being involved in extracurricular activities but you still had plenty of time to relax and have a breather. What about medical school?
I'm going to explain medical school the way it was explained to me.
During your 1st year, you will have more free time than you realize.
During your 2nd year, you'll realize how much free time you had during your 1st year.
During your 3rd year, you will have no free time.
During your 4th year, you will have more time than you will imagine.
You see, during your first year of medical school you will be studying and absorbing more information than you ever have before. It will feel like you have no time to do anything but study but I assure you this is only a feeling. I know a lot of students who actually don't study Friday night because they realize that a) they can afford not to study and b) relaxing is very important. What do I suggest? Study as much as you think you need to but realize that taking a few hours off here and there will not cause any harm. In fact, it may do you some good to take your eyes off your notebooks.
During your second year, and I can't comment too much on this yet, you will have even less time than your first year. This is probably because this is the year where you really learn the details of what you've previously learned. This is the year that really prepares you for your rotations during your 3rd and 4th year. This is the year where you will also have to study and take your STEP1 exam. If you're going to slack off, do it during your first year because second year is all about business.
Your third year is probably the worst. This is when you are doing your hospital rotations and going on interviews for residency. Doesn't sound so bad but trust me, it is. During your fourth year, you are pretty much done with things. Sure you're still going on rotations but the worst is over. Some have described fourth year as being in kindergarten. Now I am sure this is an exaggeration but it's nothing like your 1st year.
So yes, during medical school you can still have a life. You can still go see movies, play sports, workout, and hang out with your friends. You'll probably end up doing this more than you think and that's ok because you really do have the time for it. You may not be able to do all those things every week but that's expected.
So just how much free time is their during medical school? During high school, you probably spent more time playing video games and watching TV then you did studying and doing homework. During your undergrad, you probably spent more time studying, doing research, and being involved in extracurricular activities but you still had plenty of time to relax and have a breather. What about medical school?
I'm going to explain medical school the way it was explained to me.
During your 1st year, you will have more free time than you realize.
During your 2nd year, you'll realize how much free time you had during your 1st year.
During your 3rd year, you will have no free time.
During your 4th year, you will have more time than you will imagine.
You see, during your first year of medical school you will be studying and absorbing more information than you ever have before. It will feel like you have no time to do anything but study but I assure you this is only a feeling. I know a lot of students who actually don't study Friday night because they realize that a) they can afford not to study and b) relaxing is very important. What do I suggest? Study as much as you think you need to but realize that taking a few hours off here and there will not cause any harm. In fact, it may do you some good to take your eyes off your notebooks.
During your second year, and I can't comment too much on this yet, you will have even less time than your first year. This is probably because this is the year where you really learn the details of what you've previously learned. This is the year that really prepares you for your rotations during your 3rd and 4th year. This is the year where you will also have to study and take your STEP1 exam. If you're going to slack off, do it during your first year because second year is all about business.
Your third year is probably the worst. This is when you are doing your hospital rotations and going on interviews for residency. Doesn't sound so bad but trust me, it is. During your fourth year, you are pretty much done with things. Sure you're still going on rotations but the worst is over. Some have described fourth year as being in kindergarten. Now I am sure this is an exaggeration but it's nothing like your 1st year.
So yes, during medical school you can still have a life. You can still go see movies, play sports, workout, and hang out with your friends. You'll probably end up doing this more than you think and that's ok because you really do have the time for it. You may not be able to do all those things every week but that's expected.
No comments:
Post a Comment