How to Keep Up With Your Hobbies in Medical School

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Life as a medical student can be tough and pull you into a tiring study routine in which you often forget to do things for yourself. This article discusses why it is important to keep practicing your hobbies and provides a few strategies on how to prioritize YOU. 

I believe that how you approach medical school now is important for constructing a good foundation in many aspects, such as establishing your habits and methods of study and practicing what type of person and healthcare provider you want to become.

Nonetheless, studying should not be “everything.”

Many doctors, looking back at their time as medical students, report that they should have enjoyed the path much more. This is one of the reasons why it is important not to give up on yourself and your hobbies.

This doesn’t mean taking medical school less seriously. On the contrary! This will help create a happier soul, which creates a better student and, ultimately, a greater person and doctor.

Understanding Why

“If you know the why, you can live any how” – Friedrich Nietzsche

From a broad perspective, you could make studies your first and only priority, but it’s important to remember that it’s not only about the outcome; its also about the journey. You are in a long marathon and not a sprint. You don’t want to “hit a wall” or get to the finish line defeated and deflated. To keep up with that, you have to be smart, plan ahead, and preserve your energy.

It is likely that many of the hobbies you already engaged in prior to getting the “med student” title can help you develop characters and skills that can aid with practical medicine and all that lies ahead for you. In addition, being able to do a few things at once and time management are definitely valuable skills to have as a doctor.

You should not forget who you are just because you are studying for an arduous profession. When people ask you what you do, you should be able to tell them you are more than “just” a med student!

Staying engaged with leisure interests is essential for keeping an upbeat spirit, a positive perspective, and avoiding burnout. It will also make you more productive throughout the day, and you won’t feel like you are missing out on life to accomplish one other big goal.

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A Hobby Is Any Activity That Makes You Happy

For me, basketball satisfies a few needs all at once: taking a break from studying all day, getting fresh air, socializing, doing my daily physical activity, and, most of all, getting loose and having fun!

Whether you hit up an old hobby or take the time to learn how to cook or play an instrument, you should keep doing things that are important for your soul and allow you to forget about your chores and study tasks, even for a short period of time.

Lahav riding a bike with a quote: Practice your hobbies without thinking of studying or feeling guilty.

How can you add this to your already busy schedule?

The life of a medical student already appears too busy and overscheduled. How is it possible to maintain good grades and add in a hobby?

Be Organized! 

To be able to keep up with all your tasks, needs, and daily routines, organizing a schedule and planning ahead can really help. Additionally, leaving adequate time to be physically active, eat nutritious and regular meals, and sleep properly is key. If you get into a routine of following a schedule, you’ll feel and actually be more productive (plus, who doesn’t like to tick off To-Do boxes?).

Be Willing to Make Compromises

Recognize when studying should be prioritized so you can justifiably postpone or shorten your hobby time once in a while. Conversely, if you’re in a period when studying can relax a little bit, cut yourself some slack and take a longer break from the books.

Come what may, your goal is to try and maintain a steady state throughout the year, finding the right balance between studying and making time for your other needs and pleasures.

When You Do What Makes You Happy, Enjoy It Fully

Practice your hobbies without thinking of studying or feeling guilty. At stressful times, and if you enjoy multitasking, then you can occasionally study while staying active.

When You Study, Just Focus On That! 

Quality is no less important than quantity. Try to make sure that you stay as focused as possible during your study slots and clear off any possible distractions.

If you are not concentrated – don’t waste your time trying to force it. It is better to go out for some fresh air or take a short break to do something you like and come back energized.

This takes us to the next point…

Organized time with four frames: study, sport, sleep, food.

When to Work vs. When to Play

This is a personal matter, which you have to learn about yourself from experience.

Identify When You’re Most Productive

Save the times of the day in which you are more productive and inspired to study while leaving ‘hobby-time’ for when you are less concentrated and could use a fun, reviving activity.

Try the following habits to figure out what time of day best suits you:

  • Start your day with something you like that encourages you to be productive throughout the rest of the day
  • Take a break mid-day to freshen up
  • Save your leisure activity of choice for the end of the day to have something to look forward to, and go to bed with a smile on your face
  • Mix it up to keep things dynamic!

Start today, find your path, keep it up, smile, and repeat.

About the Author

Lahav is a third-year medical student at the University of Bologna, Italy. She is originally from Jerusalem, Israel, and came to Italy to connect to her Italian roots and study Medicine at the first university of Western Europe, established in 1088. She likes to play basketball and any other type of sport, cook, bake, read, and play board games. Since she adores kids, as a future doctor, she would like to work with children.

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