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 health care provider you want to become.
Nonetheless, studying should not be “everything.”
Many doctors looking back at their life as med 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, it is 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 for 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 in order to accomplish one other big goal.
A hobby is an 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 on 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.
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 the practice of 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 in a routine of following a schedule you will 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 be relaxed 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 all the way
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, you just study!
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…
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 these habits to figure out what time of day suits you most:
- 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 & repeat.
About Lahav Constantini
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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