.

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
If most people are doing one thing and you're doing something else, you're not behaving "normally". As to whether or not you're healthy (colloquially normal), I would think so -- you're getting work done and getting sleep, eating well and on schedule. We all make sacrifices for our education, so it that sense, you are normal.
 
Different things work for different people. Be yourself so if you feel like you need/want to go out with them you can but put your school work first always
 
I went out every thursday in college it was something to look forward to. Margaritas and fajitas happy hour followed by trip to the bar. You are for sure missing out OP
 
Do what you have to do to achieve your goals. Most of my friends in college had less ambitious aspirations than I did, and I often had to pass up on going out on random weeknights. But that doesn't mean you can't break from your routine occasionally.
 
I went out 3-5 nights each week and a few days too when the weather got nice. Just stacked my classes to be later in the day. Normal is just a concept, do what you want to at any given time and find people who share the same habits. That's the only normal I know of
 
Most premeds I know don't even go out on weekends. Most of them are lame. I try to go out at least once a week, and that usually ends up being on a weekend unless I'm working.
 
I always wonder if im going to be able to hack it in med school; I dont really go out or associate much with friends during the semester. Id rather spend time reviewing for tests even though I almost always have a better understanding than every one of my classmates. I work 40 hours/week on top of classes and ECs as it is.

I spend way too much time studying though; I use sheer repetition over and over again until I simply cant get it wrong. I had a final last semester where I didnt even know what was going on conceptually but my hand was just moving on the paper with a mind of its own. This was one of the rare times I did not have a firm grip on the material, but I killed it (96) because I had done the problems so many times.

Do what you have to do to succeed, and to get that A. Youll regret it more if you dont as a result of going out/partying. Some people can manage their time very well and its not a problem.
 
Last edited:
I went out every thursday in college it was something to look forward to. Margaritas and fajitas happy hour followed by trip to the bar. You are for sure missing out OP

Word. Margarita Thursdays were my favorite too.
 
Going out during weekdays gets you good deals. I wasn't one for the bar/party scene so I never did, just hung out with friends at our apartments on the weekends. Just do whatever makes you happy, OP, as long as your grades are good.

Though, I have to question going to sleep at 9... That's pretty weird, IMO. 9 hours of sleep seems a bit excessive, too.
 
Most people(that arent premed) dont always understand that we have to get As, ECs, and research about the process.

People that rag on you for not going out are probably doing programs where they can graduate with Bs and Cs.

I went out every thursday in college it was something to look forward to. Margaritas and fajitas happy hour followed by trip to the bar. You are for sure missing out OP

I hate it when someone says 'you're missing out'. That couldnt be more subjective. If I like to stay at home, study, learn, read, exercise, and get things done around the house I'm somehow missing out on life?
 
Last edited:
I was in a large fraternity so I actually went out quite often. I just made sure to get all of my work done during the day. I just graduated last month and I'm pretty sure I went out at least once, usually two to three times every weekend for the past two semesters. Mind you, I didn't get hammered EVERY time...just more often than not. Partying in undergrad was definitely one of my priorities along with doing well in my classes, keeping up with research, and ECs but it was doable because I managed my time well. With that being said, everyone has different priorities so being "normal" is quite subjective and what you do in your free time isn't anyone else's business.
 
Go out on weekends. Most people don't go out until then anyway. You'll remember your good grades longer than bad hangovers
 
Most of my friends go out every weekend plus random weekday drinking. I usually go out on Friday and/or Saturday depending on how busy I am that week. Sometimes I drink during the week, but not usually. If they are friends and good people, they will understand when you say no. Sometimes I'll just have 1 or 2 beers on a weekday with them, and I don't have to worry about missed sleep or hangovers.

Most of my classes start late though. I tend to stay up until midnight-1 and wake up at 9-10. I do school stuff until 8 or 9 usually.

Whats important is finding what works for you. If you want to get up early during the week, then don't drink during the week. Your friends should understand. If you can/want to drink on weekends, then go for it.
 
I hate it when someone says 'you're missing out'. That couldnt be more subjective. If I like to stay at home, study, learn, read, exercise, and get things done around the house I'm somehow missing out on life?

Yes. You are missing out on leisurely social interactions which are part of a balanced life. I would also say the people who party so much they make all B's and C's are missing out an important educational opportunities that they will never be able to make up after college. This is why it's called balance.

To the OP, don't worry, going out only on weekends is a perfectly normal, adult thing to do. Don't feel like you have to do everything like what you're perceiving a "normal" college student to be.
 
Going out during weekdays gets you good deals. I wasn't one for the bar/party scene so I never did, just hung out with friends at our apartments on the weekends. Just do whatever makes you happy, OP, as long as your grades are good.

Though, I have to question going to sleep at 9... That's pretty weird, IMO. 9 hours of sleep seems a bit excessive, too.
8 to 9 hours of sleep is perfectly normal and healthy. A traditional college age student shouldn't be getting much less than 8 if they can help it
 
8 to 9 hours of sleep is perfectly normal and healthy. A traditional college age student shouldn't be getting much less than 8 if they can help it

Really? I guess I don't really know what normal or healthy is, haha. To me, 8 is fine, but 9 is where it starts to get excessive. The thought of spending more than a third of my life sleeping is horrifying, but that's just me. I usually got 6-7 hours a night, 4-5 in busy semesters. 7-8 is usually my optimal, though.
 
I feel sluggish and less efficient if I get less than 8. I usually don't get 9 unless I'm really caught up or its a weekend and I'm not working.
 
I'm going to echo what many have already said, but do what works for you and what makes you happy. I personally don't go out very often, largely because I'm under 21 (I'm more the type who would party with a small group of friends or go to a low key bar - these aren't super easy as someone who can't legally purchase alcohol) and because I do spend a substantial amount of time doing school work, working at my job, and doing ECs. I try hard to make time for spending time with my friends at least once a week, even if it's just for something as simple as a meal. I think this will be easier once I move off-campus next year with 3 of my friends. I'm also personally more of a night owl, though next semester I have an 8 am and 9 ams so I might have to change that a bit, lol.

People have different priorities, and can be pretty judgmental about the way others lead their lives. As long as you're happy and are following your passions and dreams successfully, you should ignore these people.
 
Top