I think after a certain point it gets ridiculous...too much lecture tires you out tremendously, and seriously, what motivation do you have to go and study (let alone do something to distract your mind for an hour or so or stay healthy) after that marathon. That really blows and I feel bad for those who have to go through that. I sometimes wonder if that's something some schools do simply to justify their higher rank or some other nonsense: "We train the best student doctors, because look how MUCH they learn! They have 45 hours of lecture a week!" I'm sure lots of them look down on schools with a lot less lecture time as inferior. Seriously what is the curriculum staff/deans thinking?
At my school, we have 3-5 hours of lecture a day, but more often 3 or 4 than 5. 5 is rare. During anatomy we had 4 hours of lecture + 4-5 hours of lab, but that was only during that nine week hell period. Normally we have class from 9-12 every day, and usually on tuesday and thurs afternoons we have some doctoring activity like more lecture or small groups. Second year has more free time than first year. We get lots of afternoons off. There are days with two lectures in the morning and that's it, and every now and then we have a whole day off for independent study.
This makes everyone a LOT happier and less miserable about school overall. School doesn't have to hell for you to become a great doc. That's nonsense. I have adequate time to study/rewatch lectures, study for the boards for several hours each week, go out and have fun with my friends on a friday or saturday almost every week, except right before exams, workout 4 days a week (to stay healthy!), etc. Life is great.
It's funny, I thought of this when I read through the thread of being single in med school and people were complaining that they didn't have time to date outside of school, and if they did, they would only be able to see the person like every two weeks. Now I see why. Sure, there are a few couples in my class, but only 3 or so among 154 people. Everyone else is either with someone outside of medicine or is dating around outside. I personally only really date girls who have nothing to do with my school. Ugh...then again, I have the time luxury to do it, I suppose. 😀