Being Pre-med and Having a Social Life

[Perchperkins]

Hey so i’m a freshman on the premed track. Whenever I say that I’m premed I hear people say that premed students have no social lives. I understand that choosing a career in medicine requires sacrifices and dedication. However, I still want to be able to have time for fun, family and friends. Besides, I heard that in your undergrad years you have way more free time than in med school and stuff. What do you guys think about the ‘pre-med students have no life outside of school’ notion? Any experiences to share?

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[907914]

Hey so i’m a freshman on the premed track. Whenever I say that I’m premed I hear people say that premed students have no social lives. I understand that choosing a career in medicine requires sacrifices and dedication. However, I still want to be able to have time for fun, family and friends. Besides, I heard that in your undergrad years you have way more free time than in med school and stuff. What do you guys think about the ‘pre-med students have no life outside of school’ notion? Any experiences to share?

The premeds that have no social lives are the ones who either won’t be premed in a year or two or are getting by just barely. This is the majority of premeds, but a small portion of the eventual applicant pool.

If you have to study enough that you have no social life, either you are studying wrong or you are not cut out for the material. Even with ‘all of the ECs’ you should be able to have fun. ECs really are NOT a big time sync (maybe 8 hours MAX volunteering and 20 hours MAX research, most do 2-4 hours volunteering and 5-10 hours research if any research at all).

 

[907914]

Any experiences to share?

I will lead with acknowledging that I am lucky enough to be one of the individuals that does not really have to study much to be successful, but even still I have a happy marriage a daughter going on 4, go camping and dog sledding and skiing and backpacking and out to the bar and blah blah blah along with ample ECs. Social life needs to happen for you to be happy

 

[Orangekiwi]

The premeds that have no social lives are the ones who either won’t be premed in a year or two or are getting by just barely. This is the majority of premeds, but a small portion of the eventual applicant pool.

If you have to study enough that you have no social life, either you are studying wrong or you are not cut out for the material. Even with ‘all of the ECs’ you should be able to have fun. ECs really are NOT a big time sync (maybe 8 hours MAX volunteering and 20 hours MAX research, most do 2-4 hours volunteering and 5-10 hours research if any research at all).

One thing to add here, medical schools want to see that you're a real person. If you don't do anything outside of studying and volunteering and research and checking boxes, how are you going to stand out? Dont think of being premed as some set things you have to do, some number of hours you need to study, or whatever. If you do you're setting yourself up for failure. Do things that make you happy, that you're interested in, and that you find fulfilling. You only get to go to college once, don't waste it spending 6 hours a day in the library.

 

[premed20172017]

You absolutely need to schedule in time for your social life. You will burn out (quickly) otherwise. Make friends in your dorm (one of my dearest friends was in the same dorm as me - we talk every single day and have for many, many years). Try out a ton of different clubs/orgs until you find one (or 2..) with people you like. You can have fun while doing ECs that will look good on your app. Also seek out older students that you think are super cool (in the clubs/student gov/sorority/frat/etc.).

Also, I find it really helpful to have friends in a variety of majors. My non-premed friends keep me SO grounded. They let me vent to them about how much I hate this whole process, and they can vent to me about whatever, but then we MOVE ON and talk about other stuff. A lot of people in the pre-med world will just keep. talking. about. the. friggin. tests. That's not healthy.

Find people that won't drive you crazy and stick with them. If they drive you crazy, don't be friends with them. A lot of people you meet this year may not be your friends as the years go on. That's totally fine! It's normal! By the time you graduate, you'll have friends. Your friends may not be friends, but you'll still have friends! Or, you may have a group where everyone is friends. It all varies. Just get out there, find your tribe, make some mistakes (don't get an IA...), study abroad (DO IT!) and enjoy your time in college. Don't leave after 4 years thinking, wow, if only I had done x...Leave without regrets. Try things out (different classes, whatever).

College isn't always as easy as people make it out to be. People struggle in college - it's hard being thrown into a situation where you're now a little (very little) fish in a VERY big pond. You'll survive and learn a ton about yourself on the way. You got this.

(sorry for rambling...this is just my brain on very little sleep)

 

[907914]

You absolutely need to schedule in time for your social life. You will burn out (quickly) otherwise. Make friends in your dorm (one of my dearest friends was in the same dorm as me - we talk every single day and have for many, many years). Try out a ton of different clubs/orgs until you find one (or 2..) with people you like. You can have fun while doing ECs that will look good on your app. Also seek out older students that you think are super cool (in the clubs/student gov/sorority/frat/etc.).

Also, I find it really helpful to have friends in a variety of majors. My non-premed friends keep me SO grounded. They let me vent to them about how much I hate this whole process, and they can vent to me about whatever, but then we MOVE ON and talk about other stuff. A lot of people in the pre-med world will just keep. talking. about. the. friggin. tests. That's not healthy.

Find people that won't drive you crazy and stick with them. If they drive you crazy, don't be friends with them. A lot of people you meet this year may not be your friends as the years go on. That's totally fine! It's normal! By the time you graduate, you'll have friends. Your friends may not be friends, but you'll still have friends! Or, you may have a group where everyone is friends. It all varies. Just get out there, find your tribe, make some mistakes (don't get an IA...), study abroad (DO IT!) and enjoy your time in college. Don't leave after 4 years thinking, wow, if only I had done x...Leave without regrets. Try things out (different classes, whatever).

College isn't always as easy as people make it out to be. People struggle in college - it's hard being thrown into a situation where you're now a little (very little) fish in a VERY big pond. You'll survive and learn a ton about yourself on the way. You got this.

(sorry for rambling...this is just my brain on very little sleep)

Go to sleep, young one.

 

[premed20172017]

Go to sleep, young one.

I'm not that young! I'm almost 30! Probably older than you!

 

[907914]

I'm not that young! I'm almost 30! Probably older than you!

Tengo venti cuatro años. ¿O es venti cinco? No se, pero si - eres mayor que yo.

 

[premed20172017]

jaaja. Tengo veintinueve! Tienes veinticuatro solomente? Aye! Eres un bebe!

 

[907914]

jaaja. Tengo veintinueve! Tienes veinticuatro solomente? Aye! Eres un bebe!

Si, un Bebe. Pero, mi vida esta muy llena.

Also, you can see why I just listed basic Spanish lol

 

[premed20172017]

hahah i understood what you were saying! It counts! I took Spanish for years, but I didn't put above basic/intermediate, because I just know I'd freak out if they started interviewing me in Spanish hah

 

[EdgeTrimmer]

take proper mix of classes and be smart about ECs and you have time for social life. Don't go for double majors and triple minors, medical schools don't care about those.