Dating in medical school?

[On_The_Way_Up]

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I know med school can get busy. How much free time do you have for dating? And how many people date within their class? Just seems like it would be tough to have the time for a committed relationship during medical school and residency.

 

[dr_kateb]

What’s a relationship?

 

[Isoval]

I had no problem when I was in a relationship, but I can report that medical school breakups are god awful to deal with and I’m still shocked that my grades didn’t tank.

 

[907914]

I know med school can get busy. How much free time do you have for dating? And how many people date within their class? Just seems like it would be tough to have the time for a committed relationship during medical school and residency.

Unless you are gunning for ortho or you’re just someone who needs to study 80 hours a week to do well it will be nye impossible. But for most people, it seems like you can have a nice balance between school and personal life. Everything just asked to be scheduled, you won’t have true free time but if you schedule free time for yourself and those around you than you’re solid.

 

[NathanB]

So I actually run a podcast about medicine topics we recently interviewed two couples. One that got married while in medical school and the other we interviewed about having a child while in medical school. You might be interested in listening to it if you're really worried about this. The short answer is that you can have time for anything in medical school if you prioritize it.

Ep07 | Valentine’s Special Pt. 1: Relationships and Marriage in Medical School by Medicus • A podcast on Anchor

Ep08 | Valentine’s Special Pt. 2: Being a Parent in Medical School and Residency by Medicus • A podcast on Anchor

Also I just want to mention that we run this podcast without ads so there's no ulterior motives besides wanting to share the info. Feel free to give any of the episodes a listen. Episode 3 might be a good one for pre-meds as well.

 

[DrFortiusNatando]

I started medical school with a 1 year old and a 3 year old. I then had a 3rd child in medical school. That all took a lot more time than dating.

In general, you want to think twice about dating someone in your class. If you are just compelled by undeniable attraction to a med school classmate, nothing I say will change your mind. But, breakups between 2 students in a class can be terrible. The learning environment is necessarily intimate at times - even the biggest medical school classes are still pretty small compared to most high school grades. Remember high school? Med school classes are sometimes the tenth the size of some of your high schools' class sizes. My advice is to go the law school library, or the gym.

 

[Master Thinker]

I started medical school with a 1 year old and a 3 year old. I then had a 3rd child in medical school. That all took a lot more time than dating.

In general, you want to think twice about dating someone in your class. If you are just compelled by undeniable attraction to a med school classmate, nothing I say will change your mind. But, breakups between 2 students in a class can be terrible. The learning environment is necessarily intimate at times - even the biggest medical school classes are still pretty small compared to most high school grades. Remember high school? Med school classes are sometimes the tenth the size of some of your high schools' class sizes. My advice is to go the law school library, or the gym.

Dang, that's a lot. And here I am struggling to keep my fridge stocked and plants alive...

 

[907914]

Dang, that's a lot. And here I am struggling to keep my fridge stocked and plants alive...

Google peeponics. It’s a plant saver.

 

[LizzyM]

I dated several medical students back in the last century before I met Mr. M. We met at med school parties (I wasn't in med school but lived close by), through mutual friends, and at a conference luncheon. If you don't have 3 hours/wk (avg less than 30 minutes/day) for a dance party or dinner together, or a chat, or a walk, you are a sad soul.

 

[AllBleedingStops]

Dating is definitely possible as is success with more casual arrangements. However, I will let you know that even just in the first semester I know of quite a few relationships both young and long term that broke as a result of various strains partially related to school.

 

[Catalystik]

even the biggest medical school classes are still pretty small compared to most high school grades. Remember high school? Med school classes are sometimes the tenth the size of some of your high schools' class sizes.

. . . and if you aren't discrete, everyone will know your business, including the faculty.

 

[bearcalbear2019]

I dated several medical students back in the last century before I met Mr. M. We met at med school parties (I wasn't in med school but lived close by), through mutual friends, and at a conference luncheon. If you don't have 3 hours/wk (avg less than 30 minutes/day) for a dance party or dinner together, or a chat, or a walk, you are a sad soul.

LOL. i love your humor

 

[WinslowPringle]

I think the majority (but not all) of my fellow med students over the four years in med school formed some type of romantic relationship. Some maintained their premed relationships, some broke up, some broke up and formed new ones, some formed new ones, some got married, and some had babies. Overall, there was more than enough time for several dramatic romantic intra-class sagas to be played out...

 

[Angus Avagadro]

Wife and I were married as med students. She was MS1 and I MS4. We approached it from a team approach, even to this day. How does this decision affect our family first? I was also blessed to marry a brilliant student, so med school wasnt to big of a challenge. Meaning, I never had to deal with a neurotic student wife in school or residency. So, prioritize relationships and recognize you both are a team. The decisions then get much easier .

 

[Rachapkis]

So I actually run a podcast about medicine topics we recently interviewed two couples. One that got married while in medical school and the other we interviewed about having a child while in medical school. You might be interested in listening to it if you're really worried about this. The short answer is that you can have time for anything in medical school if you prioritize it.

Ep07 | Valentine’s Special Pt. 1: Relationships and Marriage in Medical School by Medicus • A podcast on Anchor

Ep08 | Valentine’s Special Pt. 2: Being a Parent in Medical School and Residency by Medicus • A podcast on Anchor

Also I just want to mention that we run this podcast without ads so there's no ulterior motives besides wanting to share the info. Feel free to give any of the episodes a listen. Episode 3 might be a good one for pre-meds as well.

I listened to episodes 7 and 8 of your podcast. They were informative and engaging. Well done.

 

[NathanB]

I listened to episodes 7 and 8 of your podcast. They were informative and engaging. Well done.

Thanks, we really appreciate that

 

[calipremed5768]

Hopefully it helps my chances

Tfw adding top 5 undergrad to bumble gets you from 0 matches to 10. Think adding prestigious med school to profile might get me to 30. Feelsdecent

 

[weeblerdog]

I know med school can get busy. How much free time do you have for dating? And how many people date within their class? Just seems like it would be tough to have the time for a committed relationship during medical school and residency.

What if you’re applying to med school and your boyfriend is basically already accepted into a PhD program? Doomed??

 

[On_The_Way_Up]

What if you’re applying to med school and your boyfriend is basically already accepted into a PhD program? Doomed??

Why that’s gonna be tough.

 

[MyOdyssey]

. . . and if you aren't discrete, everyone will know your business, including the faculty.

Is this usually a bad thing? Does it lead to malicious gossip?

 

[Catalystik]

1) Is this usually a bad thing? 2) Does it lead to malicious gossip?

1) TMI.

2) It's not malicious. More informational.

 

[Seihai]

Usually people do date with one another while in class. It during rotations. It’s just hard to meet people on the outside since you are in class all the time or in the hospital or in the library haha

Why are you replying to every single thread with "dating" in the title? This thread is over 9 months old, and the last reply was 4 months ago. You need to stop necrobumping arbitrary threads.

 

[LizzyM]

Usually people do date with one another while in class. It during rotations. It’s just hard to meet people on the outside since you are in class all the time or in the hospital or in the library haha

Get involved in an activity with people who are not in medical school. You should be able to find a few hours per week for yourself and if your priority is finding someone, you might find success as a volunteer in a group activity with other people your age or in a co-ed sports team, choir, or other group activity.

 

[Goro]

I know med school can get busy. How much free time do you have for dating? And how many people date within their class? Just seems like it would be tough to have the time for a committed relationship during medical school and residency.

I'd say that each year we get two engagements or even marriages from members of a single class.

 

[Medic741]

I know med school can get busy. How much free time do you have for dating? And how many people date within their class? Just seems like it would be tough to have the time for a committed relationship during medical school and residency.

Yup! You have as much time as you want to make available. It’s not a problem as long as you can set realistic boundaries/expectations. Just got engaged to a classmate, dating within your class can go really well or blow up in your face/friend group. Date good people without personality disorders and you’ll be fine

 

[valkirieas]

Date good people without personality disorders and you’ll be fine

These two are not mutually exclusive. Of course, you'll want someone who can manage their disorder but please be mindful of the already massive stigma of PDs.

 

[RTC19]

Yup! You have as much time as you want to make available. It’s not a problem as long as you can set realistic boundaries/expectations. Just got engaged to a classmate, dating within your class can go really well or blow up in your face/friend group. Date good people without personality disorders and you’ll be fine

Congratulations on your engagement! 🙂