Free Time

[hunterworth]

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So I made up my mind about becoming a doctor, and Im pretty solid on my decision, just one thing that Im always coming back to. Thats free time, I know in college, med school, and even residency I wont have much free time, but what about when I am a doctor in whatever practice I choose. Will I be able to have a steady life to where I can have a successful marriage and have kids? Still be able to achieve some of my goals in life or go on vacation? I dont know why, but this is really the only thing thats holding me back.

 

[aSagacious]

This varies widely between specialties and practice settings. There is always opportunity for you to have a reasonable amount of free time, but this is usually associated with a decrease in compensation (which some people are okay with).

 

[Barcu]

Definitely specialty-dependent, but it is very possible.

During college, I had tons of free time. In med school now, I have some free time as an MS1. I am very busy, but I find time to do other things, and I've heard this is pretty consistent through the first two years at least.

For residency, it seems you are going to get killed. No way around that.

Post-residency, there are plenty of options.

It is a valid concern, but there are many options in medicine. After residency, many doctors who work the crazy hours and work really hard have chosen that lifestyle.

You will have to sacrifice a lot, and that's true for almost any specialty because medicine is rarely a 40 hr/wk job. But you can certainly make time for family and vacations.

 

[CloverHoney]

So I made up my mind about becoming a doctor, and Im pretty solid on my decision, just one thing that Im always coming back to. Thats free time, I know in college, med school, and even residency I wont have much free time, but what about when I am a doctor in whatever practice I choose. Will I be able to have a steady life to where I can have a successful marriage and have kids? Still be able to achieve some of my goals in life or go on vacation? I dont know why, but this is really the only thing thats holding me back.

No one will be able to give you a definitive answer since there is too much variability. IMO, your ability to have a successful marriage/kids/vacations/achieve life goals is just as dependent on your personality and time management skills as your future medical practice. I'm sure there are neurosurgeons at level 1 traumas that have more well-rounded lives than some community PM&R dudes (may be a little exaggerated 😉). Depends on you bro.

 

[Catalystik]

There is always opportunity for you to have a reasonable amount of free time, but this is usually associated with a decrease in compensation (which some people are okay with).

And decreased compensation makes it more difficult to pay off student loans, buy a big house (and other toys), and save for your children's college educations and retirement all at the same time.

 

[aSagacious]

And decreased compensation makes it more difficult to pay off student loans, buy a big house (and other toys), and save for your children's college educations and retirement all at the same time.

Good point. 🙂 Here's where I'm supposed to rebuttal with something about cake...

 

[Catalystik]

Good point. Here's where I'm supposed to rebuttal with something about cake...

It can all work out, . . . . . if you don't need sleep. 🙂

But learning to live with fewer toys is a healthier choice.

 

[mvenus929]

Honestly, it's all about your priorities. You will probably not be able to have everything you want. This applies in every step of the process. Something will have to give, whether it's free time, sleep time, compensation (grades), or one or more of your hobbies. But people have made it work and lead well balanced lives in the past, so it's certainly possible. Quite a bit is specialty dependent, though.

 

[Slack3r]

No free time in college? I had more time than I knew what to do with.

 

[hunterworth]

Okay, so it seems like it is mostly about how i manage my time, and then the whole sacrifice to get something more. But thanks guys, made me a little bit more comfortable about that at least. Just have to pick out a good specialty that I will enjoy I guess too. Now for those who are in Med School or Residency, do you have enough time to go exercise, because I am an avid road biker, and that is something that i love to do to keep in shape.