How do you handle??

I wouldn't get too concerned about it. I had friends who got really thingy about this too: those friends were working part-time, living with mum and dad who still payed all their bills, car insurance etc, and not studying. However, your 'real' friends will realise that you just don't have enough time for them, right now. You will have holidays etc when you get to catch up with them, and they will just have to put up with it. I have a couple of really good friends, and I probably only see them every other month! But when ever we catch up, its always like old times. They understand that I have a life outside of our friendship, which needs to take priority for a while - when they really need me I'm there and vice versa, but otherwise its pretty low key. Also, email is great. Couple of times a week, we drop a line just to say we are still alive etc! Also, making a few friends who are taking the same classes as you also helps - they understand what you are going through a little better. Hope that helps!

 

Friends? What does that mean?

 

Price you pay . . .

 

It's hard to say, but people outside of medical school just won't be able to completely relate. Some will, if they have similarly busy lifestyles, but usually that's job related. When you're in your twenties, and your business is schoolwork related, people have a hard time figuring out why any time they ask what you're doing you say "I'm studying". I had a conversation with my pastor about how people don't seem to get that I'm 24 but have to schedule my time with friends into "appointments" almost, whereas with him being 40+ and working people see it as a natural thing to schedule time to hang out. My roommate even made a comment that he thought I want people to think I'm busy, and not hang out. Truth is I have sometimes sacrificed doing work I would need to in order to spend some time with those friends so we're not totally estranged, but it will eventually happen that those friends just won't be capable of being close friends.

Since your free time is limited, prioritize which friends are most important, and focus on making those relationships great, and don't feel too bad about not taking lunch or coffee or going to drinks or a movie with the 'crowd'.

 

This thread is a duplicate to one in Non-Traditional forum and I am closing. You can go over to the Non-Trad Forum and reply there. Thanks.