How long did it take you to adjust to medical school?

[yalla22]

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How long in terms of figuring out time management, a healthy lifestyle where you were able to incorporate food/exercise, and still feel relatively on top of things in the beginning of med school?

 

[Law2Doc]

How long in terms of figuring out time management, a healthy lifestyle where you were able to incorporate food/exercise, and still feel relatively on top of things in the beginning of med school?

I'll let you know when it happens.

 

[cbass1350]

I would say it really depends on the person. Some adjust faster than others. Personally, I found the med school experience to be too dynamic to get used to.

Soon as you start getting used to classes and the incredible amount of info that you need to learn, they throw you into the clinicals like a fish out of the water. By the time you learn the ins and outs of each specialty, you are moved to a different one. So, you see, it's pretty difficult to simply adjust to everything (aside from being treated like crap. I did eventually get used to that!).

The only peace/calm before the storm will be in your fourth year, because you have the option of choosing some of your electives. Even that is punctuated by nail-biting of step II and registering for the match or getting letters of recommendation from lame attendings who didn't even know you existed.

 

[makeitstop]

My roommate, a music major currently doing a psychology internship at Mayo amused herself by sending me this article:

Unique Identifier 14640860
Authors Park CL. Adler NE.
Authors Full Name Park, Crystal L. Adler, Nancy E.
Institution Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA. clpark@uconnvm.uconn.edu
Title Coping style as a predictor of health and well-being across the first year of medical school.
Source Health Psychology. 22(6):627-31, 2003 Nov.
Abstract Medical students in their 1st year (N=71) were assessed prior to starting training and at year's end. Coping styles reported at baseline were strongly related to coping styles at the end of the year. Students' physical health and psychological well-being declined over the course of the year. The greater the students' use of both problem-focused coping and approach emotion-focused coping, the less their physical health deteriorated. Psychological well-being at year's end was more strongly related to baseline functioning, and coping style did not predict change. This study demonstrated the utility of measuring coping style and the predictive ability of coping on physical health in a healthy sample.
Publication Type Comparative Study. Journal Article. Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S..


Seriously though, I don't know anyone in med school who ever feels "on top of things". No matter how much you do, you will always feel and be behind. Get over it. Eat healthy, work out every day, and sleep whenever you can. These things make take up precious study hours, but trust me, you'll be much healthier and happier when it's all done with...and IMHO you're more focused and productive when you actually do study.

 

[psipsina]

I'll let you know when it happens.

I agree! I think most find their academic groove (i.e. not in a state of panic, an idea of what study method works best) by the second semester of M1 but I don't know anyone who's really well adjusted overall at any point. I always feel like I have to let something slide, there just isn't enough time for everything . . . apparently last year that something was my finances (yay overdraft protection!). Also everytime I get comfortable with a particular course its over, and I'm sure right when I get the hang of pre-clinicals all will fall apart when we switch over to clinical years . . . and then each new rotation will be an adjustment.

 

[AggieJohn]

Yalla, you seem pretty anxious over school.

You'll do fine! 👍

 

[yalla22]

Yalla, you seem pretty anxious over school.

You'll do fine! 👍

you have no idea...

 

[PeepshowJohnny]

Fear the times you begin to feel comfortable...that means a huge change is on the horizon.

 

[AmoryBlaine]

Fear the times you begin to feel comfortable...that means a huge change is on the horizon.

Hmm, that sign should be posted above the door of third year orientation.

 

[lilnoelle]

I felt pretty much in the groove last year academically, although my health (i.e. exercise, eating right) went completely by the wayside. I'm hoping to do better this year.... *crosses fingers*

 

[Non-TradTulsa]

Get over it. Eat healthy, work out every day, and sleep whenever you can. These things make take up precious study hours, but trust me, you'll be much healthier and happier when it's all done with...and IMHO you're more focused and productive when you actually do study.

Amen, sister or brother! I heard that advice at the beginning of last year... eat, work out, sleep properly - then the advice went in one ear and out the other. I was so afraid I wouldn't 'make it' that I was studying around the clock - and lost 25 pounds in five weeks. Let's just say I got a little strange before I got my grip back.

Taking care of yourself is, in the long run, the only survival strategy that works. I wish I could tell you that your fears were unjustified, yalla - but it's such a massive change in lifestyle, it's not easy for anybody. You'll find your way that works for you - we all do. 🙂

But don't wait around to feel "on top of things." Not gonna happen.

 

[GBFKicks]

How long in terms of figuring out time management, a healthy lifestyle where you were able to incorporate food/exercise, and still feel relatively on top of things in the beginning of med school?

It's good to be a little nervous--I think most people are in the beginning, and it will keep you on your toes. But you also need to relax a little bit. There will be trying times in the future, but worrying so much about them at this point really wont get you anywhere. Take things one step at a time, don't be afraid to ask for help, don't doubt yourself, and you will be just fine.

 

[UT_mikie]

Hmm, that sign should be posted above the door of third year orientation.

And PGY-1.

 

[45408]

for first year, I was mostly in a groove after first block. Of course, first block was my worst round of exams, first and second semester, so that sucked....

Starting second year shortly....

 

[peace zealot]

till you take your first test its never clear to you how impossible time management is........
well i am exagerating.when you start up you easily learn to manage your time among your activities and studies.....a month is more than enough.although varies from person to person.
good luck!

 

[shivasHeroLike]

every semester is an adjustment