How many hours (daily) do med students study

[shoeclothes]

I'll be starting med school this fall and curious how many hours med students study (daily).

Anyone

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[sacrament]

I study about two hours a day. In the couple days before a test, maybe up to four. Some of my classmates study much much more (five, six hours a day), and some study less. I'm probably about average, maybe a little less.

 

[TysonCook]

I shoot for about 2hrs/day, then the 2-3 days before a test up to 10hrs/day, depending on how I'm feeling about the material, and what kind of grade I want in the class.

 

[Jumpu]

Wow,
That seems a lot less than others have said in the past. I would have expected something like 5-6 hours a day.

 

[Zack90]

I study about 3-4 hours a day if I do not go to class (which I usually do not). If I go to class on a partulcar day, then I most likely won't do any reading or studying on my own that day....

 

[tBw]

Originally posted by Zack90
I study about 3-4 hours a day if I do not go to class (which I usually do not). If I go to class on a partulcar day, then I most likely won't do any reading or studying on my own that day....

....if people want to quote hours maybe they could comment on whether they are in a lecture or pbl curric and whether they attend or not....as zack90 points out it seems to make a difference....thanks for the input from people though - it's pretty interesting.

 

[sacrament]

Originally posted by the boy wonder
....if people want to quote hours maybe they could comment on whether they are in a lecture or pbl curric and whether they attend or not....as zack90 points out it seems to make a difference....thanks for the input from people though - it's pretty interesting.

Good point. I don't go to lecture.

 

[Jalby]

I have 20 hours a week of lecture, make about 17 hours of it. I study about 14 hours total a week on none test weeks. for the two weeks before the test, I study about 30 hours a week.

 

[sacrament]

Originally posted by Jalby
I have 20 hours a week of lecture, make about 17 hours of it. I study about 14 hours total a week on none test weeks. for the two weeks before the test, I study about 30 hours a week.

Jalby, how often do you have tests? We have a test either every second or third week... if there was more material than that on a test, I think I'd have a stroke.

 

[shoeclothes]

If you guys study on average 4 hours daily, how many hours do you study on the weekends?

 

[Starflyr]

For the first two years, I studied the week before the test. Sometimes, if the material was memorization-intense (gross, neuro), Id study more consistently, ~2 hrs/day.

Right now, Im studying for the boards, and 12-14 hours/day is about average. I get up at 6:30 and study until bedtime, normally. I do go to a prep class for 4.5 of those hours (8-12:30), though, which helps.

Star

 

[Laura JC]

I'm married with kids, so I don't study much during the week, other than reading the notes, once before the lecture and once after the lecture. I make up for it on the weekends, and study all day Saturday and Sunday.

 

[MD2b06]

Originally posted by Street Philosopher
hmmm that doesn't sound so bad...

I think these numbers are deceptive at best. 2 hrs/ day? W/O going to class? I don't see how that's even possible. Non test weeks aren't bad, but come exam week, almost everyone in my class is putting in 10-12 hours/day. That could be either from going to class and sudying afterwards or from going straight to the library 1st thing in the morning. 2 hrs/day is much less than your average med student. The reason you have to put in so much time is b/c of all the minutae on the exams.

 

[DrMom]

Originally posted by MD2b06
I think these numbers are deceptive at best. 2 hrs/ day? W/O going to class? I don't see how that's even possible. Non test weeks aren't bad, but come exam week, almost everyone in my class is putting in 10-12 hours/day. That could be either from going to class and sudying afterwards or from going straight to the library 1st thing in the morning. 2 hrs/day is much less than your average med student. The reason you have to put in so much time is b/c of all the minutae on the exams.

I was thinking the same thing. Your description matches what most of my class does. (a little high for the average on test weeks, but last semester we had exams nearly every week).

 

[Jalopycat]

Wow, these numbers seem light to me. I study 3-5 hours/day depending on my schedule. A week before test block I study 10-12 hours/day which is about all I can do without going nuts!

I know people that SAY they don't study until the night before a test, but I don't believe them.

 

[DrMom]

I neglected to give my info.

I do somewhere around 5-8 hrs/day on non-test weeks and 10+ for a number of days before exams. I virtually always take Friday nights, Saturday mornings, and Sunday mornings off. I attend the vast majority of my classes, but will skip if I deem it not worth my time.

 

[sacrament]

Originally posted by MD2b06
I think these numbers are deceptive at best. 2 hrs/ day? W/O going to class? I don't see how that's even possible.

Well, I don't know what to tell you. I'm not lying, if that's what you're implying. I guess I'm good at memorizing lots of little details.

(edit: I don't go to lecture, but I do go to labs, small group sessions, etc., so it isn't like I spend a grand total of 2 hours a day on medical school. More like about four.)

 

[Starflyr]

2 hours a day, with going to class in my case. Most of it is looking up learning issues for PBL, though I do read lecture scribes sometimes. Keep in mind, I only had 2 classes going concurrently during the 1st 2 years, since material (except for the ethics/biostats/hx/px stuff) was presented in blocks - 1 block at a time, with practice of medicine (which was fluff in comparison). I bet people who take 5 different classes at once DO have to study more.

Star

 

[Andrew_Doan]

Originally posted by shoeclothes
I'll be starting med school this fall and curious how many hours med students study (daily).

Anyone

If you pay attention during lectures, then 2-3 hours a day. I did all nighters before the big exams.

 

[MD2b06]

Originally posted by sacrament
Well, I don't know what to tell you. I'm not lying, if that's what you're implying. I guess I'm good at memorizing lots of little details.

No, I just don't want to give future med students the impression that they can skip class, put in 2 hrs a day, and be ok come test time. For most people, that would be a recipe for disaster. I guess it's possible for a very select few to get by on 2 hrs/day, i just know I couldn't do it. Or perhaps I should just stop counting my time spent socializing in study groups as study time?

 

[TysonCook]

I guess I should repost what I do...
During the week, every day, I will study at least 2 hrs, in the library with no distractions, somedays 3hrs. I don't go to class, but I do go to all small groups, and read at least 1-2 days in advance.

On the weekends I try to put in 8 hours btw. both days, and then by four days before a test I will start putting in 12 hour days.

I definately agree, you can't study 2 hrs/day and pass.

I guess by the weeks if you add up the #'s it works out to about 20+ hours a week, and then up to about 70+ the week before tests.

Unfortunately I am not a super genious, but I do study with no distractions (in the corner of the basement of the library) which for me is productive.

 

[Jalby]

Originally posted by sacrament
Jalby, how often do you have tests? We have a test either every second or third week... if there was more material than that on a test, I think I'd have a stroke.

Varies from every 7 weeks to 10 for first year. Second year it's every 5 weeks.

 

[GobindSingh]

Ok, some good responses here but the important question is how much do you have to study to achieve a certain level of performance?

If you want to Honor all your classes, I would guess that you need to study 6 hours/day on weekday and 8 or more on weekends.

To just pass your classes, 2 hours/day might be enough.

If you're attending class and want to get something out of it, I suggest - very highly - that you preread the previous year's lecture notes and then come to class looking to reinforce and clarify what you read.

What I also learned is that your fitness level and diet have a great deal to do with how long you can study and - ultimately - your performance. If you're very fit and eat a low-carb/high-protein diet, you can study much longer, memorize better and sit in one place for a longer period of time.

For fitness, I recommend running 2-3 times a week and weight-training at least 2 times a week. Use a high-weight/low-rep program. Low-weight/ high-rep programs take too much out of you and increase your need for sleep and rest and also make you gain muscle.

I really must stress that having a high level of physical fitness will mitigate - to some extent - the debilitation that ensues from constant studying and will allow you to do as well as possible.

When you start your classes, be as fit as possible and - no matter what - allocate time to your body during the course of the semester.

Being fit is a key to surviving and doing well in medical school.

Good luck!

 

[sacrament]

Originally posted by GobindSingh
Ok, some good responses here but the important question is how much do you have to study to achieve a certain level of performance?

I got Honors in one class, Near Honors in two others, and I'm almost definitely going to get just Pass in this one--especially after my killer test this AM. So I guess my 2 hrs a day isn't getting me stellar, jaw-dropping grades, but I'm fine with it.

It is sort of pointless to speculate on how much you might be studying though, because everybody is different. One of my classmates barely studies at all, he just goes to lecture, and he's gotten Near Honors in everything. And then I know a woman who studies almost literally from dawn until bedtime, and she's struggling to pass. It just depends on how quickly you soak stuff up.

 

[DrMom]

Originally posted by sacrament
It is sort of pointless to speculate on how much you might be studying though, because everybody is different. It just depends on how quickly you soak stuff up.

And you really won't know how well you'll do this in med school until you're in the middle of it.

 

[tBw]

Originally posted by GobindSingh
If you're very fit and eat a low-carb/high-protein diet, you can study much longer, memorize better and sit in one place for a longer period of time.

I'm sorry, I know it's true, and I know you're serious, but the very notion of all these pre-meds reading this and then ruinning out and gobbling up specific diets just so they could study more has me cracking up...

 

[GobindSingh]

For some reason, it seems that wanting to do well in medical school and being disciplined about it is somehow 'not cool' and frowned upon by fellow students sometimes even ridiculed.

But I think being successful and accomplished at what you feel a great sense of purpose toward and have a tremendous passion for is the absolute coolest thing in the world.

 

[tBw]

Originally posted by GobindSingh
For some reason, it seems that wanting to do well in medical school and being disciplined about it is somehow 'not cool' and frowned upon by fellow students sometimes even ridiculed.

But I think being successful and accomplished at what you feel a great sense of purpose toward and have a tremendous passion for is the absolute coolest thing in the world.

well, I apologise if my sense of humor/post offended you. I agree that hard work is commendable. However, we're all familiar with the sometimes comical lengths pre-meds etc can go to, and the image of them taking a specific diet, not even for their health, but so that they can study longer is *still* comical to me. But maybe I am better able to laugh at myself than others.

 

[GobindSingh]

Who said anything about premeds?

Wasn't this thread about how much time medical students spend studying?

Premed, sremed, we're talking major leagues here folks not the minors!

 

[Fletch_F_Fletch]

I am a first year, and study probably an average of 3 hours a day without attending class at all. If there is a big test coming up, I'll put in probably 7 hours a day starting a week or so out. I usually don't study any more on the weekends than I do during the week, and probably go out 3-4 nights a week on average. I usually work out in the middle of studying to get a little break as well. We're on an H/P/F system, and I honored only one class last semester, and will honor one (possibly two) classes this semester. It's just not that important to me to get honors right now... I'd much rather enjoy the first two years, and if that means I don't honor all my classes, so be it. I've had a good time this year, though, and I think if I spent more time gunning for grades I would go crazy before the end of next year.

 

[profunda]

I never study or go to class. I honored all my classes so far except for anatomy. I just go in to take the test, and the exam questions seem to be intuitive. No prior knowledge of anything is need to answer these bonehead questions. Except for anatomy however. That's just pure memorization, and since I skip all the labs, I'd be lucky to pass.

 

[Starflyr]

LOL profunda

I will also clarify my posts - I do not study to HP or honor, I study to pass. I have high passed the two "fluff" (Practice of Medicine) classes. The other classes, well, I have a family and a stepdaughter who lives with us 100% of the time, and I do my darndest to save time for them. Right now, of course, taht isnt happening, what with the USMLE.

The one downside to my minimal studying program is that it doesnt stand up very well to stress. I have failed one class. Somehow, though, I think that it was less due to my studying technique/time and more due to the fact that my mom was diagnosed with cancer during that block, and it took several weeks to get sentinal node results and overall prognosis. She was also in surgury when I took the final exam, so it was difficult to concentrate. Im not sure I would've passed even if I had studied 24 hours a day.

Luckily, I can and will remediate that class in time to start 3rd year with everyone else.

From what I've heard, its really more your step 1 score and clinical evaluations taht count for residency, unless you failed a class. Even then, it depends on the circumstances under which you failed it. Not that it matters that much, I want to do pedi, and it isnt the most competitive specialty out there.

Star

 

[8744]

Originally posted by GobindSingh
Ok, some good responses here but the important question is how much do you have to study to achieve a certain level of performance?

If you want to Honor all your classes, I would guess that you need to study 6 hours/day on weekday and 8 or more on weekends.

To just pass your classes, 2 hours/day might be enough.

If you're attending class and want to get something out of it, I suggest - very highly - that you preread the previous year's lecture notes and then come to class looking to reinforce and clarify what you read.

What I also learned is that your fitness level and diet have a great deal to do with how long you can study and - ultimately - your performance. If you're very fit and eat a low-carb/high-protein diet, you can study much longer, memorize better and sit in one place for a longer period of time.

For fitness, I recommend running 2-3 times a week and weight-training at least 2 times a week. Use a high-weight/low-rep program. Low-weight/ high-rep programs take too much out of you and increase your need for sleep and rest and also make you gain muscle.

I really must stress that having a high level of physical fitness will mitigate - to some extent - the debilitation that ensues from constant studying and will allow you to do as well as possible.

When you start your classes, be as fit as possible and - no matter what - allocate time to your body during the course of the semester.

Being fit is a key to surviving and doing well in medical school.

Good luck!

I agree completely. While I am not in as good shape as I was in my Marine days, I run about 25 miles per week and try to do pushups and pull-ups every other day. (But I destest anything related to the abs.) It really does help me study. During first year I put on some weight because I thought I didn't have time to run PT. I felt fat, sloppy, and restless which do not contribute to effective studying. This last year I have made time, even if it involves getting up an hour earlier.

Hey, I have three kids. If I can make time for PT then surely all of you single folks can carve out four hours per week from your busy schedule of studying and jello shots for excercise.

 

[Doc Ivy]

Use a high-weight/low-rep program. Low-weight/ high-rep programs take too much out of you and increase your need for sleep and rest and also make you gain muscle.

Not to get off topic, but doesn't a high weight low rep program build muscle? Any sports med/nutrition buffs wanna challenge me?

Peace~Doc

 

[Jalby]

Originally posted by Doc Ivy
Not to get off topic, but doesn't a high weight low rep program build muscle? Any sports med/nutrition buffs wanna challenge me?

Peace~Doc

The difference is weather you are building type 1 vs. type 2 muscle fibers. A low rep, high weight program builds type 2 muscles, which I think build more mass than type one. Type 2 is mostly for short burst contractions and adapt the easiest. Type 1 is for prolonged contractions and it is a lot harder to damage them so that they would be rebuilt stronger. So if you want to build muscle, it is a TON easier to train your type 2 fibers.

(My test on this is in 5 days)

 

[jay c]

I'm now PGY4 in GI, and throughout med school, residency and fellowship, it's all about consistency. i studied 2-3 hours per day, never did all nighters, and did not increase studying before exams. as long as you are consistent, you will do fine.

 

[GobindSingh]

Originally posted by Jalby
The difference is weather you are building type 1 vs. type 2 muscle fibers. A low rep, high weight program builds type 2 muscles, which I think build more mass than type one. Type 2 is mostly for short burst contractions and adapt the easiest. Type 1 is for prolonged contractions and it is a lot harder to damage them so that they would be rebuilt stronger. So if you want to build muscle, it is a TON easier to train your type 2 fibers.

(My test on this is in 5 days)

High-weight, low-rep programs are used by competition lifters who can't afford to gain weight because it puts them into a higher (and stronger) weight class.

This type of program improves neuromuscular efficiency so that more skeletal muscle fibers are recruited into a contraction.

I've been lifting for a long time (>10 years), I've found that low-weight and high-rep programs make me gain muscle and weight fairly quickly while the converse does not.

Cheers.

 

[basupran]

Originally posted by GobindSingh
High-weight, low-rep programs are used by competition lifters who can't afford to gain weight because it puts them into a higher (and stronger) weight class.

This type of program improves neuromuscular efficiency so that more skeletal muscle fibers are recruited into a contraction.

I've been lifting for a long time (>10 years), I've found that low-weight and high-rep programs make me gain muscle and weight fairly quickly while the converse does not.

Cheers.

Hey Gobind, you must be the biggest doctor out there! 10 years, wow.... I am looking to start med school for Fall 2004, and one of my biggest fears is not being able to work out. I currently go 5-6x a week, with a heavy and a light day for each body group twice a week....about 1.5 hours each session, 2 hours with travelling....will I have enough time for this in med school? That is one of my fears about going to med school, I need time to work out!!!! If I give up watching TV, and limit my socializing to the gym, will there be enough time?

 

[TysonCook]

At Cincinnati we have a weight gym in our school that we built which is only for residents/dr.s and medical students (and is free). It's a great way to meet specialists and find out about their fields, plus you don't have to travel to get there, just walk upstairs and down the hallway. We also have another gym across the street that is bigger, but you must pay $45/qtr. for it.

For some reason our Ortho dept. is something like a lifting competetion, all of those guys rep 270+ without breaking a sweat.....makes you wonder about the lifestyle of Ortho's?!?!

I study until I burn out, then lift for a while, then study/review what I had looked at earlier. 3-4 days a week, 1-1.5 hours session. I don't really like to spend more time than that in the gym. So at least for me during first year, I have time to work out consistently (until I broke my ankle 2 days ago)

 

[basupran]

Haha, my friend told me about the 'hot' ortho guys...they are supposed to be super strong....
Keep up your lifting, cool that you have time for it....
Sorry about your ankle btw....

 

[phllystyl]

Originally posted by GobindSingh
For some reason, it seems that wanting to do well in medical school and being disciplined about it is somehow 'not cool' and frowned upon by fellow students sometimes even ridiculed.

But I think being successful and accomplished at what you feel a great sense of purpose toward and have a tremendous passion for is the absolute coolest thing in the world.

Someone needs to work out their Sarcasmius muscle a bit more.

 

[profunda]

I dont know how you all are studying 2 hours a day without going to lectures, taking weekends off. 0 of my classmates are putting in anything remotely close to that. Most of my classmates wouldnt even pass if they put in those hours. And if you can study 2 hours a day and pass, why not study 10 hours a day and honor all your classes? What happened to that infamous undergrad "competitiveness" and "gunnin attitude?" Where are all you hardworking future orthopedists?

I cant see how a majority of sdn allopaths are studying so little, yet a majority of my classmate allopaths are studying so much more.

 

[Doc Ivy]

Originally posted by profunda

I cant see how a majority of sdn allopaths are studying so little, yet a majority of my classmate allopaths are studying so much more.

I believe that statistically speaking what we're dealing with on SDN is a cohort of future allopaths that is performing several standard deviations higher than then average med student... I kid, I kid

Peace ~ Doc

 

[GobindSingh]

Basupran,

Medical school is all about:

1. Priorities

2. Time management

3. Efficiency - which is really a corollary of number 2.


If you want to be in great shape during school, its possible but will require a significant commitment.

Luckily, I've found that - for me - there is a significant correlation between my relative level of fitness - both muscular and cardiovascular - and my academics.

Medical school - if you approach it the right way - is really alot of fun and it is a tremendous honor and opportunity to have the chance to study medicine and to be around so many amazing people. Being as fit as you can be allows you to appreciate this fascinating period of your life with as high a quality of life as possible.

Cheers.

 

[profunda]

I see, so the secret is to work out 5 hours a day, and study 2 hours a day, and I'll honor every class. Let me begin this regimen immediately.

Originally posted by GobindSingh
Basupran,

Medical school is all about:

1. Priorities

2. Time management

3. Efficiency - which is really a corollary of number 2.


If you want to be in great shape during school, its possible but will require a significant commitment.

Luckily, I've found that - for me - there is a significant correlation between my relative level of fitness - both muscular and cardiovascular - and my academics.

Medical school - if you approach it the right way - is really alot of fun and it is a tremendous honor and opportunity to have the chance to study medicine and to be around so many amazing people. Being as fit as you can be allows you to appreciate this fascinating period of your life with as high a quality of life as possible.

Cheers.

 

[DarksideAllstar]

its funny, because I actually study 0.38 hours per day and work out like 10 and I do really well ! I just cant believe how much I improved when I quit studying 2 hours per day!
(note the sarcasm. I am sure that most on this forum probably spend 4 or so hours per night studying)

 

[sacrament]

Originally posted by UCSFFreak
its funny, because I actually study 0.38 hours per day and work out like 10 and I do really well ! I just cant believe how much I improved when I quit studying 2 hours per day!
(note the sarcasm. I am sure that most on this forum probably spend 4 or so hours per night studying)

If you notice how much time I spend online, you'd see that couldn't possibly be true for me.

 

[TysonCook]

As far as studying 2 hrs a day, and taking the weekends off? I could never pass doing that (see my previous posts), but I absolutely know that there is about 5% of my class that does. Yes, they are those super smart triple majors in Neurosci, Phys, and Molecular Engeneering, or Ph.D's in Biochem etc. It is done and they do honor all the classes... but at least for us normal folks....

I think that it just comes down to number crunching and figuring out what is best for you. Lets break it down...

Sleep...8 hours max
Eating..1.5 hours (.5x3)
Classes...4 hours
Study......4 hours (higher than some/less than others)
Travel.... .5 hours (live next to school=lots of free time)
----------------------
Total 18 hours/day
Leaving 6 hours/day weekday, or 10 hours free weekend

Adjust the #'s for you and this still leaves c. 6 hours to do whatever you want...so technically you can shoot for 10 hours of studying a day like profunda wants, or work out for 1-2 hours like gobindsingh wants, and still have 4 hours to see your girlfriend, go to the bar, volunteer , or gasp....get a job.

I will say that being physically fit is enormously beneficial in MY studying. I have more energy, didn't gain the 10+ pounds that a lot of my class did, and can focus much more and for longer if need be. The dreaded Freshman 15 is a major reality MSI.

For me I see my life as a sqare that I want to stay in the center of w/4 corners being Mind, Body, Spirit, and Family, sounds cheezy but if you stray too much toward 1 corner, the others corners suffer, and then you have a hard time getting back to center.

Some people watch TV in their spare time (I highly suggest killing the squre devil), some drink, some read, some work out, whatever your kick is you will have the time as long as you schedule your day right.

 

[profunda]

TysonCook, could you calculate my hours for me again if you consider my hours to include:

sleep...8 hours MIN
masterbation...variable hours

i was not a math major, so could you readjust for me?

Originally posted by TysonCook
As far as studying 2 hrs a day, and taking the weekends off? I could never pass doing that (see my previous posts), but I absolutely know that there is about 5% of my class that does. Yes, they are those super smart triple majors in Neurosci, Phys, and Molecular Engeneering, or Ph.D's in Biochem etc. It is done and they do honor all the classes... but at least for us normal folks....

I think that it just comes down to number crunching and figuring out what is best for you. Lets break it down...

Sleep...8 hours max
Eating..1.5 hours (.5x3)
Classes...4 hours
Study......4 hours (higher than some/less than others)
Travel.... .5 hours (live next to school=lots of free time)
----------------------
Total 18 hours/day
Leaving 6 hours/day weekday, or 10 hours free weekend

Adjust the #'s for you and this still leaves c. 6 hours to do whatever you want...so technically you can shoot for 10 hours of studying a day like profunda wants, or work out for 1-2 hours like gobindsingh wants, and still have 4 hours to see your girlfriend, go to the bar, volunteer , or gasp....get a job.

I will say that being physically fit is enormously beneficial in MY studying. I have more energy, didn't gain the 10+ pounds that a lot of my class did, and can focus much more and for longer if need be. The dreaded Freshman 15 is a major reality MSI.

For me I see my life as a sqare that I want to stay in the center of w/4 corners being Mind, Body, Spirit, and Family, sounds cheezy but if you stray too much toward 1 corner, the others corners suffer, and then you have a hard time getting back to center.

Some people watch TV in their spare time (I highly suggest killing the squre devil), some drink, some read, some work out, whatever your kick is you will have the time as long as you schedule your day right.