med students with serious hobbies on the side

[streudels]

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i'm starting med school this year and i was wondering if med students have had the opportunity to start/continue a serious hobby or complete non-medical projects on the side while studying medicine. e.g. small entrepreneurship gig, marathon running, writing short stories, making a photography portfolio, etc.

 

[MilkmanAl]

I work out every day, play my share of Call of Duty, cook, and do some other stuff, too. You can do whatever you want as long as you're willing to make the time for it, one way or another.

 

[URHere]

During MS1 and MS2, you should absolutely have the time. During my first two years, I worked as a freelance writer, taught MCAT prep, and did some occasional theatre work. I have also been in my dojo at least 3 days/week since I started school.

Not only can you spend time on your hobbies - doing so will probably help you handle stress and balance your life. Being in medical school is no reason to be miserable.

 

[thedoctor8706]

It's Monday... swing dancing night! Lots of chicks 😀

 

[osumc2014]

play guitar, draw and ran a half marathon, totally doable!

 

[RySerr21]

ive continued to play rugby, practice in the week, games on weekends, sometimes w/ serious traveling. Thats definitely my biggest commitment, but ive also picked up other fun hobbies that i never did before like leraning how to play the guitar! I'm also kept up my meditation practice w/ a local group and do other things involved w/ school (organizations and clubs).



Med schools time consuming, but it doesnt need to take over your entire life. Balance is the key my friend! The cool thing about med school is it forces you to figure out what things are most important in your life. You find the time to do those things. All the other stuff quickly goes away (for example, i havent had a TV in two years).

 

[medstudent87]

ive continued to play rugby, practice in the week, games on weekends, sometimes w/ serious traveling. Thats definitely my biggest commitment, but ive also picked up other fun hobbies that i never did before like leraning how to play the guitar! I'm also kept up my meditation practice w/ a local group and do other things involved w/ school (organizations and clubs).



Med schools time consuming, but it doesnt need to take over your entire life. Balance is the key my friend! The cool thing about med school is it forces you to figure out what things are most important in your life. You find the time to do those things. All the other stuff quickly goes away (for example, i havent had a TV in two years).

this.

 

[shadowfox87]

Honestly, I was pretty involved in some activities in undergrad including MMA & breakdancing, but that was one of my mistakes. I realized that later and am not going to make the same mistake in med school. Maybe some other people can do it, but I can't. I tried balancing, but I do much better when there's only 1 thing to focus on. Sure, maybe I can afford some free time in-between exams, but if I really want to do good in med school, I can't afford get seriously involved in anything.

 

[amakhosidlo]

I actually have more time to pursue hobbies than I did in undergrad, mainly because I'm no longer working a part-time job on the side

Skiing at least one day a week, doing an outdoor class this quarter, maybe some golf lessons too. Livin' the dream 👍

 

[metallica81788]

Do I still play guitar as much as I did in undergrad? No, but I still make time for it. I also have time to exercise every day, even when tests are a week away.

I definitely second the poster who said med school makes you prioritize what you really want to do with your free time. Plus, right now for me I have a little more free time since I'm not stuck in anatomy lab 3 or 4 times a week. Getting out at 12pm most days without a part-time job is awesome.

 

[willen101383]

I lift almost every day. I also shoot pistols/rifles at the indoor or outdoor range once a week.....and reload my own ammo. It keeps you busy during those slow lectures I watch from home!

Ill say it again...med school is busy...but it isnt the apocalypse most premeds think it is.

 

[dr zaius]

I run every day, play a good bit of WoW, and balance a good relationship with my girlfriend while still doing well on tests. It's all about time management.

 

[sugarsweet111]

For me it actually got easier to balance everything once I started pursuing my hobbies again after MS1. At first I focused so much on studying that I would get burned out way too quickly.

Now it's all about making life enjoyable (while still working hard of course 😉)

 

[EgotiStick]

+1 to the total of people who lift/workout regularly. I play a few intramural sports as well. I also cook a lot.

I laugh at classmates that tell me they have to force themselves to take studying breaks and/or don't have time for their own lives. Time management ftw

 

[shadowfox87]

I do have some time to play basketball once a week, but that's about it. I'd worry about making the grades first, then add in activities if you can handle it.

 

[celkon]

Good thread!

I work out daily, and play intramural sports. Currently on two intramural teams for different sports. I take atleast an hour or two a day to get my heart rate up. In the long term what i lose in time for studying I make up for with a healthy body and alot of endurance. I feel this endurance and focus helps me to accomplish alot more in a shorter period of time.

Healthy body= healthy mind

 

[deleted307836]

This thread is a serious breath of fresh air 👍

 

[bonsaipalmtree]

triathlete here! It's all about the time management. not having a TV helps too 🙂

 

[fleetgoddess]

I've ran marathons lots of half marathons.

Cycling and tri teams as well.