Nontrads: How do you do it?

[LittlePuppy]

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Heya!

Mid 20’s single here, currently residing with parents. I just recently started working and going back to school at the same time.. and I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. I know there are others who have way more responsibility than me. But I just feel maybe I bit off more than I could chew? But time is of the essence too... Or maybe I’m just not good at managing my time. I have a full time job while taking up 2 classes at night this term. And on top of that, there are student loans to think about. It’s just very overwhelming. So I guess my question is, how do you guys do it? Is there something I’m not seeing or am I doing something incorrectly? My journey has only begun and I’m already overwhelmed. What more when the subjects are complicated? Any words of wisdom are welcome.

Thank you!

 

[nobaddays]

There's no magic bullet for this. For me, it's mostly about forcing myself to do what I know I have to do instead of what I want to do. Can't go out and party if there's a test coming up. Most of my friends work full-time and don't understand that my weekends are spent studying or volunteering. It can be annoying, but it's all an investment in my future, so it is what it is.

If you're living at home maybe you could cut back to working part-time and have more time to study.

 

[lumya]

You just have to take it one day at a time. I’ve been tired since 2015.

For more practical advice, here are some of the things that helped me:

• I worked a desk job where there would be down time, I used that time to study
• Make flash cards or get an app on your phone to squeeze in time during your transit (if you’re not driving!) or during random breaks like getting coffee
• Have a good support system - all of my friends and family have been incredibly supportive and they don’t pester me to go out on a Thursday knowing I have classes. Some even dropped off food during my post-MCAT coma so I didn’t starve
• Do something that keeps you sane - I run, a lot, and it helps with mental clarity but also it allows me to do something each day that’s different and is only for me
• On a similar note, don’t eat like crap, you’ll feel like crap
• Find a study buddy - even if you don’t actually study with them, knowing a couple people in your classes helps. I have a couple friends I can text to get notes if the rest of my life gets in the way of my academic life
• Write out a five year plan, then a 10 year plan. For me, I worked backwards, in 10 years I want to be in a fellowship, and then using that I worked backwards. I found that if I knew what I was working towards, it helped me be motivated even when I wasnt
• Break everything down into chunks. Taking all the classes and studying for the MCAT seems intimidating but you can easily dedicate 30 min today to studying for your quiz in X class. Keep your stress to the immediate future
• I was lucky to not have undergraduate loans but I know some of my friends who did were able to apply for a deferral. I would look into that if possible

 

[LittlePuppy]

There's no magic bullet for this. For me, it's mostly about forcing myself to do what I know I have to do instead of what I want to do. Can't go out and party if there's a test coming up. Most of my friends work full-time and don't understand that my weekends are spent studying or volunteering. It can be annoying, but it's all an investment in my future, so it is what it is.

If you're living at home maybe you could cut back to working part-time and have more time to study.

Sorry for only replying now. Finally go some free time. Thanks for the tips! My coworkers don’t know yet that I’m doing a post-bacc on top of work, and only a handful of my friends know that I am doing a post-bacc so it makes things a little interesting when they ask me what my plans are for the weekend. I just say clean or sleep, as opposed to doing school work. Oh and working full time is a priority as well.. gotta pay of those student loans first. 🤣

 

[LittlePuppy]

You just have to take it one day at a time. I’ve been tired since 2015.

For more practical advice, here are some of the things that helped me:

• I worked a desk job where there would be down time, I used that time to study
• Make flash cards or get an app on your phone to squeeze in time during your transit (if you’re not driving!) or during random breaks like getting coffee
• Have a good support system - all of my friends and family have been incredibly supportive and they don’t pester me to go out on a Thursday knowing I have classes. Some even dropped off food during my post-MCAT coma so I didn’t starve
• Do something that keeps you sane - I run, a lot, and it helps with mental clarity but also it allows me to do something each day that’s different and is only for me
• On a similar note, don’t eat like crap, you’ll feel like crap
• Find a study buddy - even if you don’t actually study with them, knowing a couple people in your classes helps. I have a couple friends I can text to get notes if the rest of my life gets in the way of my academic life
• Write out a five year plan, then a 10 year plan. For me, I worked backwards, in 10 years I want to be in a fellowship, and then using that I worked backwards. I found that if I knew what I was working towards, it helped me be motivated even when I wasnt
• Break everything down into chunks. Taking all the classes and studying for the MCAT seems intimidating but you can easily dedicate 30 min today to studying for your quiz in X class. Keep your stress to the immediate future
• I was lucky to not have undergraduate loans but I know some of my friends who did were able to apply for a deferral. I would look into that if possible

Sorry for only replying now! Finally got some free time. First and foremost, thank you for the tips! My work involves hands on patient care and down time is for documentation. On top of that, people at work don’t know that I’m going back to school.

The support system is great, tbh! My SO and family are very supportive and understanding of my situation; makes things a whole lot easier.

With the leisure part, I’m a bit half and half. I feel like it takes too much time, but I do it anyway lol. I play video games with my friends as a form of leisure. Still trying to figure out where to squeeze in working out (a bit of leisure and productivity) between school, work, and studying.

I always look at the future, sometimes it causes me to procrastinate even more or neglect the upcoming tests and say that everything will fall into place. But for it to fall into place, I need to work my butt off sooo it’s a bit contradicting.

I will try that 30 minute study everyday! I know more than anything that it’s about consistency, not as much as intensity. I guess it’s just hard finding the right balance yet and I’m hoping to find it soon. But thank you so much for your tips! Looks like I’ve got a long way to go compared to what you’ve gone through. I wish you the best though!

 

[EasyEveryoneWouldDoIt]

active duty military who is going through the process and for a good chunk of it i was working nights as an noncommissioned officer while taking 2-3 classes each semester. Trust me there are times where i felt exhausted and wanted to quit, but i reminded myself how badly i wanted it. it took it one test, assignment at a time. and i always tried to be 2-3 weeks ahead. during summer vacation or between classes i would get the books for the following semester and prestudy since i knew that at some point during the semester because of military obligation i would be forced to take some time off. youtube videoes during off time for class i am taking. the UC irving has some amazing courseware. this path isn't easy but if it was easy everyone would do it

 

[Lucid_Dream]

Do you have a wife and kids? If not I feel like it should not be necessarily difficult. I work full time and go to school, and this is the least stressful time of my life.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

active duty military who is going through the process and for a good chunk of it i was working nights as an noncommissioned officer while taking 2-3 classes each semester. Trust me there are times where i felt exhausted and wanted to quit, but i reminded myself how badly i wanted it. it took it one test, assignment at a time. and i always tried to be 2-3 weeks ahead. during summer vacation or between classes i would get the books for the following semester and prestudy since i knew that at some point during the semester because of military obligation i would be forced to take some time off. youtube videoes during off time for class i am taking. the UC irving has some amazing courseware. this path isn't easy but if it was easy everyone would do it

Same. Active duty here. I’m in an smp applying now, but when I was finishing my degree I was taking 4 classes per semester while working 70-80+ hours per week including 24-30 hour days, plus underways and deployment. Oh and I also was raising two kids under two years old.

I was basically chronically sleep deprived for two and half years. At one point when my second was born, I was only getting 2-3 hours of sleep per night. I actually slept more on duty and underway than I did at home.

There’s no shortcut. It takes a lot of dedication, hard work, and tenacity for us non-trads to get through the same process as kids right out of high school. Getting good grades, volunteering, and getting good ECs is easy when you don’t have to work or take care of a family. I think that’s why adcoms love non-trads so much.

 

[nobaddays]

Sorry for only replying now. Finally go some free time. Thanks for the tips! My coworkers don’t know yet that I’m doing a post-bacc on top of work, and only a handful of my friends know that I am doing a post-bacc so it makes things a little interesting when they ask me what my plans are for the weekend. I just say clean or sleep, as opposed to doing school work. Oh and working full time is a priority as well.. gotta pay of those student loans first. 🤣

I feel you. I also haven’t told any coworkers my plans. I work in a completely unrelated field and don’t really want them knowing I’m preparing to jump ship and have been for a few years lol.. I’m sure you’ll hit your stride and find a way of balancing all this that works for you. It’s different for everyone but I think anyone that’s truly wants it can figure it out.


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[star.buck]

Come up with a plan, then one step at a time... one day at a time...

 

[RNthenDoc]

Pace yourself! You can only do what you can do.

I took my time and kept my GPA up and have no regrets. You’ll be glad you did it! Honestly, I’m enjoying medical school much more than I enjoyed working full time and going to school full time.

 

[libertyyne]

one day at a time one hour at a time. Keep the larger goal in the back of your mind, but focus on the task at hand.

 

[Ayettuhanda]

I was in a similar situation at the beginning of this semester and can attest to everything said above me. You'd be surprised how much my stress levels dropped once I mapped out my next few years and started taking things one day at a time, without stressing about things months into the future. It's gonna take some time to adjust to your new path, but it'll come in due time 🙂 Best of luck!

 

[drtee2025]

I'm 26, living on my own, working 2 jobs while in school full-time as well (14 units). I had 3 jobs until last Monday so my schedule opened up a little. I use Saturdays to study/do hw and Sunday to socialize. It's tough, but I know it's what I have to do

Keep at it and it'll pay off sooner than you know

 

[Moose A Moose]

It’s supposed to be that way. If it wasn’t hard everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.










































And there’s no crying in baseball.

 

[medschoolonthemind]

I also began my postbac living at home, which I took as an opportunity to work part-time instead of full-time. That extra time definitely allowed me to get through classes more quickly without sacrificing the GPA. If you can swing it, I would consider approaching your place of employment about a part-time schedule. I have always been surprised the by the flexibility of traditional employment if you're willing to ask/think outside the box. They might even let you cut down to 30 hrs/week and keep your healthcare...

 

[Hass_Love_Fitness]

There’s an adjustment period. My advice is make a plan and set priorities. I had to balance running a business, raising 2 boys one of which has special needs, all while completing a math major and premed reqs. No matter how hard things get remind yourself that “this too shall pass.”

 

[Naruhodo]

I applied to med school in "stealth mode" while working full time and not letting many friends or family know my plans either. Honestly, in retrospect it was silly. I think I did it because of the fear or rejection and not wanting to explain to everyone (again) that I had failed to get into medical school. Do whatever feels right to you, but I think you may be surprised by how many people end up being more supportive/ encouraging than you could have imagined.
As other said, I took it one step at a time. My old MCAT had expired so I knew the first step would be to retake it. Although lots of people feel MCAT prep classes are a waste of money (they probably are) by that point it was my money to waste and I knew that it would give me the structure to keep me on pace until the exam, especially given I was a decade out from having taken my prereqs in college. Also, the other nontrads I met through my MCAT class became friends and people I could discuss applying with and receive advice from. With my job I only had time to study an hour a night (plus 4 hours on Saturdays and Sundays), but I stuck to that for 4 months. As soon as the MCAT was done I doubled down on clinical and non-clinical volunteering while I waited for the score. Once I knew it was over the threshold of what I considered good enough to apply, then told my bosses (who were amazing and immediately offered to revise my personal statement and write recommendations).
It was stressful, especially over the summer when I was still working full time, volunteering lots and feeling the pressure to turn around secondaries, but it worked out in the end. Hold yourself accountable to meet the deadlines you set, but also try to be kind to yourself when you feel exhausted and like you're coming up short (pro tip - this continues to be a useful skill in med school!)
One thing I worried about was taking too much time off from work on the interview trail. I need not have worried. Honestly, if you're lucky enough to be overwhelmed with interviews early in the season you can start being selective. Trust me, it is more painful to be in the opposite situation so make sure you apply to enough schools so that you aren't freaking out over turkey day 😉

 

[ChiDr]

Plan, don’t bite off more than you can chew ( don’t hurt your grades), get a support system (it’s gonna suck), find a volunteer activity you want to do (not have to do), make time for yourself, every day ( even if it’s 20 min), use all resources around you to help you stay on track (tutoring, pre med office, etc.), and know that it will be tough but always look forward at your goals. Make small goals. Be patient with yourself and be forgiving of missteps. Be proud of your smaller accomplishments. Small steps. It’s a marathon.