Time Management - How Can I get it all done?

[Happensinvegas]

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I was wondering if you fellows have some time management advice for a junior getting ready to apply for medical school.

I am having a tough time this semester finding time for all of the things I am required to be doing. This semester I started volunteering in a lab doing research. That alone is taking up 20-30 hrs/week. I am also taking a standard course load which has 2 sciences classes (Biochem and Biophysical Chem) along with 3 gen-eds.

The gen-eds alone have me reading between 150-250 pages per night in addition to doing assignments based on these readings like response papers, page long summaries and forum discussions online. These 3 gen-eds are taking up nearly all of my available time that I have not been able to focus on my science (and arguably more important) classes.

As I have it, Between 8:45 am - 6:00 pm I am either in class or working in the lab. There is no time for anything in between (I haven't actually eaten lunch Mon-Fri for the past month).

Aside from the one hour I give myself for dinner and relaxing after I get out of class at 6pm, I am reading and doing school work until midnight or 1am.

I was wondering if you have any suggestions on how to maybe take advantage of my time better, so that I can get this all done with out burning out quickly.

Unfortunately I see all these things required to do now to prepare to send my applications out 9 months from now. Biochem needs to be done before the MCAT, I need to start racking up research hours and possible poster presentations as well as finish up the last of my Gen-eds to focus on MCAT studying next semester.

 

[libertyyne]

I would cut back on the research. Research hours are transitory, grades are forever. Or alternatively you could say, I will not spend more than 15 hours in the lab a week. 18X3 54 hours for studying. You dont need to take biochem before the mcat if you dont want to.

 

[Lawpy]

I was wondering if you fellows have some time management advice for a junior getting ready to apply for medical school.

Follow @mimelim Key to Time Management:

You have approximately 120 hours of waking time each week. Assuming that you are a full time student, you have class and are studying each week somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 hours/week. What do you do with the other 80 hours/week? You need to eat, you need to shower, you need to maintain relationships, you need to have fun, you need to do XYZ hobbies etc. When I look at someone's application and look at their ECs, I am trying to answer the question: who is this person when they aren't studying? How do you fill that 80 hours? Nobody is looking for the next mother Teresa. We just want to know if you spend 10% of those 80 hours goofing off, or 90% or somewhere in between.

Regarding your schedule:

The gen-eds alone have me reading between 150-250 pages per night in addition to doing assignments based on these readings like response papers, page long summaries and forum discussions online. These 3 gen-eds are taking up nearly all of my available time that I have not been able to focus on my science (and arguably more important) classes.

Unfortunately I see all these things required to do now to prepare to send my applications out 9 months from now. Biochem needs to be done before the MCAT, I need to start racking up research hours and possible poster presentations as well as finish up the last of my Gen-eds to focus on MCAT studying next semester.

Why not postpone a gen-ed for later? And why not reduce your research hours (i.e. by working more efficiently whenever possible)? The actual research productivity (i.e. pubs, posters, conferences, abstracts etc.) is never certain so you can't guarantee yourself these. Focus on the actual experience, not the hours nor the productivity (though productivity is good to have if possible).

 

[Happensinvegas]

Follow @mimelim Key to Time Management:

why not reduce your research hours (i.e. by working more efficiently whenever possible)? T (though productivity is good to have if possible).

I'm still new in the lab so I still have yet to master how to work to optimal efficiency in the lab. However my boss clearly also doesn't like any bout of idleness. In my lab, I often have to let my samples work/incubate/react/mix for 45 minutes before moving on to the next process. During that time that I am waiting, I can't even do my work or readings. My boss has me sweeping the floor, washing glassware, literally getting her coffee while my reactions and gels run.

 

[Lawpy]

I'm still new in the lab so I still have yet to master how to work to optimal efficiency in the lab. However my boss clearly also doesn't like any bout of idleness. In my lab, I often have to let my samples work/incubate/react/mix for 45 minutes before moving on to the next process. During that time that I am waiting, I can't even do my work or readings. My boss has me sweeping the floor, washing glassware, literally getting her coffee while my reactions and gels run.

Quit the lab and pursue research in other areas. It doesn't have to be basic science. Look for translational/clinical research, social science research, psychology research, epidemiology/public health etc.

 

[libertyyne]

I'm still new in the lab so I still have yet to master how to work to optimal efficiency in the lab. However my boss clearly also doesn't like any bout of idleness. In my lab, I often have to let my samples work/incubate/react/mix for 45 minutes before moving on to the next process. During that time that I am waiting, I can't even do my work or readings. My boss has me sweeping the floor, washing glassware, literally getting her coffee while my reactions and gels run.

Are you getting paid for this ? Is this an academic lab? Usually PI's are more chill with free labor.

 

[Doctor-S]

I am having a tough time this semester finding time for all of the things I am required to be doing. This semester I started volunteering in a lab doing research. That alone is taking up 20-30 hrs/week.

Are you required to devote 20-30/week as a volunteer in this lab? That is equivalent to a serious part-time job (i.e., 20-30 hours per week). If those hours are not required, you might choose to spend less "volunteer" hours in the lab ... or find a different lab ... or no lab at this time.

Are 2 science classes and 3 gen-ed classes considered to be a "standard" course load at your school? I'm wondering: is it imperative for you to be enrolled in 5 classes at the same time?

As you probably already know, medical school (and the life of a physician) is equally time-consuming, stressful and demanding. So, it's advisable to learn different ways to manage your time efficiently (and wisely) and don't try to do "everything" at the same time. If your UG offers time-management counseling services, it might be useful to meet with a counselor to review your weekly schedule, as well as different time management skills.

Thank you.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I'm still new in the lab so I still have yet to master how to work to optimal efficiency in the lab. However my boss clearly also doesn't like any bout of idleness. In my lab, I often have to let my samples work/incubate/react/mix for 45 minutes before moving on to the next process. During that time that I am waiting, I can't even do my work or readings. My boss has me sweeping the floor, washing glassware, literally getting her coffee while my reactions and gels run.

Your PI sounds like a d-bag. Find a new lab or a new area of research. Unless you are applying MD/PhD, research is of low (public schools) to medium (private schools) importance. You don't need bench research to get into med school.

As for the courses, you just need to work efficiently. Do work between classes, while eating, etc. You shouldn't be skipping meals on a regular basis. Also, for the gen eds, do just enough to get an A. In most classes, that isn't that much. You can generally get away without doing all the reading for most gen eds.