What ELSE do I do in med school?

[EvilSiegfried]

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Hi! I've been accepted to Tulane SOM, so I've been thinking about my plan for the next four years. I don't know what specialty I want yet.

As a premed, it was very clear to me what ECs I needed--patient-contact clinical, research, volunteer, leadership. There were guides online for about how many hours to aim for in each, what I should expect to get out of each of them, etc. I'/m trying to find a similar guide for med school, but Google is just kicking back resources for premeds.

I think I know that some med students do research, but it's not as 'necessary' as it was to get into med school. Is this right? What other things would a residency expect me to have done?

Also, I know pre-studying for M1 is pretty useless, but I'm really bored at work, like I have multiple full days of literal nothing, so I'd like some actually useful ideas on how to spend that time.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice!

 

[RangerBob]

No EC's are expected of med students, but you can certainly do them (free clinics, etc.) if you're interested. I only did things I thought would be fun.

Research is expected in some specialties, and not in others (like mine--PM&R).

Best way to spend free time right now is hanging out with friends, watching movies, reading books (for fun, not textbooks), learning how to cook, travel, exercising, and daydreaming. Seriously--daydreaming is a better use of time than pre-studying for med school.

There's essentially zero benefit to pre-studying. It's always a complete waste of time. What you pre-study over an entire summer you cover within a week of med school. It's just not worth it. For some pre-studying is quite detrimental because they think they know the material/are on top of it, so they sort of coast initially when they know the material and it can be hard to ramp that study time up to what is actually required for most of med school (once you get past the stuff you pre-studied). Better to just start off at the correct pace, in my opinion.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

You'll get your EC's if only to balance your life or be socially connected with your classmates when it comes to serving the community.

 

[PathNeuroIMorFM]

Don't prestudy.

If you want, I have a pre-typed list of advice from Reddit that I can DM to you. Remember that you needed 15 actvities for AMCAS, now you'll only need 10 for ERAS (this used to be unlimited), so just choose a few that seem fruitful and fun to you and don't stretch yourself thin, especially early on in your med school education.

 

[DOVinciRobot]

You’ve now arrived to the point where you should do things to build your career into what you want it to be, not to check off a box for some admissions committee.

The only EC that will be beneficial across the board is research.

 

[Billiam95]

If you like to read, I'd recommend 'The Intern Blues' and 'The Real Doctor Will See You Shortly'.

 

[obiwan]

Also, I know pre-studying for M1 is pretty useless, but I'm really bored at work, like I have multiple full days of literal nothing, so I'd like some actually useful ideas on how to spend that time

Do not pre-study. You will have the rest of your life devoted to learning medicine. Research where to live in New Orleans, read books that you enjoy, learn how to cook and meal-prep, listen to music etc etc etc

 

[Green_Goose]

If you have a ton of free time at work, I also recommend filling that time with reading books. Doesn't even have to be medicine-related.

 

[deleted1139416]

Only do EC’s that are worth your time - such as actual (not fluff) research and maybe even taking up a club or two.

Other than that, you should spend your free time in medical school on your own personal well-being. This includes hobbies, exercise, nutrition, sleep… and coitus 😉

 

[mistafab]

You’re going to Tulane. Your main priorities should be do well at school, and enjoy your life to the absolute fullest in New Orleans every day.

Best of luck and stay safe.