Working during medical school?

[SickOfLaw]

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A bad idea?

But what about during summers? Over spring break? Christmas?

How about a couple of evenings a week?

A few afternoons?

Is working during medical school always a bad idea?

 

[gman33]

Only summer off is after first year. You could certainly work then.
Working other times depends on how much you need to study. Personally I think it's a bad idea, but some people do it.

 

[QofQuimica]

A bad idea?

Not doable while school is in session by many if not most people, assuming they want to pass their classes.

But what about during summers? Over spring break? Christmas?

Definitely doable over the summer after first year. Many people do a summer research project, and funding is available for medical students to do this. Not doable after that--you'll be studying for Step 1 in the summer after second year, and finishing your rotations in the summer after third year.

You could probably work over your shorter breaks, but if you're studying properly during the semester, you almost certainly won't want to spend your week off at a job.

How about a couple of evenings a week?

A few afternoons?

Depends on the student and the job. I taught for Kaplan during my first year and a half, but I was doing that all along (i.e., before starting med school). I would not advise anyone to start teaching for the first time *after* starting medical school. I've also done some consulting type work, which I was able to do more or less on my own schedule. Since you have a law degree, you may be able to do something similar.

Is working during medical school always a bad idea?

I'd advise against it during your first semester or block. You don't know how intense the workload is going to be, and you really don't want to flunk your first set of classes because you didn't put enough time into studying. If you find that you have a lot of time and you're doing well in school, and you find a job that is commensurate with your schedule, then sure, go for it.

Realize, though, that the vast majority of medical students do *not* work during medical school. Chances are that you will not be able to do so, and you should absolutely not count on that income.

 

[DrMidlife]

If you have a well-contained, high-paying gig that you can control, that's the kind of working that can make sense.

I have a rant thread that covers the impact and issues pretty well if you read it through. "Work study incompatible with med school"

 

[Waywoe]

I am going to try to keep my part-time job where I work every Friday evening and two Sundays a month. This might work because they are very flexible with the hours as long as I get the work done. Might not be conducive at a less supportive work place.

 

[Law2Doc]

A bad idea?

But what about during summers? Over spring break? Christmas?

How about a couple of evenings a week?

A few afternoons?

Is working during medical school always a bad idea?

This has been asked many times on SDN. I will reiterate what Q wrote above. Do not plan to work in med school, at least at first. If things go really well, and things come easy to you, then you can consider adding something in your spare time. But most people won't have this spare time. You have one summer during med school that is free -- the summer after first year. Most people get paid research jobs which both pay some bills and buff up the CV. But you can use that time however you like (usually 10-13 weeks). You will have no other significant breaks (probably a short winter and spring break which you will need to unwind). Second year summer will almost completely be consumed with Step 1 studying, where you will be spending more hours per day studying than you were during the semester. There are no significant summers after 3rd or 4th years, maybe a week or two.

Med school is a lot more work than law school or college. You will not have the free time you had in law school or college. Best to get out of that mindset. This is an experience that bears no resemblance to anything you have done before, and you need to be ready to throw yourself into it. You will already be juggling your free time between school and family, based on your prior post. There is no way you can add another significant time diversion and not radically sacrifice something more significant.

 

[J ROD]

I am not in medical school yet!!

But, I plan to work some as a pharmacist. At least once a month on the weekends and when there are breaks between tests.

I also plan on not going to class all the time either.

My friend is a 3rd year and he advised me of this plan. Most of time in class is a waste if you can learn the material yourself.

I already follow this plan in pharmacy school and it saves me alot of time. I could work 30+ a week if I wanted to. I do about 15-20 and sleep the rest!!😀

I think it can be done depending on how fast you learn, what social life needs you have, and how bad you need the money v. loans.

I also like to work so I can feel like I earned some money as well. Nothing like getting a paycheck to me!

I say start low and go slow and then build from there.

 

[Law2Doc]

I also plan on not going to class all the time either.

My friend is a 3rd year and he advised me of this plan. Most of time in class is a waste if you can learn the material yourself.

I would caution that you want to find your own way and take with a grain of salt what others tell you. Everyone is different and not everything works as well for everyone. There is an active thread on the allo board about class attendance. Some percentage of the class will benefit from self study. For others it will be a disaster. You only want to try this if it means you will be spending the necessary time on your own learning the material effectively. If you are going to sleep in, go to work, or some other non-academic exploit, then not attending class will actually be damaging because you lose even that exposure to the material. So if you aren't attending classes, youd better plan on being in the library or wherever studying. Not attending classes in favor of going to work and sleeping is a big big mistake.