Medical school might feel like an impossible balance. Many medical students struggle to hold it together, with the entire act on the verge of collapsing. Classes, clinical responsibilities, and personal obligations are difficult enough to balance on their own, and it becomes worse if you have to work as you study. How do you keep your busy life running with up to ten hours of study on most days?
Is It Possible to Balance Med School, Work, and Life?
Having balance in your life as a medical student may seem impossible, but it is manageable, and you can allocate enough time for each without going crazy.
Mental illness is higher among medical students than in the general population, so you need to learn to manage all aspects of your life calmly and efficiently to avoid stressors that could lead to severe mental health problems like depression and anxiety. Here are tips to help you with time management and maintaining a proper life balance while in med school.
1. Make You a Priority
Make sure your self-care foundation is the first step toward finding a balance between academics, work, and social activities. It helps if you begin by maintaining a healthy lifestyle for your physical and mental wellness. Eat well, exercise regularly, maintain contact with family and friends, and avoid sacrificing sleep
You may have a lot to do, but you can do it and feel happy, healthy, and energized. You can do more work in less time when you’re all those things, which is critical if you plan to work while studying.
2. Simplify Your Options to Save Time
Removing uncertainties in your daily life goes hand in hand with self-care. Self-care can be time-consuming even though it is worthwhile. If you can complete your self-care routine in half, it becomes better because you get more time for other activities.
Forego unnecessary trips, order groceries online, prepare meals on the weekends or hire a health food restaurant to prepare your meals. The bottom line is to save time while achieving the same results.
3. Focus on the Task at Hand
Don’t be concerned with what you are not doing. Keep your focus on the task you are working on. Avoid thinking about work while in class or during your studies. When spending time with family and friends, make it worthwhile by maintaining your focus. Keep the thoughts about work and school at bay. One thing at a time.
4. Aim for Your Best, Not Perfection
You don’t have to get straight A’s or rank top of your class. Just give it your best. There’s nothing wrong with trying your hardest, but the trick is understanding your limits. You can be a high achiever without being a perfectionist by setting attainable goals, enjoying the process, and responding positively to constructive criticism.
It is helpful to know that mistakes are opportunities for learning and progress to avoid excessive stress that could lead to depression. Take it easy on yourself; you are in a learning process, so you are doing well.
5. Take A Break
Always keep in mind that you are human. If you are mentally or physically exhausted, you will not do anything well. It is, therefore, essential to incorporate exercise and creative activities within your schedule to stay energized.
It will do you more good than harm to occasionally indulge in fun activities like reading, watching movies and going out with friends. However, make sure you have a proper schedule for this to avoid overindulging and missing deadlines.
6. Use a Virtual Calendar for Time Management
Calendars are good, but virtual calendars are excellent. You can customize the colors and themes, edit as you move throughout your day, and work with others on meeting times. Having your calendar accessible on your phone is fantastic and convenient.
You may not think you need a calendar when you start college, but by the time you start using one, living without it may seem impossible. You can always have a traditional calendar as a backup option. After all, writing improves your memory, productivity, and mental clarity.
7. Create Task Lists and Schedules
It’s easier to keep track of your tasks when they’re written down. You can use the different tracking apps available to help you. Each of these applications is a little different, so try them to find which one best fits your need. You’ll be well on your way to successful time management with one of them.
Plan time for everything that there is for you to complete, from education to family and work. It will help if you experiment to find the best times to study and the frequency of your breaks. Also, determine the optimal study location where you can access all of your materials and concentrate fully.
8. Communicate
Communication is essential to have peace of mind. Talk to your family and friends about your school expectations. Let them know when you prefer not to be bothered and when they can expect your full attention. Negotiate household responsibilities according to your timetable.
If you are working part-time, have open conversations with your employer about your availability and school schedule. Making things clear will help you avoid unnecessary pressure from all sides.
9. Learn To Say No
You don’t have to do what you can’t. Now is not the time to. Meeting your obligations at home, school, and work is enough to strain you in the meantime. Therefore, you should avoid taking on extra responsibilities like leading new initiatives at work.
10. Seek Help When In Need
Getting professional assistance and advice can save you time, stress, and potential problems. It could also be beneficial to have someone on your side that can assist you in making the most of your time in medical school.
For optimal academic performance, a healthy school-life balance is essential. Academics are frequently prioritized over personal elements such as relationships and exercise. Include these tips above in your daily life to strike a balance because overall health and well-being are essential for effective academic functioning.
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