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Do you have time for yourself when your a doctor?
#pre-med #medical-school #premed #doctors #doctor
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Hannah’s Answer
A mentor once told me "hannah there are 24 hours in the day, and everyone gets those same 24 hours."
while this is true I feel like the amount of things that I need to do everyday is significantly higher than some people. I am a medical student and a real doctor in less than 9 months. The journey through med school does not even compare to undergrad in terms of stress and work load.
in under grad I worked 10+ hours a week and was a student athlete so my plate was full.
But in medicine its different. the hours are longer and the stress is heavier. there is temptation to always give more. so yes there is space for a personal life but it will come at a cost. the hospital is always open and there will always be more that you can do to advance your career. but you can also choose to set healthy boundaries around your time so that you can pursue things out side of the walls of medicine. My husband is also a med student and a future surgeon. while I was studying for my exams he came home after the work was done and did not stay for the extra surgeries because I needed him. But now that I am back in the clinic and hospital he will stay longer because I am working night float and wont even be at home when he finishes for the night. So life goes in seasons of really busy to long stretches of lighter seasons.
Sit down and write out prioreties
Know why you are going into medicine
Talk to doctors about how they manage life and medicine
read about the time commitment differences across the specialties
while this is true I feel like the amount of things that I need to do everyday is significantly higher than some people. I am a medical student and a real doctor in less than 9 months. The journey through med school does not even compare to undergrad in terms of stress and work load.
in under grad I worked 10+ hours a week and was a student athlete so my plate was full.
But in medicine its different. the hours are longer and the stress is heavier. there is temptation to always give more. so yes there is space for a personal life but it will come at a cost. the hospital is always open and there will always be more that you can do to advance your career. but you can also choose to set healthy boundaries around your time so that you can pursue things out side of the walls of medicine. My husband is also a med student and a future surgeon. while I was studying for my exams he came home after the work was done and did not stay for the extra surgeries because I needed him. But now that I am back in the clinic and hospital he will stay longer because I am working night float and wont even be at home when he finishes for the night. So life goes in seasons of really busy to long stretches of lighter seasons.
Hannah recommends the following next steps:
Thank you!!
Daniela
Updated
Estelle’s Answer
Yes, of course! It is all about time management. Physicians must take time to care for themselves so that they can take care of others. Set aside time for exercise, family, friends. Hannah is correct, set priorities. Some things might fall lower on the priority or shift around during your education and residency, but keep these important things on the list.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Updated
Philomena’s Answer
I think all is about planning and being time conscious and punctual and sticking to whatever agenda you have. Usually there is a lot to do as a doctor, the more reason why one must draw a plan to schedule all their activities, in this way you can also include break or leisure time in your schedule. Doctors also have free time but it depends on how you plan or schedule your day.