Question This is such an important decision that I have to make so I thank you so much for helping me understand what is expected of me in Medical school.I don't mind the studying as much as being totally surprised at how much I have to do when I first enter!
so if I understand you correctly, in the 1rst 2 years, you must basically be around the books all of your awake hours, but in the 3rd and 4th years, all you have to do is go to school? or is there some real studying as well that you have to do on your own time?
In the 3rd and 4th year, how much free time do you have?
Is there any set vacation like an equivalent to the traditional mid-winter,spring break, and summer vacations in medical school or do you really have to do it for 2 full years straight?
Do you happen to know how the 5th and 6th years are if you want to specialize?Is it just like the 3rd and 4th years in terms of free time?
Thank you so much once again.
I am so happy that I finally found someone who was smart enough to be in Medical School!
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Followup To
Question -
HI,
I hope I'm finding you in the best of health.
What is a typical day[in terms of studying and free time for yourself] in medical school like during the 1rst, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year of medical school?
Does it get easier as the school years go on?
How late do you have to stay up till if you want to finish everything you must do?
Is it true that the 3rd and 4th years are much easier than the 1rst 2 in terms of how much studying you have to do?
In contrast with college, how much work do you have to put in for medical school?
Thank you very much for your assistance.
I appreciate.
Answer -
Jeff,
HI,
I hope I'm finding you in the best of health.
YES THANK YOU.
What is a typical day[in terms of studying and free time for yourself] in medical school like during the 1rst, 2nd, 3rd and 4th year of medical school?
WELL I ATTENDED MED SCHOOL IN THE LATE 80'S EARLY 90'S. GRADUATED IN 1991. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CHANGES BUT TYPICALLY STUDY OCCUPIES ALMOST EVERY WAKING HOUR FOR THE FIRST 2 YEARS. I DID FORCE MYSELF TO TAKE SOME PERSONAL TIME, SWIM, WORKOUT, DATE GIRLS, A LITTLE PARTYING TOO. ALSO 2ND YEAR I STARTED PAINTING AGAIN AND ACTUALLY SOLD SOME OF MY ART TO CLASSMATES. YOU MAKE IT WHAT IT IS.
Does it get easier as the school years go on?
NO, ACTUALLY IT GETS HARDER.. YOU FEEL YOU ARE ALWAYS PLAYING CATCH-UP. TOO MUCH MATERIAL FOR THE TIME ALLOWED TO ABSORBE IT ALL IN.
How late do you have to stay up till if you want to finish everything you must do?
DEPENDS ON WHETHER IT IS FOR AN EXAM OR NOT. TRY TO GET 6 HRS OF SLEEP WHEN YOU CAN. I USUALLY GOT 4 TO 5HRS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A 26 HR DAY TO GET EVERYTHING DONE.
Is it true that the 3rd and 4th years are much easier than the 1rst 2 in terms of how much studying you have to do?
FIRST 2 YEARS ARE DIDACTIC... A LOT OF MEMORIZING. LAST TWO YEARS ARE MORE CLINICAL... MORE TIME AWAKE ON CALL, ETC. STILL SOME STUDYING BUT MORE OF JUST ASKING QUESTIONS AND GETTING IT ALL IN ON ROUNDS.
In contrast with college, how much work do you have to put in for medical school?
COLLEGE IS A CAKE WALK... MED SCHOOL IS 200x HARDER.
Thank you very much for your assistance.
I appreciate.
ANY TIME.
JP SALEEBY, MD
WWW.SALEEBY.NET
Answer Jeff,
Forget about any vacation or free time after the first summer.. between 1st and 2nd year... that is the only "vacation time" you will have so enjoy it. Books, Books and lectures are what fills the first two years... teh second and third are all clinical... no class room per se, you do rounds on the floors of hopsitals and clinics... usually from 5:30 in the morning until about 6 or 7PM and then you will probably be taking call.. that is staying overnight on the wards following interns and residents around... lots of hospital time... little time for anything else. Eat when you can, sleep when you can.... is the saying... and that is just the begining... once a resident or intern you can expect 90 hour work weeks... call every other or third night... only 2 weeks of vacation each 12 months. Usually working in the hospital on weekends too.
Prepare yourself to work hard... no question about it.
