Throughout our lives, we wear many hats simultaneously. Medical school is no different—sometimes, I feel like I’m leading two separate lives. At home, I’m a daughter and a sister. At school, I’m a medical student, friend, classmate, future physician, and a leader in many organizations.
I’m writing this to share with you that we will all face stressful times, question if we’re capable of doing it all, or wonder if this is something you really want. The first year is a roller coaster, but I urge you to stay along for the ride.
At some point, it will all make sense. Everything will fall into place. I’m not saying it won’t always be chaos, but remember, you are MORE than JUST A MEDICAL STUDENT. You deserve to live a life where you can experience wearing many hats.
A life in medicine is a balancing act.
- Stay grounded. Find at least one constant in your life that is a “non-negotiable.” For me, it’s prayer. It’s something I will never leave, and guess what? It doesn’t have to. Some things should never change.
- Manage your time. I have several posts I’ve written on time management. Bottom line, limit distractions and take breaks when needed.
- Be your best self—physically, emotionally, and mentally. Good health is important when wearing a multitude of hats. That means exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate sleep all play a role in maintaining good health.
- Me time. This is still essential. You deserve this.
- Learn to say no. If you’re like me, this is tough to do. You’ve got enough on your plate, so just worry about balancing what you have going on.
What hats do you wear?
