Hi I hope you're having a good day Can you please give advice for a burntout 3rd year medical student ? Thank you
Burnout is real, and it sucks. We’re in a field where the demands put on us regularly exceed what is healthy. Being your own advocate when everyone and everything is telling you to be at 110% at all times is rough, but it is absolutely necessary. I repeat: Taking care of yourself, however you are able, is not optional.
As some longtime followers may remember, I crashed and burned at the end of second year, and vowed to never be in that place again. I am so far from perfect it’s hilarious. But, I’m right in your shoes, so this is what is working for me thus far.
1. Study on the wards whenever you can. I’m on a surgical rotation, so between cases I’m going over practice problems. Sure I may only get through 5 in one sitting, but sprinkle that throughout the day and it adds up. Then, if you go home and crash, you’re guilt-free.
2. This may be counterintuitive, but for me, open-ended time can be a productivity killer. Say you set aside your entire day off to study. You sit down, and then- Holy crap, it’s 3pm and you’ve spent the day agonizing over one block of problems! You feel awful, and your motivation is shot. Instead of going into a shame spiral, set yourself some structure, and you’ll be able to focus better. If you know you will have the day off on Friday, set an activity during that day that is fun and fulfilling for you. In my case, I recently spent an afternoon in the park with my Amazing Girlfriend. Knowing that I had that activity to look forward to made it easier to study during the day. Once you are doing the aforementioned fun activity, PUT AWAY THE NOTES. Be present, breathe, stretch- This is ‘you’ time, and that’s just as important as anything else you’re doing.
3. Talk it out and connect with other people. Do you have a friend, a partner, a parent, a pet? Ask them how their day was, and tell them about yours. Isolating yourself when your feeling crappy is easy. Alone time is great, but there is a point when it becomes unhealthy. Fight that impulse as best you can and reach out. I have a friend who is a year ahead of me, and she is a huge help when it comes to navigating medical school. My partner keeps me grounded and reminds me what it means to be a fighter. There are people in your life rooting for you, and I’m sure they’d love to hear from you!
4. Take care of your physical self. It’s very easy to neglect your body in medical school, ironically enough. Feed yourself things that are healthy and delicious, give yourself plenty of water, and sleep whenever possible. Always have pocket snacks. If you have time to exercise, great! If not, you’re probably running around the wards anyway, it’s okay. This also goes for feeling good about how you look. I’m a makeup fiend, so even if I get up at the butt crack of dawn, I will have my brows on and mascara. It takes 2 minutes, and I feel more confident. Find what makes you feel just a smidgen better about yourself- Nice undies, a cute ID badge holder, whatever!
5. Ask for help. This is the scariest tip, and the most important one. No one gets anywhere alone, and medical school is no exception. Are you struggling with a concept? Ask your resident. Away rotation application woes? Ask your English major friend to read your essays. Feeling like you could use some therapy? See what resources are in your community and school.
So, TL; DR: Do what you gotta do to keep yourself sane. You’re worth it, and making time for yourself is never a waste.
