Premed.blog by MedAngle Premed
Mastering The Art Of Time Management: Balancing Studies and Social Life
As MBBS aspirants, embarking on the daunting journey of becoming a healthcare professional requires not only dedication to your studies but also a clear sense of time management. For students, the delicate dance between our academic responsibilities and maintaining somewhat of a social life with our fellow peers can be tricky to balance! Too much focus on one aspect of your life can cause you to be sidetracked by others. However, with effective time management strategies, you can thrive both academically and personally!
Set Clear and SMART Goals
When setting goals, use the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) when outlining your goals. This ensures that your objectives are well-defined, realistic, and come with a clear deadline. Setting transparent, realistic, and manageable goals is a crucial part of balancing your academic and personal life without straining yourself.
The first step is definitely to clearly define and pinpoint your objective. Being vague with your goals will be of no help when it comes to effective time management. For instance, instead of saying “I’ll complete Kingdom Animalia by tomorrow”, break it down into manageable phyla over a suitable period of hours.
Secondly, be realistic with the time you set for each goal. Parkinson's Law states that "Work expands to fit the time available for its completion." If you give 5 hours to one phylum of Kingdom Animalia, you’ll waste 5 hours on it. Instead, allocate a suitable time, such as an hour for each given task. Do your best to complete a task within the time provided. But if not, giving an extra 30 minutes to the task is still better than wasting 5 hours on it.
Create a Realistic and Flexible Schedule:
Creating a realistic and flexible schedule allows you to work efficiently and also balance additional commitments outside of academia, such as a job or your social life.
A crucial aspect of effective time management is the ability to schedule your tasks well to loosely guide your study sessions as a pre-med or medical student. If sticking to a rigid study schedule works for you, great! Stick to any scheduling technique that works best for you. But for the majority of students, creating a rigid schedule with no buffer time between tasks is inevitably going to fail and lead to unproductivity. Create a realistic schedule by allocating a manageable time limit to each task, including breaks, as well as assessing your time commitments such as classes/ appointments.
Additionally, consider your peak productive hours and customize your schedule accordingly. If you’re most productive in the morning but tend to slow down in the afternoon, schedule tasks that require more focus for the morning and easier ones for later in the day.
Combine Socialising with Productivity
If you thrive off of being social academically and personally, look for ways to combine having a social life with productivity. Consider forming study groups with classmates or attending academic events with peers. This way, you can meet your social needs whilst escaping the guilt of not working 24/7 and retaining your study-related material.
Organizing virtual study sessions on Zoom with fellow medical students is a great way to socialize whilst prioritizing your studies and not wasting money on expensive coffee shops to hang out with every time. It allows you to be efficient with your finances and time whilst also providing a social escape.
Take Breaks and Practice Self-Care
Balancing studies and social life requires maintaining your well-being. At the end of the day, your mental and physical well-being is above anything and everything.
Avoiding a state of burnout is key to prolonging productivity. Schedule regular breaks during study sessions to avoid burnout. Engage in activities that promote relaxation and good mental health, such as exercise, meditation, or interesting hobbies. A healthy mind and body are essential for sustained academic success.
Remember, in the pursuit of medical excellence, don't forget to be kind to yourself. Embrace the joy of learning, celebrate your small victories, and learn from the challenges you face during this journey.
Best of luck for the upcoming academic year, future doctor!
Edited by: Aaimah Azhar, MedAngle Premed President
Author:
Momina Khabir, MedAngle Premed Associate
