Kaley S.
Photo provided by Kaley S.
If you’re reading this, it’s okay to take a break.
Coming into medical school, I knew that I would be studying for long hours and much more than I did in undergrad. What I didn’t anticipate was how all-encompassing it would become — how it would seep into nearly every aspect of my day and, in many ways, my identity as a whole.
Recently, one of my professors shared something in a lab group that really stuck with me. He said he hated when people told him to “keep grinding” during medical school, as it quite literally means to wear something down and wither it away. He encouraged us not to let this process do that to us. In the following days, I found myself reflecting on how easily that can happen. I noticed the ways I had started to lose pieces of myself — spending less time with family and friends, letting go of hobbies I once loved, and tying more of my self-worth to school. It takes a conscious effort not to let this process take over your life, and if I’m being honest, I’m still learning how to take some of that back. Lately, I’ve been trying to intentionally build small moments into my day that remind me I am more than a medical student — and that I deserve rest. Sometimes that looks like reading a book, going out to dinner with my family, watching a movie, calling a friend, or simply taking a nap.
While I am far from having work-life balance figured out, I can confidently say it is something I will continue to strive for in every phase of my career. If your cup is empty, how can you be expected to pour into others? It’s much easier said than done (trust me, I know) but taking even a small amount of time each day to do something for yourself, that doesn’t involve a screen or an Anki remote, can make a difference. Maybe it’s finally folding the laundry that’s been sitting for a week, calling your parents when it’s been a few days, or taking a nap to chip away at the sleep debt you’ve been accumulating. Whatever it is, don’t neglect yourself in the process.
Kaley S., Second Year Medical Student
Q: What can readers of this interview do to help support medical student mental health?
A: For me, the greatest sense of support comes from the people in my life simply showing understanding and reminding me that they’re proud of me. The expectations I place on myself can feel heavy, and sometimes that internal pressure is the hardest part to manage. Medical school comes with the reality that you’re going to miss things – events, time with loved ones, moments you wish you could be present for. What people don’t always talk about is the emotional toll that can take. In order to keep up with the demands of school, other parts of life inevitably take a backseat, even when you don’t want them to. One of the hardest lessons for me has been accepting that I can’t give 100% of myself to everything at once. So when the people around me offer patience, flexibility, and encouragement, it makes a bigger difference than they probably realize. Sometimes, just hearing “I’m proud of you” or “I understand” can go a long way.
Q: How do you manage the stress of preclinical training, such as learning high volumes of detailed information and increased levels of competition?
A: At any given point in medical school, the to-do list can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s preparing for an exam, seeking out shadowing opportunities, or trying to get involved in research, it can quickly feel like too much all at once. When I find myself in those moments, I come back to a simple idea: take it one step at a time. You don’t have to tackle everything at once; you just have to start somewhere. As each block passes, you get better at figuring out where to begin and how to prioritize your time in a way that works for you.
As for the competitive aspect, I’ve found it important to set boundaries, especially with the people I’m closest to. My friends and I support each other, study together, and help each other understand difficult topics, but we’re intentional about not sharing things that could lead to unhealthy comparisons. Comparison can be motivating in small doses, but it can also become overwhelming very quickly. Setting those boundaries has allowed my friendships to stay grounded in support rather than competition. At the end of the day, we’re all on the same team, and there’s no need to measure ourselves against one another.
Q: What is your most used coping strategy or technique?
A: Honestly, I think sleep is one of the most underrated tools for coping. I’ve noticed that everything feels more overwhelming when I’m running on empty, and even a short nap can completely reset my mindset. I like to think of it as hitting a reset button – stepping away, recharging, and coming back with a clearer head.
On days when I don’t feel like napping but can tell I’m reaching my limit, I try to shift my focus to something small and tangible outside of school, like doing the dishes, tidying up, or vacuuming. It might seem simple, but being productive in a different way helps me feel more grounded and gives me the mental break I need. When I come back to studying after that, I’m usually in a much better place to focus and be productive.
Several studies have revealed that medical students, physicians, and healthcare professionals experience mental health symptoms at rates significantly higher than the general population. Stethos[Cope] is a chapter of IfYoureReadingThis designed to help medical students and professionals cope with the unique stressors of medical training and change the narrative of mental health in medicine.
To read more letters and interviews from students, and to learn more about mental health in the medical community, visit the Stethos[Cope] home page.