#006 The Fun Issue
Hello and welcome back to the HMS Newsletter! Welcome also to February! I know I’m a bit late to the party but better late than never right? Happy new week. I hope this letter meets you in the best possible spirits.
It’s my birthday this week and I am excited (raised to the power of one thousand billion). Haha. It got me thinking about all my previous birthdays in medical school, as this will be my last (yay!). I’ve always spent my birthday in school over the last couple of years, actually most likely, all my life. Crazy, isn’t it? We have no idea how these moments just pass us by.
I want you to do a little exercise for me. Think back to the last time you had proper fun in school. Not Christmas or New Year Celebrations with family, but just old fashioned regular fun. Can you picture the moment. If you are like me, and you can’t then you need a little more spice in your life and I have a few pointers for you today.
Making space for fun as a medical student;
Understand why it’s important. Believe it or not, you will not be a student forever. And you need to mark the notable moments in your life as they happen, because they won’t just come back around when you are “settled and have time”. Whenever that is. You will not turn 21 twice. So make the time to celebrate yourself. I remember back in preclinicals my friend and I would go buy ice cream, suya and cookies anytime we finished an incourse. Before we saw the result o. Haha. It got to a point that, while preparing for exams, that was the only thing that kept me motivated.
Plan and put some money aside for it. Unfortunately nothing is free in this life, including enjoyment. So when you’re doing your monthly budget, include fun and leisure in your itinerary. They say if you fail to plan, you plan to fail!
Be responsible about it. Don’t go too hard. This is the mistake most medical students make at the end of the day. Because you’ve spent years upon years studying hard, you na want to enjoy yourself to death when you get a little free time. Why not make chilling a lifestyle instead, so you don’t feel like you’re missing out and then overdo it when you get the chance. People have died whilst driving home drunk. Things dey occur o. Don’t get too carried away. Please, please and please.
A few things you can do for fun;
Take a weekend trip to somewhere new (stay safe tho).
Go to the movies.
Have an hangout with your friends.
Go for that wedding you were invited to.
Go for conferences.
Attend concerts.
Say yes to more dates.
Take photos and videos with/of your classmates.
Explore your city.
Go for outreaches.
Host a games night.
This is me officially giving you permission to have fun whilst being a medical student. You can do it. Trust me 😉
Have a great week ahead! And while you’re at it, check out our video for the week last week;
See you next week.
Love, OJ