Stephanie C.
Photo provided by Stephanie C.
If you’re reading this, know it’s okay to take a break.
Medical school is incredibly demanding and can sometimes feel impossibly difficult and all-consuming. It’s easy to fall into the trap of letting your studies take up all your time, especially with a seemingly endless list of material to cover. While studying does require a significant amount of your time, it does not, and I believe should not, define all and everything you are. Instead of experiencing FOMO (fear of missing out), I found myself having the fear of NOT studying, FONS, if you will. I would feel so guilty about not studying that I couldn’t truly relax during my breaks, which only led to increased stress and burnout. Through this challenging process, I learned the importance of taking time for yourself and genuinely enjoying your breaks. When I allowed myself to fully embrace these moments of rest, I found myself more focused and reenergized when I returned to studying. So, find whatever recharges your battery and make sure you allow yourself to enjoy the journey through medical school.
Stephanie C., Fourth Year Medical Student
Q: What is your most used coping strategy or technique?
A: Exercise! While it might be a common choice, its impact on my medical school success has been profound. Running, in particular, offers more than just physical benefits for me. It provides a mental reset, a chance to step away from the computer, and an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. I use my runs to listen to my favorite music and explore the city, which I otherwise wouldn’t have time for. Incorporating running into my schedule helps me maintain discipline. By deliberately setting aside time for a run each day, I create structured periods for studying, ensuring I stay (mostly) focused, knowing a run break is on the horizon. Even during the busiest exam weeks, I was able to stick to my running routine because it was already a planned part of my day, which helped me manage pre-exam stress. Although it's been harder to keep up with running during long clinical rotations, I still feel noticeably better on days when I can fit in even a short walk or some movement. I encourage you to find whatever type of activity brings you joy!
Q: How have you learned to cope better throughout medical school?
A: Practice has been key for me. While I wish I could simply tell others "don't stress," I know that's not a realistic solution. A significant part of my development in medical school has been learning how to manage my own stress and find effective ways to calm myself. I want to emphasize that feeling stressed or struggling at the beginning—or at any point during medical school—is completely normal. This journey is as much about learning how to handle stress as it is about mastering the material. If a particular stress-relief method isn't working for you, it's perfectly okay to try something else. As my mother says, "try, try, try again." Keep experimenting to find what helps you, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support or advice when you need it.
Q: What do you wish other people knew about the stressors of medical school/medical training?
A: One thing I wish others understood is that even seemingly simple tasks can become overwhelming during medical school. My non-medical family and friends are among my biggest support systems, and I couldn’t have made it this far without them. However, there are times when I feel guilty for not staying in touch or responding quickly to messages. The pressure of not replying promptly can be daunting, and what starts as a delayed response can sometimes stretch into weeks or even months. I want those outside of medical school to know that we genuinely value and miss our connections, even if we don’t always communicate it. Often, we are so overwhelmed that the mental effort required to send one more text can feel like an insurmountable task.
Q: Have you ever sought professional help or counseling for mental health support during your time in medical school? If so, how did it impact your overall well-being?
A: Yes, my first year of medical school was when I first accessed professional counseling. Although I had considered seeing a therapist before—such as during the MCAT preparation or the application process—the process of finding a therapist, especially one that was covered by my insurance seemed like too daunting of a task to even consider. Then, during orientation, I discovered that my school offered free and easily accessible in-person counseling on campus. I signed up for an appointment immediately. Even though therapy didn’t provide all the answers or completely eliminate all my stress, it was incredibly reassuring to have a dedicated time each month for myself. Just knowing I had a scheduled appointment offered immense comfort, like having a safety net always ready to catch me if I fell. I particularly appreciated scheduling sessions during exam weeks. Talking through my stress with a professional helped me process my feelings, which made them feel more manageable and normalized. Overall, seeking counseling significantly improved my mental well-being, giving me a greater sense of balance and resilience throughout the challenges of medical school.
Q: In what ways do you think medical schools can better support students' mental health and well-being?
A: I am very grateful that my medical school offered on-campus counseling services that I was able to access. However, I noticed that not everyone who wanted to use these services could do so because appointment slots filled up quickly. This underscored the high demand for mental health support and highlighted the need for expanding these services. I hope that schools will respond to this demand by hiring more counselors and staff to better meet students' needs. For me personally, online chat therapy sessions are not as effective, so having more in-person counseling options would be beneficial. Additionally, I believe there should be more support for students who are not on campus or who live in a different state due to clinical rotations or auditions. For instance, as I am no longer residing in the same state as my school, I have struggled to establish care with a new therapist. There is a need for more resources and guidance on how to find and establish care with mental health professionals when transitioning away from the school environment. By addressing these gaps, medical schools could better support students' mental health and well-being throughout their training and beyond.
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.