SOCIAL LIFE AND NETWORKS FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS.

 Hey, I recently discovered that once you’re a medical student or professional, it is common for people to insinuate that you don’t have social presence in your life, you are considered to be boring and worse, you might even accept that you are. Occasionally this insinuation is right, in others it is not. Realistically, for medical students, having a healthy social life and a strong professional network is extremely beneficial. Connections and support have a profound impact on both personal and professional success. Let’s consider a few social factors that can improve your social life and networking.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

This will be a broad point as there are many different types of extra-curricular activities you can engage in as a medical student such as campus events like social dances or movie-nights, educational trips to health facilities, community service projects, volunteering opportunities at local hospitals, health-fairs and screenings, conferences and seminars from experts and research workshop visits, all outside your usual daily regularities. I am quite excited to join professional organizations related to my interests, volunteer for projects and attend conferences of sound minds.

 You can also choose to run a student organization focused on health and advocacy or create mentorship programs for younger students such as the NIMELSSA MENTORSHIP PROGRAM that I am registered as a mentee in, I have such an amazing mentor. There’s also the angle of engaging in sporting activities and clubs which I definitely want a part of in my new year of study.

 These activities help in building your resume due to new skills you will develop, increasing your human relations, building a sense of community, developing a competitive streak and interest outside of the classroom - most importantly, a break from school stress.

LEISURE BASED ACTIVITIES

Leisure is a must for medical students especially if you want to avoid burn-out. Taking time out to read, dance, create or simply self-care goes a long way in recharging your batteries and creating relationships with like-minded individuals is also a side benefit. So, my dear reader, go on outdoor trips and excursions, play board or video games, exercise, read for leisure, participate in that hobby that brings you joy, and even party, if you can!

 These are things I definitely won’t make passes on because the effects of leisure are too astounding to neglect.

FRIENDSHIPS AND RELATIONSHIPS

Human relations are an important factor for medical students in form of friendships, relationships and professional associations. Friends are an avenue for support networks, they provide a sense of belonging, comfort and understanding. Good friends are a secure space for venting frustrations and sharing joys. In light of our discussion focus, friends can be a great source of fun and relaxation in medical school, a trip with friends, a game with pals and drinks with a buddy or two goes a long way in improving your mental health and networking. Having good friends helped me in such immense ways in my first year, schooling without them just wouldn’t be the same.

Relationships such as mentorships are valuable assets for providing guidance and support throughout your education and career. I am always grateful for the mentors I have not only for their vast encouragement and wealth of knowledge but also for the opportunities I have gotten through them.

Professional associations offer great networking opportunities for medical students such as conferences and webinars. Becoming a member increases your access to resources and projects. This is obviously a key factor for growth of a medical student.

CAUTION!!!!

It is clear that there are many benefits to having a strong social presence and professional network but there must be moderations as they are potential pitfalls if you begin to get carried away. Over commitment as a medical student to social activities must be avoided because due to the nature of your field, you have lesser time and energy to expend without running a risk to your studies. It is important to prioritize and not overextend yourself in networking. Also, in any social or professional network, there is a chance of miscommunication and conflict, learn to handle these cases with professionalism and grace. Understanding these risks and taking steps to mitigate them is key to a proper balanced social life.

FINALLY

A properly managed social life involves you being genuine, authentic and highly independent. Learn to show interest, and take advantage of networking events and opportunities.

The benefits of a social life and network for medical students include the reduction of isolation and loneliness, support systems during stressful years of study, better life quality, reduced stress and anxiety, enhanced academic performance, increased resilience, career advancements and professional breakthroughs.

The experience of medical school is more enjoyable and fulfilling with long relationships and connections that have vast impact on your personal life and professional success.

With all these considerations in mind, you should endeavor to make time for building a social life and professional networks to ensure a well-rounded, healthy, exciting medical study and career path.

Hope you understand and enjoyed learning to inculcate a social life as a medical student. Have a great week!