Since I have some more time to blog and reflect I have come to make some new observations about the social interactions of medical students. It must be the anthropologist in me--the one who could have steered me towards a PhD in this discipline years ago--but I am constantly observing how people interact with each other. As a rule I am very open-minded in who I keep company with and try my best not to discriminate or judge my acquaintances. Sometimes I think this stems from the charming, extrovert side of my personality, other times I think it has more to do with evolution. But that's the biologist in me. In any case, I have noticed that many of my peers are a bit...how to put it lightly...socially dysfunctional.
Case 1: When I had Facebook there was a woman in my class who used to randomly comment on my wall. Had I ever interacted with her in the real world? No. I found this to be quite awkward because she seemed to be befriending me purely through social media and I wasn't sure how to interact with her social situations. Making these transitions from social media to the real world is awkward at best. I think somebody should publish an article about this phenomenon.
Case 2: I realize that we work hard (the second semesters especially) and deserve to unwind but partying and drinking to excess when you are 23 or 24 and on the path to an MD seems a bit immature. If no one has realized this already, the commitment of medical school causes people in our age demographic to mature exponentially over the years. A 23 year old medical student has the equivalent intellectual maturation, inner-drive and lame social life of any 30+ year old. :) We often complain about how we are "throwing" away our Prime years (our 20s) to the evil beast that is medical school. A common theme is: "But I'm in medical school, I don't have time to date!" "It's okay honey, medical school can be your lover."
Although I often wonder if having a significant other in your class is such a bad idea. I mean think about it. It's like having a 24 hour study-buddy, emotional and intellectual support, and most importantly someone to cook 50% of the time when you are cramming for the next Mini. It does sound great and strangely not One couple failed out or is having to repeat this semester. Hmm...
Okay back to reality...
I have realized that maintaining basic friendships is even difficult. It's quite sad really. You might run into a friend while going back to your apartment for a quick lunch/study break or in the library but the likelihood of every actually spending quality time with that person is slim. Is this the reality of the real world of "grown ups"? Is this what people in corporate America experience every day? Surely people hang out with their co-workers once and a while, even if it is to grab a beer after work. A suggestion of this sort would receive a laugh and a "uhh maybe Saturday? If I'm caught up for the week? Although I am working that clinic at 7 a.m. on Sunday morning so..."
Such is the life of a medical student.
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