Scheduling Strategies for Medical Students During Lockdown: Balancing Learning and Well-being

Introduction

Medical students are no stranger to rigorous schedules and compressed learning periods. However, the current global lockdowns present a unique challenge to maintaining a structured routine. This article offers insights into how medical students can effectively manage their time during these periods, blending online lectures, self-study, and interactive sessions to ensure both academic progress and personal well-being.

Sample Weekly Timetable for Online Learning and Self-Study

Let's take a look at a typical weekly timetable for a medical student during a lockdown. This example combines various learning methods such as lectures, self-study, and virtual clinical practice sessions that cater to diverse learning styles.

Monday

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Online Lecture - Anatomy 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM: Self-Study - Review lecture notes and textbook 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Virtual Group Study Session 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Online Lecture - Physiology

Tuesday

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Online Lecture - Biochemistry 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Self-Study - Biochemistry problems 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Virtual Clinical Skills Workshop 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Online Seminar - Medical Ethics

Wednesday

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Online Lecture - Pathology 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM: Self-Study - Pathology case studies 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM: Virtual Office Hours with Professors 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM: Online Discussion - Pharmacology

Thursday

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Online Lecture - Microbiology 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Self-Study - Microbiology quiz preparation 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Virtual Clinical Case Discussions 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Online Lecture - Surgery

Friday

9:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Online Lecture - Internal Medicine 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Self-Study - Internal Medicine readings 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Virtual Peer Support Meeting 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Online Exam Preparation Session

Saturday

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Review Sessions - Open for all subjects 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM: Research Project Work, if applicable

Sunday

Day Off / Optional Study Time

Key Features of the Timetable

Flexibility

The timetable can be adjusted based on workload and personal commitments. This flexibility allows students to balance their academic responsibilities with their personal lives.

Variety of Learning Methods

The timetable incorporates a blend of lectures, self-study, and interactive sessions, catering to different learning styles and ensuring a comprehensive learning experience.

Wellness

It is important to include breaks and time for self-care, particularly during stressful periods. This helps maintain a balance between academic responsibilities and personal well-being.

A Personal Weekly Schedule

For a 1st-year MBBS student living in a village with zero coronavirus cases, the initial lockdown schedule might have looked like this:

Before College Online Classes Started

Wakeup: 11:00 AM Hygiene: Fresh up, bathing, Pooja, breakfast at 1:00 PM, and browsing through messages on the mobile. Afternoon: Sleep by 2:30 PM. Evening: Wake up at 4:30 PM, go for a walk or walk by the forest until 5:30-6:00 PM. Dinner: Back by 6:00 PM, watch movies, rest by 9:30 PM, and go to bed by 10:30 PM to 3:00 AM.

Now, with the start of college online classes, the schedule has evolved:

Current Schedule

Wakeup: 10:00 AM Hygiene: Fresh up, breakfast, and bath by 11:00 AM. Morning Classes: Watch pre-recorded online classes of all three subjects from 11:00 AM to 2:20 PM. Live Classes: Attend the live online question-answer class from 2:30 PM to 3:15 PM. Lunch Break: 3:15 PM to 4:00 PM. Afternoon Study: Read the previous portion from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Assignment: Write the assignment of the day from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Evening Evening: Use WhatsApp to know the next day's syllabus for the question class from 9:30 PM to 10:30 PM. Preparation: Prepare for the questions and other reading from 10:30 PM to 3:00 AM.

Conclusion

The key to successfully managing a lockdown timetable as a medical student is to use the flexibility in the schedule to balance academic responsibilities with personal well-being. By incorporating various learning methods and self-care practices, you can maintain productivity and mental health even during challenging times.