Girlfriend...

[rpatel18]

Here's a question more family related in regards to medical school. Me and my girlfriend have gone through some bad times even though we have been dating for two years. She went to a school 5 minutes away and complained that i did not see her enough(organic chemistry). We broke up but finally got back together. Now for those of you in medical school, if we stay together and move into an apartment wherever I end up going, how much time could a student realistically devote to their significant other while doing well(enough) in school? How much time do you spend actually at home? For those of you that do not have girlfriends, do you think you even have time for one now?

[OlufunshoBY]

Unless you study at home, you will always be in sch! the truth is the time you guys will get to see each other will be when you get home at night, or she comes visit you in sch.

if she complains about not spending enough time with her (due to organic chemistry), she seriously will need to adjust to med sch life, becuase you not always be around that much either.

compromise is the important factor, both of you should be willing to compromise your time for each other. meaning, if you feel you could spare an hour or so and still be ok, then spend that 1hr with her.

She also should be willing to understand the reason you are always gone and maybe sometimes, visit you in sch for couple of minutes or even half hour etc.

hope it helps

[anamaky]

Yeah, I was in a serious relationship while in med school (we're getting married) and I had to sit him down and tell him what to expect before I started med school, because your time will be limited and you'll spend a lot of time studying, so your SO has to be understanding. A lot of people are married, or in relationships in med school and manage to succeed at both by managing their time well, having an understanding partner, and making an effort to make time for family, etc... there will be times where you won't see her more than a few hours a day because you have to study and she needs to be supportive of that, you really need to tell her what it's going to be like and letting her see if she can handle that. The last thing you need is being overwhelmed at school with work and then having to deal with a tumultuous relationship at home.

[rpatel18]

thanks a lot guys that helps a lot, especially since you guys ended up getting married!!

[Tetzsc]

Thats all really great to read; definately a concern of mine. My SO and I are both planning on med school right now, and are fully aware of the difficulties this will present. Any advice from people out there who are dating/married to fellow med students? What has your experience been like? Any input is very welcome.

[cyclophane21]

Yeah, I was in a serious relationship while in med school (we're getting married) and I had to sit him down and tell him what to expect before I started med school, because your time will be limited and you'll spend a lot of time studying, so your SO has to be understanding. A lot of people are married, or in relationships in med school and manage to succeed at both by managing their time well, having an understanding partner, and making an effort to make time for family, etc... there will be times where you won't see her more than a few hours a day because you have to study and she needs to be supportive of that, you really need to tell her what it's going to be like and letting her see if she can handle that. The last thing you need is being overwhelmed at school with work and then having to deal with a tumultuous relationship at home.

My wife and I are both going to graduate school at the same time: her for her PhD and me for my MD so we'll both be studying a lot so we're certainly going to be able to spend time studying together while not really talking LOL!...and besides that its about TAKING time to spend time together when you can. That's the important thing.

[lindseyschlund]

Well, i would explain to her that you MUST study and ALOT. If she is not able to handle this then you know the relationship certainly won't work out when your become an M.D., crazy hours and such. So, use this as a test. For me, personally i would find being in a close relationship and attending Med school extremely difficult, then again it might be your only stress relief. Best of luck to you

[ngard777]

hiNo doubt medical school ...nd their similar sort of studies .. need a lot of sacrfices..lot of devotions..
n' so was mine ,, i had a gal friend...with whom ev'ry thing was goin' pretty fine.perfect'ly good ...but the day i appled for medical school er'ry things changed ......n we move from seeing each other evey single minute;to salutin' each other rar'ly .....nd one day ... i managed to cut of a piece from my overload schedul to see here ...but it wasn't in order to consolidate the relation ship ...but unfortanetly;to split up ....it was hard ..but i think it was the best way ...like that no one would get hurt:while m not ready for any kind of commitment...

[Therabreath]

I honestly think that if you really love your girlfriend, which I think you do but I don't know how much. Maybe you should start understanding her. A lot of patience coming on your part because not only now that she is studying that she needs to divert her attention but more after school.