Kgothatso Legong - fifth year medical student at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University - gives us a look at his techniques for unwinding after completing his exams.

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Medical students sometimes get to embrace life beyond studying and seeing patients in the medical wards. After I wrote my last examination paper which was Practice of Medicine Paper 2, I was unsure if I should pack my belongings and head home immediately or stay at res for a couple of days and dwell in the stress free residence life where I would wake up and look forward to a totally free day.

While I was still undecided about my new found freedom, I observed my friends and colleagues straight away make their way home on the same day. It was not shocking though, a lot of them had not seen their families for more than ten months. The could not wait any longer to be reunited with their flesh and blood. Even though the same extended period of home sickness applied to me, I had to be stronger as I still wanted to bid my friends and lectures a proper goodbye.

Contrary to popular belief in the medical fraternity, I believe rest is very important. So, I decided that I am going to pack my books and focus on creating a life outside medicine so I can rewind and finally let my hair down.

This is how I unwind after my exams:

1. Great outing

A very good friend of mine who had already written his finally paper waited for me to finish my last one with great eager. Once I was done writing, we planned a grand outing experience to celebrate what I can say has been a very gruelling academic year.

We decided to go to an amusement park where I fought so hard to keep my intestines within where they belong and screams to a low. But I have to say, I was screaming at the highest decibels even I did not know I was capable. Most of the day was flushed with adrenalin but we calmed down at dusk by going to a stand-up comedy show. That evening was excessive of something perfect.

2. Binging

There is a saying amongst my classmates, “A series slaps harder when you have the pressure to study.” I have to say I agree with them – but the guilt that comes after is too great. With so much time I had to myself, I decided on binging on a new series and I did not regret it.

3. Learnt a new skill

Since it was summer and the sun was scotching hot, I made a resolution that I will learn how to swim. I went to a publicly owned pool and tried very eagerly to learn how to swim. This was a failed mission on so many levels. You should see me laughing right now as I reflect back at my great defeat.

When I got to the pool, I first inserted my legs in the water and watched other swimmers with admiration. After much encouragement from myself, I then proceeded to get into the pool, but I was walking along the borders and I have to say, I got to swim a bit.

It is important to induce loneliness from not touching and being away books. I believe this is a way to burn the desire to study even more.