Fourth-year student doctor Ikaneng Yingwane shares some pros and cons of extracurricular activities during medical school studies.

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A jam-packed schedule full of lectures, labs, and clinical rotations as well as a rigorous curriculum is what medical school is known for. The question then arises: should you engage in extra-curricular activities, or solely focus on your academic and clinical responsibilities?

Well, the answer to that is not exactly straightforward. In fact, extracurricular activities in medical school have sparked a great deal of debate among students, lecturers, and admission committees. These all centre around whether these activities are beneficial or detrimental to a medical student’s education and career trajectory. The activities that one can be involved in are many, but the ones students usually participate in fall in either one or more of the following categories:

Professional organisations: Such organisations usually invite medical students to join for free. The demands from such organisations on their individual members are usually less that the others that will be mentioned because they typically have dedicated staff that take care of most of their endeavours. Students usually benefit from these by gaining access to exclusive material, the opportunity to meet and engage with a variety of professionals in the medical field and so much more.

Research: Students who are passionate about research can ask to participate in basic or clinical studies within or outside of their university. Research involvement is particularly valued by the university you are in because it illustrates your dedication to academic medicine and the scientific method. Moreover, when applying for registrarship (specialist training) positions it can be advantageous to already have somewhat of a research output (a bigger bonus if you managed to publish your research).

Community service and volunteering: Sometimes you may be interested in community service/volunteerism such as working in free clinics, participating in health education programs, or contributing to global health initiatives. These can help you develop empathy, improve patient your communication skills, help you understand the social determinants of health but over and above give you the satisfaction of bringing about positive change within your community and the world at large.

Leadership roles: Various student organisations, medical societies or student governance structures are primarily run by students. Being a student leader requires more discipline and time management than the other activities mentioned because of the greater burden of responsibility. Being a student leader may empower you with the foundational qualities of a good leader paving your path toward greater leadership responsibility.

Hobbies and personal interests: Pursuing hobbies such as sports, music, or creative arts offers you a constructive outlet for stress relief and helps you maintain a healthy work-life balance. These activities contribute to overall well-being and can prevent burnout.

Despite their benefits, there are some potential downsides you should also consider. The biggest of which is balancing your extracurricular activities with your academic responsibilities. You may quickly find yourself overwhelmed if you take on too many commitments. At the extreme end of this is the greater potential for experiencing burnout from the pressure to excel in both academics and the extracurriculars.

Extracurricular activities in medical school can be both beneficial and detrimental. Consider your choice of extracurriculars carefully aiming for those aligned with your interests and career goals. You should also focus more on quality than quantity by engaging deeply in a few meaningful activities rather than spreading yourself too thin across many. Ultimately, the key is to remain mindful of one’s limits and prioritise your well-being while pursuing passions that contribute to both your personal and professional development. By doing so, you can navigate the extracurricular landscape effectively, enhancing your education and preparing for a successful career in medicine.

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