A Bonus Day to Study or Sleep?
A lighthearted take on how medical students view an unexpected free day—more study time or a rare chance to rest?
Have you ever felt guilty for resting? Or horrible for doing absolutely nothing? If yes, read this to the end. If no—well, you’re already here, so you might as well keep going.
Medical school and the culture around it demand that we work round the clock. At some point, we’re all running on fumes, caffeine, and energy drinks. It’s crazy, but hey, we get by—until burnout (or worse) catches up with us.
I just finished my Lab Medicine exams, and now I’m playing the waiting game with my results. The day after my exams, I woke up, said my prayers, read a few essays… and went back to sleep. A few hours later, I woke up feeling overwhelmed with guilt—as though resting was some kind of crime.
For a moment, I didn’t understand the feeling. I thought about watching Telenovelas, volunteering to babysit for a friend, working on my content calendar, or even watching Bollywood movies dubbed in Hausa on Arewa24. And suddenly, I felt like Uncle Ruckus from Boondocks when he discovered he was 100% Black with no "Revitiligo."
Eventually, I made peace with my so-called unproductivity and went back to my usual routine. But it got me thinking—how do we, as medical students, really spend our unexpected free days?
Here’s what to consider when you get a bonus day:
Rest and Recovery: Prioritize sleep and relaxation to recharge both physically and mentally. This will improve your health as well.
Personal Activities: Engage in hobbies or spend time with loved ones to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Academic Catch-Up: If you must, use the time to review difficult material or prepare for upcoming exams—but don’t overdo it.
Ultimately, how you spend your free day depends on your needs. The key is balance—because both personal well-being and academic success matter.
Love & Light.