They say that med students tend to overdiagnose themselves with all sorts of diseases and disorders as they recognize that they are presenting with the very same symptoms as many of the diseases they’re learning about. Well, I think that I have diagnosed myself with an illness that I realize that I’ve had for a few years now, but never consciously thought about until this year. I call it FOMOS. Fear Of Missing Out Syndrome. No, you will not find this in the DSM, (though perhaps it should be considered for the next edition…) or any other textbook, medical or otherwise. I think it all started out late in undergrad. People always said that “university is the best time of your life”, but I did little besides study in my early undergrad years, and so, with only 2 years left to go, I decided that I wasn’t going to let this opportunity pass me by, so I started to try out some societies, intramurals, and free lecture seminars that the university had to offer. It was great! I discovered a whole new, exciting world of learning, friendships, and opportunities. Problem is, I didn’t (and still don’t) know quite how or when to stop.
Med school has, if anything, worsened my condition. There are so many interesting societies, committees, conferences, seminars, research opportunities, intramurals….you name it, I’m probably doing it. And I enjoy the things I do so much, that I just can’t say no to anything. Join the choir? Sure. Band? Love to! Yoga? Sounds great! Dance classes? Of course! Atlantic Rep for the national organization SUNSIH? Why not? Help organize a few events? Well, if you really need the help…And while I’m at it why not be on a few more societies and committees? They’re all so interesting…I could almost have time for them…if I quit med school. You see, that is where my problem lies. I just don’t have time for all the things I want to do AND study. Attending class is enough of a time burden…by the time I’ve finished my other commitments, I don’t usually get started studying until after midnight (if I even get to it). Although at first my body seemed to be able to deal with 4-5 hours of sleep a night, it is starting to rebel. I’ve gotten to the point where the only thing that’s keeping me going is the thought that Christmas break is coming soon. That’s unhealthy, I know. But what can I do? I just can’t stop, I am just too passionate about my extra-currics to give them up…and obviously cutting out studying altogether is a definite no-no…so in the meantime, I’ll just keep trying to plan my days better-perhaps by planning in 5 instead of 30 minute blocks?
