Managing the work-life balance during the second degree
Alison Mace - Warwick University Rep
Congratulations! You made it to the second degree!
Except now you’re in your mid 20s instead of 18, and have a professional job, a certain standard of living and potentially a mortgage/ partner/ children. You don’t really want to stop working completely because you might de-skill, and importantly need the money, but how do you balance it with the demands of the second degree. This article should hopefully give you some things to consider.
1. Your degree is the number 1 priority
Always remember that you have gone back to medical or dental school to get a degree, not to locum. While the money offered by locum shifts can be tempting your number 1 priority should always be university. Requirements for attendance have got much stricter in recent years, and most universities don’t take kindly if you are consistently absent due to working. If you are picking up so many locums that you aren’t able to focus on the course content, it is time to re-evaluate the amount of work you are doing.
2. Find a local OMFS unit
The most valuable thing you can do is to find a local supportive OMFS unit. It becomes much easier to locum if you build up a good relationship with one unit, instead of bouncing around multiple. You will find it becomes mentally easier to have a stable unit to locum in, rather than have to take on new experiences and content at university, while also learning how to work in a new environment. If you are lucky the Consultants at the unit will also help you with presentations/ publications.
3. Stay humble
While you may already have a medical/ dental degree, do not expect that alone to carry you through the 2nd degree. Particularly if you have chosen a postgraduate course, you will find the sheer volume of content a challenge. It is important to respect the amount of time that is needed to study what is required. Also be aware that the phrase ‘I don’t know’ is going to become one of your most used and that is okay. You have gone back to university to learn, not to know everything instantly.
While there may be some sessions that you feel you don’t need because you already have real world experiences, try and go into these with an open mind. You may pick up small tips that change your practice, or have the opportunity to practice different techniques with sim patients.
4. Remember to take time for yourself
While you are busy studying and working it is important to remember that you need a personal life too. You are of no use to anyone, let alone yourself if you burn out during medical school. This is easier said than done, but making sure you keep up with hobbies/ sports that you enjoy pre-second degree is essential. If this is an issue for you and you are a ‘yes person’, block out days off, or time in your calendar as designated time to relax. It is okay not to pick up a locum shift because you want a day off. Working weekends with university can mean you are doing multiple 14 day weeks, which becomes exhausting if consistent. You need the time to focus on yourself.
Ultimately you will find your own balance to get through the second degree, but hopefully this guide acts as a starting point of how to move forwards.
