"The Discipline of Rest" by MSIH first year blogger Wentiirim Annankra


The discipline of rest ……….. even in medical school
It was Friday evening, and I biked from a friend’s home. Obviously in no hurry, I took my time to ride my bike and savor the quiet streets and the weather. Beersheva was almost like a ghost town now, but now eight months into my stay in Israel I was not surprised. The streets were so empty in stark contrast to the weekdays when I must be more careful about riding by people on the sidewalk. From Friday, late afternoon to Saturday evenings Beersheva is so quiet. Then Sundays to Thursdays it is bursting with so much life and activity. This is Israel, the land of the Sabbath, the land of rest—and the Israelis were serious about it.
At first I found it weird, but with time this culture of observing the Sabbath began to slowly seep into my personal life as well. I questioned whether it was worth it, but with time I found how beneficial this was, important for me….at least from my perspective. Let me tell you why.
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So, a few years ago, whenever I thought of medical school, my thoughts were bittersweet. Of course for those of us, who have been dreaming of being doctors for years, getting into medical school was the real deal! That aspect of the educational journey that for sure, sets us on the path to the pinnacle of our dreams. This was the sweet part. And then the bitter part? The isolation. The workload of studying did not scare me, because I knew that as for studying if anyone sets his or her mind to do it, it can be done. However, the isolation that many people engulf themselves in while studying frightened me. I heard my fair share of tales about how medical school changed people. Before medical school they were the most compassionate and community oriented category of individuals you will ever find then suddenly, something happened once they entered medical school. They hardly called home anymore, they lost touch with friends, their circle of isolation became wider and deeper.
Tales like this scared me, because I love people and community, and my love for people is one of the reasons I chose to pursue medicine. Isn’t it an irony that the very thing you set out to do initially is the very thing you end up alienating yourself from at the end of your medical education?
Don’t get me wrong, I know that medical school is very demanding and because of this, it is hard to keep up with as many friends as we would love to, but I think it is necessary to at least keep in touch with family and some close friends. Aren’t they the ones who keep encouraging you? The ones who help you realize that your worth is not defined by your grades?  And the ones who keep you laughing amid various circumstances?
However, it is always easier said than done. We always have plans until the reality of life hits us in the face. So, my first months here, I wanted to stay on my game. I was going-always going. Sometimes being busy, but not really accomplishing anything. To be not busy seemed like a bad thing. However, I was getting drained and exhausted. I did not want to be tired every time I sat down to study. I wanted to enjoy studying and learning new things. I don’t know when I made my mind to try to observe the Sabbath like some people did here in Israel, and really enjoy the various holidays we have during the year. But that was one of the best decisions I have made so far.
I resolved to try and get all my assignments done by Friday evening and resume on Saturday late afternoons. During this time, I catch up with family, friends, personal hobbies, and other things that really matter to me apart from studying. Initially, I struggled with keeping this because I thought I was wasting my time, but after doing this for months I realize that I am more productive with my time before Friday evenings, and after Saturday afternoons I feel so much more refreshed to face the coming week. Mind you, if you had suggested this idea to me before I came to medical school, I might have told you, “no way …” but… well ….
This is how I get through medical school. Observing the discipline the rest enables me to still connect with other things that are life-giving to me and maintain my sanity even in medical school. I call it a ‘discipline’ because sometimes it is hard to do it, but it so worth it.  So, cheers to future Sabbaths and the other Jewish holidays. These make studying in Israel a different and really cool experience for me.

Other medical students might get through medical school in different ways, and that is perfectly fine. If you find something that works for you, I will say go for it 😊

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