A week in my life as a medical science student
By Teola Makumbe
There are quite a few moments when I look at my calendar and think, “this is a lot”. Between studying a Bachelor of Medical Science, working at the Student Centre, and finding time to do the things I love, my schedule can seem a little overwhelming. If you ever picture a “medical science student,” you might imagine someone constantly in a lab coat, running on coffee and studying 24/7. And some days…sure, that’s almost accurate. But most of the time, my life is a lot more normal (and honestly a lot more fun) than people expect.
A typical week as a med science student
Most of my week is a mix of classes, work at the Student Centre and staying active through running, pilates and the gym. Mondays and Tuesdays are usually my most flexible days, which allows me to work and catch up on online lectures, while the second half of the week is more focused on labs and tutorials.
Thursdays are my biggest day, which was quite intentional. It starts off with Biochemistry at 9:30am, another lab at 1:30pm and then a Physiology tutorial at 4:30pm, finishing the day off at 6.30pm. It’s long, but it means I can commit the day fully to uni and not feel like I’m constantly switching between “study mode” and “work mode.”
Running and the gym are non-negotiables for me, as are my Saturday morning pilates sessions, reading, time with friends and doing small things around Canberra with my partner. I’ve learnt the importance of leaving room for balance and creating routines that help me stay organised throughout the week.
Life outside of study
Outside of uni and work, I’ve also learnt to really value both time with others and time on my own. I love spending quiet afternoons journalling or going for a solo walk after Pilates, usually stopping at Stella’s by the Lake for a hot chocolate and some time to reset for the week ahead. I also travel back to Newcastle whenever I can to spend time with family and friends.
Living on campus at Cooper Lodge with friends I met in my first year has made uni life feel a lot more connected. Earlier in the year, we had a weekly tradition where someone would bake for everyone and we’d sit around the kitchen table either working on assignments or catching up on our week. Even when life gets busier, we still make time for small things like brunch, dinner together or movie nights. Having that balance away from study and work helps me come back feeling more focused, refreshed and ready for the week ahead.
My advice to you
If I’ve learnt anything during my studies so far, it’s this, plan early so the week doesn’t overwhelm you. Because it’s so easy to get behind and planning ahead can help prevent that. One thing that I’ve learnt, as someone who works and studies, is that some weeks you can do more outside of studying, other weeks you just need to stay on top of your studies. So I treat rest like a commitment, not a reward, because taking time to rest helps me show up better in every area of my life.
Uni has taught me a lot about balancing study with other responsibilities and priorities, and that’s something that’s really helped me grow both academically and personally. If you love learning about how the body works, what causes disease and you’re considering a future in health (including pathways like medicine), Medical Science is a strong foundation. Uni can be challenging, but it’s also really interesting, and finding that balance between study and life is really rewarding.
