Being a nontraditional premed in grad school means my weeks don’t always look like everyone else’s. My days are long, structured, and definitely exhausting at times—but they’re also rewarding because every routine I’ve built brings me one step closer to my dream. Here’s what a typical week looks like for me.
Sundays: Reset and Recharge
I restart my weeks on Sundays. Honestly, I usually sleep in until noon or even 1 p.m. After that, I spend about an hour lollygagging around, talking to my sister, doing random things around the house, and easing into the day. Around 3 or 4 p.m., I finally sit down to tackle one or two big tasks for the day. Sundays are also for prep work: I meal prep lunch for the week, set out my clothes, and make sure all my devices are charged before heading to bed around 9 or 10 p.m.
Mondays Through Thursdays: The Grind
My weekdays start early, alarm goes off at 5:30 a.m. I get ready, pack my bag, and head out by 6 a.m. First stop? The gym. I spend about an hour there before my 8 a.m. class, which I have Monday through Thursday.
Lunch is always at noon, but my afternoons vary depending on the day:
- Monday: I’m in class until 5 p.m.
- Tuesday: Until 6 p.m.
- Wednesday: Until 7 p.m. (my longest day)
- Thursday: Until 4 p.m. (my earliest day, which gives me more work time).
It takes me about an hour to get home with traffic. Once I’m back, I shower, maybe eat dinner, and then get straight to work. Thursdays are my big “catch-up” days since I finish earlier, so I tend to tackle more tasks then.
My Workflow
I have a set routine for each class:
- Prework (the day before class): I listen to a generated podcast on the topic and review a mind map.
- Post-work (the same day or a day or two later): I relisten to the podcast, take detailed notes, and make or review flashcards.
Assignments get sprinkled in throughout the week, but I aim to finish them 2–3 days before they’re due.
Whether or not I finish everything, I stick to my bedtime. Lights out by 9 p.m., 10 p.m. if I absolutely must finish something urgent.
Fridays: A Wild Card
I don’t usually have class on Fridays, except every third Friday when I wrap up by 10 a.m. Those Fridays feel like a gift, either a jumpstart on assignments or a chance to breathe.
Saturdays: Flexible Days
Saturdays are unpredictable. Sometimes they’re quiet study marathons at home, and other times they’re filled with errands, appointments, or catching up on life outside of school. I let Saturday adjust to what I need that week.
Life as a nontrad premed in grad school isn’t glamorous. It’s early mornings, long commutes, structured routines, and the constant balance between school and life. But it’s also discipline, growth, and small wins stacked day by day. Every workout, every lecture, every late-night flashcard session, it all adds up. And while my weeks are busy, they’re also proof that I’m building the resilience and habits I’ll need as a future physician.
