<p>Simple question. I have a chance to be a TA for an honors OChem course, or do research with an Ochem professor. Not enough time to do both, so which will med school value more?</p>
<p>Research unless you already have that covered.</p>
<p>Do both. You have mentioned no time. Make time, drop something else.</p>
<p>TA=leadership Research lab =research</p>
<p>Which one do you need more? If you have other leadership positions on your resume, take the lab position.</p>
<p>^The fact is that most have both.</p>
<p>I think WOWMom meant, “Do whichever you’re lacking.” So if he’s lacking leadership but has done a bunch of, say, biology research, he should take the TA position. Conversely, if he started a club or holds a nice campus leadership position, he should take the research spot. If he has neither, and now has the opportunity to have both, I think he should drop another activity (like a sport, perhaps?) to fit both.</p>
<p>If the issue is that OChem TA would directly conflict with research, and you need both, I’d just flip a coin–and pick whichever one you’re hoping it lands on!</p>
<p>Everybody’s experience is different and it depends on your location. D. was doing all at the same time, they were several years commitments, all during school year. Nothing was available in home town during summers, she had hardest time looking for volunteering/ shadowing, forget jobs, Research. There is flexibility in all, D. had to change many things around her Med. School interviews as she stayed very involved all until graduation.</p>
<p>Yeah, I actually have no other form of leadership (accept perhaps tutoring, if that counts. does it?) And I’ve never done a drop of research. So its best to do both?</p>
<p>Its just that Im taking Biochem and Physics, as well as tutoring, volunteering, shadowing, and the studying for the oh so fun MCAT. (-_-)</p>
<p>Which would you suppose I cut back? It is definitely possible to do both tho, now that I think about it. I just dont wanna do poorly in any of the other things Im doing.</p>
<p>If you think you can do both but are worried you might fall behind in something, my suggestion would be to do two things:</p>
<p>1) Get a planner and use it constantly and consistently. It’s a very effective way to manage your time. Gcal or ical or a pen and paper planner, whatever. Just get in the habit of planning your time and figuring out where you can fit things in. It might feel overwhelming at first to have your week laid out in front of you, but it will allow you to manage your time effectively. Plus, once it’s in your planner, you don’t have to worry about remembering it. Just write it down!</p>
<p>2) Be really honest with yourself. Be accountable to yourself. Set priorities. Have the discipline to write out your schedule and then actually follow it. Don’t be afraid to readjust if necessary (this is where the honesty/accountability part comes in). I’d give it at least two or three weeks before you make any major changes–you’ll need some time to get the hang of it anyway. </p>
<p>Example: One semester I clearly tried to do too much and was just stretched too thin. I knew it because I was tired, stressed, and could see the quality of my work slipping. I chose one area to cut back on–research–and explained to the professor what was going on. He happily agreed to let me work with him the following semester, at a time when I could prioritize his lab. It worked out great.</p>
<p>Example: I really wanted to shadow during the week, but didn’t think I had the time to do so. After looking at my planner and adjusting my schedule, I found a 3h block of time that worked with the doc I wanted to shadow. I added that appointment to my book and kept going back for about two years. Had I not been so organized, I might not have found that slice of time. It ended up being a really rewarding experience.</p>
<p>As an additional benefit, when you’re sitting there trying to think of how many hours you spent in the lab last year, it’s ridiculously easy to just go back through your planner and tally everything up as long as you were diligent about writing it down. </p>
<p>I was a very busy student in undergrad but found a way to maximize my time by planning and managing my time well. I’m sure you could do it too!</p>