A (Probably Too Realistic) Week in My Life as a Medical Student

Author: Tessa Paul

Hi!! I’m Tessa, a second-year medical student at LSU Health Shreveport.

I originally picked this week because I was heading to the Women in Surgery Career Symposium in Florida. I expected a calm start to a new class block before traveling. A productive, balanced, slightly aesthetic week in my life.

That plan didn’t last long.

A sudden freeze caused an unexpected schedule change. Add travel stress and burnout I didn’t want to admit, and what I thought would be calm quickly became chaotic (how my weeks normally go). So instead of a curated version of med school, this is one of the real weeks.

Sunday: The Reset Day That Wasn’t

Supposed to be: reset day
Reality: emergency renal exam prep

My renal exam got moved from Friday to Monday, and my reset day became survival mode.

I woke up at 10:00 am (no weekend alarms ever), did emails and Anki while finishing Heated Rivalry (priorities), called my MawMaw. I then spent the rest of the day cycling between practice questions, First Aid, then Anki – all while trying to mentally keep it together. I made dinner, folded laundry I’d been avoiding, and ended the night doing Anki in bed (would not recommend).

If I’m being honest, I struggled. Burnout is real. I didn’t feel as prepared as I wanted to be, and focusing took more effort than usual. Sometimes showing up doesn’t look like peak productivity. Sometimes it’s just doing what you can with what you have. And that counts.

Monday: Exam Day

My day started at 2:44 am when construction woke me up.  By 5:39 am I was in my favorite study room on campus, running on fumes. Anki, First Aid, and my first Uncrustable of the day carried me to my 11:00 am exam. At 12:31 pm, it was over. Immediately, my stress was knocked down 4 notches.

I picked up prescriptions, crocheted instead of being productive, felt guilty about it, then ran errands to compensate. Built a desk. Bedrotted. Got dinner with friends. Played pool. Post-exam evenings mimic getting your nervous system back into normal rhythm. 

Tuesday: Sick Day

I was sick. I stayed in bed.

Not every day in med school is productive. I needed the reset.

Wednesday: Regaining Momentum

I slept in intentionally. Recovery was the priority.

I went to school, checked on our bake sale, watched Sketchy, went to class, attended an IDEAS Day meeting, which is basically a giant science fair for kids in the Shreveport-Bossier community. Then I went home to unpack and repack my bag (removed suture supplies TSA would absolutely confiscate). I did laundry, accidentally vacuumed my entire house, and ended the night with Boards videos and Anki.

Momentum was fragile, but it was coming back.

Thursday: Travel Day Chaos

I woke up at 3:30 am, got stuck behind a stopped train, studied at school, worked the AWS “Charm & Chill” event at the Mental Health Fair on campus, partially skipped class to avoid missing my flight, and made it to the airport.

I did compliance modules and drank an ice cold Dr. Pepper at the gate. 

After delays, I landed in Tampa at midnight and finally fell asleep at 2:00 am.

Traveling as a medical student means bringing your responsibilities with you.

Friday & Saturday: Women in Surgery Career Symposium

This is why I came.

I attended workshops on mentorship, mental health, research, leadership, imposter syndrome, and building a career in surgery. I met mentors, watched poster presentations, and spent time surrounded by women who built the careers I dream about. Friday evening, I walked on the beach and realized this is what I’m working toward.

Saturday, I attended more workshops and met a pre-med student interviewing at LSU Health Shreveport. Talking to her felt surreal. Not long ago, I was her. Now I’m the one giving reassurance.

Final Thoughts

This week wasn’t perfect. I was burnt out, sick, sleep-deprived, and overwhelmed.

But I still showed up.

I took my exam, supported my organization, traveled halfway across the country, met mentors, and helped someone earlier in their journey. Medical school isn’t aesthetic study sessions and perfectly organized schedules. It’s messy. It’s exhausting. It’s meaningful.

Tessa Paul is a second-year medical student at LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine. She is passionate about breast surgical oncology and women-focused surgical specialties. She founded and currently leads the emerging Association of Women Surgeons chapter at LSUHS and is actively involved in IDEAS Day, AMWA, Pars for Peds, Medical Students for Choice, and the Vascular Surgery Interest Group. Her academic interests include breast cancer care, surgical education, and translational oncology research, including work on exosomal miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, hiking and running, traveling, and spending time with her cat, Sabrina.