Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox.
Subscribe to our newsletter here.

Being pre-med is hard. Between classes, clinical hours, shadowing and leadership roles, there’s a constant pressure to do more and a lingering feeling that it’s still not enough. As a fourth-year medical student at SUNY Upstate Medical University about to go through The Match, I remember that feeling all too well.

Over the years, I have mentored a handful of premed and medical students. I’m often asked for research advice, the Medical College Admission Test, or which clubs look best on an application. Of course, I cover these topics, discussing their research aspirations, how the MCAT is structured and what extracurriculars could strengthen a resume. We all know it takes hard work, time, dedication and a busy schedule to get into medical school. Tons of resources already outline the technical requirements: what classes to take, how many clinical hours are needed, where to find shadowing opportunities and even what to write in a cold email.

But that’s not the advice I consider most important.

I’ve heard it countless times: “I’ll be happy when I get into medical school,” or “I’ll enjoy life when I’m a medical student.” In undergraduate, I knew so many people willing to spend four or more years miserable, completely obsessed with getting accepted. Being on the other side, I think this approach does a disservice to yourself.
My most common and number one piece of advice is this: Have some fun. You only get to experience undergrad once. Even while working toward your next goal, make time for the things you enjoy.

When I was an undergrad, I had, and still have, a great group of friends and a partner to keep me grounded. I also joined a sorority, crafted, went out, spent time outside as much as I could, took weekend trips, read and focused on extracurricular activities I genuinely enjoyed. I volunteered at a homeless shelter and later ran the student volunteer program, became a CPR instructor, did research I enjoyed and still get asked about, served as a crisis counselor and worked as an EMT.

I loved it all. I don’t remember much from Orgo 1, but I do remember how these other experiences shaped my life and developed my passions.

When I started interviews for this next chapter of residency, I prepared for questions regarding my research, scholarly work and clinical scenarios. I rehearsed my answers, and while those topics still came up, the most common questions I was asked about were my hobbies. I got countless questions on my needlepointing, book recommendations, favorite hikes, sourdough recipe and piano lessons. Interviewers care to see that you are a whole person – someone with interests and activities that will help keep you grounded when training and life gets tough.

If you are only doing things to fill spots on your resume, you’re missing out. Checking boxes is fine, but you won’t discover your passions or truly enjoy your experiences unless you embrace activities and hobbies you’re authentically interested in. You won’t gain any life experience either.

It’s important to approach medical school – and life in general – as a whole person. Life will not wait for you, and it’s not magically more enjoyable when you reach the next step. It’s necessary to make time and establish balance.

It may not be the most conventional, but that is the beauty of this path. There is no one right way to go through grad school, medical school, law school or any means of higher education. What counts is living your life, being fully present for undergrad and enjoying yourself along the way.

Samantha Ballas is a graduate student studying medicine. She can be reached at ballass@upstate.edu.

Published on February 10, 2026 at 8:06 pm