One thing that one learns shortly after matriculating into medical school is that the train has truly left the station.
Yes, there are short pit-stops along the way, but momentum soon builds and getting off of the tracks is difficult. After first year the details are still fresh - starting immediately onto second year makes sense. After second year the details of basic science have been burned into the brain by studying for step one - proceeding with clinicals immediately causes the relevant information (~10%) to stick. After third year taking step 2 immediately happens right away as details from specialties one will not be entering slip through the cracks. On a smaller scale non-stop nature applies, also. During the first and second year the amount of material is a veritable mountain. During third year there is always more to read, both relating directly to the patients as well as preparation for the shelf. And the principle repeats itself over and over: life does not slow down. If anything, along its path, the train accelerates.
The time passes, ever more quickly. An hourglass is turned over, always, and sand is continuously dropping from the top to bottom. A glance away, an hour passes. Another glance, a week; a month; a year. I graduate in 117 days to go to a residency somewhere.
When is it a "good time" to start something new outside of medicine, given all of the other things occurring? Simply put, there is not.
As time becomes more and more scarce, the more precious it becomes. People who have to be at work for 95 hours a week understand the value of time away from work and choose to spend it accordingly.
A clear awareness of the passage of time combined with knowledge of its increasing scarcity makes the memories of what is done with the time all the more precious as well as lend keen insight into what one truly values.
