Pursuing an MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) is a demanding journey filled with long hours of study, clinical rotations, lectures, and constant assessments. For students enrolled in medical colleges in Nepal, weekends offer a much-needed break—a time to recharge, socialize, learn beyond textbooks, and rediscover balance.
Weekend life for Nepal MBBS students is a unique blend of rest, productivity, cultural immersion, self-care, and peer bonding. It provides a window to observe how aspiring doctors maintain wellbeing amidst rigorous academics. This article explores typical weekend routines, the emotional landscape, social connections, personal development, leisure activities, and practical tips for maximizing this precious time.
Most MBBS students in Nepal structure their weekends around four key elements: rest, study, social engagement, and personal interests. While specifics vary by individual, common patterns emerge among students across various medical colleges in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar, and beyond.
After a long academic week, sleeping in is a priority for many students. It’s not uncommon for students to wake up well after sunrise on Saturdays to compensate for early weekday mornings.
Healthy breakfast with friends or roommates
Checking messages and social media
Setting goals for the weekend
Students often create a weekly review list: tasks they didn’t complete, important clinical concepts to revise, pending assignments, or preparations for upcoming quizzes.
Most students understand that a full break may lead to stress later, so they allocate focused study blocks during Saturday afternoons.
Quiet study in college libraries or cafés
Group revisions and discussions
Watching clinical skill videos or case reviews
Group study sessions often help in retaining complex information and motivate students through collective energy.
Evenings on weekends are usually reserved for social interactions.
Dinner outings with classmates
Movie nights
Coffee shop meetups
Watching sports together
These interactions offer emotional support, reduce stress, and help students stay connected beyond academic life.
Sunday routines vary but often combine light study, rest, and personal time.
Morning walk or yoga
Grocery shopping or errands
Revision of weak topics
Relaxing with music or reading
Some students also use Sunday evenings for meal prepping healthy food for the coming week.
Weekends are more than just breaks from study; they hold deeper emotional and cultural value for MBBS students in Nepal.
Nepal’s cultural richness makes weekends exciting and meaningful.
Visiting heritage sites like Bhaktapur or Patan Durbar Square
Attending festivals, music events, and local fairs
Exploring mountain viewpoints or lakeside areas in Pokhara
Students from outside the Kathmandu Valley often invite friends for day trips to enjoy nature and Nepal’s scenic beauty.
Many MBBS students in Nepal come from small towns or rural areas. Weekends offer valuable opportunities to connect with family.
Late night phone calls home
Sharing weekly experiences and challenges
Emotional reinforcement before the next academic week
This emotional nourishment is important for student morale and long-term resilience.
Weekends allow students to rekindle passions outside medicine.
Playing musical instruments
Photography or art
Writing blogs or journals
Sports like football or badminton
These hobbies help nurture creativity and prevent burnout.
Medical students know the importance of health, yet it’s often overlooked during intense study periods. Weekends provide space to put wellbeing first.
Quality sleep is a priority for medical students, especially after sleep-deprived study days.
Extended sleep duration on Saturday mornings
Afternoon power naps
No-phone time before bed
These practices help students rejuvenate mentally and physically.
Regular movement and relaxation practices are common weekend habits.
Morning walks in parks
Yoga or stretching routines
Gym sessions
Meditation or breathing exercises
These enhance focus, reduce anxiety, and support long-term health.
Weekends often involve conscious dietary choices that students skip during weekdays due to time constraints.
Cooking healthy meals with friends
Trying local healthy restaurants
Preparing snacks for the week
Good nutrition supports energy levels and cognitive performance.
Striking the right balance between productivity and relaxation is an ongoing challenge for MBBS students. Weekends are best utilized when students adopt a structured yet flexible approach.
Rather than marathon cramming, successful students break study time into manageable blocks.
90-minute focused sessions
Planned breaks after each block
Review material before sleep
This method enhances long-term retention and prevents fatigue.
Weekend time can easily slip away without conscious planning.
Writing a weekend to-do list
Setting realistic goals
Prioritizing high-impact topics
Students often separate tasks into categories like urgent, important, and optional.
Rest is not wasted time; it’s essential for high performance.
Digital detox hours
Quiet relaxation time
Naps limited to 20–30 minutes
These habits help reset focus and stress levels.
Medical school friendships are intense and long-lasting because students share similar challenges and aspirations.
Weekends are prime time for group interactions, strengthening social support networks.
Group outings, picnics, or hiking trips
Board games or video game nights
Movie or theatre time
These activities elevate mood and relieve study pressure.
Many medical colleges in Nepal have traditions or informal weekend rituals that enhance camaraderie.
Sunday brunch with the same group every week
Weekly quiz nights
Study-plus-fun meetups
Such rituals build a sense of belonging and continuity.
While weekends bring respite, they also present certain challenges unique to MBBS students.
Some students feel pressure to study excessively during weekends and end up exhausted.
Balance study and rest
Use active learning instead of passive reading
Track progress with short daily goals
For students away from home, weekends may evoke nostalgia or loneliness.
Video calls with family
Group activities with peers
Journaling feelings to understand emotional patterns
With free time, procrastination becomes a common struggle.
Use timers to work in intervals
Avoid social media during focused study blocks
Reward yourself after achieving goals
These practices boost productivity and reduce guilt.
Weekend routines are not just breaks; they shape the well-rounded personalities of future medical professionals.
MBBS students learn:
Empathy through friendships
Stress management through self-care
Resilience through challenges
These skills are essential for patient care in future careers.
Weekend disciplines—such as goal setting, time management, and wellness practices—translate into better performance in clinical rotations, exams, and future medical jobs.
Life beyond textbooks nurtures passion, curiosity, and joy—qualities needed in compassionate physicians.
WHO
Course Duration:
Average Fees:
Universities:
Medium:
6 years
$3,000 - $7,000 per year
2+
English