Our Student Support Coordinator, Ellie, recently met with the 2025/26 and 2026/27 MedSoc Wellbeing Officers Shivan Ozgun, Year 2, and Alice Derbyshire, Year 3, (as of time of interview) to discuss what they do for their wellbeing as KMMS students. 

You can find our previous interview with Tolani Aradeon regarding self-care as a medical student in our previous blog post. 

What do you do in your free time? 

Alice: Going to the gym, watching movies and TV shows at the end of the day before bed, calling my family. I also go for long walks.  

Shivan: Lots of sports, I’ve actually just started bouldering and it’s in Canterbury too, which is a bonus. 

Ellie: Ooo, what’s bouldering? 

Shivan & Alice: It’s a type of rock climbing, but without any harnesses or ropes. It’s a fairly new activity. 

Shivan: I also go hiking and cycling around the country roads, which is really fun. It’s also only a 10-minute walk through the city centre which is nice.  

Alice: Yeah, the city centre is really nice to walk through. I tend to try and walk for my commute if it isn’t too far to give myself more time and relaxation beforehand. 

Shivan: Also having a drink with friends and watching a movie or sports at the end of the day. 

How do you make sure to make time for yourself in amongst your busy schedule?   

Alice:  I dedicate one hour of time for myself each day. I also take little breaks for myself in between studying, to give myself time to unwind and relax. And I don’t study after 9pm, as I don’t feel productive at that point. 

Shivan: Mainly by planning the day, so for example I plan out my Thursday on a Wednesday and make sure to plan out free time within that and schedule my work around it. I find it harder to go into the day without a plan as I don’t feel like I know what I am doing. 

What do you to help your assist your wellbeing whilst studying? 

Alice:  I like to study with other people and take breaks whilst I’m studying to go to the Co-op, as I usually study in the library so I can just take a walk down there. Or just chat with those that I’m studying with. 
 
Shivan: I like to be away from my room, as it helps me to switch my focus, as I can’t get into the mentality of studying when I’m in my bed, for example. 
 
Alice: Yeah, I agree. I like to study away from my room, as it helps to create a space with a different mindset and provides an opportunity to switch off and on. 
 
Shivan: Yeah, so I study in the library a lot, and I chunk my study time to help with my focus, but incorporate 5-minute study breaks within that, where I switch off all my screens. I also like studying at a standing desk, as it helps me to feel more in the zone, and I feel like it’s better than being slumped into a chair for example. And studies also show that it’s better. 

Anything else regarding wellbeing you would like to add, either about your own or a message for others? 

Shivan: Just like eating well and sleeping well.  
 
Alice:  Yeah, sleeping well and also talking to each other. As ultimately you’re all going through the same thing, so if you’re stressed then your friend is probably also stressed, so you can talk about it and help each other. 
 

It is important to look after your wellbeing, especially as a Medical Student, as we recognise the demands of the course. If you have any feedback on how we can help support you, please make sure to feedback this to your MedSoc Wellbeing Officer, Alice Derbyshire. 

If you are ever in need of any support, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the SLG team.