Who to live with? Medics vs Normal People

[Jenny]

Aparantly the time has already come to start thinking about where I'm going to live next year. What did that happen? Scary.

I have two choices - stick with my flat mates from halls, OR live with medic friends.

What does everyone else do?

I get on very well with my flat mates, they're my best friends at uni so far, they're tried and tested and I know I can live with them just fine, we never fight and we're all equally messy. They do however distract me constantly, never do any work and wake me up and stupid oclock in the morning on a regular basis. Non of them are medics.

The medics are of course lovely, and living with them would have the added advantage of... well, they're medics too, unlike my flatmates they understand why I actually need to work and sleep sometimes, and we could... share text books and stuff. I could stick with them for the whole 5 years, and would not be abdandoned during the holidays when the rest of the uni is home and I'm still working. HOWEVER - will I go insane, seeing them every day for the next five years at uni and at home? I don't want to lose contact with the outside world altogether and be sucked into some strange medic parallel universe.

Of course the ideal solution would be some medics and some normal people, but the two groups of friends dont know each other and I'm the only medic in my block in halls, so it's a bit late for me to force my flatmates to start befriending other medics now.

So I bet all the freshers are facing this dilema at the moment. What you going to do, and why?

[medics_rule]

Why not try and get a mix of house mates, that's what our house is cos otherwise in 2 years time you will be on your own and have to find new house mates. What ever you decide I'm sure you will enjoy it.

[joyabbott]

I've done both, and both have their ads and disads

In my 2nd year, I lived with 4 non-medics and another medic... It was OK, but non-medics generally find it hard to appreciate the life of a medic! Different exam times and things can be a problem if this is true of your med school. Also, as time goes on, you inevitably (despite me insisting this wouldn't happen) you become more cliquey.

Since 3rd year I've lived with all medics and generally this has been fab - though incredibly stressful around exams & job applications etc.

You have to consider what you'll do later on, when non-medics graduate, or when your holidays are different to theirs.

There's no easy answer - I think 2nd year with non-medics is fine, but after that, I think you need to consider which option is going to be the most practical.

[Charlie]

I live with 1 other medic and 2 who do english. Next year we'll have another non-medic living with us. But when they graduate then I'm sure we'll prob end up in an all medic house just due to the full time course and different holidays.
Just do what feels right at the time there is always swapping of housemates going on after a year because people don't get on or you fancy a change.

[WAMS]

Hey,

I live with a mix. It would drive me *crazy* if I lived with just medics. To be honest I hate the medic clique.

I lived with the people in my flat block from first year (on other was a medic). However, it's fifth year and I'm still living with them... one did a year abroad, one did a year in industry, one failed a year, people do masters and over the years when we've had a spare room we've just advertised for it. I think we're the exception as I've lived in teh same house since 2nd year, but it is much less hassle to look for new houses and moce out.

So.... if you want to move in with your current flat mates then do so. the chances are that one of them will fail/take a year out/year in industry/year abroad/masters etc. Don't worry about everyone leaving you when they graduate, as they may stay in Leeds and plenty other medics will be in your situation. Even if you do move in with medics who is to say that you'll still be living with them in a year's time, let alone five years!

the best thing you can do is plan for next year.... it's too difficult to plan years ahead.

OH, and do NOT sign a house before Christmas - The Union's student advice centre will be doing sessions on househunting. the best thing to do is wait until the Unipol list comes out. If you don't know what I'm on about visit: http://luuonline.com/advice/housing.html and http://www.unipol.leeds.ac.uk/

[Taine]

I live with a mix. It would drive me *crazy* if I lived with just medics. To be honest I hate the medic clique.

Have to agree with you! As much as I love my fellow medics, I personally would like to remain an individual for as long as I possibly can! I'm glad I'm living with a mix of medics and non-medics since it makes me feel like I'm a 'student' not a 'medic'.

[Mac5800]

im living with non-medics next year. Things may change for my 3rd yr when my academic year changes (ie no summer hols etc). Ive spoken to lots of folk in my year and they are all planning on living with a mix next year. We all suspect we'll move in to medic houses the year after so want to preserve the normality as long as possible. Go with where u think u'll be happy living. Theres always time for living with medics....

[Will Watson]

We're an all-medic, all guy house and it's fantastic (although admittedly not terribly tidy). While there is a little element of non-medics (not so much science but especially arts students) having incompatible work schedules (artists here tend to have lots of essays etc during term time and much less at exams than us) - the only thing that really matters is to find people you can get along great with.

[Thirdfox]

I find law people great fun to be around with... but then I'd have to say that don't I?

[M Clayton]

If you value your sanity, do not live with medics!

Or, if you must, pick them very carefully. For example, if you're laid back, don't live with the known uber stressed folk - they'll just wind you up.