Megan Plain is a 2nd year pre-medical student in the College majoring in History and Cognitive Science. She is a member of the Women's Lacrosse team and a Member-at-Large on the Pre-Health Leadership Advisory Board. In this post, Megan describes her experience as a pre-health student and student athlete.
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What does a typical week look like for a women's lacrosse student athlete and how does it work with the pre-health track?
The typical week varies depending on the season. In the off-season, only 8 hours per week of mandatory team activity are allowed.
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: Weight lifting from 2:30 - 3:30, Run / Practice from
3:30 - 4:30. - Tuesday: Morning practice from 7:15 - 9:0
- Thursday: No team activities
When we are in-season, we are allowed a maximum of 20 hours per week of mandatory team activity. We usually play games on Wednesday and Saturday, which accounts for about 6 hours out of each game-day given the pre-game meal 3 hours before game time, followed with getting ready in the locker room with the team. We then have practice all other days of the week except Sunday, which include pre-game film and a once-a-week lift. In addition, we usually travel for half of our games, which requires time away from classes. As a result, it is important to plan accordingly with academic work to determine what can be finished on the road or what should be done on campus.
What resources have been critical to you in the first two years?
One of the most helpful resources for me has been my own teammates. Beginning second semester of first year, upperclassmen were extremely helpful when choosing certain classes and figuring out how to manage both lacrosse and academics. Another important resource is our athletic academic coordinator, Kate Stephensen, who helps us ease into the life of a student athlete at UVA. She also provides us with academic resources such as tutors and group sessions for classes. First years also have time management tasks to help hold themselves accountable for the work they have to complete. She also opens different opportunities for getting involved in the university, which became helpful for me especially as a 2nd year. In addition, the Career Center has been a great resource to help plan out the upcoming years. It can be overwhelming to look at all the different classes you have to take for both the pre-medical requirements, as well as your major(s). As a result, meeting one-on-one with a pre-health advisor can help ease the stress of figuring out what classes should be taken in specific years, as well as find extracurricular opportunities that work with your schedule.
What is your major and what impacted your decision to pursue this major?
I am pursuing a major in Cognitive Science - with a concentration in Neuroscience - as well as a second major in History. I had originally planned to apply to the Neuorscience major, but I then discovered the different opportunities Cognitive Science offered because of its diverse course options. Cognitive Science allows me to select classes in the four different core areas which is a benefit both for major credit as well as for my own experience. I think exploring different types of classes in college is important to discover your passions. For me, I discovered I actually enjoy linguistics classes, something I would never considered if I had pursued a different major. History, on the other hand, is something I find intriguing and also adds diversity to my course load. I think balancing your schedule with both science classes and another field of study can serve as a way to add variety and balance, providing a different stimulus and view point within your academic career.
Are you still able to participate in other extracurricular activities even with your practice schedule and course load?
Absolutely. I try to participate in other activities or clubs in our off-season when I have more time available. Last fall, I was able to volunteer at the Innisfree Village with a program known as the Charlottesville Area Riding Therapy (CART). This is a non-profit organization which works directly with children and adults with special needs. The program was very flexible and I was able to choose the best times that worked with my schedule. Madison House is very helpful in finding different opportunities for pre-med student athletes that accomodates the tight time constraints of their schedules. Academic Affairs also offers many opportunities to get involved in organizations that work directly with different athletic teams and the NCAA. For example, Student Athlete Mentors (SAM) are athletes involved in each of their respective teams, and work as a support system for teammates to voice their concerns or frustrations with anything whether it be academics, athletics, friendships, or just life in general. Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) plays more of a legislative role and serve as representatives of the University. These are just some of the many organizations available for student athletes to get involve outside of athletics.
What about studying abroad? Are there opportunities for pre-health student athletes abroad?
Yes! Many of my teammates have found study abroad programs specifically during the summer session. I personally will be heading to Switzerland this summer for a six-week program through the School for International Training. Although study abroad opportunities may be a little more challenging to find given a student athlete's limiting schedule, programs are definitely available that are pertinent to your plan of study. I found the Study Abroad office to be very helpful in identifying programs that piqued my interest and worked with my schedule.
How has being a student athlete prepared you for a career in healthcare?
Being a student athlete requires discipline, time management, and resilience. All of these attributes will be extremely helpful in healthcare given its demanding and intense schedule. Success in the medical field is also reliant on teamwork, which is at the heart of athletics. As part of a sports team, athletes are able to understand how to respect each other and incoporate each person's different attributes to further the success of the team. This is a aquality that will be vitally important in the medical field. Being a student athlete has given me the confidence and work ethic to chase any dream. It's really easy to lose faith when things aren't going well, but, in an intense athletic competition, you have to pick yourself up and make things happen in order to come away with a win. In the medical profession, and in life, working hard and having confidence in yourself is so important, especially when you are impacting someone else's life and well-being.
