Blog Post Focus – Do Not Be The Class Clown in Medical School
This blog post will explore why being a class clown in medical school is undesirable and annoying. In my medical school some class clowns were punished harshly. At this point everyone should be mature enough to no longer be a class clown.
Medical School Expectations and Humor
Congratulations, you made it to medical school. You will be studying a lot, learning a lot, and feeling stressed out a lot. At times you will certainly appreciate a little comic relief. A nicely timed joke to laugh at. Something everyone can share in enjoyment.
However, you are likely in your twenties and everyone else is an adult and expects people to be acting as adults. So, you don’t need someone constantly clowning around. In fact, you shouldn’t want someone clowning around and believe it or not your classmates don’t want it either.
Clowning vs Well-timed Comic Relief
The class clown in middle school or high school was bad enough. By the time college rolled around it was even more annoying. In medical school it transitioned to borderline unprofessional. The class clown isn’t known for making well-timed jokes, but is known for being over the top, obnoxious, and distracting. So, clowning around in a class preparing for a medical career is unwelcome.
On the other hand, in a tense situation or when there is a collective stress, it can be helpful to have someone make light of the situation. Finding some humor in it. Getting through some of the craziness.
Personal Experience with a Class Clown in Education
A Serious Clown
However, in medical school there was one session where someone tried to clown in the class. The obnoxious joke did not bring on laughter or even disruption so much as silence. The majority of the class that heard were uncomfortable—they did not want to laugh (and probably did not find the jarring statement funny)—they did not want to make a sound. The instructor stopped class in response to the ridiculous statement, directed attention to the student and made a simple statement. Something along the lines of “that is highly inappropriate. That is unacceptable for an aspiring medical professional.” Later, the student had repercussions.
Fortunately, after this incident there was no more major clowning. An example had been made and a precedent set. Public humiliation and repercussions of a professional nature can have that effect.
Final Thoughts—You Are Training to Be a Professional, Not a Clown
Understand that you are now in medical school. You are preparing for a professional career. Your instructors and classmates expect you to be professional during lectures and any school-sponsored event. If you were the class clown in life up to now—don’t be any longer.
If you act as a clown you will be found irritating and potentially face severe repercussions if you are so disruptive or obnoxious or inappropriate during school-sponsored activities. If you were never the class clown – don’t start being it now. Find some way to appreciate comic relief in your own time.