Bonding through sport

Community, teamwork, and mental well-being are big at OUWB — where a large group of medical students work on all three in ways that don’t involve anything related to medicine.

They do it through intramural sports offered at Oakland University.

The future physicians play soccer, flag football, and the one that seems to be most popular: volleyball.

And while everyone wants to be the best and secure bragging rights, students like Bianca Elias, M3, say there are many other benefits. Those include building bonds and practicing teamwork, and of course, a great break from studying.

“This is another way that illustrates how well OUWB students come together…and not just when volunteering or through medicine,” she says. “I truly think everyone has fun playing these games.”

On top of that, the mental health benefits are plentiful, says Ashley Watters, medical student mental health counselor, OUWB.

“When I’m talking with clients, I’m often talking about balance and how important it is to have things outside of school and academics,” she says. “After doing lectures, or going to the lab…it’s good to have something else that can really recharge you or rejuvenate you so that your whole identity isn’t wrapped up in medical school.”

Bonding through sport

Rec Well Sports programs at Oakland University provide a variety of activities to meet the needs of a diverse campus community.

The program offers both competitive and recreational activities that focus on getting students, faculty, staff and affiliates of the university involved in activities that promote lifetime fitness and wellness practices. Participating in Rec Well Sports does not require any prior experience and is a great way to become involved while in college.

There are intramurals for all kinds of activities, too, from basketball, dodgeball, and flag football to soccer and volleyball. The games all take place on campus and make use of OU’s many recreational facilities.

Intramurals are open to all currently enrolled students, faculty, staff, alumni, and affiliates of Oakland University. (More details and rules about OU’s intramural program can be found here.)

For the past two years, OUWB has had its own soccer team and won the league both times. OUWB also had a flag football team, and had enough people to field four teams in the volleyball league — essentially an extension of a love for a game many enjoy throughout the year.

“We have a full group chat that is dedicated to just volleyball,” said Elias. “During August and September, we play at OU’s sand volleyball courts at least once a week, and we’d have two or three full teams…just rotating around. That’s when it was in the 80s outside and it was nice and we really needed a break.”

When temps dropped but interest in the sport remained, the action moved inside. Elias says nearly 40 OUWB students signed up for the intramural volleyball league.

M2 Jessica Krone was one of them.

“IM sports are just a great way to separate from school and engage your mind in a completely different way than what we are used to,” she says. “Additionally, I’ve also been able to build some really great friendships with the people on my team. We really boosted each other up, encouraged each other, and helped each other be the best players we can be.”

OUWB medical students formed a soccer team for Oakland University's intramural league this fall. This is Team PreClinical Finishing. (Submitted photo)

‘More than a medical student’

Watters says she fully encourages the medical students she calls clients to engage in physical activities and intramurals whenever possible.

First, there are the purely physical benefits: reduced anxiety; reduced depression; improved mood; improved self-esteem; better sleep; and more energy.

“Doing some movement with our bodies is really important for recharging and rejuvenating,” she says. “Taking care of our physical health is directly correlated to having a good handle on our mental health.”

Watters says for medical students specifically, there also are other benefits.

“One of the biggest benefits is that it allows for interaction outside of medical school,” she says. “So many of my clients talk about how really nice it is to have people in your class who understand exactly what they’re going through…but sometimes that’s all you have and the interaction can feel shallow because you’re always talking about school.”

“Being able to create a community and have that connectedness about something that has nothing to do with medical school is really important,” she adds.

To that end, intramural sports go a long way.

“We get to hang out with our classmates…laugh with them,” says Elias. “When we play volleyball, it’s not super serious. We’re all just joking around and having fun.”

Watters says that’s exactly what she’s talking about when she says being able to do something that’s not school “is just so beneficial.”

“Especially when students are feeling overwhelmed by all of the components of medical school,” she adds.

Students who don’t seek activities outside of medical school run the risk of having to deal with feelings of low self-esteem, isolation, and loneliness.

“If our identity and self-worth is only in the things we accomplish, that creates an inconsistent balance,” she says. “For example, if the only time I feel good about myself is if I honor an exam, that’s a pretty inconsistent and dangerous way to feel.”

“That means when I do good, I’m good, and when I do bad, I’m bad, and there’s really no in-between,” adds Watters.

So what if someone wants the benefits of intramural sports but doesn’t feel comfortable enough to join a team?

“It’s about finding something else,” says Watters. “If you’re thing isn’t intramural sports or physical activity, it’s really important to figure out what your thing is so that you can pour yourself into it and take time for you.”

Examples, she says, can range from reading and crafting to playing an instrument or walking/running solo.

Further, having interests outside of medical school can help when applying for residencies.

“They’re going to ask, what do you do to take care of yourself? What do you like to do at the end of a long day at the hospital?” she says. “They know you’re intelligent, but want to make sure you’re well-rounded and that you know the things that you need to do to take care of yourself when medicine gets hard.”

Still, students like Krone encourage others to give intramurals a shot.

“I would saw try it for one season and see how it goes,” she says. “It’s only a four-week season, so it’s not too much of a commitment. It’s also a great way to get to know other students and get a little exercise at the same time.”