For third-year Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine students Casey Crawford, Dylan Gray and Clinton Williamson, finding balance in medical school has meant getting their hands dirty.

The three students recently started a community garden together as a way to explore a new hobby outside of medicine while taking on a challenge they could learn from together.

They wanted an activity that would give them a break from the demands of medical school while allowing them to try something new. Gardening has been a learning experience, but one they describe as both challenging and rewarding.

The garden has already begun to produce tomatoes and peppers, with more harvests expected throughout the growing season. The students are still figuring out what to do with everything they grow, but one thing is certain: There will be more food than the three of them can eat on their own.

These days, each student spends a couple of hours a week tending to the garden, primarily weeding and watering. The initial planting and organization required considerably more time, but the garden now mostly needs regular maintenance.

For Crawford, Gray and Williamson, the experience has offered more than fresh produce. It has also provided an unexpected connection to their medical education.

Like medical school, gardening comes with a learning curve. There is no perfect way to prepare for every challenge, and the students have found that the best way to learn is by doing, adapting and learning from mistakes.

That mindset has helped them navigate both the garden and the challenges of medical school. Just as they have learned to adjust when something doesn't go as planned in the garden, they have embraced the same willingness to learn and grow throughout their medical education.

Growing their own food has also encouraged the students to think differently about nutrition, wellness and preventive care, all important aspects of their future roles as physicians.

The experience has made them more conscious of what they eat while giving them a greater appreciation for the work that goes into producing fresh food. After spending time planting, watering and tending to their crops, enjoying the harvest feels even more rewarding.

Gardening has also given the students an opportunity to step away from the demands of medical school and focus their energy on something entirely different.

For them, maintaining balance means having outlets beyond medicine, whether that's exercise, spending time with friends and family or pursuing hobbies. Gardening gives them another way to engage their minds outside of the medical field and create space for something they enjoy.

That balance has become an important part of maintaining their well-being while navigating the rigorous demands of medical education.

The students hope their experience encourages others to try something new, even if they don't have all the answers before they begin. Whether it's starting a garden, exploring a new hobby or making healthier choices, getting started is often the first step.

Their message is simple: You don't have to know exactly what you're doing to begin. Try something, learn as you go and don't be afraid to make mistakes along the way.

Even with a busy medical school schedule, Crawford, Gray and Williamson have found that making time for rewarding hobbies is not just possible. It's necessary.

Date Posted: Tuesday, August 4, 2026