I am a nerd, that much is clear.

Medical school, believe it or not, is entirely filled with nerds. In fact, by definition, enrolling in medical school would constitute a nerd. It's that whole 'Life-long learning' thing.

I'd define a nerd as someone who enjoys 'knowing lots' about a certain subject, or many subjects. A nerd may or may not be socially well adjusted, and I'll elaborate on this further down. But the crux of it, really, is that a nerd is someone who loves learning and learning lots. In lots of detail. Being a Nerd is no longer negatively connotated; intellectual acheivement is praised and rewarded. Think about Nobel Prize winner... Yep, they're all Nerds.

Anyway, at Med School, there are two types of nerds; Closet Nerds and Open Nerds.

An Open Nerd is proud of knowing lots. They wear their desire for knowledge on their sleeve, and, if extroverted will engage in nerdy banter with other nerds about the subject of choice. When they study, they don't hide it, and often work relatively evenly throughout the term, in addition to the ususal pre-exam study push. As a result of being comfortable with showing certain level of knowledge, Med Students who are Open Nerds are more likely to 'take the bait' in social situations when a lay-person asks about a health problem. Open Nerds still indulge in regualr passtimes, of course, but they make no apology for having to clear time in their schedule to study. Open Nerds often come across as either arrogant know-it-alls, or as faecetious to their Closet Nerd peers, who reckon they should just relax and get out more often.

A Closet nerd isn't as relaxed about knowing lots, except in certain situations. The appropriate situation to 'know lots' is during an exam. Comparatively, inappropriate times to 'know lots' include classtime and social occasions. When concentrated in groups, Closet Nerds often display how well socialised they are by establishing other areas of interest that require no acknowledgement of 'knowing lots', such as sport. Closet Nerds regularly prioritise these extracurricular activities ahead of study. Open Nerds might think that Closet Nerds drink too much and don't know enough, but Closet Nerds do, indeed, know lots. They excel in written exams and, when truly pressed or questioned, will reveal the fulminant knowledge of their field. Come exam time, Closet nerds shrink into their study holes and disappear for several weeks, emerging infrequently. The exception, of course, being exams, where Closet nerds will reappear on the social radar in all their glory once the final exam finishes.

Both groups, secretly, respect the other's qualities; be it the highly social nature of the Closet Nerd, or the Open Nerd's consistent dedication to study.

At the end of the day, we're all Nerds.