4th year

[Galaxian]

Ok people....Either we really need one, or its been a while since the last one, but its definitely time for a post on how much 4th year ROCKS!!!!!!!!!! In the past month, I've gotten to see my friends more, actually get some exercise, drink to build up my tolerance (yep, the other day, I went to clinic, caught a matinee, started drinking at 4 pm, and went bowling all in one day!), meet the ladies, and just f#%&ing relax without ANY g*ddamn stress and it feels FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!! I totally, totally forgot what its like to have a life! To all you kids out there, This truly is the best kept secret in medical school...

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[Teufelhunden]

Yeah, I keep hearing that 4th year is essentially a vacation. Although some 4th-years I know schedule demanding Surg and IM SubI's...so their experience is a little different than most.

I wonder if you're better off pursing enjoyable, "cake" electives...that way you're not burned out when you start internship OR do you think it's better to challange yourself doing SubI's in order to better prepare for the demands of internship ??

Pesonally, as an MS-III my life has been pretty "cake" thus far. My whacky schedule included nothing but easy rotations up until this point. Hell, when I was on Pain Management I only worked half days! (and those half-days were spent doing procedures...nothing but fun.)

I'm getting ready to start Anesthesia, which is another easy rotation here. Most of my tough rotations (IM, OB, Surg) aren't scheduled 'till next spring/summer.

Anyway, I'm enjoying life while it's still good.

 

[Galaxian]

Well, I have also wondered whether I should take some challenging electives so that I can make some mistakes while I can and be a better resident, but after getting my ass beat down in the SICU, I decided that the rest of this year will have to be a cakewalk for sures. In fact, I don't even sign up for an elective if it doesn't guarantee half days. Medical school is a lot like chemistry, you need to conserve energy and follow the route of least resistance. i.e. work hard ONLY when you have to (3rd year), otherwise you will burn out or not even finish the marathon of a career that we chose...😎

 

[huktonfonix]

Yup, I spent the first half of my year getting my teeth kicked in with no days off, q3-4 call and 100+ hours a week and it SUCKED big time. I would recommend taking challenging electives if it is something you are genuinely interested in or if you are incredibly weak in it. Or if you need it to impress for your specialty. But do yourself a favor and cruise the second half of the year. SICU is excellent by the way. Hated the first half of fourth year, loving it now.