Be me. What would you do with the gap year?

[akog]

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I'm graduating this August with a BS in General Science + BA in Music. I intend to start dental school in August 2016 (applying for the first time this summer). I have a high GPA, honors, good teaching-related extracurriculars, but my only previous job experience is in retail. My dental application needs are taken care of, I'm single, I can move anywhere... so the only real requirement weighing down on this gap year is that I be able to start making some undergrad loan payments come January.

I've thought about getting some tutoring gigs lined up, but that seems like an endless hustle. I also have a key connection in a company who says they can get me a job (though out of politeness I've not inquired about specifics/pay/etc yet)... I know it's impossible to answer without knowing more about my situation, but stepping back if you personally were in such a situation... what kinds of things would you want to do? Where would you go?

This is more conversational than anything... I'm tired of thinking about finals.

 

[Faux]

I'm finishing my gap year.

I would have taken my home improvement courses sooner. I took basic electrical and plumbing, if I took them sooner, I would have been able to get tiles and plaster courses done. I would definitely would have wanted to take a carpentry course and just learn the basics of car maintenance. I took a 1 day sailing course and currently looking into a 1 day flight course. I'm looking into taking boxing lessons next month. There just some skills a person should know imo, and us biology oriented majors don't really learn any life skills in undergrad.

I traveled to Bermuda last summer by cruise and going to Europe in a few weeks for another cruise. Very affordable and convenient considering food and entertainment is provided and the cruise ship is just a moving hotel. Traveling is a great experience, wether its by your self or with your friend/so. I even signed up for a credit card the other day that gave me a big enough sign up bonus to take a round trip from NY to Hawaii. One card last year gave me 2 companion tickets so I took two of my guys to FL and enjoyed Disney World and Islands Of Adventure. Deals are out there.

I wish I read a bit more for pleasure. I'm going to start picking it up again but theres just a lot I'm interested in at the moment. I did visit a lot of museums in NY, I visited DC and checked a good amount of sights out, even some on a segway tour!

I also volunteered weekly at a food bank! Don't forget about your community. Some of my warmest moments have been spent meeting people there.

I had a wonderful year and made a lot of beautiful memories with a lady that contacted me on okcupid. I would suggest putting yourself out there and try some dating apps if you haven't already.

 

[Incis0r]

I'm finishing my gap year.

I would have taken my home improvement courses sooner. I took basic electrical and plumbing, if I took them sooner, I would have been able to get tiles and plaster courses done. I would definitely would have wanted to take a carpentry course and just learn the basics of car maintenance. I took a 1 day sailing course and currently looking into a 1 day flight course. I'm looking into taking boxing lessons next month. There just some skills a person should know imo, and us biology oriented majors don't really learn any life skills in undergrad.

I traveled to Bermuda last summer by cruise and going to Europe in a few weeks for another cruise. Very affordable and convenient considering food and entertainment is provided and the cruise ship is just a moving hotel. Traveling is a great experience, wether its by your self or with your friend/so. I even signed up for a credit card the other day that gave me a big enough sign up bonus to take a round trip from NY to Hawaii. One card last year gave me 2 companion tickets so I took two of my guys to FL and enjoyed Disney World and Islands Of Adventure. Deals are out there.

I wish I read a bit more for pleasure. I'm going to start picking it up again but theres just a lot I'm interested in at the moment. I did visit a lot of museums in NY, I visited DC and checked a good amount of sights out, even some on a segway tour!

I also volunteered weekly at a food bank! Don't forget about your community. Some of my warmest moments have been spent meeting people there.

I had a wonderful year and made a lot of beautiful memories with a lady that contacted me on okcupid. I would suggest putting yourself out there and try some dating apps if you haven't already.

''

You're amazing. Can we be friends?

 

[BeaverLover]

I'm finishing my gap year.

I would have taken my home improvement courses sooner. I took basic electrical and plumbing, if I took them sooner, I would have been able to get tiles and plaster courses done. I would definitely would have wanted to take a carpentry course and just learn the basics of car maintenance. I took a 1 day sailing course and currently looking into a 1 day flight course. I'm looking into taking boxing lessons next month. There just some skills a person should know imo, and us biology oriented majors don't really learn any life skills in undergrad.

I traveled to Bermuda last summer by cruise and going to Europe in a few weeks for another cruise. Very affordable and convenient considering food and entertainment is provided and the cruise ship is just a moving hotel. Traveling is a great experience, wether its by your self or with your friend/so. I even signed up for a credit card the other day that gave me a big enough sign up bonus to take a round trip from NY to Hawaii. One card last year gave me 2 companion tickets so I took two of my guys to FL and enjoyed Disney World and Islands Of Adventure. Deals are out there.

I wish I read a bit more for pleasure. I'm going to start picking it up again but theres just a lot I'm interested in at the moment. I did visit a lot of museums in NY, I visited DC and checked a good amount of sights out, even some on a segway tour!

I also volunteered weekly at a food bank! Don't forget about your community. Some of my warmest moments have been spent meeting people there.

I had a wonderful year and made a lot of beautiful memories with a lady that contacted me on okcupid. I would suggest putting yourself out there and try some dating apps if you haven't already.

The most interesting man of SDN-Dental.

 

[EasTexan]

I had a wonderful year and made a lot of beautiful memories with a lady that contacted me on okcupid. I would suggest putting yourself out there and try some dating apps if you haven't already.

I'll second this. I met my wife on there and she's a pre-dent now...

Read, travel, throw yourself in to a hobby you really enjoy. The wife and I plan to fish every weekend between now and when she (hopefully) starts dental school.

 

[Incis0r]

I'll second this. I met my wife on there and she's a pre-dent now...

Read, travel, throw yourself in to a hobby you really enjoy. The wife and I plan to fish every weekend between now and when she (hopefully) starts dental school.

Agreed

 

[Faux]

''

You're amazing. Can we be friends?

*spits on hand and starts friendship handshake initiation.

The most interesting man of SDN-Dental.

🙁 You guys are nice. I was starting to think I didn't do too much but after writing and reflecting, I did okay. Plus the learning/experiences doesn't have to stop for school too.

At what age does one typically open an OKcupid account? Is privacy a concern?

18 or older is fine. Just be safe, conscious and have a good time. I made up a whole story on my account that I was in protective services and was on the run from a mob guy I stole a recipe from 😛. Cheese was my kryptonite and I blacked out in the interrogation room after they put it in-front of me and woke up hours later covered in it. It obviously worked since the lady is still with me.

 

[EasTexan]

At what age does one typically open an OKcupid account? Is privacy a concern?

I'm not certain? I saw ages from 18 to 60+ on there. Privacy wasn't an issue other than having your face/pictures on a public website and you make up a user name so the most people have on you is a picture, location, and description that you provide. Is that what you're asking? It's slightly more private than Facebook.

I opened mine after graduating college and moving to a new town. She did the same after leaving a job in another state and moving back to Texas. We ended up in the same town, met on OK, started dating, and walla, we're married now. That was roughly 4 years ago. I'm 26 now...

 

[Incis0r]

I opened mine after graduating college and moving to a new town. She did the same after leaving a job in another state and moving back to Texas. We ended up in the same town, met on OK, started dating, and walla, we're married now. That was roughly 4 years ago. I'm 26 now...

Beautiful story. You're very lucky.

 

[Faux]

*initiation complete. I am now following you 😛.
LOL nice story. Teaches me a very interesting lesson...Are things serious b/w you 2?

Ok, I just signed up for an account. Let's see how this goes.




Beautiful story. You're very lucky.

I'd like to think things are serious. We had rough relationships before so we're just enjoying our moments and taking it easy. She actually treated us to both cruises, so she definitely does things with flare. In many respects she is my first adult relationship and I couldn't have dreamt of a better experience.

 

[akog]

I tried the OK Cupid thing earlier this year, having last year ended a long term relationship. But I didn't really get excited about it. I've been so busy tacking on this second degree and getting ready for dental school... maybe I'm just burned out and avoiding it all after two long term relationships... but it seems like there's always a reason to put things off, like:

well wait until you're out of school this august... maybe it would be best to wait until december when you know where you're going to school... maybe wait until you actually move there... then you're gonna be so busy with school again, so...

 

[Faux]

I tried the OK Cupid thing earlier this year, having last year ended a long term relationship. But I didn't really get excited about it. I've been so busy tacking on this second degree and getting ready for dental school... maybe I'm just burned out and avoiding it all after two long term relationships... but it seems like there's always a reason to put things off, like:

well wait until you're out of school this august... maybe it would be best to wait until december when you know where you're going to school... maybe wait until you actually move there... then you're gonna be so busy with school again, so...

Well you pretty much had two long term relationships, so its perfectly fine to have some alone time and be able to do your own thing.

When my lady messaged me, I was actually in the middle of studying for my DAT. After moving it back again due to math, I actually told her I needed to focus on myself for a bit. She understood and didn't messaged me until two months later, coincidentally, a week after I finished my DAT. I didn't feel 100% ready either but took things slow and finally met two months later of casual talking.

Point is, nothing wrong with doing you. Keep your eyes open though and you never know what a road might lead to. But most importantly, put yourself first.

 

[LizLemongrab]

Do something you might not have a chance to do in a long time. I used my gap year to practice electric bass, electric guitar, labor intensive cooking from scratch (why, hello traditional Chinese turnip cake...), sewing, drawing, painting, and other activities I had to set aside for the last decade. Work is good though. It is important to have money for school deposit, rental unit deposit, moving costs, leasing fees, application fees, etc. This is also a time to make a point of seeing the people you care about if you are going to school away from them. Enjoy them while you can.

 

[akog]

Well you pretty much had two long term relationships, so its perfectly fine to have some alone time and be able to do your own thing.

When my lady messaged me, I was actually in the middle of studying for my DAT. After moving it back again due to math, I actually told her I needed to focus on myself for a bit. She understood and didn't messaged me until two months later, coincidentally, a week after I finished my DAT. I didn't feel 100% ready either but took things slow and finally met two months later of casual talking.

Point is, nothing wrong with doing you. Keep your eyes open though and you never know what a road might lead to. But most importantly, put yourself first.

I like the pace of your all's getting to know each other... I often find myself in a 0-60 situation or a reclusive one. Maybe I'll make a point to try cutting a middle path.

Do something you might not have a chance to do in a long time. I used my gap year to practice electric bass, electric guitar, labor intensive cooking from scratch (why, hello traditional Chinese turnip cake...), sewing, drawing, painting, and other activities I had to set aside for the last decade. Work is good though. It is important to have money for school deposit, rental unit deposit, moving costs, leasing fees, application fees, etc. This is also a time to make a point of seeing the people you care about if you are going to school away from them. Enjoy them while you can.

Nice list. Ok, let me see:

find time to brush up on old guitar tunes
learn a few more Indian recipes
lock down a Swedish Chef impression in the process
maybe review a little biochem
get my bike out on a trail somewhere
(and, you know, make enough money to pay rent, insurance, loans, application fees, etc.)

 

[LizLemongrab]

learn a few more Indian recipes

If you ever figure out saag paneer, please let me know. I cannot for the life of me get the spinach tender yet not bitter from being overcooked for this recipe. I can do a basic blanch and stir it in some soy sauce to add to bi bim bap, but for some reason, it just seems like when I try to use that method here, the spinach gets that bitter, overcooked taste. Maybe too much cumin?

If you like pizza as a genre, I strongly suggest you try making a naan you like (I am partial to garlic naan and cheesy naan) or roti, bake it to the point you like, top with a thicker sauced curry with bite sized solids, add shredded mozzarella, put it back in the oven for a few minutes and boom, Indian pizza.

 

[akog]

If you ever figure out saag paneer, please let me know. I cannot for the life of me get the spinach tender yet not bitter from being overcooked for this recipe. I can do a basic blanch and stir it in some soy sauce to add to bi bim bap, but for some reason, it just seems like when I try to use that method here, the spinach gets that bitter, overcooked taste. Maybe too much cumin?

I've not tried it yet, but maybe there's something in my book of spells...

(Skip the purée step to make it more saag and less palak)

 

[LizLemongrab]

OH, so they use only a sprinkling of water with the spices. That makes a lot of sense. Criminy. I'm definitely using too much cumin too, lmao. Oops. I'll have to report back next time I attempt it to let you know if this fixed my problems.

 

[Faux]

*jealous of your cooking skills.

How did you guys get started and progress?

I like the pace of your all's getting to know each other... I often find myself in a 0-60 situation or a reclusive one. Maybe I'll make a point to try cutting a middle path.

*nods. We always moved fast in our previous relationships. Wanted to try something a little different this time. We still see each other once/twice a week.

 

[LizLemongrab]

*jealous of your cooking skills.

How did you guys get started and progress?

Shame you've dropped your spot at NYUCD then, lol. I started by observing my grandparents as a young child. When I was considered trustworthy (as in not straight up eating the butter because it was there), I got hands-on education from my parents and grandparents, formalized hands-on in middle school, perused several different blogs for new recipes, and watched YouTube channels for recipes with new techniques.

My own progress was greatly accelerated when I got married and joined my husband out in Ft Sill, Oklahoma which is considered a USDA food desert. If you want to eat healthy out there, you've gotta learn how to cook well and have commissary access. Otherwise it's all buffets, fast food chains, Walmart and Country Mart.

 

[akog]

*jealous of your cooking skills.

How did you guys get started and progress?

I wouldn't say I'm skilled per se, but I do like trying to cook every now and then. I've got a boat load of allergies/intolerances so I've gotten used to preparing stuff for myself. A couple years ago a girlfriend introduced me to Indian and Thai food, and I've been addicted ever since. Indian food especially uses almost none of the stuff I can't eat.