Gap year job - quit after A ? Summer before med school

[wya2020]

What did you do in the summer before you started med school? How soon after your A did you quit your gap year job, if at all? I got accepted at the end of October but I’ve been working September - April now. I was going to wait until June to quit, but now I want to give my two weeks so my last day would b the last day of April. I kind of want to focus on working out and learning a new language but the try hard in me is like why can’t you do all those hobbies AND work? Idk makes me feel guilty.

will I be bored out of my mind or regret not working all of may and June before school? I’m moving in July so I wouldn’t be able to work anyway. Any insight would be appreciated or what other people’s experiences were. I’m at my parents rn and have saved up some money from working the last 8 months.

it terrifies me to think that this will be my last shot of having income for the next four years. Shouldn’t I try to make as much money as possible as this will be my pool of funds for med school?

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[theendisnigh]

Whatever you make in the next 2 months won't be comparable to funds for med school. If you feel you need that mental break, take it. I for sure am bumming it the summer before matriculating in the fall. Once we start med school (actually, your school may send you pre-matriculation study material so you'll have that to possibly look forward to a few weeks even before you start), it's full steam ahead all over again. Another 4 years of exams (boards), involvement, research, grades in clinicals, and then a whole other application cycle for ERAS. I would take the break.

If you feel like you need to be making some progress, then I would take the month before matriculation and build those healthy habits from scratch. Workout every other day, get in a book at night, spend 20 minutes each day on a language, work on eating healthy or meal prepping, because you'll just have your lifestyle pushed against once med school starts. It's much better to start off successful by maintaining good habits rather than trying to create them all during the beginning of school.

 

[mmchick]

I took off a month prior to starting med school. I am beyond relieved I did so. The money I would've made would've been a drop in the bucket and invaluable to the time I got to spend with family, friends, and just laying around watching Netflix or waking up at 10AM with no plans on the docket. It was a much needed mental break and booked time for people I haven't been able to see since I took off last summer. If you have loved ones, friends, or think you'd enjoy a short time without responsibility, please do it.

Medical school is constantly demanding, draining, and a long marathon once you begin. There have been weeks to months since I've felt energetic enough to call my parents at times and I again think back to when I had taken that time off and got to spend it with them. Take as much time as you think you'd be able to recharge without getting bored. For me, that was about 4 weeks. You can take as much/little as what will work for you.

 

[lumya]

I'm quitting my job at the beginning of June.

And they actually offered me a part-time contracts based position that pays more than I make now so.... I should've done this earlier.

If you have the financial means to not be working full time, you should take the time off. Get into a good routine, learn to cook some easy foods, see your friends/family (if you're able).

 

[Putkernerinthehall]

Sounds like April 30 might be good day to walk away. Or a couple weeks after that if you want give them some time to replace you. Enjoy!

 

[natalux]

I'm quitting April 30 - this summer is the last totally free period I'll have probably ever lol (and also the first summer in a while where I wasn't doing something!), and I plan on enjoying it thoroughly.

 

[wya2020]

As a little bit more context - I only work 3-4 days a week but bc they’re 12.5 hour night shifts it counts as a full job at around 37-50 hours a week. I feel too tired after a whole night shift to do anything productive the next day so even tho it’s only 3 days it feels like i am dedicating 5 days a week to work.

would May, June, and July be too long to bot be working and just be “vibing” before school

 

[theendisnigh]

I believe July you said you're moving so that doesn't need to be factored in. It's not too long, we're not going to be working for another 4 years. Like everyone said, take the break it's the last free period you have before the next marathon of your life

 

[Detailsmatter]

I worked until 2 weeks before classes started. didnt really need a break tbh. you know yourself and if you need the money might as well work. if youre burned out, sure try to get the time off before school starts