Interview Q: How do you cope with stress?

[mechtel]

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Any ideas on ways to approach this question?

I was thinking something along the lines of breaking larger tasks into smaller and more manageable components. Does this sound reasoanable?

 

[BlueElmo]

When you're stressed out, what do you usually do? It's an easy question, tell them the truth.

 

[whatuthinkin]

this question = what do you like to do outside the academic arena?

If you say break things down into smaller components they will ask you the question again!

 

[mechtel]

I try to focus on one task at a time. It makes things seem more manageable.

Also I pray. I don't know if this is a good answer?

 

[mechtel]

this question = what do you like to do outside the academic arena?

If you say break things down into smaller components they will ask you the question again!

That's what I thought at first, but according to interview feedback many people got asked this and also what they do for fun. I think they mean more if you were in med school and had many exams or demands during clinical rotation, what would you do to cope with stress. Any ideas?

 

[HoboCommander]

That's what I thought at first, but according to interview feedback many people got asked this and also what they do for fun. I think they mean more if you were in med school and had many exams or demands during clinical rotation, what would you do to cope with stress. Any ideas?

I eat lots of chocolate. Just tell them the truth.

 

[whatuthinkin]

Hummm at interviews when I am asked this I say marital arts (kung fu and tai chi) and they love it. From what I've gathered from my interviewers they want to know how you can recuperate outside the hospital/med school. They KNOW you can handle yourself in school, that's why they are interviewing you.

That's what I thought at first, but according to interview feedback many people got asked this and also what they do for fun. I think they mean more if you were in med school and had many exams or demands during clinical rotation, what would you do to cope with stress. Any ideas?

 

[BlueElmo]

I eat lots of chocolate. Just tell them the truth.

What kinds?

 

[Zenag89]

Could they also mean if an urgent stressful situation arises? Not just how do you plan, but like if you need a solution right away, how do you cope with that.

 

[Trexate]

I eat babies and punch kittens.

 

[HoboCommander]

What kinds?

Elmo 😀

 

[mechtel]

Could they also mean if an urgent stressful situation arises? Not just how do you plan, but like if you need a solution right away, how do you cope with that.

Honestly, I've never internalized exactly how I cope. I guess I try to remain optimistic and sometimes take a step back to reflect on situation?

 

[BlueElmo]

Elmo 😀

😡.

 

[mechtel]

Or more to the point, sometimes I wish I were better at handling stress. What are some good approaches that have worked for others?

 

[Yudid]

Eat sweets 😉. Ice cream, chocolate, candies, cakes and drink coffee

 

[Yudid]

Go to SDN or go to sleep 😉

 

[FlowRate]

Right now I think my answer would be "I don't get stressed." When I do get genuinely stressed, I simply function at a higher level. More concentration, improved thinking speed and recall. So I don't cope with it, I thrive on it. However, I never seek stress. Because of my workload (like many on SDN), I live in a semi-stressed state--I'm always working on something, it seems. It's a nonissue.

Unfortunately, I feel like an adcomm would think I was a smartass if I answered that way.

 

[Slowpoke]

Obvious answer: Exercise

Non-obvious answer: I train with the Sherpa's 2-3 months out of the year for an eventual attempt for an Everest climb.

 

[MilkmanAl]

So...when you get stressed out, you prepare to climb Everest? I'm not sure that's the most practical way to relax.

 

[JonathanMD]

I focus on excelling at one thing and block everything else out for a while.

I'm not sure if that's bad for my mental health over the long run.

*shrugs*

 

[AlexMorph]

Any ideas on ways to approach this question?

I was thinking something along the lines of breaking larger tasks into smaller and more manageable components. Does this sound reasoanable?

robot answer