Looking to take a "screw-it year"

[Mekchrious]

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This past year in College has been great-decent grades, good life experience, leadership, volunteer, the whole nine yards. But man, I want nothing more than to take a year "off". By that, I mean not worry about the next five years, or even the next two. Just take classes that I want to take, get involved in what I want to do, and not worry about the endless lists of things that medical schools require you to have to get in.

Has anyone else had this vibe before?

 

[Stumpyman]

Every day; I always fantasize about all the crazy things I would do with just some time off (hiking, camping, travelling, road trips, studying what I enjoy, learning a new language, etc.). But whenever a break rolls along (summer, winter, in between semesters, etc.) I usually find myself sleeping 12 hours a day, eating anything unhealthy, and watching TV.


So I prefer staying in the "academic loop" I guess.

 

[sector9]

Isn't that what senior year of college is for? (when applying traditionally)

 

[MT Headed]

This past year in College has been great-decent grades, good life experience, leadership, volunteer, the whole nine yards. But man, I want nothing more than to take a year "off". By that, I mean not worry about the next five years, or even the next two. Just take classes that I want to take, get involved in what I want to do, and not worry about the endless lists of things that medical schools require you to have to get in.

Has anyone else had this vibe before?

I felt that vibe for a decade and a half, before I got srs again and applied to medical school. Good times.

 

[StoicJosher]

Every day; I always fantasize about all the crazy things I would do with just some time off (hiking, camping, travelling, road trips, studying what I enjoy, learning a new language, etc.). But whenever a break rolls along (summer, winter, in between semesters, etc.) I usually find myself sleeping 12 hours a day, eating anything unhealthy, and watching TV.


So I prefer staying in the "academic loop" I guess.

My definition of "crazy things" is definitely different from yours. 🙄

 

[NeuralNetwork]

This past year in College has been great-decent grades, good life experience, leadership, volunteer, the whole nine yards. But man, I want nothing more than to take a year "off". By that, I mean not worry about the next five years, or even the next two. Just take classes that I want to take, get involved in what I want to do, and not worry about the endless lists of things that medical schools require you to have to get in.

Has anyone else had this vibe before?

Every day; I always fantasize about all the crazy things I would do with just some time off (hiking, camping, travelling, road trips, studying what I enjoy, learning a new language, etc.). But whenever a break rolls along (summer, winter, in between semesters, etc.) I usually find myself sleeping 12 hours a day, eating anything unhealthy, and watching TV.


So I prefer staying in the "academic loop" I guess.

I'm currently in my gap year and I've been going through a list that I've put together over time of things to do without the burden of any responsibilities. I'd just like to state for the records that I highly recommend this to anyone considering it. But as Stumpyman said, often I will wake up late and end up just watching TV for half the day. Best situation in my opinion is to go ahead and say "screw it" but at least have a couple responsibilities to force you to be organized if you can foresee yourself falling into the eat-sleep-tv route.

 

[littlefurrybugs]

I would... but I think that'll cost me too much money... so I'll stay with the routine.

Besides, a lot of my ECs still cover my hobbies and interests anyway. I mean I get to go to random places, play dums, and sit court-side in D-I NCAA men's basketball games. I'm all set I think. 🙂

 

[Praefectus]

No matter which way you slice it, you're taking a working year off your career path and losing that much in earnings over the course of a lifetime (assuming that you would retire at the same age).

 

[45408]

No matter which way you slice it, you're taking a working year off your career path and losing that much in earnings over the course of a lifetime (assuming that you would retire at the same age).

So? You only live once, and you won't be able to buy a year of good health at a young age when you're 60, no matter how much money you have.

 

[deleted357625]

So you want to waste ONE WHOLE YEAR OF YOUR LIFE? Life is short, might as well finish up everything fast then enjoy life.


Learn now Earn later

 

[Praefectus]

So? You only live once, and you won't be able to buy a year of good health at a young age when you're 60, no matter how much money you have.

I'm not saying to work until you're dead. I'm saying that a year of sloth can cost you a possible residency position, promotion opportunity, etc. You can certainly have fun when you can afford to use some of your disposable income for a vacation to Europe with your wife and kids. It's better to enjoy the fruits of your labor when you have actually cultivated a garden rather than eating the seeds.

So you want to waste ONE WHOLE YEAR OF YOUR LIFE? Life is short, might as well finish up everything fast then enjoy life.


Learn now Earn later

I'd have to agree. You're giving up a few years now, curling up with Robbins Pathology on a Friday night just so you can have a greater earnings potential down the road.

 

[Pinkishcheese]

Do it. I'll be taking a year and a half off and hike the AT. It's what I look forward to every single day.

 

[MT Headed]

I'm not saying to work until you're dead. I'm saying that a year of sloth can cost you a possible residency position, promotion opportunity, etc. You can certainly have fun when you can afford to use some of your disposable income for a vacation to Europe with your wife and kids. It's better to enjoy the fruits of your labor when you have actually cultivated a garden rather than eating the seeds.



I'd have to agree. You're giving up a few years now, curling up with Robbins Pathology on a Friday night just so you can have a greater earnings potential down the road.

You do realize of course that most medical students are over age 22 when they matriculate. Does it follow then that most med students are unable to find residencies or get promoted? I'm not following your logic here.

 

[gmcguitar4]

I've said this before on a similar post, you only live your 20's once. The rest of your life you wish you could have those years back, and your hair too. If you feel you want a year or two to enjoy yourself it is definitely worth it!!

 

[JCTWP46]

Do it. I'll be taking a year and a half off and hike the AT. It's what I look forward to every single day.

My gf, a friend, and I were just talking about doing this earlier today if I were to have a gap year.

 

[Tots]

So you want to waste ONE WHOLE YEAR OF YOUR LIFE? Life is short, might as well finish up everything fast then enjoy life.


Learn now Earn later

Why do you have to wait to have a life? Your life does not start when you graduate from medical school, finish residency, w/e...if anything you are gonna have less of a life then and certainly more responsibility. I am taking a year off and see medical school as just another part of my life, not a step I have to take before I can have a life.

 

[MT Headed]

Do it. I'll be taking a year and a half off and hike the AT. It's what I look forward to every single day.

As a PCT veteran, let me say that you are going to love this and cherish the experience the rest of your life.

 

[Pinkishcheese]

My gf, a friend, and I were just talking about doing this earlier today if I were to have a gap year.

Do it! I've actually seen someone do it in one summer (graduated in May and started med school that year). For me, I would be too rushed and wouldn't enjoy it as much.

As a PCT veteran, let me say that you are going to love this and cherish the experience the rest of your life.

Ugh the PCT. One day I'm going to do the trifecta. The Pacific Crest looks so much more beautiful than the AT but it also looks a lot tougher.

 

[deleted357625]

Why do you have to wait to have a life? Your life does not start when you graduate from medical school, finish residency, w/e...if anything you are gonna have less of a life then and certainly more responsibility. I am taking a year off and see medical school as just another part of my life, not a step I have to take before I can have a life.

i understand, but i personally believe the motto that i bolded in my last statement strongly. It's fine everyone has their own life/perspective on what they deem is important

 

[45408]

I'm not saying to work until you're dead. I'm saying that a year of sloth can cost you a possible residency position, promotion opportunity, etc. You can certainly have fun when you can afford to use some of your disposable income for a vacation to Europe with your wife and kids. It's better to enjoy the fruits of your labor when you have actually cultivated a garden rather than eating the seeds.

1. Don't be a sloth. Just stop and smell the roses.
2. If you're going to be a sloth, do it after you've gotten an acceptance. Take 4.5 years to do college, make the last semester easy, take the spring off. It won't cost you any of the things you suggested.

Flying to Europe with kids sounds awful, as does your little adage about gardening.

I'd have to agree. You're giving up a few years now, curling up with Robbins Pathology on a Friday night just so you can have a greater earnings potential down the road.

We said one year, not a few.

 

[NinersFan0]

I know somebody who graduated early in March, didn't start his first year of med until end of August, and had the best 6 months of his life. Carefree living at its finest

 

[crazyasian]

Plan for a gap year, you may not be able to do these things again. I took classes that I never would have otherwise (that I had been wanting to do), did a study abroad, will be teaching in China, and upped my volunteer hours. I would recommended to everyone. Totally worth it in my opinion.

 

[Shost5]

You should always try to make time for the the things you love to do, especially during undergrad. Yes, medical schools have requirements and expectations, but I imagine that adcoms also want to see that you were able to actually maintain some semblance of a life outside of your studies. I often took the time to hike, camp, ski, snow shoe, paint, play music, shoot photography, etc during my undergrad and I think those things did nothing but strengthen my application.

But if you really want some time off, worry free, then take a year off in between and make the most of it! One year, in the grand scheme of things, is really not that long, and for me the time off has confirmed just how much I want to be in school. I've also been able to build/strengthen relationships with some friends and family that I wouldn't have been able to had I gone straight into school.

Things are only going to get more busy and stressful so make the most of life while you can.

 

[vadeem]

So? You only live once, and you won't be able to buy a year of good health at a young age when you're 60, no matter how much money you have.

Did you take a year off during your undergraduate years? Just curious.

 

[45408]

Did you take a year off during your undergraduate years? Just curious.

Nope. I wish I had. I blasted my way through a lot of mile markers in life - I'm 27, and I'm finishing up my second year in residency, got a house, wife, children, two cars, no debt other than the mortgage and student loans...

I'm doing what I love, but there are a couple of things that I wish I had done that I can't do now for at least a decade, and I'm already 6+ years past any of you in the pre-med stage.