Productivity while traveling to interviews

[NotaCop]

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So I have a six hour drive to an interview coming up later this week, and I have to imagine most of you have been in the same situation at least once in the past 7ish months.

My question is simply this: what do you do on your journey to the interview? I'm specifying driving over flying because this takes reading/studying out of the equation for the most part. Do you guys just listen to music? Recite your common interview question responses? Talk out some points you're trying to get across? Podcasts for fun? Podcasts that help you prepare (ex: a bioethics opinion show or something)?

For me it's a mix of all of the above but mostly the productive stuff. Curious if that's the norm or not, or if I'm crazy for even thinking into it this much haha

 

[Astra]

I would tell you but you seem like a cop

 

[eteshoe]

On long road trips (if I'm by myself), I mostly listen to music. I don't like to do too much thinking beside the minimum it takes for me to drive safely on the road.

 

[NotaCop]

I don't like to do too much thinking beside the minimum it takes for me to drive safely on the road.

Great point I guess, I'm not trying to advocate for irresponsible driving

 

[AddisonMontgomeryMD]

Try the 'Serial' podcast, just listened to it on one of my trips and it was great!

 

[Dr.NickRiviera]

Welcome to Nightvale podcast. High quality semi-freaky stuff to get your adrenaline rushing before the interview. Plus, it'll be something unique to talk about if asked!

 

[NotaCop]

I did Serial last year and am on the new season right now! Love both but first was far better.
I've heard about Nightvale but haven't ever tried it, I appreciate that recommendation! I probably will give it a go. If you need a similar one try Limetown, it's similar to how you described Nightvale. Freaky interesting sci-fi mystery told from a reporter's perspective.

Heading to interviews I'll do more non-fic podcasts though, hence why I titled this thread as productivity. A sociology one, a philosophy one, sometimes HBR Ideacast. Stuff to get the brain's juices flowing. I guess I'm the minority here though haha

 

[Glandzburg]

Radiolab, Freakanomics, and This American Life are all good non-fiction (yet still entertaining) podcasts.

 

[mimelim]

These days I'm writing papers or reviewing data on the plane or in the airport. If I didn't, I have a long list of books that I'd like to get through.

 

[rilte4]

I love long-distance driving (especially through the mountains), so it's usually all music for me. The only exception was my first MMI, when I just went through this series one video after the other. They got my head in the game. Sixteen decently long videos = perfect for a long drive.

 

[NotaCop]

I love long-distance driving (especially through the mountains), so it's usually all music for me. The only exception was my first MMI, when I just went through this series one video after the other. They got my head in the game. Sixteen decently long videos = perfect for a long drive.

Dang this is actually perfect! I've got my first MMI (and last II of the season) coming up soon! Appreciate the recommendation!

 

[rilte4]

Dang this is actually perfect! I've got my first MMI (and last II of the season) coming up soon! Appreciate the recommendation!

Niiiiice. You'll kill it. Good luck!

 

[Cinclus]

Traveling for residency interviews, I rocked out to my jams the whole time. Sang along with everything for hours and hours. I usually recovered from the mild laryngitis by interview time...usually.

 

[NovaCat272]

I second Welcome to Night Vale!

 

[Cytarabine]

audiobooks or music

 

[Im76at711]

on one of my long trips, i listened to the audiobook for treasure island. (most of it at least 😛). It really had the time fly by.

 

[tantacles]

Savage Lovecast!

 

[Mad Jack]

My recommendation- drive in the day before, get the route to your interview down, get something you can toss in the microwave and reheat, and bring two sets of clothes. Don't overthink things, don't be weird, and do whatever you can to chill out as much as possible before the interview.

For your drive, just listen to something fun.

 

[NotaCop]

My recommendation- drive in the day before, get the route to your interview down, get something you can toss in the microwave and reheat, and bring two sets of clothes. Don't overthink things, don't be weird, and do whatever you can to chill out as much as possible before the interview.

For your drive, just listen to something fun.

Haha don't worry dude I know the drill, that's not what I was asking about. I'm almost always relaxed either way so luckily I don't have to go out of my way to calm myself down or anything.

Sure, I listen to some fun podcasts and music on drives like these but I also need to be productive.

I simply feel like so much time the day before is wasted/inaccessible (time that could be used to learn and prepare) when you have a long drive in since you obviously have to focus on the road so I was curious if others felt the same way and if so what they do to try to maximize that time. I actually already did YouTube to MP3 on all 16 of those MMI videos haha so I can listen and mull them over on the way. Shift my mindset over towards how I'll need to process info and think during the interview. For me, this is still kinda fun and enjoyable and is how I plan to repurpose "wasted" driving time as valuable preparation for the interview and also just to expand my mind in general. Plan to break these up with some music here and there of course, I'm not a psychopath.

 

[Mad Jack]

Haha don't worry dude I know the drill, that's not what I was asking about. I'm almost always relaxed either way so luckily I don't have to go out of my way to calm myself down or anything.

Sure, I listen to some fun podcasts and music on drives like these but I also need to be productive.

I simply feel like so much time the day before is wasted/inaccessible (time that could be used to learn and prepare) when you have a long drive in since you obviously have to focus on the road so I was curious if others felt the same way and if so what they do to try to maximize that time. I actually already did YouTube to MP3 on all 16 of those MMI videos haha so I can listen and mull them over on the way. Shift my mindset over towards how I'll need to process info and think during the interview. For me, this is still kinda fun and enjoyable and is how I plan to repurpose "wasted" driving time as valuable preparation for the interview and also just to expand my mind in general. Plan to break these up with some music here and there of course, I'm not a psychopath.

lol, just making sure you're not getting pre-interview tunnel vision.

Plenty of time to fill every waking moment of your day with information later. Goljan is the only station I listen to in the car 😢

 

[NotaCop]

lol, just making sure you're not getting pre-interview tunnel vision.

Plenty of time to fill every waking moment of your day with information later. Goljan is the only station I listen to in the car 😢

Hahah very good point actually, might as well fill the time with mindless nonsense while I still have the luxury. I wonder if Trump has published any audiobooks...