something meaningful to do

[justapremed]

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I'm currently taking time off after an unsuccessful application in 2009 (well, for anticipated matriculation '09). I moved far from my friends and family to take a job at a "prestigious" place, which I was genuinely interested at the time. However, I'm having an awful time at work (both the project I am working on and the people I work with). I'm going through the expected loneliness by living by myself in a big city, and having a difficult time finding things to do after work. I guess the fact that I don't get home from work till 7~9pm every day doesn't help... at that point I'm tired from having worked a long day, but extra tired from having worked on something that just frustrates me. Unfortunately, as unhappy as I am, I decided that I need to stick with job for all practical purposes for another year.

This is tough for me because (as you'd all know) I juggled all the premed courses and EC work... I was always busy, I always had things to do, and I spent all my time doing what I liked doing, even if it was hectic all the time. I loved school, I loved learning, and I enjoyed my EC activities - I felt like my time was spent in a meaningful way. And now, I just spend all day doing something that feels meaningless to me, I come home, and I'm too tired to do anything... and then I just feel useless, like I am wasting my time.

Are any of you on the same boat?? From some googling it seems like a common phenomenon for recent college graduates (who knew it'd be this hard :-/), but as a premed who was always busy during college, I find this even more difficult... and I'm not really sure what I can do to fix the situation.

I guess some things I thought of were: physical activities like going to yoga or hitting the gym... and I've given them a try but I really did not enjoy them... I looked into doing some music-related stuff, but unfortunately, the only other people in the organization were people who were of my parents (or grandparents) age and I just felt really out of place... I looked into tutoring at a public school, but a lot of them seem to prefer people who can help them during or right after school (when I am at work). Aaaah

 

[r1012]

I'm currently taking time off after an unsuccessful application in 2009 (well, for anticipated matriculation '09). I moved far from my friends and family to take a job at a "prestigious" place, which I was genuinely interested at the time. However, I'm having an awful time at work (both the project I am working on and the people I work with). I'm going through the expected loneliness by living by myself in a big city, and having a difficult time finding things to do after work. I guess the fact that I don't get home from work till 7~9pm every day doesn't help... at that point I'm tired from having worked a long day, but extra tired from having worked on something that just frustrates me. Unfortunately, as unhappy as I am, I decided that I need to stick with job for all practical purposes for another year.

This is tough for me because (as you'd all know) I juggled all the premed courses and EC work... I was always busy, I always had things to do, and I spent all my time doing what I liked doing, even if it was hectic all the time. I loved school, I loved learning, and I enjoyed my EC activities - I felt like my time was spent in a meaningful way. And now, I just spend all day doing something that feels meaningless to me, I come home, and I'm too tired to do anything... and then I just feel useless, like I am wasting my time.

Are any of you on the same boat?? From some googling it seems like a common phenomenon for recent college graduates (who knew it'd be this hard :-/), but as a premed who was always busy during college, I find this even more difficult... and I'm not really sure what I can do to fix the situation.

I guess some things I thought of were: physical activities like going to yoga or hitting the gym... and I've given them a try but I really did not enjoy them... I looked into doing some music-related stuff, but unfortunately, the only other people in the organization were people who were of my parents (or grandparents) age and I just felt really out of place... I looked into tutoring at a public school, but a lot of them seem to prefer people who can help them during or right after school (when I am at work). Aaaah

What city do you live in? That would give us a better idea of city-specific activities. It also sounds like you want to change jobs, so maybe send emails to other researchers you are interested in working with for the upcoming year (whether in this city or not). I know moving sucks, but it sounds like you'd be up for it. Things you could do in the meantime: does your city have a kickball league? Is there a team formed by alums of your college? Kickball games are usually followed by bar nights and that can be a good way to meet people and get the socialization rolling. You can also try to find a running club (I know you said you didn't enjoy the gym, but exercising with people is sometimes better). Can you volunteer doing something else? I.e., a free clinic, homeless shelter, etc? Good luck!