Staying productive over gap year?

[TheSandlapper]

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Right now I'm on my gap year and as it is all I really have going on is work and the occasional shadowing at a local clinic if I ever get scheduled time off when they're open. I know this is a productive thing to do but I really feel like I should be doing more. While in college I was taking classes, working, shadowing, all while commuting from out of town so I feel like I'm being so lazy and wasteful with my time. Is there anything practical I can learn or be doing now? I should probably mention I live in a rural area so there's not a lot going on and I usually just spend my time off work sitting at my house not accomplishing much, this definitely adds to the feeling that I'm just wasting my time.

 

[confidentandgood]

It definitely won't hurt to get involved in more things if you want to. Maybe learn an instrument, create a reading list, save up for travel, etc. Just take it easy.

 

[Advance]

Right now I'm on my gap year and as it is all I really have going on is work and the occasional shadowing at a local clinic if I ever get scheduled time off when they're open. I know this is a productive thing to do but I really feel like I should be doing more. While in college I was taking classes, working, shadowing, all while commuting from out of town so I feel like I'm being so lazy and wasteful with my time. Is there anything practical I can learn or be doing now? I should probably mention I live in a rural area so there's not a lot going on and I usually just spend my time off work sitting at my house not accomplishing much, this definitely adds to the feeling that I'm just wasting my time.

I had that feeling that I was wasting my time during my gap year as well. I always thought "Wow I could be a D2 right now if I got into dental school the first time". Now that school is about to start I think i'm going to miss being lazy all day...

Anyway, just try to enjoy your gap year. Just make sure to strengthen your app and have fun!

 

[super frank]

I feel you, I am also taking a gap year. I got in touch with a few places to volunteer and I am just trying to help around the house. I am applying to jobs now since I spent the end of my senior year/post-grad studying for the DAT. I was also pretty involved in undergrad, so I'm feeling pretty lazy right now, lol. Besides that I'm just working on my hobbies (music production) and getting back into shape. I used to be an avid runner, so a goal of mine is to get back to running half-marathons in a few months. I am just trying to find as many things to do as possible. I would travel but money is tight and student loans are no joke.

I feel like a gap year is just a time to focus on yourself. After four years of undergrad everyone is a little beat down, so it's nice to have some R&R and get back into shape mentally and physically.

 

[JLT223]

I feel like a gap year is just a time to focus on yourself. After four years of undergrad everyone is a little beat down, so it's nice to have some R&R and get back into shape mentally and physically.

Could not agree more.