I would like to hear from any pod student that took time off to work or do research after undergrad...how was your transition into podiatry school? Did you feel overwhelmed? How quickly did you adjust back to "study-mode"?
Transition into pod school
- Thread starter shava9865
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I took a year off between and worked.
I started out pod school with 100% effort, to make sure that I studied enough. I just fell into the balance after a few weeks. I didn't find it hard at all to transition into pod school, though.
I took 4 years off between undergrad and pod school. I was burnt out of academics even before college and slogged through it. After graduating, I worked at a hospital, since I knew I wanted to do something in health care. There I learned a lot about discipline, time management and paying attention to details, since a minor transcriptional error can translate into major lapses in patient care. I was fortunate to be in a supportive environment where the physicians and staff members encouraged me every step of the way.
My last year there before entering pod school, I ended up working full-time and taking night classes to make up for my lapses in college. That really prepared me for the physical and mental toll that medical school would take. I wouldn't say going through the first year was a breeze, but I know I certainly was a lot less stressed than some of my classmates who hadn't been exposed to that level of workload before. I was even working back at the hospital 8 hours/week my first semester. Granted, I don't have a family or other major obligations to take care of currently.
I guess when I entered pod school, I just "knew" that I was ready to study. Working and having that financial independence is nice, but if you love to learn, then there shouldn't be to much worry about adjusting back to "study-mode". Just know your own limits and when to take a break.
For anyone at any stage considering medical school, my biggest piece of advice is to exercise. When you're cooped up inside pouring over textbooks and slides day in and day out, it wears the body down. You need endurance. If you don't make time for exercise now, you won't in med school, and you're going to be at a significant disadvantage.
My last year there before entering pod school, I ended up working full-time and taking night classes to make up for my lapses in college. That really prepared me for the physical and mental toll that medical school would take. I wouldn't say going through the first year was a breeze, but I know I certainly was a lot less stressed than some of my classmates who hadn't been exposed to that level of workload before. I was even working back at the hospital 8 hours/week my first semester. Granted, I don't have a family or other major obligations to take care of currently.
I guess when I entered pod school, I just "knew" that I was ready to study. Working and having that financial independence is nice, but if you love to learn, then there shouldn't be to much worry about adjusting back to "study-mode". Just know your own limits and when to take a break.
For anyone at any stage considering medical school, my biggest piece of advice is to exercise. When you're cooped up inside pouring over textbooks and slides day in and day out, it wears the body down. You need endurance. If you don't make time for exercise now, you won't in med school, and you're going to be at a significant disadvantage.
