What should I do this summer??

[greatwall11]

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What should one do the summer after first year if they're interested in gen peds? Not looking for some awesome competitive residency here....
Research is pretty much out of the question now as all the deadlines have passed. Should I dish out the $ to go abroad? Is volunteering at home good enough?

 

[IlDestriero]

I would recommend something non medical. It's pretty much your last chance to sew some wild oats without the weight of patients, etc on your shoulders.

 

[IlDestriero]

I just remembered what I did between 1st and 2nd year. Wow.👍
Yeah, nothing medical. Trust me.

 

[AlexMorph]

Memorize all of First Aid.









Just kidding, you don't have to do anything if you don't want to. Do what your heart pleases. I did nothing, and I certainly don't regret it.

 

[JokerMD]

sdf

 

[greatwall11]

yea but what if you change your mind (as in, what if you change your mind after 3rd year and find ophtho (or something equally competitive) to be your calling) 😕

Lol I'm pretty sure my 1st yr grades have ruled that out already..

 

[shadowfox87]

Lol I'm pretty sure my 1st yr grades have ruled that out already..

1st yr grades are irrelevant. Nothing is ever ruled out.

 

[Bluesaurus]

If you're feeling ambitious do all of Kaplan q bank. I like it cause it correlates to page numbers in first aid so when you finish it, you have first aid memorized. I think a good plan would be to get your step 1 scores to the 220's-maybe 230's over the summer break that way the shelf questions would be easier during year two as well as being able to fine tune your knowledge during the next year.

Getting to those scores without second year wouldn't be that easy, but then again First aid gets you a long way.

 

[Sammich117]

If you're feeling ambitious do all of Kaplan q bank. I like it cause it correlates to page numbers in first aid so when you finish it, you have first aid memorized. I think a good plan would be to get your step 1 scores to the 220's-maybe 230's over the summer break that way the shelf questions would be easier during year two as well as being able to fine tune your knowledge during the next year.

Getting to those scores without second year wouldn't be that easy, but then again First aid gets you a long way.

I hope you're joking.

 

[bruinhd]

I would recommend something non medical. It's pretty much your last chance to sew some wild oats without the weight of patients, etc on your shoulders.

I agree. I got accepted to do the Betty Ford clinic internship last summer before M2 and I ended up saying you know what...screw all this. I need to just relax. M2 is about to rock me. So I ended up just spending every day with my girlfriend, cooking, reading, watching movies together. We'd go out with friends for dinner sometimes. I taught an SAT prep course a couple days each week to maintain cash flow.

In the end, it was the best thing I probably could have done. I came into this year well rested, and I don't feel behind any of my peers in terms of competitiveness. The most important thing this year, I felt, was not padding my CV or whatnot, it is learning as much as possible and doing well on Step 1.

Other people went abroad, did research, and still had a good time. So I guess everyone is different, just listen to what people did and then decide what type of person you are and what's gonna work for you.

And yes, M2 will ROCK YOU. So get ready.

My advice: relax. Do nothing intensive.

 

[bruinhd]

If you're feeling ambitious do all of Kaplan q bank. I like it cause it correlates to page numbers in first aid so when you finish it, you have first aid memorized. I think a good plan would be to get your step 1 scores to the 220's-maybe 230's over the summer break that way the shelf questions would be easier during year two as well as being able to fine tune your knowledge during the next year.

Getting to those scores without second year wouldn't be that easy, but then again First aid gets you a long way.

I would be careful...I can feel the intensity in your body building. Have you died of embolism yet? Stress can cause a hypercoagulable state. Just worried for you. Haha.

 

[LossForWords]

No matter what you end up doing, whether medical or not, you can always do some shadowing in the Peds department too. It doesn't have to be anything formal or for credit, but it could be good experience for you and a way to get your name out there.

The summer after first year is great for shadowing because there is a healthy wall of ignorance you can hide behind. "I haven't had Pathology yet" is the trump card for almost all pimp questions you'd get. I used it well that summer.

 

[greatwall11]

The summer after first year is great for shadowing because there is a healthy wall of ignorance you can hide behind. "I haven't had Pathology yet" is the trump card for almost all pimp questions you'd get. I used it well that summer.

Haha great point! i will keep that in mind, Thanks for all the great suggestions and input. I think i'm going to take it easy this summer...really not in the mood to research something I don't care about for free.

 

[Alvarez13]

No matter what you end up doing, whether medical or not, you can always do some shadowing in the Peds department too. It doesn't have to be anything formal or for credit, but it could be good experience for you and a way to get your name out there.

The summer after first year is great for shadowing because there is a healthy wall of ignorance you can hide behind. "I haven't had Pathology yet" is the trump card for almost all pimp questions you'd get. I used it well that summer.

👍