What to do between summer of 1st & 2nd year?

[snowhite]

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I'm trying to decide what to do this summer and wondered if anyone can offer their advice.

The options include:
*Research
*Preceptorship
*Medical Spanish Language Course in Spanish-speaking country (costs $$$)
*Volunteer opportunity abroad (costs $$$)
*Or just a plain old vacation...maybe backpacking in Europe? spending time with family?

What would/did you do? Others have explained the importance of padding your resume with research and thus making yourself a more competitive candidate when it comes to applying for rotations/residencies/scholarships and etc, but others still point out that this is the last summer to do ANYTHING fun for awhile so one should take it easy because medicine will consume the rest of our lives. Then again though, I heard that 3 months is a really long time to take it easy and eventually one will get bored; however, I've also heard that doing something "productive" will burn you out before 2nd year even starts.

What do you all think? What would you do? I'd like to do a little bit of all of the above, but I know that it isn't feasible. I need to make a decision soon (as it is, I've already passed up a bunch of deadlines).

Edit: if there is a thread on this somewhere on here or on summer med student programs, can you link it here? I tried a search and couldn't find it so sorry if this a repeat.

 

[OnMyWayThere]

If I don't end up having to remediate anything I will be in Europe and perhaps learning Spanish somewhere out of the U.S.. Research is good and all but I don't plan on going into anything supercompetitive... if you do, then consider research 👍

 

[Boxer1]

I did research between years 1 and 2. It was pretty relaxed; coming in at 9 AM and leaving before 4 PM. I took a week off for vacation with no problem. It all depends on what you need to get ready for next year. I think research was a nice way to still use my brain without the stresses of tests and competition.

Now, I had 2 months completely off between years 2 and 3. That was a bad idea. When I started rotations it took several weeks to catch back up to where I was when the previous school year ended. If your resume still needs padding, research isn't a horrible way to go.

 

[mshheaddoc]

Of course I'm going to say come and visit me ... but ...

Hern went to Europe for 3 weeks. I think that and medical spanish would be cool. I'm doing research this summer

PS ... call me this weekend and let me know about spring break and how ya doing please!

 

[DD214_DOC]

Research? Volunteering? Whatever happened to just plain ol' doing nothing?

 

[JO300]

Volunteering at other country is good idea for me. and VCOM offer that so I think I will do it.
which one is considered to be a plus when we apply for residency research or Volunteering at other country?

 

[CTashby]

keep in mind that this is your last vacation ever.
Sure research is great and all but you should really make it your plan to have fun. I spent my time getting married, going to belize and moving into a new apartment. with and occational volunteering session at our local free clinic.
do whatever will give you the greatest peace of mind.

 

[OSUdoc08]

I'm trying to decide what to do this summer and wondered if anyone can offer their advice.

The options include:
*Research
*Preceptorship
*Medical Spanish Language Course in Spanish-speaking country (costs $$$)
*Volunteer opportunity abroad (costs $$$)
*Or just a plain old vacation...maybe backpacking in Europe? spending time with family?

What would/did you do? Others have explained the importance of padding your resume with research and thus making yourself a more competitive candidate when it comes to applying for rotations/residencies/scholarships and etc, but others still point out that this is the last summer to do ANYTHING fun for awhile so one should take it easy because medicine will consume the rest of our lives. Then again though, I heard that 3 months is a really long time to take it easy and eventually one will get bored; however, I've also heard that doing something "productive" will burn you out before 2nd year even starts.

What do you all think? What would you do? I'd like to do a little bit of all of the above, but I know that it isn't feasible. I need to make a decision soon (as it is, I've already passed up a bunch of deadlines).

Edit: if there is a thread on this somewhere on here or on summer med student programs, can you link it here? I tried a search and couldn't find it so sorry if this a repeat.

You'll regret it if you don't.

 

[drdrtoledo]

I'm at school out of state so I went home and enjoyed my family. I haven't gotten to see them much in the 3 years since. I didn't do any research ever and got plenty of interviews in allo EM. So, the key is to enjoy yourself. If you detest research, I am not sure you should spend your time doing that. However, if you know now that you want something super competitive, you might regret not doing research. Also, the foreign stuff sounds real cool, but weigh it's value to your future/personal life. Sometimes trips like that are profoundly life changing. I have no regrets just enjoying some free time with loved ones. Enjoy your time off!
A

 

[dawg44]

I say live it up. Its the last BIG break you'll ever have. I did some early clinical rotation stuff. It was a good time, but did doing a little extra FP help me in the long run. Nope. Go party like a rock star. Thats my advice.

 

[Kevbot]

Research? Volunteering? Whatever happened to just plain ol' doing nothing?

you are a king among men

 

[Megalofyia]

I love do the disections in anatomy lab; thus I am going to work during the summer doing prosections. I had considered doing research but realized that the lab I wanted to work in would probably result in me not getting anything published. Not to mention I really hate research.

I had considered learning spanish... vaccationing in Europe.. etc.. but I am kinda interested in a competative field so I figure doing something this summer is better than nothing.

And... incidently.. forget mushy.. if you want to do something fun consider visiting me. There's alot more to do where I am than in flat plain Oklahoma.

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

I'm likely gonna be at Temple working with a cardio-thoracic transplant surgeon.

I want a surgical residency and I feel like thats probably time better spent then going on a sweet vacation.....which is what I did last year.

 

[DOctorJay]

umm, you can def go on a sweet vacation and do something worthwhile, I completed research (which I just presented at a national conference) and still had time to go to Bermuda with my gf.

do whatever you feel like doing but definitely do something you enjoy (if you don't then I agree it's a waste of your last summer).

J

 

[nrddct]

what about the summer between the 1 and 2 year? Is there usually time off then?

 

[gottalovemilk]

if i go to nova, any break time i get i'll probably be at the beach with the latinas

 

[Inquiringmind24]

I'll be headed to Ecuador for a month with some classmates for a medical Spanish program. The other two months I still need to figure out....

 

[OSUdoc08]

what about the summer between the 1 and 2 year? Is there usually time off then?

Yes, there is. That summer I worked at a YMCA summer camp:

I was the "clinic specialist" and managed the camp infirmary.

I was also the activities coordinator & served as a lifeguard.

It's the last opportunity to be outdoors, so I enjoyed it!

 

[mshheaddoc]

And... incidently.. forget mushy.. if you want to do something fun consider visiting me. There's alot more to do where I am than in flat plain Oklahoma.

😡 We have MOUNTAINS TOO! 😡 And better weather. All sun all the time. (drought conditions)

 

[Khenon]

Then again though, I heard that 3 months is a really long time to take it easy and eventually one will get bored; however, I've also heard that doing something "productive" will burn you out before 2nd year even starts.

Who gets 3 months off? I looked at COMP's acedemic calender and it looks like you only get 1 month off. Did I misread?

*desperately hoping we get 3 months off*

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

we get 3 months and two weeks.

 

[OSUdoc08]

We were off from the second week of May until the 3rd week of August.

 

[beastmaster]

I'm trying to decide what to do this summer and wondered if anyone can offer their advice.

Do whatever the hell you want. Sleep all day, play video games, do hardcore research, or spend the whole summer studying. You don't need permission from anyone, nor do you have to pick from a list of "approved" summer activities. Finally, stop listening to the tired old "this is the last summer of your life" bullsh1t. Do something unpopular, be proud of it, and rub it in the faces of anyone you can.

 

[kwooder]

Hi, I did a medical mission to Nicaragua. I didn't know a lot, but it was great nevertheless.

Do whatever the hell you want. Sleep all day, play video games, do hardcore research, or spend the whole summer studying. You don't need permission from anyone, nor do you have to pick from a list of "approved" summer activities. Finally, stop listening to the tired old "this is the last summer of your life" bullsh1t. Do something unpopular, be proud of it, and rub it in the faces of anyone you can.

 

[DOtobe]

I didn't do anything. Slept in, went on vacation, shopped...just enjoyed the free time.