What to do in the summer after M1

[NYY1234]

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Hello everyone. Hope everyone has had a nice holiday and a happy new year in advance. I am an M1 with an interest in anesthesiology. I was wondering what experiences I should pursue during this upcoming summer (clinical, scribing, shadowing, research, etc.)

Thanks in advance everyone.

 

[Maximus2020]

The last summer. Winter comes and never leaves thereafter. M2 summer is Step 1 studying. M3/M4 have no summer.

The answer to this differs by specialty. You can't go wrong with research, assuming you can start and finish (publish) a project in the summer or shortly thereafter. Would be nice to do clinical research on a laptop on the beach somewhere. Avoid the dark dungeon/lab.

I would rather empty trash than scribe. Shadowing also seems like a pre-med thing. Agree that a small amount of it could be used to confirm your interest in anesthesiology, but I leave that to you.

 

[NYY1234]

The last summer. Winter comes and never leaves thereafter. M2 summer is Step 1 studying. M3/M4 have no summer.

The answer to this differs by specialty. You can't go wrong with research, assuming you can start and finish (publish) a project in the summer or shortly thereafter. Would be nice to do clinical research on a laptop on the beach somewhere. Avoid the dark dungeon/lab.

I would rather empty trash than scribe. Shadowing also seems like a pre-med thing. Agree that a small amount of it could be used to confirm your interest in anesthesiology, but I leave that to you.

thanks for the response

 

[Billiam95]

If you use Anki, obviously keep up with your cards over the summer. If not, might be a good time to pick it up.

Research will help when you apply in a few years. I did an IM 'clinical experience', which I enjoyed but know it'll have no bearing on my application for residency. Obviously, take some time to decompress before M2.

/Current M2

 

[Styrene]

I played video games and chilled all during that summer. Did one small research project. You can do anything if you don't plan on hypercompetitive specialties.

 

[Ole_Toe]

Assuming you're not going into a competitive surgical field, good options are 1) relaxing for 6-8 weeks doing whatever you want, knowing you won't get that much time off for a very long time; 2) keeping up with anki and maybe doing a small research thing, no more than a few hours of work a day; 3) shadowing anything you might possibly be interested in, trying to find a mentor in the field you are drawn to most. Everyone is going to say that you should enjoy the time off, and that's because you really should try to just relax and enjoy the time. Doesn't hurt to stay on top of anki, but with P/F step 1, it may not even be the best use of that time

 

[Dr. Anonymouss]

If you're interested in anesthesiology then go have fun and travel! No need to do research

 

[bGMx]

This is my personal take, but you won't be unhappy that you did research and kept up with Anki unless you go on Instagram.
And then when you're 30 you may or may not be happy/regretful that you worked on your career, but that seems relatively uncoupled to you doing something the summer after M1. I suggest taking advantage of being in a medical school, but I'm also a workaholic.

 

[Phloston]

Hello everyone. Hope everyone has had a nice holiday and a happy new year in advance. I am an M1 with an interest in anesthesiology. I was wondering what experiences I should pursue during this upcoming summer (clinical, scribing, shadowing, research, etc.)

Thanks in advance everyone.

I would go heavy heavy on Step 1 prep, get your Pass, then start heavy on 2CK early while in MS2. You're going to want to put up a big number on 2CK now that we're dealing with a P/F Step 1.

You'll get people here who are indignant of the notion of going the extra mile, but it depends what kind of score you want to put up. That's my take.

 

[Styrene]

Assuming you're not going into a competitive surgical field, good options are 1) relaxing for 6-8 weeks doing whatever you want, knowing you won't get that much time off for a very long time; 2) keeping up with anki and maybe doing a small research thing, no more than a few hours of work a day; 3) shadowing anything you might possibly be interested in, trying to find a mentor in the field you are drawn to most. Everyone is going to say that you should enjoy the time off, and that's because you really should try to just relax and enjoy the time. Doesn't hurt to stay on top of anki, but with P/F step 1, it may not even be the best use of that time

Props for 1). I played Forza Horizon 3 eight hours per day during that summer and spent time with my family. Did a simple chart review-ish project 100% from home that resulted in an abstract, national meeting poster, and institutional presentation. Great memories. Things are so different now.

 

[Phloston]

Props for 1). I played Forza Horizon 3 eight hours per day during that summer and spent time with my family. Did a simple chart review-ish project 100% from home that resulted in an abstract, national meeting poster, and institutional presentation. Great memories. Things are so different now.

How did you end up doing on your USMLEs considering you gamed all summer. By all means there are occasional people who play Diablo II 8 hours per day and get 272s.

 

[Styrene]

How did you end up doing on your USMLEs considering you gamed all summer. By all means there are occasional people who play Diablo II 8 hours per day and get 272s.

Step 1: 255
Step 2: 248
Step 2 CS: P
Step 3: 241

Keep in mind, I studied for 6-8 hr/day Mon-Fri for five weeks before Step 1.

A friend of mine scored 270s, but he studied like crazy, and I doubt he's ever played a video game in his life lol.

 

[Phloston]

Step 1: 255
Step 2: 248
Step 2 CS: P
Step 3: 241

Keep in mind, I studied for 6-8 hr/day Mon-Fri for five weeks before Step 1.

A friend of mine scored 270s, but he studied like crazy, and I doubt he's ever played a video game in his life lol.

I half-smirked at the "CS: P," since that was something we actually did make note of back in the day.

 

[Styrene]

I half-smirked at the "CS: P," since that was something we actually did make note of back in the day.

Yes, when I tell some of my attendings from other countries that there is no more Step 2 CS, they are so pissed.