What's a good way for an accepted student to spend 10 months of free time?

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I'm in a position where I have neither school nor work for around 9 or 10 months. It's a weird situation, I know but it is my reality for the time being.

What I'm having trouble with is figuring out things to do to occupy my time. I don't want to bother with self-studying for med school classes because I am convinced that is a waste of time. But I'm wondering if there is anything else I could be proactive about that could help me a lot for my future as a med student/doctor. I am filling my days with things like reading, volunteering, learning a new language, learning practical skills, going out, but I need more things, or at least something consistent. I am going mad with boredom and I want to be more productive/set myself up for success in the future.

Preemptive answers to questions I expect:
"Why not just actually get a job?"
Working for money isn't an option. It's a long story but it is just not possible right now.

"Med schools start in July/August, not 10 months from now"
I am deferring my acceptance and will be doing a different program that starts in October.
 
If I had that kind of time, I'd go travel. Not expensive city-hop, but a good long-term backpack trip. I'd find the cheapest international flight I can on skyscanner or hopper and then backpack for a few months. You can also do wwoof or workaway, which allows you to finance your travels by working for accommodation. If you wwoof/workaway in a country that speaks the language you're trying to learn, that's some real life language immersion.
 
Learn a language. Pick a language you can learn by speaking with a native speaker.

Become a daily (or frequent) volunteer for something you are passionate about. Schools, daycare, pantries and soup kitchens, homes for the aged can all use the help of someone who is willing to stick around and get to know the people being served. Knowing more about people, particularly those different than yourself, can only help. You may also find someone with whom you can improve your language skills.

Learn to cook inexpensive meals that reheat and/or freeze well. Buy and learn to use an Instant Pot or something similar. (Search "chicken breast" in this forum and you might find a thread with recipes that are pretty good.)

Acquire a hobby. Baking can be satisfying and useful and not very expensive for beginners.
www.seriouseats.com

Simple Crusty White Bread Recipe

Baking a crusty loaf of country-style white bread at home is made simple with a Dutch oven and digital scale.
www.seriouseats.com www.seriouseats.com
 
ciestar said:
Do literally whatever you want to do. Have fun with the free time you’ve got left.
Click to expand...
I'm trying but honestly, for me that's easier said than done haha. I'm reminded of Kevin McAllister in Home Alone. Having all that liberty gets old kinda quick and eventually you resort to wandering off and befriending old ladies who live with birds.

Jeremy Bearimy said:
If I had that kind of time, I'd go travel. Not expensive city-hop, but a good long-term backpack trip. I'd find the cheapest international flight I can on skyscanner or hopper and then backpack for a few months. You can also do wwoof or workaway, which allows you to finance your travels by working for accommodation. If you wwoof/workaway in a country that speaks the language you're trying to learn, that's some real life language immersion.
Click to expand...
This is such a good suggestion! I had decided against travel because of the money but I have always wanted to do wwoof but had totally forgotten about.

LizzyM said:
Learn a language. Pick a language you can learn by speaking with a native speaker.

Become a daily (or frequent) volunteer for something you are passionate about. Schools, daycare, pantries and soup kitchens, homes for the aged can all use the help of someone who is willing to stick around and get to know the people being served. Knowing more about people, particularly those different than yourself, can only help. You may also find someone with whom you can improve your language skills.

Learn to cook inexpensive meals that reheat and/or freeze well. Buy and learn to use an Instant Pot or something similar. (Search "chicken breast" in this forum and you might find a thread with recipes that are pretty good.)

Acquire a hobby. Baking can be satisfying and useful and not very expensive for beginners.
www.seriouseats.com

Simple Crusty White Bread Recipe

Baking a crusty loaf of country-style white bread at home is made simple with a Dutch oven and digital scale.
www.seriouseats.com www.seriouseats.com
Click to expand...
Great suggestions! I'm definitely on the language and cooking bit. Trying to take up sewing as a hobby. Or any sort of handiwork that is feasible and useful in life.

Cornfed101 said:
Witness protection can be pretty restrictive
Click to expand...
You delete this right now if you know what's good for you...
/s
 
If it interests you, get healthy and find some physical activity you enjoy. Join a local club team. Try a new sport. Give powerlifting/weightlifting/CrossFit a shot. You would be amazed at what 9-10 months of solid, dedicated sleep, nutrition, and training will do for you, mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Learn how to play a (new) instrument.
 
electropartyogram said:
If it interests you, get healthy and find some physical activity you enjoy. Join a local club team. Try a new sport. Give powerlifting/weightlifting/CrossFit a shot. You would be amazed at what 9-10 months of solid, dedicated sleep, nutrition, and training will do for you, mentally, physically, and emotionally.
Click to expand...
I second this. Get into powerlifting and use 6 months to train. Do a meet around May/June. I've done 2 meets myself and they are fun to train for and watch your strength progress over time.
 
and 99 others said:
I'm in a position where I have neither school nor work for around 9 or 10 months. It's a weird situation, I know but it is my reality for the time being.

What I'm having trouble with is figuring out things to do to occupy my time. I don't want to bother with self-studying for med school classes because I am convinced that is a waste of time. But I'm wondering if there is anything else I could be proactive about that could help me a lot for my future as a med student/doctor. I am filling my days with things like reading, volunteering, learning a new language, learning practical skills, going out, but I need more things, or at least something consistent. I am going mad with boredom and I want to be more productive/set myself up for success in the future.

Preemptive answers to questions I expect:
"Why not just actually get a job?"
Working for money isn't an option. It's a long story but it is just not possible right now.

"Med schools start in July/August, not 10 months from now"
I am deferring my acceptance and will be doing a different program that starts in October.
Click to expand...

I’m being 100% serious (i have a documented love for this subject), you should start a podcast. You’ve got the time, a goal you’re working for down the line, and an assortment of activities you can introspect on. Totally up to you, but drop the link if you choose to do this.
 
Down the road, in a gym far away, A young man was heard to say: No matter what I do, my legs won't grow! He tried leg extensions, leg curls, leg presses too. Trying to cheat, these sissy workouts he'd do. From the corner of the gym where the big guy's train. Through a cloud of chalk and the midst of pain. Where the big iron rides high and threatens lives. Where the noise is made with big forty fives. A deep voice bellowed as he wrapped his knees. A very big man with legs like trees. Laughing as he snatched another plate from the stack, chalked his hands and monstrous back. Said: Boy, stop lying and don't say you've forgotten! The trouble with you is you ain't been squattin!

Get swoll bro.
 
AnatomyGrey12 said:
Down the road, in a gym far away, A young man was heard to say: No matter what I do, my legs won't grow! He tried leg extensions, leg curls, leg presses too. Trying to cheat, these sissy workouts he'd do. From the corner of the gym where the big guy's train. Through a cloud of chalk and the midst of pain. Where the big iron rides high and threatens lives. Where the noise is made with big forty fives. A deep voice bellowed as he wrapped his knees. A very big man with legs like trees. Laughing as he snatched another plate from the stack, chalked his hands and monstrous back. Said: Boy, stop lying and don't say you've forgotten! The trouble with you is you ain't been squattin!

Get swoll bro.
Click to expand...

this guy orthos
 
AMCASTuesdays said:
I’m being 100% serious (i have a documented love for this subject), you should start a podcast. You’ve got the time, a goal you’re working for down the line, and an assortment of activities you can introspect on. Totally up to you, but drop the link if you choose to do this.
Click to expand...
Ok, I actually love this suggestion. I have actually been talking about doing this with a buddy of mine and now is the perfect time to be honest. I just have no clue what it would be about. I could definitely infuse some pre med stuff but the podcast market is already saturated with this topic.
 
Also, for those recommending the gym, sorry for not mentioning it earlier but yes, I am going to the gym too in this time! Thank you!
 
and 99 others said:
Also, for those recommending the gym, sorry for not mentioning it earlier but yes, I am going to the gym too in this time! Thank you!
Click to expand...

Aye, we suggest going to the gym, but it is more than just going to the gym. This is meal prepping, eating properly to guide strength gain, staying dedicated to a focused program (It doesn't have to be lifting per se, but I run nSuns LP 6-day with my own modifications), watching videos to improve your technique, watching videos of your lifts to improve technique, going in with the mindset of performing to the absolute best of your ability. At a certain point, it will become a lifestyle, habits earned in the iron church through pain and perseverance.

The 2-3 hours at the gym will eventually provide mental clarity such that you'll be aching to jump into the next workout. The results you make in the gym are caused by your consistency and are directly related to the work you put in. There is no religion or politics in the iron church. There is only you and the weight you are trying to move. When you cheat you only cheat your self. When you push through and hit that next PR, you know you earned it, then you can look back over your progress with a real sense of pride and accomplishment.
 
electropartyogram said:
Aye, we suggest going to the gym, but it is more than just going to the gym. This is meal prepping, eating properly to guide strength gain, staying dedicated to a focused program (It doesn't have to be lifting per se, but I run nSuns LP 6-day with my own modifications), watching videos to improve your technique, watching videos of your lifts to improve technique, going in with the mindset of performing to the absolute best of your ability. At a certain point, it will become a lifestyle, habits earned in the iron church through pain and perseverance.

The 2-3 hours at the gym will eventually provide mental clarity such that you'll be aching to jump into the next workout. The results you make in the gym are caused by your consistency and are directly related to the work you put in. There is no religion or politics in the iron church. There is only you and the weight you are trying to move. When you cheat you only cheat your self. When you push through and hit that next PR, you know you earned it, then you can look back over your progress with a real sense of pride and accomplishment.
Click to expand...

This sounds nice, but I think I will just stick to Netflix...
 
electropartyogram said:
Aye, we suggest going to the gym, but it is more than just going to the gym. This is meal prepping, eating properly to guide strength gain, staying dedicated to a focused program (It doesn't have to be lifting per se, but I run nSuns LP 6-day with my own modifications), watching videos to improve your technique, watching videos of your lifts to improve technique, going in with the mindset of performing to the absolute best of your ability. At a certain point, it will become a lifestyle, habits earned in the iron church through pain and perseverance.

The 2-3 hours at the gym will eventually provide mental clarity such that you'll be aching to jump into the next workout. The results you make in the gym are caused by your consistency and are directly related to the work you put in. There is no religion or politics in the iron church. There is only you and the weight you are trying to move. When you cheat you only cheat your self. When you push through and hit that next PR, you know you earned it, then you can look back over your progress with a real sense of pride and accomplishment.
Click to expand...
Lol most of this is pretty cringe.
 
and 99 others said:
Ok, I actually love this suggestion. I have actually been talking about doing this with a buddy of mine and now is the perfect time to be honest. I just have no clue what it would be about. I could definitely infuse some pre med stuff but the podcast market is already saturated with this topic.
Click to expand...

Listen I back you on this 100%. I need a new listen so keep me informed lol
 
I'm learning piano now.

If you want to learn an instrument, try classical guitar. Its a beautiful instrument, can pick up a used one for fairly cheap. I can recommend some pieces!
 
kingdomheart said:
I'd learn how to invest and download investing apps
Click to expand...
Also doing this. I tried one of the apps, seems pretty easy to get started. Made like 5$ profit with 50$ starting investment lol. It seems pretty cool for getting a handle on how it all works at the very least!
 
After reading this thread I wish I had 10 months and some cash, always dreamed about backpacking through Asia from Japan to Sri Lanka, the idea about all US national parks is also exciting.
 
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