Reflecting on 2024
In 2024, I managed to go on seven different trips, including a two-week adventure to Peru/Bolivia and another two-week journey to Japan. All of this was made possible by thoughtful and early vacation planning. Looking back, I honestly don’t think I would’ve survived my first year of residency without these breaks. They allowed me the necessary mental space to disconnect from medicine and recover from the inevitable burnout that comes with residency.
The Reality of Residency
Let’s face it: our days are long. Evenings are often consumed by charting, reading around cases and research. Weekends? You’ll likely be on call. Residency has a way of encroaching on your personal time, and it’s easy to let the demands of being both a doctor and a learner take over every aspect of your life.
That’s where vacation planning comes in. It provides the opportunity to step away from the day-to-day grind and focus on the other important aspects of life - whether it’s spending time with loved ones, traveling or simply resting. In my experience, planning vacations strategically is crucial for achieving work-life balance.
Strategies for Effective Vacation Planning
While I’m no expert, I’d like to share the strategies that have worked for me. Hopefully, they can help you make the most of your time off and keep your sanity intact during residency.
1. Start Early
“What do you mean your vacation is not yet approved?” – a friend in finance/tech/sales/not medicine, for the 20th time.
Vacation planning is never simple. Between the various coverage requirements of rotations and the challenges of managing a schedule packed with competing priorities, it’s easy to get stuck with limited travel options or rejected vacation requests. ☹
The key to avoiding this is Starting Early. This doesn’t just mean submitting your request the moment the vacation window opens (though that is part of it). It means taking the time at the start of the year to map out your “vacation goals,” assess your options and make a comprehensive plan. The earlier you start, the more flexibility you’ll have in choosing when to take time off.
2. Be Systematic
Here’s How I Approach It:
- Create a Month-by-Month Calendar:
- Include all your upcoming rotations
- Add Important Life Events:
- Weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and other significant personal dates.
- Academic dates such as conferences, deadlines, and exams.
- Mark Long Weekends:
- Identify these as perfect opportunities to maximize your time off.
- List All Available Leaves:
- Vacation, flex days, conference leave, winter break and any other available options.
- Divide Your Leave Throughout the Year Using These Key Principles:
- Aim for one vacation every three months.
- Prioritize time off during challenging or heavy rotations.
- Combine vacations with long weekends to extend your breaks.
- Consider longer trips: use two consecutive blocks (e.g., the last week of the 1st block and the first week of the 2nd block).
- Use up all available days: vacation days, conference days and flex days - don’t let any go to waste. Get creative with how you combine them.
3. Be Strategic
Once I have a rough idea of when I’d like to take time off, I leave the plan aside for a few days and then revisit it with a more strategic lens. I think about the practicalities of making these vacations a reality:
- How likely is it that this vacation will be approved?
- Some rotations are more popular for vacation requests than others, particularly the heavier rotations or those later in the year.
- Which week of the block would be best for taking time off?
- Week 1, Week 4, or somewhere in between?
- How early can I submit the request?
- Some rotations accept vacation requests months in advance and respond quickly, so find out which ones are most flexible.
- Can I stack two weekends?
- We’re guaranteed one weekend off with our vacation, but depending on the rotation, you may be able to extend this by taking an additional weekend off before or after your time off.
- What do I want to do during these vacations?
- Is it a trip, a visit to family, or simply taking time to relax at home and recharge?
- What are the key deadlines for vacation submissions?
- Mark these on your calendar and set reminders to ensure you’re among the first to submit your request.
And that’s it! You now have a strategy for planning your vacations for the year. While you may need to adjust things here and there, having a plan in place will increase your chances of getting those requests approved - and hopefully approved early.
Remember, the goal of vacation planning isn’t just about escaping work - it’s about making sure you’re mentally and physically prepared for the challenges ahead. So, plan ahead, take that time off and come back refreshed and ready to take on the next challenge.
Good luck planning!
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