Starting residency can be an emotional rollercoaster - it’s nerve-wracking, intimidating and exciting all at once! As you count down the days until your transition from medical school to residency, you may wonder how best to prepare and ease the transition. Here are some of my top tips (based on my personal experience):
1. Take this time to go and live your best life
This might just be your last “summer break” before you become a working professional. Use this time to go on the best graduation trip of your life or hike that mountain you have always wanted or complete that book you couldn’t finish when you were in medical school.
I traveled with my friends from med school to Spain and I am so grateful for the memories we made before we all dispersed across the country for residency.
2. Prioritize time with loved ones
Residency can be intense and you may not see your family and friends as often as you would like to. Try to use this time to spend it with them as much as you can!
3. Secure housing early
If you are moving to a new city for residency, start looking for a place now. Reach out to senior residents from the program you matched to for advice on good areas to live. Choose a location with an easy commute to the hospital and access to things that matter to you.
I live across from the hospital, which allows me to walk to work every day. I also made sure my home is near a gym, my favourite coffee shop, a grocery store and a great Korean fried chicken restaurant - all things that have contributed greatly to my well-being in residency.
4. No time like the present to start developing healthy habits
Use that “fresh start effect” that Atomic Habits talks about to your advantage as you start this new phase of life! Set yourself up for success by developing habits that prioritize both mental and physical health
- If you can, start exercising regularly - go to the gym or get that Pilates studio membership.
- Explore meal prep or healthy meal delivery options.
- Consider therapy if you feel that is something that will help you develop coping mechanisms that will serve you well in residency.
There is no better time than now to establish these habits before your schedule gets hectic.
5. Invest in essentials
For me, this was a pair of comfortable shoes and on-call snacks. You will be on your feet for long hours, so a good pair of shoes is a must. Also, stock up on snacks for that long on-call shift, you will thank yourself later.
6. Take a breath - You will learn on the job
Residency is designed to teach you. You do not need to know everything on day one. You may be tempted to reread Toronto Notes or dive into research papers, but trust me - don’t. There will be plenty of time to study as a resident and much of what you need to learn will come from hands-on experience.
7. And finally, celebrate your achievements!
You have worked hard to get here and you deserve every bit of it. Enjoy this time, celebrate your journey and step into residency with confidence! YOU HAVE GOT THIS!
Good luck, and welcome to residency! :)
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Dr. Poshika Dhingra is an Internal Medicine resident physician at the University of Alberta.
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