10 things to do before day 1 of residency

You’re finished; you are officially a doctor!

I remember my sigh of relief after graduating from medical school, even though it was over 20 years ago. Four years of undergrad, maybe a few gap years and likely four years of medical school, not to mention the COMLEX, research, applications, interviews and the Match … but you’ve made it. You’re done with a major component of your medical training.

Smile and breathe; now that you have five minutes to rest, we thought we might make 10 recommendations of a few things to do before starting residency.

1. Pause and acknowledge your wins

Take a moment to reflect on your accomplishments and bask in your success. Whether you matched into your dream residency, or SOAPed into a prelim year, you are a doctor. You have earned the right to be considered a healer. Congrats are in order, but the most important person who should admire your accomplishments is yourself.

2. Celebrate yourself intentionally

Do something to make yourself feel special and celebrate. Is there a restaurant you’ve always wanted to go to or a piece of jewelry you have been eyeing? If it’s in your budget, think about splurging a little. When I was in med school, I had always wanted a certain watch. After graduating, I bought it, and I still have it today. When I wear it, it reminds me of all that I accomplished in medical school.

3. Read up on personal finance

Look at your finances. Jim Dhale, MD, of the White Coat Investor preaches living like a medical student for years after graduation. Finances are not always the most important thing on a medical student’s radar, but as you gain an income in residency, you should think about where your money will be spent and how you plan on repaying your student loans if you have them.

Additionally, setting up a Roth IRA or retirement account, having a budget and creating a financial plan can make a huge difference as you jump-start your professional career.

4. Revisit or say goodbye to familiar places

If you’re moving, take time to appreciate where you are now. I went to medical school where I grew up, Long Island, New York, and moved to Miami for my training. My wife and I realized that we might not come back for many years, if ever. We took a few months before residency to explore Manhattan, enjoy the museums and eat hot dogs. It was a great experience of “revisiting” the known.

5. Reconnect with family and friends

Medical school is a trying time where you likely spent thousands of hours in the library or in the hospital. It is difficult not to lose track of family and friends, and you are about to enter an arguably more trying time in residency.

Before residency begins, take time to reconnect with your loved ones, talk openly with them about expectations and communication during residency, and rekindle relationships that have fallen to the wayside. You’ll be glad you did when time becomes scarce again.

6. Lightly prepare for your specialty

Take a breather, but brushing up on your new specialty, whether it be family medicine, OB-GYN, pediatrics or osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), will give you a head start in what can be a daunting experience as an intern. Familiarity with common conditions, workflows or expectations can also help you ease into the transition.

7. Take a real vacation!

It doesn’t need to be a trip to Phuket (although it can if time and finances allow). Even a quick getaway by yourself or with a loved one to recharge your batteries before the next step in your journey can help you reset and feel energized again.

8. Express gratitude to those who helped you get here

Take a minute to say thank you: to your school, to your mentors, to the osteopathic community. Send a message, email or handwritten note. There may have been hiccups, there may have been road bumps, but at a milestone of success it is always important to take a moment to give thanks for all that has been done for you.

9. Consider how to pay it forward and have pride in your osteopathic profession

Remember where you came from: your values, your training, your profession. It may not be the time for this now, but in the back of your mind, consider how you will help others in the way you were aided on your journey.

Support the osteopathic medical profession the way it has supported you. Make sure you join the AOA and your osteopathic state and specialty organizations. They are your fellow travelers, and they will help you along your path.

10. Rest, reset and reclaim yourself

Sleep, meditate and re-engage with hobbies you haven’t had the time for. Taking some time to journal and set exercise habits are tiny anchors that help during the chaotic intern months. You’re about to enter another intense phase of life; start it refreshed, not depleted.

What works for you?

We appreciate you taking the time to read this article, but there certainly are a lot more than 10 things you could consider doing before starting residency! If you have advice for next year’s update, please reach out and share.

What is helping or has helped you prepare? We want to hear from you; please share your own tips and tricks below in the comments.

Good luck as you begin this exciting next chapter!

Related reading:

Top 10 do’s and don’ts in residency

Tips for the transition from the fourth year of medical school to a successful Match and residency