With winter break rapidly approaching, the most common questions we are getting these days are what to do with all this extra time off. If you're a current student at Emory, the winter break presents 6 weeks of time between semesters. That's a lot of time! Naturally, as high achievers, your focus is on how to use such time productively. If you're focus isn't on getting ready to apply in the next 6 months (hope you're studying for that entrance test or working on your Composite Letter application if you're applying), here are some ideas from us, your friendly, neighborhood, Pre-Health Advisors.:
- Rest is productive. Get
plenty of it! We are in for a long spring. We don't often think of rest as productive, but it's very important to see it as a useful, productive activity to help sustain ourselves.
- Reflect on where you
are, and where you want to go. Have you refined your WHY? What’s the
connecting thread between your experiences? What do YOU bring to the table
that’s different? This is not to be confused about competing or comparing
to others – focus on you and how you are growing for yourself. We all make unique contributions in certain spaces, so focus on the qualities, traits, and skills that make you WHO you are.
- Take a look at the PHA
blog to look at some of the service opportunities that are virtual. There's also been a lot posted about grad programs and summer programs.
- Learn a new skill or hobby – it
doesn’t need to be medically / clinically / healthcare related.
- Begin to become aware of
issues relevant to healthcare. Are you informed to discuss current events at
an interview in the future? For example, what are some of the hot button issues as we transition from one presidential administration to another? How do you learn best? Do you read articles,
books, digest other media?
- Compile your science
class notes and materials. Begin exploring how to create a MCAT / other
entrance test study plan, if you haven’t already. Even if you are a few years away, at least begin to think about who you might talk about how they studied, or what else you need to know.
- Catch up with friends and mentors. We don't often think of reflection as something that can happen in a catch up conversation, but take advantage of such quality time to critically reflect on yourself and your life.
- Consider setting up
future plans. What could be done in summer, when there’s maybe hope for a
vaccine to be widely distributed and potential for resumption of some sort
of normality? Are there physicians, hospitals, urgent cares, clinics,
assisted living facilities you can be in touch with to provide
volunteering and help?
- Kim, Hugh, & Anil
