Don't forget how short life is...

In the past month, several people I cared about have lost their lives or received diagnoses with a poor prognosis. I always new life was fragile, but events like these really hit home. In medicine we are inundated with delayed gratification: "don't worry it gets better". We can be so forward thinking that we forget to live in the present at all. Med school apps, step 1, 3rd year grades, step 2, residency apps, residency interviews, learn your trade, in-training exams, fellowship applications, fellowship training, boards, etc... You get it... it doesn't end. It's important to take med school and residency seriously, but not at the cost of your relationships and experiences. Don't prioritize medicine higher than yourself.

So remember to (1) spend as much time as you can with the people you care about. (2) Try to do something you like that's unrelated to medicine every day. (3) Think of creative ways to use your free time, don't just veg out. (4) Fight for your vacation time, and never feel bad about using it. (5) When you feel like shit (which you will), try to go out of your way to do something nice for someone else. You'd be surprised how something small like that can elevate your own mood.

If anyone else has any tips please feel free to add. Hopefully this was helpful for someone.