How should I manage my time for the next 5-6 months?
August 20, 2011 2:34 PM Subscribe
I was hoping to be back in school this fall to take pre-med classes, but it didn't work out. How do I handle all this unstructured time till I can start school in the spring, both in terms of daily life and my plan for the next few months?
In May of this year, I decided I wanted to change course and pursue a career in medicine—as such, I started applying to a few post-bacc programs so I could later apply to medical school. (I wasn't pre-med in college.) The original plan was that I'd find out my program in July, and transition out of my job and back into academia at the end of August.
Things didn't work out that way: in early June, I was unexpectedly laid off. Then, neither post-bacc program I was able to apply to (because of missed deadlines and my less-than-stellar undergraduate GPA) accepted me—and all of a sudden I was unemployed, without a plan for the next six months or so.
I'm not in any immediate financial trouble: my live-in partner has a full-time job and we can get by on his salary, my unemployment insurance, and a small amount of extra funds from my parents (for all of which I'm extremely grateful).
Here's what I do know: I want to get into a post-bacc program (or a school where I can take pre-med classes, even if there's no formal post-bacc) that starts this coming spring, so I can apply to medical school in the next 2-3 years—but aside from emailing various colleges to inquire about admissions requirements and deadlines, I'm not sure how I should be spending my time. I have two main questions:
In May of this year, I decided I wanted to change course and pursue a career in medicine—as such, I started applying to a few post-bacc programs so I could later apply to medical school. (I wasn't pre-med in college.) The original plan was that I'd find out my program in July, and transition out of my job and back into academia at the end of August.
Things didn't work out that way: in early June, I was unexpectedly laid off. Then, neither post-bacc program I was able to apply to (because of missed deadlines and my less-than-stellar undergraduate GPA) accepted me—and all of a sudden I was unemployed, without a plan for the next six months or so.
I'm not in any immediate financial trouble: my live-in partner has a full-time job and we can get by on his salary, my unemployment insurance, and a small amount of extra funds from my parents (for all of which I'm extremely grateful).
Here's what I do know: I want to get into a post-bacc program (or a school where I can take pre-med classes, even if there's no formal post-bacc) that starts this coming spring, so I can apply to medical school in the next 2-3 years—but aside from emailing various colleges to inquire about admissions requirements and deadlines, I'm not sure how I should be spending my time. I have two main questions:
- How do people handle unemployed time, particularly when they're not looking for a long term job, really, and don't want to fall into depression?(I have had some issues with depression in the past, and am taking antidepressants under my physician's supervision.) I've spent a lot of time decorating and unpacking our new apartment (we had to leave our old one, as we couldn't afford it solely on my partner's salary), but the lack of structure in my days makes it really easy to do stuff like, for example, sleep in late every morning as I have no regular schedule, or forget to eat meals at a reasonable time. (My partner is helping me by making sure I'm up and breakfasted and have taken my medication before he heads to work.)
- How should I actually be spending the next 5 months, as I'm waiting to enroll in classes: on unemployment, looking for a temporary job, something else? Should I stay on unemployment so I can better focus on applications and/or volunteer work to gain medical experience, or should I look for a temporary job, even if it's not in the medical field? (I'm in Brooklyn, if that matters.) Is one better than the other right now? What if the temporary job means sacrificing the unemployment benefits? (I really would like a better understanding of this, to be honest.)
One of the biggest obstacles to med school admission is showing that you're committed and know what you're in for. Usual undergrads do lots of quasi-BS volunteering and shadowing to "prove their passion". You could take this as an opportunity to do that. You might have decent luck if your worldly experience is research-useful.
You could also spend time on the things that PBPM programs have trouble getting people fully prepared for (math, in my experience). Given how compressed they are, doing open-courseware and MCAT-prep focused readings and exercises would almost certainly give you fungible time later. For example, 95% of what you need for MCAT bio you could easily get by reading an intro college text and doing the included self assessments and stuff from an MCAT book.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 2:49 PM on August 20, 2011
You could also spend time on the things that PBPM programs have trouble getting people fully prepared for (math, in my experience). Given how compressed they are, doing open-courseware and MCAT-prep focused readings and exercises would almost certainly give you fungible time later. For example, 95% of what you need for MCAT bio you could easily get by reading an intro college text and doing the included self assessments and stuff from an MCAT book.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 2:49 PM on August 20, 2011
Does unstructured time aggravate your depression, or relieve it (because maybe you were very stressed before, and relaxation time helps)?
The first few weeks of unstructured time makes me happy as a clam, relaxed and cheerful. After about a month, sometimes less, my depression returns and I can barely get out of bed, because why bother? I have nothing to get out of bed FOR.
If this seems like you too, than imo, you should try for a part-time job that you like well enough. Burger slinger, Target cashier, temping, whatever, as long as you have some place that you have to be at a certain time.
If you can't or don't want to get a paying job, maybe look for a volunteer gig with the same kind of structure, like walking dogs at a shelter or running bingo at a nursing home or something.
If none of the above sounds appealing, I like the idea of taking a class or two. You could even sign up for a paid or free online class in something that might help when you go back to school, or in something just for the fun of it (check AskMe archives for ideas).
I'm sorry, but I don't know anything about unemployment, since they've changed all the rules since I last collected it, and I'm probably not in your jurisdiction anyway.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 2:51 PM on August 20, 2011
The first few weeks of unstructured time makes me happy as a clam, relaxed and cheerful. After about a month, sometimes less, my depression returns and I can barely get out of bed, because why bother? I have nothing to get out of bed FOR.
If this seems like you too, than imo, you should try for a part-time job that you like well enough. Burger slinger, Target cashier, temping, whatever, as long as you have some place that you have to be at a certain time.
If you can't or don't want to get a paying job, maybe look for a volunteer gig with the same kind of structure, like walking dogs at a shelter or running bingo at a nursing home or something.
If none of the above sounds appealing, I like the idea of taking a class or two. You could even sign up for a paid or free online class in something that might help when you go back to school, or in something just for the fun of it (check AskMe archives for ideas).
I'm sorry, but I don't know anything about unemployment, since they've changed all the rules since I last collected it, and I'm probably not in your jurisdiction anyway.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 2:51 PM on August 20, 2011
Re:1, you're in for a lot of structure in PBPM and med school. You might be well off to try a highly structured and planned day where each two hour block has a specific achievable. Do you know all the things that you need to for med admissions? Do you know what schools are the best fit, etc? Making these research projects into your employment might help.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 2:53 PM on August 20, 2011
posted by a robot made out of meat at 2:53 PM on August 20, 2011
Response by poster: Regarding classes for this fall, it's too late to enroll at the CUNY colleges that are within commuting distance for me (I checked).
posted by ocherdraco at 2:57 PM on August 20, 2011
posted by ocherdraco at 2:57 PM on August 20, 2011
My mum's neighbour was laid off at about the same time as you, also unexpectedly. Apart from looking for work and trying not to fret too much (aged 50, with the oldest of his three children about to start university), he's training for the city marathon in October. An exercise routine with a goal could be useful for getting you out of bed, and it would be good for energy levels and general sense of motivation too. It doesn't have to be as ambitious as training for a marathon, of course. (I don't think my mum's neighbour was starting from scratch.)
posted by lapsangsouchong at 3:02 PM on August 20, 2011
posted by lapsangsouchong at 3:02 PM on August 20, 2011
Math.
Volunteering in health related areas - ER, nursing homes, children's cancer wards, NICU, etc.
You might also apply for receptionist jobs at various medical practices, as well as at hospitals.
Find a hobby. I like knitting because it's been shown to relieve stress, but you could embroider or draw or watch birds or learn to whittle.
Meditation, even just ten minutes a day.
You might try out medical transcription. Flexible hours, learn a lot of medical terminology, earn a bit of money. You'll likely want a transcription pedal and a specialized dictionary for your computer.
After your partner gets you up, breakfasted, and medicated, leave the house at the same time . Go for a walk or visit a museum. This may work better if someone is expecting/depending on you. Maybe find a walking buddy for one or two of those days. Maybe do some couch to 5k on other days. Maybe go to the green market and grab something different and plan dinner around it. Whatever you do, get out of the house.
You might also practice a language. Rosetta Stone might be too big an investment, but there are things you can do in Brooklyn to learn another language. Alternatively, tutor someone in literacy. That would look really awesome in your med school apps, and be good for you in the long and short term.
Best of luck to you. I'm going back to school on Tuesday for the final two classes of my undergrad, and considering what to do after is terrifying. So, I kind of feel your pain.
posted by bilabial at 3:03 PM on August 20, 2011
Volunteering in health related areas - ER, nursing homes, children's cancer wards, NICU, etc.
You might also apply for receptionist jobs at various medical practices, as well as at hospitals.
Find a hobby. I like knitting because it's been shown to relieve stress, but you could embroider or draw or watch birds or learn to whittle.
Meditation, even just ten minutes a day.
You might try out medical transcription. Flexible hours, learn a lot of medical terminology, earn a bit of money. You'll likely want a transcription pedal and a specialized dictionary for your computer.
After your partner gets you up, breakfasted, and medicated, leave the house at the same time . Go for a walk or visit a museum. This may work better if someone is expecting/depending on you. Maybe find a walking buddy for one or two of those days. Maybe do some couch to 5k on other days. Maybe go to the green market and grab something different and plan dinner around it. Whatever you do, get out of the house.
You might also practice a language. Rosetta Stone might be too big an investment, but there are things you can do in Brooklyn to learn another language. Alternatively, tutor someone in literacy. That would look really awesome in your med school apps, and be good for you in the long and short term.
Best of luck to you. I'm going back to school on Tuesday for the final two classes of my undergrad, and considering what to do after is terrifying. So, I kind of feel your pain.
posted by bilabial at 3:03 PM on August 20, 2011
Usual undergrads do lots of quasi-BS volunteering and shadowing to "prove their passion".For what it's worth, "prove your passion" is kind of code for "show that you don't freak out at having to interact with sick people." A lot of undergrads are absolutely convinced that they're going to be pediatric oncologists until the first time they watch a child die. The volunteering is partly to weed out the people whose ideas about being a doctor come from Grey's Anatomy.
I think you should have two goals for the semester. The first is to get lots of experience in a medical setting, which you could get through volunteering or through a (terrible, terrible) paid job. The second is to come up with a back-up plan. To be brutally honest, people with less-than-stellar undergrad GPAs don't typically get into medical school. You should explore alternative, not-as-difficult-to-get-into medical professions that might also make you happy.
One route to get a terrible, terrible paid medical job is to get certified to be a Certified Nursing Assistant. It's truly miserable work, but it really effectively "proves your passion."
posted by craichead at 3:05 PM on August 20, 2011
Oh, I get why it's there. I'm just suggesting to get that over with.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 4:26 PM on August 20, 2011
posted by a robot made out of meat at 4:26 PM on August 20, 2011
If I were you, I would focus my energies on tasks that make me more attractive to a med school admissions board. This would include: 1.) volunteering in a research lab at a nearby university. Med school loves people that are adept at scientific research, especially if you can convince someone to really let you become a part of a medically translatable project. 2.) becoming fluent in another language at night.
I would intersperse these two with other volunteer opportunities (such as hospital work, etc) as I see fit.
I do have to agree with craichead, though, regarding people with less-than-stellar GPAs getting into med school. How are your MCATs? Are they fucking amazing? If not, work on that.
posted by corn_bread at 5:22 AM on August 21, 2011
I would intersperse these two with other volunteer opportunities (such as hospital work, etc) as I see fit.
I do have to agree with craichead, though, regarding people with less-than-stellar GPAs getting into med school. How are your MCATs? Are they fucking amazing? If not, work on that.
posted by corn_bread at 5:22 AM on August 21, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll be thinking about what to do.
posted by ocherdraco at 12:19 PM on August 23, 2011
posted by ocherdraco at 12:19 PM on August 23, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by availablelight at 2:39 PM on August 20, 2011