Making the Most of Your Holidays

As we begin the countdown to the end of the year, it’s only natural that your thoughts turn from all things medical school to your holidays and just how you are going to spend your time. After an exhausting year, it’s not surprising if your plans involve doing very little. Perhaps your intentions are to lay by the beach all Summer or catch up on past episodes of your favourite television program.

The Summer holidays are a perfect opportunity to catch up on some much needed rest and relaxation. But this Summer, plan to make the most of your holidays.

Here are some hints and tips:

Rest and Relaxation

Make sure you catch up on some sleep, socialise with your mates and relax your mind, so you can actually cope with the New Year ahead rather than be tired before you even get back to uni.

Get active. Finding time for a workout during your holiday can be challenging but the results are worthwhile. You know what they are!

Eat and be merry. This is the season to eat, drink and be merry. Of course the ‘silly season’ isn’t an excuse to disregard all those things you’ve learned about health and wellbeing. If you indulge on the weekend, try to balance it all out midweek.

Good quality sleep. Make a deposit at the sleep bank. Good sleep patterns when you’re not under pressure will help you keep up the good habits when late nights studying becomes the norm.

Socialise with family and friends. Just like your doctor colleagues, socilaising with family and friends (at least the ones you like!) is an easy way to de-stress.

Take a break. Breaking routines of habit can help your stressed out brain to relax because all the cues and usual worries shouldn't accompany you on that island escape.

If you’re graduating in 2009, don’t forget to enter in our 'Take a Break On Us' competition when you apply for your Professional Indemnity Insurance Policy with MDA National Insurance. Download your intern application form here.

Working

Lots of students choose to fill the Summer break by working.

While working during your Summer holiday you not only enjoy the chance to develop professional skills outside of the lecture theatre but it also comes in handy to be making extra money. Being a student can be expensive; food, accommodation and text books.

A job over the Summer can help you take care of these costs and ensure that you can purchase the books you need to study – as well as make the most of your holiday.

Placements and Electives

Taking part in a placement program or an elective during your holiday is a great way to get hands on experience and make the most of your free time. These types of programs can help you get a feel for what area of medicine you’d like to practice when you graduate while gaining valuable clinical skills that could be an advantage in your later clinical years.

John Flynn Placement Program
John Flynn Placement Program is a rural placement program funded by the government and administered by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine.

The program offers placements each year for enrolled medical students to undertake work in rural areas for 2 full weeks per year, typically over a 4 year period. Students may undertake their placement in a variety of health facilities and are matched with a medical practitioner who acts as their mentor while on placement.

For more information, visit www.acrrm.org.au

Electives
Some universities encourage students to conduct an elective during the Summer holidays. Medical electives offer a practical, unique opportunity to experience a healthcare system at home or abroad.

Before you head off on your elective, visit http://www.mdanational.com.au/students/electives-network.aspx to ensure that you are covered for the types of work you may undertake on your placement.

Preparation

Your holidays are the perfect time to prepare for the coming academic year. You can get a head start by simply planning for your return to university. You may already have a list of readings that you could incorporate into just a couple of hours every few days. Imagine getting to the first few weeks of lectures and tutorials already understanding the basics.

Don’t forget to set realistic goals but preparation can help you stay motivated for your year ahead. And always balance out the time you study, with time for entertainment.

Whatever you decide to do over the holidays, make sure you take a well earned break. But remember to use your free time wisely because Term 1, 2010 will be here before you know it.