How did you spend your time between the last day of medical school and the first day of internship?

Jessica Colburn, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Moving from Pittsburgh to Baltimore! And reading for pleasure and taking a road trip to visit family and friends. Relaxing before the start of intern year!

Mariah Robertson, MD, Johns Hopkins Univeristy School of Medicine

Europe! Wedding! Cross country move! And not a lick of studying.

Mark Lewis, MD, Intermountain Medical Oncology, Murray, Utah

I tried to be deliberate in spending time with friends outside of the medical world, fearing (correctly) that I would disappear into the hospital for 3 years. I also attempted to “bank” sleep – which didn’t really help when I had my first 37-hours-awake call on day 1/2 of intern year.

Andy Little, DO, Columbus, OH

Family vacation, fixing up the house we bought, reading a ton of non-medical stuff … and a few days doing NOTHING!

Stuart Ray, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Deeply in debt from med school, my wife and I couldn’t afford any more travel than moving to Baltimore and getting settled; she had to go to work ASAP.

Kimberly Manning, MD, Emory University

Perfecting my role as bridesmaid to what seemed like every one of my close friend classmates—followed by a cross country road trip from LA to Cleveland with my awesome dad to settle me in. We sang, laughed, and talked the whooole way—and I cried hysterically when he left!

Sam Kant, MD, University of Maryland Medical Center

Traveled to New Zealand! It is imperative for incoming interns to make time for travel during this period – it helps to reflect on how far you’ve come and the new road that lies ahead.

Nathan Douthit, MD, Birmingham, Alabama

Spending time reading for pleasure and connecting with my family while we settled into a new home. Definitely not studying medicine!

Tessa Novick, MD, MSW, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

In a cold sweat!

Reza Manesh, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

In Europe not studying any medicine!

Maria Sturchler, MD, EdD, San Diego, California

Panagis Galiatsatos, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Played as many gigs as possible before “retiring” from music.

Mays Ali, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Binge-watched five seasons of Game of Thrones. In one week. I regret nothing!

Colleen Christmas, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Oh, goodness. I was pretty broke at that time and had a job through med school so took in some extra shifts. Not sure a few shifts at minimum wage really made sense, but it made more sense than spending at the time. And I remember prepping for ACLS.

Danielle Johnson, MD, WomenInWhiteCoats.com

Trip to Bahamas. Spending time with fam & friends. Looking for an apartment & buying what I needed.

Otis Rickman, DO, Nashville, Tennessee

Bought a house. Moved from Oklahoma to Minnesota with my wife and 2-year-old daughter in a big yellow Penske truck. And bought a lawnmower.

Mark Stephens, MD, Penn State Health

Traveling cross country and camping in a pickup truck with Patty and Barkley. 21 national parks/monuments in 30 days.

Paul O'Rourke, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

I spent quality time with family and friends – don’t regret it at all!

Curt Ward, MD, Saint Vincent Indianapolis

Traveled to WY visiting #NJWardHerefords #yellowstone #tetons with my fiancé and fellow resident to be @KwardWard.

David Feller-Kopman, MD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Got married!

David Kopasz, MD, Seattle VA, & University of Washington

Graduation gift of a backpack, a 50-hour bus ride from Chicago to Seattle, and a 2-week solo-backpacking trip in Olympic National Park – did some free & easy wandering, mountaintop to sea, seeking the source of healing and wisdom! @davidkopaczmd