Article: "5 habits for residents to develop during residency"

Though this article from the DO (an online news source for the osteopathic medicine profession) specifically addresses healthy habits for medical residents to form, they certainly apply to and can benefit Cal Poly students at any stage in their academic career. Building healthy habits and coping mechanisms now will set you up for success in future educational, career, and personal endeavors.

The DO Staff recommends that residents learn to:

1. Be an active listener - "Getting to know your patients can help you connect with them and make your work more enjoyable, Dr. Auseon says." Though most of us aren't currently seeing any patients, we can certainly actively listen to our friends, classmates, and loved ones, which will ultimately strengthen those relationships and has the potential to make us happier on a daily basis. 
2. Practice gratitude - "Every morning, when Dr. Yates wakes up, she finds one thing to be thankful for, even if it's something minor, such as working with her favorite nurse that day." Find small things to be thankful for each morning, and you'll find that you'll begin to notice more of the positive, beautiful things around you each day. 
3. Combat stress in healthy ways - "Many residents use food and alcohol to deal with stress instead of healthier options such as meditation, exercise, and acupuncture... Simple wellness techniques such as stepping outside for a moment or deep breathing may seem obvious, but they can fall to the wayside during residency, says Dr. Auseon, who also urges residents to prioritize sleep as much as possible." Though it can be difficult to separate yourself from the demands of undergrad, work, research, or club involvement, it's important to find things outside of school to enjoy and indulge in along the way. Whether that's hiking with friends, taking an art class just for fun, or learning a new language or skill, these small side hobbies can make the journey to health professional school much more sustainable. You may even find yourself doing better in your classes a result, simply by taking some more time for yourself. 
4. Find the right leaders - "'Try to seek out the advice and counsel of people you'd like to emulate when it comes to your career, patient care or even coping skills.'" Surrounding yourself with positive role models can have a tremendous impact, both on how you see yourself and on the standards you hold yourself to. 
5. Set goals for beyond residency (or college, in our case) - "When you're in the midst of training, it's easy to have tunnel vision because the finish line of graduation can seem far away... 'Think about how you want your career to play out 10 years after residency.'" Though undergrad can often seem like a long, never-ending path of lab reports, research papers, and studying for exams, it's important to visualize where you'd like to be after your time at Cal Poly. Not only will this help to motivate you through particularly challenging times, but it will also remind you to enjoy the present moment. You'll only be in college once, and though undergrad has it's share of stress and challenges, there's so much to be grateful for along the way. 

To read the full article, visit The DO's website.