The Next Chapter: What To Do After Match

First off, cheers to getting to this point! Think of all the applications, interviews, and several sleepless nights that it took to get to The Match. You can be proud of all that you’ve accomplished by now, and excited for the many achievements in your future.

Your residency is the final step of the journey to becoming a doctor, and you will find yourself meeting new colleagues, interacting with different patients, and experiencing tougher challenges. Now that you know where you are headed and have an idea of what to expect, there are a few things you can do while you wait for your residency to begin!

Did Someone Say Vacation?

That’s right, it’s time to plan a getaway. Depending on your specialty, 80-hour average workweeks are soon to be a reality, so it would be wise to make use of any free time while you can. In the couple weeks after graduation and before the beginning of your residency, try to plan time to take a vacation or at the very least spend some quality time with family and friends.

Get To Know Locals

By locals, we mean current residents that can give you insight on your new abode. Current residents will serve as an invaluable resource on the program you will be attending, the city you will be living in, and even housing recommendations.  Ask questions specifically regarding the on-call expectations, advice for the first day, and housing accommodations in close proximity to the hospital. Many considerations must be made when planning a move, and starting to reach out as soon as you get your match result will help with the transition.

Almost Finished (But Not Quite!)

With all of the excitement of having secured your new job, it can be easy to forget that you still have rotations left before graduation. Even though you know what your specialty will be during your residency, still take advantage of being exposed to such a wealth of information. You chose your specialty for a reason, however as a medical professional you will be interacting with doctors from all different backgrounds. Make those last few rotations really count as it will only make you a more well-rounded doctor.

Last year, 78% of seniors matched with one of their top 3 choices. Did you Match in your top 3? Let us know in the comments below!