This year has been unlike any other, and with it has come challenges, and opportunities. Our staff have been fielding so many thoughtful questions from pre-health students about ways to adapt their exploration and preparation for a health degree program during this time.
With Winter Break around the corner, the PHSRC staff put our heads together to compile this list of suggestions on how to fill that time with fun and meaningful activities. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]
Reach out to your own health care provider(s) and ask to do a short Zoom informational interview. *We do encourage you to consider the current climate and specific situation your provider might be in at this time and be respectful of their time.
Check out Volunteer Match where you will find virtual and COVID specific opportunities
We have also consolidated a volunteering spreadsheet for volunteering that lists different organizations in the Twin Cities
Thinking about serving others in different ways that go outside of the typical "healthcare" field (i.e. nannying, volunteering at a homeless shelter, etc.)
If you’re going “home”, somewhere away from the Twin Cities, check in with your local United Way or community service organizations
Start researching research opportunities for next semester and next summer
Spend time researching the health professional schools you’re interested in applying to (even as a Freshman, it's not too early!)
Use our Health Program Action Plan tool to organize the different schools you are considering applying to, their prerequisites and other requirements (look for the "Choosing Schools" tab)
Do some journaling about your life right now!
What is this "COVID year" been like for you?
How is it making you feel about your career choice?
Try writing a practice personal statement. What questions do you still have? What reflection prompts are hard to answer? Use our Personal Statement online workshop to help think about where to start.
Start planning your application to the Summer Health Professions Education Program or TRIO McNair Scholars
Find book lists, podcasts, lectures and TedTalks to listen/watch that fit your interests