PreMed Wears Pearls

  Happy Tuesday! I normally post on Mondays, but we had yesterday off from school, so I decided to push back my post for the "first" day in my week. Since starting medical school, I have been thinking more about productivity and motivation. I think everyone has their ups and downs with these two, but as a professional student, I notice them more. I am not always 100% motivated, which is probably pretty normal, and that is ok! It is hard being a med student (or any other student, or in any career), and living in this world that hustle culture has become so prevalent.  It has become easier for me to recognize when motivation is low. I think this is a good tool to have for yourself, so you can start to learn a better balance of productivity and mental rest. It is definitely hard to take care of low motivation in medical school when there is always something you can be learning, studying and reviewing. I am making it a point to take breaks and have better balance, and you should ...

  My 3 year blogiversary was a couple of weeks ago, and I am so deep into studying and school that I missed it! I can now think clearly, as my first block of medical school exams are done, aha. I had some things I wanted to celebrate and discuss from the past 3 years, so this post is better late than never. I want to share how much everything around me, including myself, has gone through change and different iterations since starting PreMed Wear Pearls. I love to think I have a great time capsule/diary to look back on and remember specific points of my life, and myself in a certain time. And now that I am no longer "PreMed," I am looking to give this space a bit of an update, so stay tuned for that 😋. For starters , we are not premed anymore! I am officially a student doctor, and it just doesn't feel real yet (and yes, I have been in school for over a month, aha). It has been a big change, but felt like no change at all; it really does not feel like I moved to a new stat...

  I have always been someone who thrives off of a routine. I think that's why I loved going to school as a child because the whole day was a one big routine, aha. I also love reading about and watching other people's daily routines because it feels oddly calming to me. I thought it would be fun to share my daily routine in medical school. Hint: there's A LOT of studying! I also hope this can help if you are struggling finding a routine, or are looking to change yours. Mine is not the that ground breaking, but it works for me. Wake-up around 5:30am: I like to have time in the morning, and not wake up and feel completely rushed out the door. I usually make coffee and sit on the couch for a few minutes to just enjoy it. That is always the best part of the morning! I also wash my face or body shower or full shower with a hair wash. At 6ish to 6:50am , I wake up my brain, and do a study review. I've been doing my Anki cards for the day in the morning because I feel the most...

  Dress | Similar Bag | Flats (use code SARAHFLINT-BALIBBYM for $50!) Are we getting back to somewhat normal(ish) pre-quarantine lives? It really feels that way! I am full vaccinated now, and have been easing my way back into real life. For over the past year, I really did my best to not be frivolous with my trips to the store, social plans, etc., as to be prudent about exposures for others and myself. I wanted (still want) to do my part. Now that I am vaccinated, I find myself wanting to make more plans, see more people than I did before, and just live with a little less fear! I say a little less fear because I know not everyone is vaccinated yet, and I cannot control that, so I still mask up going into stores, and I haven't wanted to indoor dine yet. But we are coming back! The more normal feeling really hit me a couple of weekends ago, when I started to ask friends to do things again. Since then, I think I have asked every few days if anyone is free and wants to grab a drink...

I AM A #MASTERS!!!! This was technically official in January because I finished up my degree in December 2019, but this past weekend was supposed to be graduation. I wanted to post this now in honor of all 2020 grads. The past year and a half has been crazy. I learned a lot, stressed a lot, took a lot of exams, and felt every emotion on the spectrum. Lol, but its real and true. I really think education is one of the best investments you can make for yourself. You will learn so much about yourself. You will also learn so many important life skills along with what you are studying. And, an investment in education can be anything; it can be downloading that language app to learn [insert desired language here], or taking an online class because you find it interesting, or  maybe it is going back to school to get that degree/graduate degree. Whatever it is, do it. You will learn a lot about yourself in the end. Collaboration over competition. // Ok, so there is obviously ...

Welcome back to PWP! I took a bit of an unexpected break due to an extended vacation, but am getting back at it! I felt like a great "first" post back in the new year would be to chat about some goals, but notice how I did not title this 2020 goals/resolutions. I used the word Intentions because it has a better connotation to me; it feels less pressured and less negative. I am all about creating a happy mind and physical space, so saying intentions cast a better light on things I want to accomplish! 1. Sustainability- Last year, I really focused on not buying plastic water bottles, and being better about reusable straws and bags. I feel like I was successful here, so I want to continue doing this, and add to not use single use coffee cups; I have already been killing this one, this month, and have gone out for coffee many times, and always had my own mug!! Other things I have thoughts about to better sustainability: make less waste, use less paper towels, use less...

KJP Dress  | Stocking You may have noticed, lately, that I have been using the phrase "sparks joy" a lot. I am not talking about the Konmari Method sparks joy (lol), but little things, feelings, experiences that actually make me feel joy. There is only 36 days until Christmas, and 43 days until the end of the decade. End of the DECADE! That is insane!  So, I am making #SparksJoy my motto for the holidays, and rest of the year/decade. I want to find all the joyful things for the rest of the year. It also helps that my favorite holiday season of the year is here, and it is a joyful one! Something that #SparksJoy can really be anything that makes you feel happy (and if organizing the Konmari way is what brings you joy, then that is ok too 😂). Recently, I have being feeling a lot of joy from the beautiful late fall sunsets here in New Jersey. There have been actually breathtaking, and the other night while I was driving, I actually found a place to pull of the roa...

I cannot believe I have been at this for one year. I started because I was starting a rigorous grad school program, and felt like I needed a hobby/outlet. Having a blog is also something that I had always wanted to do. I do not really know why I didn't just go for it years ago, but I am glad I decided to impulsively do so one year ago. So here is my big brand dump post for 1 year 😊 It has been a year. I have learned so  much about me, life, and just generally. First, I moved from MN (home) to NJ for graduate school. It was not a bad transition because I have always wanted to live on the East Coast, but it was still hard saying goodbye. I am so happy with my decision, as I am ~not to brag~ killing it in grad school, and really feel ready with a strong application for medical school. Second, this past year of grad school has been no small feat. My program is modeled after medical school classes, so the intensity was/is high. There was a lot of times, especially spring sem...

I used to think about how far away my golden birthday was. I thought 25 on 25 would never get here, but wow that came up FAST!! I am spending my birthday on Long Island, exploring the Hamptons, and it is amazing. I love love the vibe of the Hamptons, and all the cute little towns have to offer. On my actual birthday, we went to Wolffer Estate Vineyards because they have my favorite rose! I take rose all day very seriously, haha. 25 is such a crazy age! Am I in my mid-20s or late-20s?? Am I closer to 30??? I feel like this is the first age where I have had to process a lot about life, haha. But to celebrate 25 years, I have put together a list of 25 things I want to do or accomplish before 26 comes along. (also A LOT of birthday outfit pictures and birthday pictures!! outfit details will be link at the bottom!) 1. Finish my master's degree! 2. See Hamilton, 😋. 3. Land my first partnership for the blog. 4. Take and kill the MCAT again. 5. GO TO NANTUCKET! Th...

Can we just take a minute to appreciate that Nutella drizzle.  This may be news to some of you, and I feel like a lot of you may have figured this out, but I have celiac disease. I have mentioned it here, and there on my instagram, or really just talked about finding some great gluten free eats. But today, I wanted to share some of my favorite gluten free things out there. This post may turn into a my favorite things at Trader Joe's post, but what can I say; I am a girl who loves her TJ's! 1. Trader Joe's gluten free toaster waffles These waffles have been my all time favorite gf waffle for YEARS!!! No other frozen gf waffle has even come close to being this good. My favorite way to eat them is going to sound strange, ahah. I have not found a gf bread that I really like, so instead of avo-toast, I have avo-waffle! I just put half an avocado on a toasted gf waffle, mash it with salt and pepper, and top it with Everything bagel seasoning. Perfection.  2. Banza...

Last week was one for the books, and not for the good books. It was one of those weeks when one horrible thing happens, and it spirals downward from there. I spent 4/5 of the school days feeling completely stressed, and on edge. I have never felt that level before. Because of this, I only did the bare minimum of studying, and I know my classmates felt it too. The feeling did improve, and I felt a lot lighter by the end of the week, if that makes sense. It didn't take much to get me to a better place by the end of the week, and I realized that I have handled stress pretty well my entire life. Everyone handles stress/anxiety in their own way. We all come up with our own coping mechanisms that we know work for us. I think it is crucial to know this about yourself, so you know what to do when things feel like too much. It is so good to be in tune with your body in all of your dimensions of physical, mental and emotional health. I cannot emphasize this enough! Here are my tips o...