• Scheduled Breaks -- I've developed a reasonable schedule for myself so that I can constantly take breaks. I'm not someone who can study for hours straight and I never have been. I try always take Friday afternoons off. School is non stop for the most part during the week and I need a mental break of just nothing school-related so Fridays are my relax days. If I absolutely cannot take Friday off because I have something scheduled for the weekend or it's just not feasible I will study a few lectures but I won't stress myself out about it. While studying, I tell myself to take a break after 30 min or after 1 lecture. I need small breaks in between to keep me going. 
• Mini Road Trips -- the one thing I look forward to the most at the end of the week is mini road trips. Since I take most Fridays off, my boyfriend and I will drive 40 minutes out of town to one of the major cities not too far away to eat good food, shop, and just get out of the small town. I've never lived in a college town and I haven't been acclimated to the lifestyle yet. When I have the whole Friday off, we'll drive to Atlanta which is less than 2 hours away for a nice day trip.
• Food -- I've never been more motivated by something than food. I look forward to nice meals and good dessert/foods that I can't get on a regular basis. So when I'm craving something I'll try to work harder and treat myself. There's no feeling better than dessert to be honest. I mean why is stressed spelled backwards desserts?
• Shopping -- this is self-explanatory haha.
• Knowing When Enough is Enough -- an important lesson I've learned in med school is "know your limits." Your brain can only learn so much and your body can only handle so much stress. Coming home from a long day of lectures and lab or just a rough day in general, you have to let yourself relax. I used to be so strict, telling myself I can only take a 30 minute break or 1 hour. I've learned that taking an hour, 2 hours, or maybe more is probably the best option so that you can carry on to study more effectively.
• Putting Things in Perspective -- Block 1 was a transition time for all of us. Coming from undergrad and med school apps where grades were everything to us, it was hard to let that go. Med school is about learning for the future not just a grade. I couldn't feasibly be so hard on myself because yes, it's a lot of material and sometimes it can't all be mastered with an A grade.  I've let that part of me go, and now I try my best without the restraint of "wanting that A."

6. Group Study

7. Picmonic, Sketchy, Boards and Beyond, etc.

8. Chunking

9. Rewatch Lectures

1. Fry egg to how you like it. Set aside for later
2. While egg is frying, heat cauliflower rice according to package instructions. I use a 1/3 of Trader Joe's cauliflower rice package.
3. Mix rice with cut pineapple chunks, 3-4 drops of sesame oil, 1/2 teaspoon of sriracha, 2 teaspoons of soy sauce, chopped green onions, ground black pepper to taste. (I usually eyeball it so I'm sorry if my measurements are off >.<)
4. With the same pan you used for the fried egg, fry your mixed cauliflower rice for 3 min on medium, or until most of the water has evaporated.
5. Place fried rice in bowl, top with fried egg, green onions, and more sriracha if you like.

2. Korean Marinated Chicken and Red Cabbage

Ingredients: Basics are Naan bread, alfredo or tomato pasta sauce, and mozzarella cheese. The toppings ares up to you! I like to add any mix of pepperoni, spinach, garlic powder, pineapples, ricotta, ham.

How to make:

1. Heat oven to bake at 325degrees.
2. Add your choice of sauce to naan.
3. Sprinkle all of the cheeses you want. I like A LOT. 
4. I placed my spinach next, then pepperoni, and sprinkle of garlic powder.
5. Place on oven rack for 5-10 min, or until the naan crisps.

Ingredients: Shin ramyun (red package), boiled eggs, enoki mushrooms, green onion, and white american cheese.

How to make:

1. Boil water in a pot according to package. 
2. While the water is boiling, slice the green onions lengthwise.
3. Wash and slice root off of the enoki mushrooms.
4. Boil eggs if needed.
5. Place noodles and enoki in boiling water, along with the included seasoning packets.
6. After 3-5 min, remove pot from stove.
7. Add egg, cheese, and spring onion!
8. Make sure to mix the cheese in and the broth will become very creamy.

5. Baked Parmesan Salmon

• 2 espresso shots on ice in a Grande cup
• 3 pumps of white mocha syrup
• splash of milk (highly recommend but optional)

Cost: $2.55

• Mix well and let the ice melt a little! Vietnamese iced coffee is meant to taste strong but letting the ice melt a little will balance the flavor out.
• When I'm out, I actually order 3 shots of espresso, 4 pumps of white mocha, splash of milk, in a Venti cup. It's only 80 cents more for one more shot of espresso, but for the sake of keeping it under $3 I shared the grande sized version!
• No need for splenda or to add sugar either. The white mocha syrup adds just the right amount of sweetness that tastes the same as condensed milk used with traditional Vietnamese coffee.

• Venti iced coffee
• 2% milk (optional)

Cost: $2.95 plus free refills

• I recommend ordering a grande if you know you'll want to order something different so that you don't have to finish such a large drink first. The grande is 30 cents cheaper and you will still get free refills.
• MAJOR TIP: Before you leave, get a refill of only iced coffee with no ice! You can save it and customize to drink later at home or at some point over the next few days even!

• Grande Pike Place coffee
• With 2% milk (optional)

Cost: $2.25 plus free refills

• I (obviously) get mine with milk to make the taste less bitter and watery, and to dilute the amount of coffee I'd be getting.
• Don't forget your refill before you leave!