How taking two gap years made me a better dental student

The last thing I expected to do was take a gap year after college. Everyone around me was applying and getting accepted to dental school right, and it was frustrating that I was not on the same path. What I had yet to realize was that going to dental school immediately after college was a path for some, and even though it wasn’t my path, that didn’t make my path any less fulfilling.

Singing the stress away with acapella

My senior year of undergrad was filled with a mix of emotions. Many of my classmates felt relieved at finally finishing up coursework for their degrees and excited to move onto the next chapter in their lives. For me, however, it was about focusing my energy on applying to dental school, transitioning into the real world and making the most of what I had in front of me. One of the most formative experiences I had as an undergraduate was being a part of our school choir.

Music has always been an important part of my life, but being a part of my college choir felt like an elevated version of all of my past musical experiences. I missed this when I started applying to dental school.

Try a new hobby: Home brewing advice from a novice

Lindert_3Kicking back with friends and a delicious microbrew is a great way to unwind. Even better than a well-advertised store-bought beer, however, is the satisfaction that comes from drinking your own concoction. With the rising popularity of small-batch, unique and unconventional beers, home brewing is a great hobby for rookies and connoisseurs alike.

Now I won’t exaggerate, I’ve only done one home brew. While it was a lot of fun, there is certainly some technique involved. My roommate and fellow UNE dental student Keris Flynn and I encountered some hurdles while making our flagship brew. Hopefully the knowledge I can pass on may be of some use in your home brewing endeavors to avoid making the same mistakes we did.