Dear New Resident: Advice I wish I’d had

By Dr. Matthew Machan

Congratulations, you made it! You have officially entered residency, and the field of Family Medicine is so excited to welcome you in. This next chapter is one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding stages in your journey to becoming an independent physician. You are no longer “just” a medical student, but a DOCTOR now, with all the privileges and responsibilities that it comes with. Sure, every resident’s journey is a little different, and your sites, rotations, preceptors, and interests will all shape your experience. However, here are a few pieces of advice that I believe are universal to helping you make the most of these two fast-paced years:

1. Ask Questions—ALL the Questions!

You are a doctor now, and for the first time people are turning to you, yes you, for the answers. Whether you are in clinic, on call, or in the emergency department, you will be asked to make real-time decisions, often under pressure. It is both exciting and terrifying!

However, do not be afraid to embrace your curiosity! Ask questions, as many as you can. I know that not every rotation will be your favourite. But every rotation is a rare opportunity to learn directly from experts, clinicians passionate about what they do and even more passionate about teaching you and helping you grow. Ask how they approach common and complex cases and build your toolbelt now. In two years, the only way to get answers to these questions will be through phone or web consults, so take advantage of the face-to-face time while you have it!

2. Centralize Your Notes and Start Early!

As your clinical skills and experience grow, so will the sheer volume of knowledge hurled at you. One of the best gifts you can give your future self is a well-organized, easily findable and searchable collection of your clinical pearls, teaching points, and go-to approaches. Find a method that works for you, whether digital or paper, simple or structured, and start compiling.

Residency is full of amazing teaching moments, from 10-minute breakout room sessions to insightful preceptor rants, to half-day sessions. Unlike medical school where you were forced to memorize the clotting cascade from start to finish, these teachings are often perfectly tailored to family medicine, making them incredibly high yield. These notes will not only help you pass your Certification in the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP) exam (it comes up quick, beware…) but also become a go-to reference throughout the rest of residency and your early years in practice.

3. Use Your Vacation!

This seems so obvious, but you would be surprised how many residents (including myself) get caught up in the chaos of the schedule only to realize they have left vacation, flex, or conference days on the table. Do not let this be you and plan your time off early! Whether you are travelling the world or catching up on sleep and laundry, time off is precious and essential. This is not just about rest, it is about sustainability. Burnout is real, and you work hard, so take the breaks you have earned!

4. Explore Your Interests, Even If You Are Not Sure Yet!

At some point during your training, you’ll also start to discover—or rediscover—your specific interests within Family Medicine. Maybe you’re drawn to sports medicine, palliative care, emergency, women’s health, or addictions. Or maybe you’re just excited to run your own full-scope clinic. Whatever your path, residency is the perfect time to explore. Choose electives that align with your passions or expose you to something new, attend conferences (you have funding and days off for this—use them!), and share your interests with your preceptors. You would be surprised how many will go out of their way to offer relevant cases, facilitate procedural experience, or connect you with colleagues to network in the field. A simple conversation could spark mentorship, open doors, or plant the seeds of future opportunities, so do not be shy! 

5. Expect an Identity Crisis—It Happens!

Lastly, let us chat about the quiet, slightly uncomfortable truth that most residents encounter: the identity crisis. At some point, maybe even when you least expect it, you may find yourself wondering, “Is this really what I spent all these years training for?”. Let me be the first to assure you that this is completely normal, and everyone feels this way, even across all specialities. The good news? Family Medicine is beautifully broad, and highly flexible. Though this may feel both exciting and overwhelming, and you may not immediately see where you fit, THAT IS OKAY. You can tailor your practice to reflect your passions and lifestyle, shift your focus as interests evolve, and reinvent your role as often as you need to, constantly evolving your career. You are never truly locked into one job or version of yourself, and this is one of Family Medicine’s great strengths.

So, take a deep breath, you’ve got this! You’re stepping into a role that will impact countless lives—and you’ll grow amazingly in the process. Lean into the learning, embrace the chaos, protect your downtime, and stay curious. Most importantly, trust that you belong here.

Welcome to Family Medicine, we’re so lucky to have you!