So it’s almost October…! You have either just started getting your feet on the ground as a first year resident, or you are well into the transition to the next year of your training. Having this forum to share information to the entire podiatric residency community is very unique, and I have tried to make these columns worth your reading. I have also made some invitations for guest editorials from program directors around the country and I look forward to sharing those thoughts with you in the very near future.

I wanted to pass on a word of encouragement this week. As a resident in a three year surgical program not too long ago, I remember the pressures of daily resident life and the stresses that sometimes seem to come from something that really should be nothing. Here is one crazy example: for a select few of some program’s more challenging attendings, there are only two possible lengths at which a first year resident can cut suture in the operating room…TOO LONG or TOO SHORT! It really doesn’t matter how much attention you pay to technique, you are going to be criticized as soon as the suture is cut and you begin to pull the scissors back from the field. This is, of course, not because it’s really that hard to cut suture, it’s because there are many different teaching styles and personalities in the operating room. I would tell you that in most instances it is best to swallow your pride and go with the lead of the attending, because amazingly when you hit your second year of training you will suddenly be accepted as a suture cutting expert. Remember that residency isn’t about trying to be liked by your attendings, it’s really about learning as much as you possibly can from each and every opportunity…even when it involves suture cutting challenges!