Golden Weekends

Ever heard of a "golden weekend"? Read on for more information and ideas on how to spend it!

Maybe you've seen a reference to it in a meme, a hashtag on a resident's IG story, or one of the various reels on the subject. It may be new to you but the term "golden weekend" is very well-known to any medical resident.

What does "golden weekend" mean?

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) states that "residents must be scheduled for a minimum of one day in seven free of clinical work and required education (when averaged over four weeks)." Basically, you should get 4 days off a month when feasible and on average. Having a "golden weekend" means that the call/round schedule and the stars aligned for 2 of those days to coincide in a single weekend: a golden weekend. I think Dr. Glaucomflecken explained it best:

My favorite ways to spend a golden weekend

Staycation ($)

Friday: stay in and rest
Saturday: wake up late, morning yoga session, activity options: beach trip, hit the shops, run errands, movie night
Sunday: mass, brunch, study, get organized for the week

Wellness Retreat ($ - $$)

Friday: check-in somewhere (my favorite place to retreat is Casa Grande Mountain Retreat in Utuado) or stay in and rest (you can plan a wellness retreat from home!)
Saturday: enjoy a massage or a yoga class, try something new like reiki, or go for a workout
Sunday: explore a new attraction (if you choose to stay at Casa Grande in Utuado, check out Finca Vista Bella for a winery tour)

Beach Weekend ($ - $$)

Friday: enjoy a night out with some friends or drive out to an Airbnb for a change of scenery
Saturday: wake up early, pack some snacks and drinks, and head out to the nearest beach
Sunday: brunch, get organized for the week

MIA Weekend ($$$)

Friday: catch the 6 pm flight to Miami, check in at your hotel or Airbnb, and meet up with friends for dinner and drinks
Saturday: brunch, walk around the Fashion District, check out an art exhibition like Superblue, get dressed up, and experience Wynwood's nightlife
Sunday: brunch (again, of course!), walk around Midtown, and catch the 5 pm flight back home, just with enough time for possible flight delays