When you take on your first assignment as a travel therapist, much of your time will be spent learning the ropes. While you’ll already have experience and training under your belt, you’ll still need to get used to the specific practices at your new health care facility. Plus, you’ll have to learn about the housing opportunities in your new location – for a while, it might seem like you don’t have much free time! But never fear, once you get settled in, you might have more free time than you know what to do with. Keep reading to learn how to make the most of your time as a travel therapist:

Plan before you go

Before you head to your next assignment, plan your trip as much as possible.

There’s nothing worse than having to rush from one city to another while trying to find a new place to live! As soon as you find out where your next contract is taking you, start mapping out how you will get there, where you want to stay and how you’ll get to work. If you’re going to an unfamiliar city, you should research specific neighborhoods to find one that matches your needs and personality. Likewise, know your travel plans and give yourself some leeway in case you get slowed down on the road.

Say ‘Yes’ more

Some therapists worry that life on the road will negatively impact their social life. And while it’s true that solo travel has its lonely moments, you’ll also get to meet new people and make some great connections. Emily Butler, an occupational therapist interviewed by OT Potential, said that she made it her personal policy to say “yes” more when she was invited out by coworkers. Not only does this help you form deeper bonds with the people you work with, you’ll also get out of your comfort zone and get to meet other locals with similar interests.

This means more than accepting invitations to restaurants and bars after work. Those are great ways to blow off some steam, certainly, but remember to say “yes” to other opportunities as well. Go to museums, explore historic landmarks, play paintball, visit an arcade – the more you say “yes” to, the more open you’ll be to life’s greatest moments.

Follow your passion

Life as a travel therapist gives you more opportunities to do what you love. By working with professionals from all over the country, you’ll be able to hone your skills and gain real practical knowledge. You might even want to take extra classes online to become an even better health care provider – that’s totally possible, too! Maybe you want to start a therapy blog and write about your experiences. Now you have the time.

Look for opportunities to get out of your comfort zone, try new things, and follow your passion. These simple steps will help you make the most of each assignment.