DICAS

  • Featured, Student Life

    What Kept Me Healthy When Becoming an RD

    Staying physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy when becoming a Registered Dietitian is difficult. Lisa Carrigg, MS, RD shares her advice to succeed!

    Break Body Movement Time into Bite Size Pieces

    Between moving to a new city, starting graduate school and trying to keep a part time job, I struggled to adjust from my previous rigorous work out routine into something that still fulfilled my need to move and work while not resulting in stretching myself too thin. As someone who also strongly dislikes sitting, I got creative and readjusted my view of what working out and fitness looked like.

    When you know you are going to have a day of what I call extreme sitting, set yourself up so you can stand or stretch in the back of the classroom. I loved the “Daily” apps you can get for you smart phone because I could do 5, 8 or 10 minutes of shuffled moves for my arms or legs etc. right when I woke up or when I needed a break from studying. I also loved doing online barre3 classes and fitness blender videos with friends. Walk and talk meetings are a favorite of mine too. Redefine what getting moving looks like so it’s satisfying to you and fits your routine. Not everyone likes the gym and not everyone enjoys yoga. It’s all good.

    Learn to Say No Thank You

    With so many different and often equally wonderful opportunities in front of you to grow professionally and personally, it’s easy to slip into having a calendar with every minute, hour, day and weekend scheduled. Fairly quickly, this exciting packed schedule becomes stressful. Growing yourself professionally and seeking new opportunities and contacts is a part of your journey, but so is learning how to say no thank you. You do not have to do absolutely everything that comes your way and you do not have to feel bad for saying no to something. Even if you are saying no to something extra because you just need a moment of time just for you during which you have nothing you are suppose to be doing. Be thoughtful about your intentions behind choosing what to say yes to and that will help guide you in when to say no. How will this opportunity or experience help you grow? Why do I want to do this?

    Take Time to Feed Yourself Well and in Good Company

    I’m studying nutrition you say, I love food you say, I’m going to be an RDN you say. Of course I say, but you still need to nourish yourself so you can do all those awesome things. You are still human and probably a very busy one. All I am saying is to take time every now and then to share a meal with good company over good conversation. Conversation that is about the stuff that makes up life. It doesn’t need to be fancy food or in a fancy place, it should just be done with love. Nourishing others while they nourish you helps build everyone up (plus there might be leftovers!). Some of the best times I have had during the busiest seasons of my life are over lovingly made food accompanied by warm hugs, laughter and smiles. Feed your face and your soul.

    It’s Okay to Cry Sometimes

    When we are struggling, sometimes it’s easier to put on a good face, especially around friends or family who are on very different journeys (seemingly more successful or easy). Your journey is special and it’s not fair to compare it to anyone else’s, because it will never look or be like anyone else’s and that is something to cherish. It’s hard for those who love you to love on you more when you need it, however, if you don’t let them in. It’s okay to cry. In fact, it can be very therapeutic. We grow when we work through challenges. Finding a nurturing community to be a part of such as a church, a sports group, dance studio or perhaps even your school can help provide you additional emotional support. Who can you lean on when you need to? Do you tell yourself it’s okay to feel how you are feeling?

    Practice Kindness and Thankfulness

    Show kindness towards others as often as you can but especially towards yourself. Sometimes we expect so much of ourselves we get in the rut of only seeing what we think we did wrong. Stop yourself. Take time to re-set the thoughts you are feeding yourself and others about who you truly are. When you are feeling down take a few minutes to make a list of all the things you are thankful for or a list of all of the positive and unique things about who you are. Thank others often with hand written thank you notes or kind words. If you think something nice you should share it out loud. What can you be thankful for right now? What is one thing about you that you absolutely love (physical, emotional, skill wise, etc) ?

    About the Author: Lisa Carrigg is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with her Masters in Nutrition. She provides 1-on-1 virtual nutrition & wellness coaching at HealthyGroceryGirl.com & has an integrative, whole foods, plant based approach. She believes in meeting individuals where they are at and providing knowledge and guidance to empower them to meet their personal goals. Lisa is also a contributing expert to the Healthy Grocery Girl Membership & Community. To learn more & connect with Lisa visit HealthyGroceryGirl.com 

    Healthy Grocery Girl® is a wellness and video production company helping busy people and families enjoy real food and natural living. Healthy Grocery Girl keeps it simple and fun with weekly online videos & is the #1 Family Friendly Dietitian Channel on YouTube. Healthy Grocery Girl also provides an online wellness membership with meal plans, nutrition programs, video courses & shopping guides as well as video production services for brands looking to tell their story through digital content. 

    P.S. ARE YOU IN YET? Schedule your free call with Jenny to discuss your background, address any concerns, and decide on the next steps for your dietitian journey!

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  • Dietetics Programs, Featured

    How Scheduling a Date Could be Your Best First Step on Your DICAS Journey

    Spending time with yourself is a key to success in your DICAS journey. These tips can help you land the dietetic internship of your dreams!

    When you schedule a date with someone you are interested in, you typically don’t cancel. You pick a meeting location that is comfortable, you put away your phone and minimize other distractions because, hey- you’re on a date. You want to spend some quality time with someone, right? Well, when was the last time you truly spent time like that with yourself?

    Click here to join our future dietitian newsletter for monthly webinar invites, free resources, exclusive experience opportunities, and so much more!

    Spending some serious solo time as you begin to embark on all the craziness and moving parts that is the DICAS process could be your key to a smoother, more successful journey, and the sooner you start, the better. A lot of what is being asked of you in this process is accomplished from you knowing yourself well. Now I’m not saying you don’t know yourself per say, but you really need to know what you want and don’t want career-wise and in your personal life and be able to express that in a sincere and concise way (personal statement, resume, interviews…oh yeah, all of them). Grades of course count, extracurricular activities, job experience – all of those good things. What can set you up for greater success comes from spending time getting to know yourself truthfully as you are right now and making plans for what you need. I could not be more thankful for fellow students and staff in my program at Bastyr whom invested in helping me on my journey and I hope to pass on some of what I consider the most helpful tips I picked up along the way to you.

    So turn off your phones, pick a time and a place where you are comfortable and won’t be interrupted, get yourself a beverage of choice and settle in for some quality date time. I would recommend the following four self-date activities.

    1. Create a Self Care Plan

    DICAS is like a new acquaintance you are desperate to impress and with whom you hope above all else every interaction goes smoothly with. Something, whether big or small, is likely to go not quite as planned during this process though and already having a solid self-care plan in place will help you navigate these bumpy patches. While you’re busy pouring so much of yourself out into other things, it is key to be sure you are also pouring back into the amazing and gifted YOU.

    To create your self-care plan to keep you sane and healthy, spend time thinking about the things that nourish you. What really lifts your spirits, makes you feel refreshed, relaxed, good about yourself, etc. How can you work these into your schedule? Is it a bubble bath? Hitting the dance floor? Cooking dinner with a good friend? Self-care time can look like anything as long as it nourishes and lifts you up. Make a list of at least ten things. Practicing self-care is taking time to value yourself and make sure you are getting what you need.

    2. Practice STAR Statements

    One of the things I worked on during the DICAS prep classes my advisor Dr. Harris led, which although I definitely tried to avoid doing, are what’s called a STAR. You should do these before you embark on revamping your resume or crafting your personal statement or essays. They will also help you feel more prepared later on for potential interviews. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Results. There are various resources online when you Google STAR statements that describe in detail how to craft them. It’s a specific exercise that helps you work on describing your unique skills and abilities succinctly and with specific examples or mini stories, so to say. It can be a little bit of a painful process, but trust me, it is well worth it.

    3. Identify and Make Time for a Mentor

    We all need people in our corner. The kind of people you can be completely honest and vulnerable with and whom you know will be honest but loving back to you. Who are these people going to be for you? Maybe it’s a counselor, a friend, a professor or a family member. Just know that those who haven’t been through and aren’t going through DICAS don’t completely understand what your experience is like. That’s okay, because sometimes you need to come up for a breath of fresh air and have a conversation that doesn’t include DICAS. Seriously, make it a point to have extended conversation that doesn’t somehow circle back to DICAS. Spend time thinking of at least two people you feel you can be vulnerable with and who you feel help remind you to be true to yourself and follow your heart as you work to do your best in all parts of your life. When can you plan a date with them?

    4. Practice Shutting Down your Desire to Compare

    You may be going through DICAS with a group of other people. If I haven’t hinted at this enough let me say it directly, this is YOUR unique journey. While commiserating is a common thing to gravitate towards in a group experience or during a challenging process, do your best to limit it. Practice shutting down self-comparison commentary both internally and externally which is easy to fall prey to in a group setting, even a supportive one.

    You are different, your past and your future, from anyone else and this process is about YOU. Feed yourself true and honest, but positive things, about yourself as well as others. You have your own gifts and talents, focus on what you have and what makes you unique, and practice finding joy in celebrating those things in others. (Read more advice on this topic here.)

    About the Author: Lisa Carrigg is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with her Masters in Nutrition. She provides 1-on-1 virtual nutrition & wellness coaching at HealthyGroceryGirl.com & has an integrative, whole foods, plant based approach. She believes in meeting individuals where they are at and providing knowledge and guidance to empower them to meet their personal goals. Lisa is also a contributing expert to the Healthy Grocery Girl Membership & Community. To learn more & connect with Lisa visit HealthyGroceryGirl.com

    Healthy Grocery Girl® is a wellness and video production company helping busy people and families enjoy real food and natural living. Healthy Grocery Girl keeps it simple and fun with weekly online videos & is the #1 Family Friendly Dietitian Channel on YouTube. Healthy Grocery Girl also provides an online wellness membership with meal plans, nutrition programs, video courses & shopping guides as well as video production services for brands looking to tell their story through digital content.

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  • RD2Be Fun

    25 Ways to Celebrate Being #DoneWithDICAS

    Submitting your DICAS application is an incredible feat! Here are some fun ways to celebrate before landing the dietetic internship of your dreams.

    Congratulations on finally hitting the submit button on your DICAS application!

    The All Access Dietetics team has put together a list of ways we think you should celebrate! Share your #DoneWithDICAS photo with us on social media (D.M. us if your account is private), and we will add it to our album!

    1. Have a large glass (or two) of an adult beverage, but drink responsibly, people!
    2. Sign up for an excellent fitness class and sweat out that stress.
    3. Schedule a facial, massage, or another spa service.
    4. Do a happy dance!
    5. Eat a meal or snack that is NOT nutritious at all.
    6. Sleeeeeeeep, then sleep some more… then take a nap.
    7. Reset with a road trip somewhere nearby, but far, far away from your computer.
    8. Hide all internship notes and don’t look at them (until you need to for the interviews).
    9. Host a party with your dietetics friends!
    10. Have a Netflix binge.
    11. Take a trip to the grocery store and go crazy (doesn’t everyone like to spend time looking at new foods there or just us? LOL).
    12. Try a new recipe for anything you are craving.
    13. Bake some goodies and bring them to your dietetics class!
    14. Spend a weekend at home with the family, significant other, or friends you have been completely ignoring the past few weeks.
    15. Treat yourself to a much-deserved lazy day off from everything to completely disconnect.
    16. Tell EVERYONE you’re done… tweet it, Instagram it, Facebook it, Snapchat it, blog it, even yell it.
    17. Take yourself on a trip to the movies!
    18. Have a night out on the town and dance your heart out.
    19. Start reading a new book and cuddle up with a cup of tea.
    20. Check DICAS off of your to-do list (even if you write it on your list and then immediately cross it off, it will feel amazing).
    21. Share your trips with future applicants by making a video, posting to social media, blog, etc.
    22. Start a blog with the free time you now have!
    23. Go bowling with a group of friends, family, or fellow DICAS survivors.
    24. Buy yourself a new outfit (but don’t go crazy… you will have an internship to pay for!).
    25. Watch an inspiring TedTalk like this one on power posing to get you ready for your interviews!

    View Our #DONEWITHDICAS Facebook Album!

    P.S. ARE YOU IN YET? Join the future dietitian newsletter to receive monthly webinar invites, free resources, exclusive experience opportunities, and so much more!

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  • Dietetics Programs, Dietitian Career Advice

    5 Reasons to Create an Online Portfolio

    Think of your online portfolio as an extension of your DICAS application. This tool could get you closer to landing the dietetic internship of your dreams.

    If you haven’t created an online portfolio yet, now’s the time! Only some program applications require one, but you can still add the URL to your resume even if they don’t.

    Click here to take your application to the next level with free resources and exclusive advice from Jenny!

    Here are our top 5 reasons why you need one:

    Opportunity to show directors examples of your best work

    Remember to include projects or papers that you are passionate about to reference them in later interviews. Did you complete a unique project in your program? Feature it so internship programs can see it!

    It makes you stand out from the competition.

    No two applications are alike, similar to online portfolios. Your portfolio is distinctly yours and can be another way to stand out from the crowd and make a lasting impression.

    Adds a visual element to your application

    A dietetic internship director may remember you during your interview from your online portfolio’s unique logo or layout. This also serves as a way for internship programs to learn about you and your sense of style or flare. Make sure to stay true to yourself when creating your online presence!

    It gives directors a better sense of who you are as a person

    Directors will gain a better understanding of your personality through the details of your online portfolio. They will see your skills, such as attention to detail and creativity, which show promise as a dietetic intern.

    It can be used again when you’re hunting for a job

    Make sure to save your online portfolio and continue adding to it as a dietetic intern. Nothing will make a potential employer more pleased than an in-depth and highly professional online portfolio. As you grow through your nutrition career, remember to let your online portfolio grow with you.

    Blogger, WordPress, VisualCV, and Wix are all great sites for housing your portfolio.

    Are you not convinced? Check out this article from The New York Times for more!

    P.S. Once your e-portfolio is done, join our Get Matched Coaching for a portfolio review from one of our coaches to make sure it is visually fantastic, organized, and free of grammar mistakes!

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  • Dietetics Programs

    The Truth About Distance Internships

    Distance dietetic internships can be a great option in becoming a Registered Dietitian. We’ve included the information you should know about this route.

    Part I: The Application Process

    When it comes to dietetic internships, distance internships are a great option. Some of the benefits include flexible scheduling, staying close to home, and the ability to select specific sites and preceptors you want to work with. However, with this comes unique challenges, so we put together a guide of things to be aware of when going the distance route.

    Remember that every distance program is structured differently, so it is essential to thoroughly read their websites and contact the program directors if you have any questions. You can find distance dietetic internships programs here.

    We always say that the earlier you can start preparing, the better, especially for distance internships! Why? Well, in addition to writing your resume and personal statement and filling out DICAS, you may also need to find preceptors for potential programs and have them fill out and return preceptor applications to you BEFORE February 15th (or September 25th) deadline.

    Click here to take your application to the next level with free resources and exclusive advice from Jenny!

    So, where is the best place to start?

    First, research the programs you are interested in to learn more about their requirements. Here are some questions to ask when evaluating distance internship programs:

    • What rotations need to be completed?
    • How many hours need to be completed for each course?
    • How many hours a week are you required to work?
    • How many preceptors do you need to find?
    • Does the program help you find preceptors?
    • Are there specific requirements for the preceptors (e.g., at least three have to be R.D.s)?
    • How many preceptors need to be lined up before the deadline (all, some, or none)?
    • What kinds of facilities are acceptable?
    • Are there specific requirements for the facilities (e.g., at least one facility must be accredited by the Joint Commission)?
    • How will you communicate with the director throughout the internship?
    • How are you required to submit assignments and track your hours throughout the training?
    • Do you have to take online classes?

    Once you know where you’d like to apply, the next step is finding preceptors if your programs ask for you to have them lined up before the application deadline. Make sure you understand the requirements for each program you’re applying to. This is crucial as you will need to supply potential preceptors with this information, along with an application to fill out from each program if they agree to work with you.

    If you already have connections in the field, you may not have to look far to find preceptors. Some programs will even provide you with preceptors! Reach out to your contacts first and ask if anyone is willing to be your preceptor or if they can put you in touch with other R.D.s. You can also reach out to your local or state dietetic association to see if they can connect you with someone. Then, once you’ve exhausted your network, it’s time to make a list and start cold-calling R.D.s and facilities!

    The truth is that some people may say no, and others may not respond at all, but don’t let this discourage you- it’s just how the process goes! There is plenty of R.D’S out there who know the importance of the internship, understand that someone did it for them when they were interns, and are willing to pay it forward to help you reach your dreams.

    Here’s something to be aware of: some facilities, especially in large cities, already have contracts in place with local internship programs. This means that they may not be willing to take on additional interns, or in some cases, they may not even be allowed to. If this happens repeatedly, you may need to expand your search radius and be willing to travel a further distance.

    Lastly, don’t be afraid to sell yourself to the R.D. and be clear about how YOU can benefit THEM! Do they have projects they need to be finished? Notes written? Handouts created? While they will be taking time out of their day to work with you, you can put your skills to good use and do work that benefits the organization while also fulfilling your requirements. At the very least, be sure to send them a copy of your resume. If your personal statement is ready, it doesn’t hurt to send this along so they can better understand your skills, accomplishments, and career goals.

    Get 10 FREE tips to ace your Dietetics Internship interview!

    Part II: During the Internship

    Once you’ve been accepted, you may need to notify all of your preceptors to tell them the good news. If tentative rotation dates were already set, be sure to confirm them again, as things may have changed since February. An official contract may need to be signed at this time between them and the school.

    Most programs hold an in-person orientation for anywhere from a few days to a week or more. This is an excellent opportunity to meet your director, as well as your fellow interns whom you’ll want to stay in touch with throughout the internship. In addition, Facebook groups and email chains are great ways to stay connected as a group so you can share your experiences, ask questions, figure out the assignments together, and motivate each other to keep going.

    Distance programs require a high level of self-management, organization, and communication skills to ensure that you’re meeting the requirements of your program and getting the most out of your experiences.

    It would help if you began each rotation knowing the number of practice hours you need at that facility, the tasks and assignments to be accomplished, and the goals you’d like to meet while there. Sometimes your preceptors may look to you for guidance because you have a better grasp of the program requirements than they do, especially if they’re managing interns from multiple programs.

    Be prepared for the possibility of change at any time. Preceptors who agreed to work with you may get new jobs, facilities might back out for one reason or another, and your rotation dates and hours may need to be adjusted as you go. In cases like these, the best thing you can do is be flexible and go with the flow. Internship directors are well-versed in dealing with these situations, and they will provide you with the best steps to resolve any problems that arise.

    The last piece to keep in mind is that, in some cases, you may be the only intern in a facility during a rotation, which means you won’t be sharing your day-to-day experiences with other interns. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but you may sometimes wish someone else who “gets it” is there with you. However, one of the perks of striking out on your own is that you get the sole attention of your preceptors and the chance to develop stronger connections with them. Joining your local dietetic association is a great way to meet nearby interns with whom you can connect in person, and you may even see some of them during your rotations!

    P.S. If you’re looking for help with the more intense distance dietetic internship applications, Get Matched Coaching includes individual support to land the internship of your dreams!

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  • Dietetics Programs, Featured

    How Applying to an ISPP Helped Natalie Get One Step Closer to Her Dream Career

    Special thanks to Natalie Kocks, who shared her personal ISPP journey with us in 2017.

    My name is Natalie Kocks, and I am a recent graduate of Benedictine University, Lisle, IL. I am currently enrolled as a dietetic intern at Purdue University’s ISPP. The journey towards attaining a dietetic internship is most certainly not an easy one. At Benedictine, I ran Cross Country and Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field. I was also involved in the SAND (Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics) club. I volunteered every summer at Parkview Regional Medical Center in the Nutrition and Dietetics department. I also gained experience as an intern, working with an R.D. who owns her fitness and nutrition company. I also interned with Foodie on Campus (an online magazine) and helped market the magazine via social media.

    In my senior year of college, I began the DICAS process and unfortunately did not receive a match. So I moved home and began working as a dietary aide at a nursing home and as a recipe developer, chef, and barista at a local natural market. In November, I reapplied to DICAS, and again, the words read “No Match.” I allowed myself to be upset for one day, and then I decided that this was what I wanted, and I refused to give up. I applied for a nutritionist position at a local WIC office and was offered the job. I have been working at WIC for the last six months and love it here! I learned about the Purdue ISPP from a Purdue ISPP intern doing her community rotation here at my WIC location! I decided to apply, and before I knew it, I was being interviewed and accepted my intern spot!

    “ISPP is an amazing opportunity for good DICAS applicants who slipped through the cracks to gain the internship they deserve.”

    ISPP is a fantastic opportunity for suitable DICAS applicants who slipped through the cracks to gain the internship they deserve. ISPP allows for flexibility; you can focus on areas of dietetics that you’re most interested in, and you can complete your entire training at home! 

    My advice to future applicants is never to give up. Not receiving a match to internships was one of the most devastating experiences I have had. Had it not been for my supportive family and friends and my deep-rooted passion for the field, I do not think I would have kept applying and putting myself out there. The best thing you can do is start gaining nutrition experience early on in your college career and continue to stay involved while working just as hard in the classroom. Please get to know your professors because you’ll need them down the road for positive letters of recommendation when you apply to internships.

    Thanks for sharing, Natalie!

    P.S. Our Get Matched Coaches can help you land the DI of your dreams. Let us help you have a happy match day!

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  • Student Life

    How To Become a Sports Dietitian

    We interviewed Kate Moran, an MLB Sports Dietitian for the Minnesota Twins. Kate shares how she got where she is and tips for aspiring RD2BE’s!

    sports dietitian mlb

    Kate got started with the Minnesota Twins through Sodexo, the foodservice management company. The Minnesota Twins are one of Sodexo’s “clients.” As the dietitian, Kate has complete control of the kitchen and the team’s sports dietitian aspect of things! In addition to being an MLB sports dietitian, she also precepts students! HINT HINT, Make the ASK!

    Learn how to make the ASK here!

    Kate shares some GREAT advice, whether it’s the sports nutrition field you want to go into or a different field! Check out the interview below and for more information about Kate, visit her site Educated Plate.

    Watch her interview below or on youtube!

    We also want to shout Sarah Grace Meck for conducting this interview when she was in her Dietetic Internship! Sarah is now an RD, and she has created two successful company’s FreshFitNHealthy and TheRDUniversity! We love to see RD’s making their dreams come true!

    PS. Check out our Real World Sports Nutrition Toolkit!

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  • Student Life

    How to Study for Multiple Exams in One Week

    There are a few things in life that are more stressful than having multiple exams in one week. The good news is there are tried and proper ways of tackling this!

    Having multiple exams in one week causes my anxiety to take over, and I go from 0 to 100 real quick. Now, if one exam is on a Monday and another is on a Friday, it’s all gravy, baby! But if we’re talking back-to-back exam days…the struggle couldn’t be more accurate. But, don’t worry! We’ve got you covered! The following study tips are guaranteed to calm that anxiety storm and leave you smooth sailing to your next exam week.

    1. Prioritize your exams.

    Which exam will be the hardest, and which will be easier for you? Start with the hardest. Begin studying for the most challenging exams about a week before the exam date, but don’t do it all at once! Review a bit at a time in intervals. Distributing learning over time typically benefits long-term retention better than a short period.

    2. Schedule your time.

    Create a schedule for yourself that includes how many hours you will spend on each subject and when you will take breaks. Let’s face it, studying one subject for endless hours will make anyone go crazy. Spend 2-3 hours on each topic and take a non-academic break in between. Cardio has been shown to improve memory, so schedule yourself a quick run in between subjects for a brain boost!

    Click here to stay organized with these top 5 tips!

    3. Take naps during study breaks.

    From personal experience, this has worked wonders for me. I’ve learned I can remember the material much better if I study for a few hours, take a nap, then get back to studying. And there’s a science to back it up! A 2010 Harvard study suggested that dreaming may reactivate and reorganize recently learned material leading to improved memory.

    Learn more about how sleep helps your memory!

    4. Say no to cramming and all-nighters!

    Not only will your brain be foggy from the lack of sleep, but cramming information causes anxiety which can lower your ability to retain information. Do yourself a favor and aim for 8-9 hours of sleep the night before exams.

    Learn more about exam study strategies for RD2Be’s!

    Now study and crush those exams!

    multiple exams

    PS. Are you worried about matching to a Dietetic Internship? Check out our get-matched course!

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  • RD2Be Fun

    8 Tweets Accurately Describing a Dietetics Major life

    Not everyone understands what it is like to be a dietetics student, but these fellow students tweets accurately describe the life of a dietetics major.

    We’re not sure what we enjoy more studying dietetics or reading tweets about the life of studying dietetics! We have complied a list of some of the best Tweet descriptions of what it is like to be an #RD2BE!

    1. The only way to write a scientific journal article is with cookies!

    2. I think we can all agree, we love eating food and talking about food!

    3. Oh, the memories! Shout out to all the #RD2BE’s in their DI’s!

    4. We do it for the tacos.

    5. If we had a dollar for every tear we shed we could afford the dietetic internship!

    crying as a dietetics major

    6. Precisely and spell, “DieTITian”.

    dietitian dietetics major

    7. But seriously, does Betty Crocker even know this much about muffins?

    muffins dietetics major

    8. Mind yo business Aunt Betty, mind yo business!!

    dietetics major

    In all seriousness, our major is HARD! It’s comforting knowing other students share the same trials and tribulations as you. Know that we are proud are you! Keep the hysterical and accurate tweets coming! We love em’!

    Check out some life tips for surviving as a dietetics student!

    PS. Have these tweets inspired you to become a Dietitian? Check out the Academy’s resources for becoming a Dietitian!

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  • Dietetics Programs, Featured

    The Perfect Thank You for Your Dietetic Mentor

    Searching for the perfect way to say thank you to the Dietitian in your life? We’ve created the ultimate list of thank you gifts for your Dietetic Mentor!

    As the school year comes to an end and the reality of your Dietetic Internship match sets in, you may be wondering, how can I express my gratitude to the Dietitian who helped me succeed? It can be intimidating trying to think of the BEST way to thank the Dietitian who inspired you and helped shape you into an #RD2BE. Do I need to buy a gift? How much should I spend on it? Is it too much or too little? Will they like it? These questions may be racing through your head. But, the key to having the perfect thank you is to be thoughtful.

    You should genuinely express how grateful you are. Don’t be afraid to get creative! Have fun with it!

    Starting with the note, you can make a homemade card or purchase a food-related card. Write from the heart, be honest and authentic! Try to describe the impactful experiences you shared with them! Get personal, your mentor knows YOU, and you know THEM. Remember, this Dietitian helped your dreams come true!

    Click here to learn how to write the PERFECT thank you note!

    Try to match the card to the Dietitian’s personality or likes! 

    • Do they love Bananas? 

    Thanks a bunch!

    • Are they a sushi fanatic?

    Thank you SOY much!

    • Is brunch their favorite meal?

    Thanks a brunch

    For additional fun foodie cards check out these sites!

    The next component of the perfect thank you for your Dietetic Mentor includes the actual gift!

    First and foremost, you are NOT obligated to give a gift to your mentor. We know the expenses ADD up quite a bit for #RD2BE’s. A thoughtful thank-you note is MORE than enough; your mentor will be more than happy with a card. However, if you do wish to go the extra mile and purchase a gift, we’ve got you covered!

    • Mugs are a great choice; we all know RD’s and #RD2BE’s run on caffeine.

    Special dietitian

    • A thank you for your thyme plant is a clever and thoughtful gift.

    Thank you for your thyme

    • For the plant lover with a killer sense of humor purchase a succulent and write thank you for not succulenting the life out of me or life would suc without you.

    succulent

    • Are they in need of a custom name sign with their favorite veggie?

    Desk sign

    • Do they need new wall decor that expresses how great they are?

    Truly a great dietitian

    • A sign to hang above their door, so everyone else in the office knows this is the Dietitians, not Dieticians office.
    •  

    Dietitian not Dietician

    • You cannot go wrong with the food; we all love snacks and sweets! If you want to test out those food science skills, make something homemade. If the Betty Crocker life isn’t for you, don’t be afraid to grab some cookies off the shelf. We’ve all passed off Tollhouse cookies as our “own” before!
    •  

    sweet treats

    For additional ideas, check out our amazon store!

    Overall, the possibilities are endless for gift giving! Remember to be thoughtful and express your gratitude! No matter what you give your mentor, they will be happy to have been a part of your success. You’ve got this!

    PS. If you are studying for the RD exam check out the Exam Toolkit here!

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