This Valentine’s Day week, we asked osteopathic medical (DO) students on Instagram to share how they celebrate small wins while on their Road to DO Licensure. We received 275 comments, ranging from binging favorite television shows to cooking amazing meals and sharing time with family and friends.
Five entrants were chosen at random to win a free COMAT-SE examination, which is available for Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Osteopathic Principles and Practice. COMAT-SE is designed to help reinforce medical knowledge and determine any areas needed for additional study in a particular discipline.
Some of the entries will be shared throughout 2025 for our #WellnessWednesday campaign, which aims to foster mental well-being and promote mental health awareness in the osteopathic community. We hope that those who see them will be able to realize the importance of congratulating oneself on every triumph on their journey to becoming an osteopathic physician and find their own victory ritual—no matter how small.
Below, you can look at the full collection of comments from DO students on how they celebrate small wins:
| HANDLE | QUOTE |
| jamiemckermit | Small wins=Big ice cream 🍨 |
| heyheyitsphoebelay | Treating myself to a smoothie on campus 🙂↕️ |
| sdrobeck | celebrating with friends and family! |
| parkalicious | Froyo w friends😎 |
| khushballer711 | Spending some quality time with my friends and family ❤️ outdoor nature or indoor movie time! |
| I celebrate by hanging out my friends and family | I celebrate by hanging out my friends and family |
| Enjoying a nice meal 🙂 | Enjoying a nice meal 🙂 |
| ib.owusu | I play my favorite songs on shuffle and enjoy a cup of ice cream with a stroopwafel on the side😊 |
| vicki._.bee | I take a small hike (no more than 3 hours long)! |
| faith_baxter_ | Getting a coffee! |
| cmjojo13 | Dancing |
| dangannn | A sweet treat 😍 |
| ashtonbush18 | I eat yummy treats that my friend @brittneyruud makes! |
| laur.raz | getting a coffee and sweet treat on campus with my friends! @madison_kurland |
| karen.vargas.p | Movie night 🍿 |
| ria.mittal5 | making myself a creative and yummy snack! |
| saucisavi | Treating myself to dinner and a movie! |
| yasyasiii | Retail therapy! |
| serenavarghese | I go for a long walk while blasting music! 🎵🙌 |
| thien_truong_96 | Cook myself something nice |
| alexiselfstrand13 | hot yogaaa 🧘♀️ |
| chriss_o_ | Treating myself with some online shopping |
| katiekat2014 | Give myself an extra break and do something that makes me happy! |
| miranda.linton | I get myself some sushi! |
| ellie_m18 | Going thrifting!! |
| bongiovannipaula | Cup of Cold Brew!! 🧊🤎 |
| courtneyoei | grab a coffee or mcdonald’s diet coke!! |
| abrionnequinae | Celebrate w/ people I love |
| katie_toperzer | I get a sweet treat 🥰 |
| elizabethchan247 | Gardening! |
| rosstheboss2 | Grabbed a nice dinner instead of heating up something I prepped in the fridge 😮 |
| jaeger_schutt | Playing video games with friends! |
| maxbessr | Pollo asado burrito |
| ch.__.nn | Some good food and boba 🧋 |
| pilatesphysician_tobe | Getting dinner with a friend! |
| marsiedoats | a nice walk outside :] |
| makayla_swan | A sweet treat 🍦 |
| jeels2122 | Dance it out! |
| daniellelapierre | Gotta drop the bag on something I’ve been wanting 🥶🤑 and get some doggy snuggles |
| kelseay.smith | I purchase a small treat for myself |
| izzi_jordan | taking breaks to do what I love 🙂 |
| djmikephresh | Treating myself to birria tacos 🌮 |
| ruan.soe | See my friends! |
| zanedire | I relax with a few chapters of a nice book |
| russt.mat | As someone with ADHD and 3 kids. A good score means I get a pure dopamine hit and I get to go home to play with my kids without worrying. |
| mohammed___abubakar | Lay on the couch with my cat on my chest 🐱 |
| sofia_cook | Listen to pumped up music in the car and chat with my fiance! |
| cooper.6 | Grab a coffee with friends! |
| ohsandra6 | I do something crafty with my friends 🙂 |
| whuit | Call home 🌻 |
| saminbebe | I buy cute scrubs to wear to school ❤️ |
| karen__frieswyk | Give praise to God and go out to dinner 🥩 |
| ahodges93 | I celebrate by appreciating how far I’ve come and some retail therapy 😊😄 |
| hassnp21 | Treating myself with some free time with friends |
| rosh.ie | Small wins deserve strawberry shortcake and an evening talking to everyone I don’t want to miss out on celebrating with. 🥰 |
| zacho_19 | Cracking a Poppi soda! |
| simersing.h | free time reading or playing video games 🙂 |
| blake.nourse | Raiding Walmart for some pokemon card 🤓 |
| maximusprius | Video games |
| jul_feliciano | Getting a coffee! |
| ashwalter4 | A nice day out with my loved ones to remind me the importance of being a real human throughout this process |
| elizaaa | Going out in nature 🌲 |
| chase_ammons12 | Starbucks! |
| maitri1399 | I treat myself with good food and go for long drive. |
| aliyahs4 | Chipotle 😇 |
| lexagingersnap | Riding my bike! |
| arushii.t | i spend time with friends to celebrate 🩷 |
| munif.c1 | video games with the buddies @glebeford |
| bradleychris17 | My wife and I cook dinner together while we dance around the kitchen |
| ahmaad9e | I celebrate small wins by treating myself to a good meal and reminding myself how far I’ve come on this journey! |
| _meggaan | Eating with my friends @karen.vargas.p |
| brittneyruud | I bake and then feed my study group (including @ashtonbush18 ) |
| isaac.nebeker | Play w my friends @noahabdelmalek85 @caleb_golden |
| jamiemckermit | Getting take out with my boyfriend who is also on the road to being a DO 💕 |
| laur.raz | Hanging out with my friends after a quiz 🙂 |
| faith_baxter_ | With a sugary coffee! |
| ellie_m18 | Getting a lil sweet treat |
| parkalicious | Yoga and yogurt🙌 |
| blake.nourse | Sleep😴 |
| sophietherose1 | Making a nice dinner to share with loved ones 🥘♥️ |
| vicki._.bee | A sweet treat from starbucks on the harder days! |
| sunnywithapotentialchance | getting dessert with friends !! 🙂 |
| cmjojo13 | Dance |
| nikivasileva09 | girls’ night out 🙂 |
| bongiovannipaula | Movie night!🍿💛 |
| ch.__.nn | Binge watch my kdramas 🥳 |
| nathanhiss | hiking with friends, hangout with my cat, and getting chipotle! |
| anabananananana_ | pilates and girl dinner with friends 😌❤️ |
| ashtonbush18 | Going on a date night! |
| serenavarghese | By catching up on whatever show I’m watching! |
| eliasdeeb1 | Playing video games with friends back home |
| heyheyitsphoebelay | Taking a nap 😴 |
| _emilame_ | Get some ice cream!! 🤗 |
| jeels2122 | Getting flowers! |
| katie_toperzer | I go to spin class!! 🚴🏼♀️🙌 |
| cooper.6 | Eating a nice home cooked meal! |
| gemtopaz | Spending time cooking a great meal! |
| karen.vargas.p | Going on a walk ✨🌷🌲 |
| studentdocaus | The most efficient way, I take a nap 🙃 |
| jamie.ferrer | small wins means a dinner with my family:) |
| chriss_o_ | Retail therapy! |
| elizaaa | Taking a nice walk outside ☀️ |
| saminbebe | Going to the gym 🏋️♂️🙌💪 |
| jesssicasmith_ | Catching up on sleep when I can! 💤 |
| joslynjohnson | Enjoying a night in and watching a movie |
| katiekat2014 | Go read a book in the park 📖 |
| reesesnieces_ | Play video games or get ice cream ❤️❤️ |
| ohsandra6 | Eating a favorite meal |
| izzi_jordan | calling my mom so we can celebrate together 🩷 |
| ahmaad9e | I take a break to go for a run or hit the gym. |
| alexiselfstrand13 | Some much needed sleep! |
| maitri1399 | Go hiking! |
| ashkhan | Taking a thicc nap |
| aliyahs4 | Taking the night off to hang out with friends |
| bradleychris17 | My wife and I will binge watch Cake Boss |
| isaac.nebeker | Eat food w my friends @caleb_golden @noahabdelmalek85 |
| elizabethchan247 | Going out for dinner |
| jamiemckermit | Bingeing Hell’s Kitchen 😂 |
| brooke.fishmann | Getting dessert typically cookies 🍪 |
| ellie_m18 | Coffee 🙂 |
| _emilame_ | Catching up on reality tv! |
| serenavarghese | Getting Dave’s hot chicken 😍 |
| cmjojo13 | With family |
| khushballer711 | Planning a small travel trip with friends/family! |
| ashtonbush18 | Watching Gilmore Girls 🙂 |
| ohsandra6 | Catching up on my favorite TV show |
| simply_shirley_ | Getting a sweet treat |
| matt.labko | Playing with my dog! |
| ch.__.nn | Buy something for myself 🙌 |
| rosh.ie | Small wins are motivation for the big wins so I often take the day off to recuperate, reflect, and prepare for the next step in the journey. |
| elizabethchan247 | Going on a run with my dog! |
| railey_abell | I love getting a sweet treat 🍦🍪 |
| _jennifornia | popcorn and a nap |
| rosstheboss2 | Spend the evening watching a movie with my wife |
| jeels2122 | Playing in the snow! |
| kelseay.smith | Getting myself a sweet treat 🎂 |
| jamie.ferrer | hosting my friends at my apartment for a hangout:) |
| nathanhiss | playing fortnite with my friends! |
| zanedire | Fast food |
| jonnadolne | Rita’s courtesy of DBoz! |
| katiekat2014 | Cuddling my kitties while reading a book! |
| chriss_o_ | i plan for the next girls trip |
| joslynjohnson | Going for a walk with my dog 🐶 |
| karen__frieswyk | Movie marathon 🍿🥤 |
| e_placheril | Getting a small treat with friends |
| alexamtracy | Going out to eat 😋 |
| _meggaan | @karen.vargas.p shopping with my friends |
| cooper.6 | Planning time to see family! |
| ahmaad9e | Watch a movie |
| alexiselfstrand13 | making dessert |
| jul_feliciano | Watching a movie! |
| bradleychris17 | I normally buy myself a little treat! |
| marty1723 | Play a round a golf |
| lexagingersnap | Drinking tea every morning 🫖☕️ |
| ruan.soe | Enjoying @joslynjohnson ‘s nice meal 🙂 |
| maitri1399 | Cooking and going for run. |
| eliasdeeb1 | Getting a cheat meal |
| katie_toperzer | Binging Seinfeld |
| yasyasiii | Big fat juicy steak 😂 |
| dnnkem | Taking my daughter out |
| nikivasileva09 | a little sweet treat |
| isaac.nebeker | Tv shows w my friends @caleb_golden @noahabdelmalek85 |
| jamiemckermit | Dressing up really fancy and going out to dinner 🍽️ |
| ashtonbush18 | Enjoying a good book with my dog next to me 🙂 |
| jeels2122 | Movie night with friends! |
| saucisavi | Watching my favorite reality show with a yummy meal |
| kellyntrowse | I treat myself to a long gym session and a small (under $20 shopping trip) after every exam |
| sarahassann28 | Getting frozen yogurt and then going for a walk on the beach! 🏖️ |
| jessica.bixha | Spend time with my med school besties and share a meal together☺️ |
| cmjojo13 | Spending time with grandparents |
| givememyrice | I get to watch my favorite Netflix show! |
| joslynjohnson | Baking a sweet treat 🧁 |
| zacho_19 | Taking a walk with a favorite podcast |
| jamie.ferrer | by taking a nice long shower and cooking a nice meal! |
| christine.sunny | Enjoying a delicious meal with friends & family! |
| aurvaksh | Gym/Go for a run |
| _meggaan | @karen.vargas.p hopefully this is the one! Eating good food |
| nikivasileva09 | celebrating with friends! |
| marissa.castronovo | hanging out with friends! |
| jordinnowakk | Movie night! |
| graced_with_glory | I call my momma |
| karen.vargas.p | @_meggaan going to Lunch with friends 😋💖 |
| ryanwitczak | Treating myself to my favorite coffee shop followed by mindfulness! |
| bongiovannipaula | dinner out with friends! 🍽️💗 |
| jul_feliciano | I try cooking a new recipe! |
| _jennifornia | listening to music 🎵 |
| pilatesphysician_tobe | Going to the mountains! |
| hassnp21 | Treating myself to a nice coffee or pastry from my favorite café |
| marty1723 | Have date night with my fiancé |
| rosstheboss2 | Make some homemade cookies or brownies |
| brooke.fishmann | Binge watching reality tv shows |
| celinesaade_ | A long call catching up with my little sis! |
| nathanhiss | cleaning my room and calling my parents! |
| luke_horner | A sweet treat |
| kj_aldaz | Making sure to meal prep with my boyfriend weekly! |
| ch.__.nn | Shopping! I spend the money that I barely have ㅤ◡̈ |
| its_sarah_rae | A little treat! 🙌 |
| katie_toperzer | Talking with my family |
| kelbyfayeee | Working out and spending time with family! |
| arushii.t | getting my nails done w my friends 🩷 |
| elizabethchan247 | Going for a walk |
| michelleouu | Putting on a cute outfit for a night out at the arcade, trying new restaurants, or planning an escape room with friends 😊 |
| ahmaad9e | watching an episode of my favorite show |
| courtneyoei | An ice cream run ! |
| sofia_cook | Going out with friends and dancing all night! |
| gemtopaz | I treat myself with a fancy latte! |
| alexauong | Go to the park with my husband and dogs |
| zanedire | Hanging out with family |
| sundaracala | watching TV with my mom |
| gibimerchant | Sleep! |
| v.h | working out! |
| cooper.6 | Listen to music and take a long hot shower! |
| _emilame_ | Doing art!! |
| chriss_o_ | Foood |
| maitri1399 | It motivates me to achieve me bigger goals. So I treat myself with good food. I especially love spicy food so I make some spicy noodles to celebrate the milestone. |
| matt.labko | I get @playabowls after every exam! |
| coachpicksix | A good meal, a movie, and time with family/friends! |
| dnnkem | Spend time with my children |
| gabriellebruno | hot showers and cat cuddles! |
| isaac.nebeker | Read a book w my friends @caleb_golden @noahabdelmalek85 |
| nick_vasil_ | Spending time with friends |
| jamiemckermit | I play The NY Times games ❤️ |
| ashtonbush18 | Celebrating with and for my other classmates! It’s all a team effort and we’re in it together! We love to get a sweet dessert post-exams! |
| nikivasileva09 | Dinner with family! |
| givememyrice | I went to the gym and grabbed lunch with a friend today! ❤️ |
| bongiovannipaula | Good times with fam and friends 💛 |
| arushii.t | treating myself w my fav foods after an exam 🩷 |
| zacho_19 | Treating myself to my favorite restaurant |
| zanedire | A good book |
| v.h | cooking a good meal! |
| carrington_care | I will treat myself with a nap, doing something fun outdoors, or a movie night with my roommate! |
| joslynjohnson | Spending time with my classmates |
| bethany.xiong.co | Taking time to play a board game with family ❤️ |
| elizabethchan247 | Watching tv! |
| ruan.soe | Taking a big nap! 🙂 |
| _meggaan | @jadalusk nails 💅🏾 |
| sofia_cook | Celebrate with my friends and relax! |
| chriss_o_ | A nice binge on Netflix |
| karen.vargas.p | Watch a movie 🎥 🍿 |
| saminbebe | Watching gossip girl with my cat ❤️ |
| ryanwitczak | Take out and watching re-runs of my favorite shows! |
| julia_gulia529 | Having girls night with my friends after an exam 💕 |
| jamie.ferrer | I like to go outside to a park for a walk!! |
| laurenvictoriana | Having a board game night with friends! |
| djmikephresh | Treat myself to something delicious |
| eiley.kuhlmey | Talking my dog for an extra long walk 🙂 |
| serenavarghese | Inviting my friends over to hang out and play games |
| ch.__.nn | Go out to eat some good food! |
| eliasdeeb1 | Cooking for my friends |
| hasrat_mehta | taking a day off to do my favorite things like going to the beach, getting good food, and sleeping in! |
| rosstheboss2 | Playing a multiplayer game with my old coworkers |
| rts.9 | gaming with friends from college and going to gym 🎉 |
| chin_up_doc | Getting good food! Usually Thai! |
| jess_scroggins | I treat myself with a nice meal 😋 |
| _meggaan | Eating wings 🐓 @karen.vargas.p |
| kj_aldaz | Watching funny shows to remember to take breaks and keep laughing! |
kkirk05 | I take a nap then do something non school related! Usually my colleagues and I get together for food or drinks and enjoy talking about anything other than school! We look forward to these moments! |
| cooper.6 | I watch a movie! |
| maitri1399 | I am a huge Harry Potter fan. So I binge watch HP movie series with some popcorn. |
| mm.casillas | Baking something from scratch 🧁 |
| coachpicksix | Good food and a good night of sleep! |
| blakerondon | I cook for my classmates and hang out! It’s been such an amazing experience to get to know them all 🙂 |
| dr.bea.to.be | Treat myself to a good meal 😋 |
| _meggaan | @danna_n_ sleeping in 💤 |
| katie_toperzer | Get a local coffee ☕️ |
| nick_vasil_ | Going out to eat |
| megan11185 | Carry my cat around telling him he’s the “kitty of the day.” 🤣 |
| ohsandra6 | Go on a walk with my dog |
| devonsmith498 | Playing my favorite games on my PC while spending time with my wife. |
| benk4you | Going out to dinner with friends! |
| marty1723 | Ice cream sundae!! |
| luke_horner | Go on a long run |
| courtneykleindl | I take a break from studying! |
| _emilame_ | Treat myself to some boba!! |
| ahmaad9e | spending time with family and friends |