In the next week or so, the latest crop of med school grads will pour into hospitals around the country to start their medical residencies, the grueling training programs that teach newly minted docs the real-world skills they'll need to practice medicine.

Work hours are now limited to 80 hours per week for residents, but the programs are still tough -- especially during the first year, when the learning curve can feel more like a brick wall.

The Health Blog wanted to do its part in helping new residents ease into things. So we got on the phone with Sean Glasgow, who just last week finished his surgical residency at Barnes Jewish Hospital at Washington University in St. Louis. Not only did Glasgow (pictured) complete a prestigious program in an especially demanding field, he also spent the past six months as chief resident.

Here are a few tips he had for incoming residents in all fields:

Don't make any big decisions during the first year. "Don't buy a pet, don't move, don't think you're going to hate your career. The first year can be grueling. Life does get better."