3 answers
Afifa
Student
Beaumont, Texas
1
Question
Updated
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What was your hardest challenge in medical school, and what advice could you give to future doctors to help overcome this hardship?
I am a high school senior hoping to get admitted into medical school after college. I dream of getting into residency and specializing as a type of physician, but I am unsure what physician yet. I know medical school is very intense and content-heavy, and I wanted to know what those who have been through medical school did to overcome the most difficult part of that education. Thank you for your guidance.
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3 answers
James Hanson
Pediatric Intensive Care Physician; Consultant
160
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
James’s Answer
Although rigorous, I don't think medical school is much harder than college. I would say that getting through it well you should be sure to care for yourself (sleep, nutrition, exercise...) and create a friend network. I enjoyed studying together, sharing the trials, tribulations, joys, and challenges with a good set of friends - none of whom I knew when I started medical school.
Pace yourself. Don't try to cram at the last minute.
My challenges included
- leaving home and family - for this, you are fortunate to have Zoom, free long-distance, and ways to communicate without sending letters.
- overnight shifts on clinical rotations - a reason to sleep well when you can. I became an expert at napping!
- life emergencies - it's OK to take care of these, even if it means you may have a lower grade on something
- money - I had very little, and like most people I had to borrow an uncomfortable amount and live in inexpensive housing with home-made furniture. I made healthy, but inexpensive casseroles, and divided those into meal-sized bits I could pull out for lunches and dinners.
It is worth the hardships. The value one provides as a physician is priceless, and gives one pride and satisfaction.
Pace yourself. Don't try to cram at the last minute.
My challenges included
- leaving home and family - for this, you are fortunate to have Zoom, free long-distance, and ways to communicate without sending letters.
- overnight shifts on clinical rotations - a reason to sleep well when you can. I became an expert at napping!
- life emergencies - it's OK to take care of these, even if it means you may have a lower grade on something
- money - I had very little, and like most people I had to borrow an uncomfortable amount and live in inexpensive housing with home-made furniture. I made healthy, but inexpensive casseroles, and divided those into meal-sized bits I could pull out for lunches and dinners.
It is worth the hardships. The value one provides as a physician is priceless, and gives one pride and satisfaction.
Thank you for your advice! I've been really focused on the educational aspects of medical school and planning on how to build my resume. But your reply is a strong reminder that there is still so much more to life than my job. You are right, I need to make time for family and my health. Thank you again for your kind words. I hope you continue what you do for many more years to come! Have a wonderful day.
Afifa
Ashraf Ghaly
Physician
3
Answers
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Ashraf’s Answer
It would take you around 7-10 years to have a decent salary to start your life, unlike most of other studies which take maximum 5 years, so I can easily say that you should come from a family that will support you for 10 years or have the courage and feel its your life purpose.
Studying medicine is amusing as the human body is a fascinating and treating people gives me ultimate happiness, but on the other hand, be prepared to Sleep less, study for hours, have mental breakdowns , feeling lonely, and dealing with work stress as a habit.
If you feel as someone who would pursue this career, always bear in mind the journey of long years before you start feeling financially independent.
College and studying is probably the easier part, the work life balance when you start your residency is the biggest challenge, highly recommend to have a hobby or a 2nd source of income early in college years to make sure you have a safety net if you decided one day you don't want to be a doctor anymore.
Eventually, it depends entirely on you as a person, I have friends who can't imagine themselves in any other profession and love it, while few friends decided to pursue entrepreneurship and no longer practicing. All depend on your personality.
Bottom line, if you're not willing financially and spiritually, to invest in the process that would take 10 years at least, it won't be the best option for you.
Studying medicine is amusing as the human body is a fascinating and treating people gives me ultimate happiness, but on the other hand, be prepared to Sleep less, study for hours, have mental breakdowns , feeling lonely, and dealing with work stress as a habit.
If you feel as someone who would pursue this career, always bear in mind the journey of long years before you start feeling financially independent.
College and studying is probably the easier part, the work life balance when you start your residency is the biggest challenge, highly recommend to have a hobby or a 2nd source of income early in college years to make sure you have a safety net if you decided one day you don't want to be a doctor anymore.
Eventually, it depends entirely on you as a person, I have friends who can't imagine themselves in any other profession and love it, while few friends decided to pursue entrepreneurship and no longer practicing. All depend on your personality.
Bottom line, if you're not willing financially and spiritually, to invest in the process that would take 10 years at least, it won't be the best option for you.
Madison Buchman
doctor
160
Answers
West Hartford
Updated
Madison’s Answer
First: I love that you acknowledge that there WILL be challenges. Whether it is the amount of study material/time frame to learn it in, competitiveness of classmates/residency applications. Medical school is hard and it is good to go into it knowing and understanding that BUT preparing the best you can for HOW can YOU mitigate/manage that! Think about your current study techniques: what has/is working for you and what hasn't. If you can, try out or look into new study ideas/techniques if you don't have one set in stone that consistently provides you the grades you desire. Don't be scared to ask for help and ask for help early on!! Remember, people at your medical school (and in college) WANT to see you reach this goal if this is what you desire.
Don’t spread yourself thin! Plan ahead with all activities, studying, goals and in that plan give yourself time every day for self care/sleep/health/friendships/family. 100% you must work in time for yourself or you won’t succeed! If you plan ahead then you can have free time!
Also when you’re studying put any distractions away!! I always committed to sitting ALONE when studying because I knew I would easily be distracted by others. Unless there was something urgent, I put my phone away or on silent. I let people know from this hour to this hour I will be studying and I will call/get back to you when I'm done etc.
For me, one of the hardest parts of medical school was the class mate competitiveness. You will suddenly be in a world where EVERYONE is smart and has great goals/resumes. People will try and talk you into studying or doing things for your resume that worked for them. Remember they are NOT you and what works for others may not work for you. Always be willing to help out others/classmates when and where you can and work together of course, but when you need to, take time to just focus on YOU and YOUR personal goals/resume/timelines. Try your very best NOT to compare yourself to others. You earned your spot in medical school just like they did.
Hope this helps,
Madison
Don’t spread yourself thin! Plan ahead with all activities, studying, goals and in that plan give yourself time every day for self care/sleep/health/friendships/family. 100% you must work in time for yourself or you won’t succeed! If you plan ahead then you can have free time!
Also when you’re studying put any distractions away!! I always committed to sitting ALONE when studying because I knew I would easily be distracted by others. Unless there was something urgent, I put my phone away or on silent. I let people know from this hour to this hour I will be studying and I will call/get back to you when I'm done etc.
For me, one of the hardest parts of medical school was the class mate competitiveness. You will suddenly be in a world where EVERYONE is smart and has great goals/resumes. People will try and talk you into studying or doing things for your resume that worked for them. Remember they are NOT you and what works for others may not work for you. Always be willing to help out others/classmates when and where you can and work together of course, but when you need to, take time to just focus on YOU and YOUR personal goals/resume/timelines. Try your very best NOT to compare yourself to others. You earned your spot in medical school just like they did.
Hope this helps,
Madison