3 answers
1
Question
Updated
399 views
Usually doctors go to school for over 8 years after high school, how did you find the motivation to keep showing up to school for years? How did you avoid/manage the burnout?
In the future, I want to be a dentist, or something else in the medical field like an anesthesiologist.
Login to comment
3 answers
Updated
Madison’s Answer
You are SO right that medical school/residency/even fellowship is LONG and can be really hard. If this is what you want to pursue more than any other career than it is worth it. If you are not fully in it or have doubts it is always ok to do something else, even something else within healthcare. It is also still always ok to change your mind (many people do even after medical school/residency). In order to get through the studying, you need to try out different study techniques, ideally in college, and see what works for you and what doesn't. If you find a method that works, stick with it, see if you can apply it to more than one course. If you are struggling ASK FOR HELP and ask early on. Never be afraid to admit you want/need help or advice or that you have doubts and need to talk it out. Talk to classmates/friends/family. GET SUPPORT, set up a support system early on and lean on them when you need them!
Remember why you started! Remember the excitement of your first day, of your first patient, your first surgery. That will always keep you going! And make time for yourself and your life outside of school and work always! Save the notes patients give you, those will always brighten any hard day!!
Remember, you do not HAVE to be a doctor. There are so many other amazing careers and no one has to do this everyday for years and years other than you.
Hope this helps,
Madison
Remember why you started! Remember the excitement of your first day, of your first patient, your first surgery. That will always keep you going! And make time for yourself and your life outside of school and work always! Save the notes patients give you, those will always brighten any hard day!!
Remember, you do not HAVE to be a doctor. There are so many other amazing careers and no one has to do this everyday for years and years other than you.
Hope this helps,
Madison
Updated
Alejandro’s Answer
That’s true — the academic path in dentistry is long, but for me, it has never been just about completing years of study; it’s been about moving toward a deeper purpose. From early on, I understood how much a healthy smile can impact someone’s life, so each stage of training — from theory to clinical practice and research — became an opportunity to grow and get closer to that goal.
My motivation came from curiosity and from my desire to integrate different fields such as periodontics, implantology, and prosthetic. I’m constantly inspired by how technology can enhance precision, diagnosis, and patient care.
As for avoiding burnout, I learned to recognize my limits and maintain balance. Spending time with my wife, enjoying fishing , and keeping personal space outside the academic environment helped me stay grounded and motivated. I believe sustained passion comes from combining discipline, purpose, and personal well-being.
My motivation came from curiosity and from my desire to integrate different fields such as periodontics, implantology, and prosthetic. I’m constantly inspired by how technology can enhance precision, diagnosis, and patient care.
As for avoiding burnout, I learned to recognize my limits and maintain balance. Spending time with my wife, enjoying fishing , and keeping personal space outside the academic environment helped me stay grounded and motivated. I believe sustained passion comes from combining discipline, purpose, and personal well-being.
Updated
Romina’s Answer
Hi Sarah!
My story is quite unusual. In fact, just like you , I couldn't stand the idea of studying such a long professional career right after graduating from high school, so i took a wrong decision and spent 4 years studying design, it was a short career and didn't require much effort. The problem was that the consequences from avoiding what i really wanted for my professional life became even harder. I became very depressed, and had to quit design school. It was a lost of time, money and mental health, so my advice for you is don't enter dental or medical school just after graduating from high school. You can take a couple of years working in a related job, or getting ready to face your professional future. This will make your lack of motivation and fears fade away, and you'll be able to follow your professional challenge successfully and motivated.
My story is quite unusual. In fact, just like you , I couldn't stand the idea of studying such a long professional career right after graduating from high school, so i took a wrong decision and spent 4 years studying design, it was a short career and didn't require much effort. The problem was that the consequences from avoiding what i really wanted for my professional life became even harder. I became very depressed, and had to quit design school. It was a lost of time, money and mental health, so my advice for you is don't enter dental or medical school just after graduating from high school. You can take a couple of years working in a related job, or getting ready to face your professional future. This will make your lack of motivation and fears fade away, and you'll be able to follow your professional challenge successfully and motivated.