5 answers
Julia
Student
Itasca, Illinois
1
Question
Asked
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What are specific sacrifices that pre-med or medical students often underestimate?
Hi there! I am in 12th grade, and I'm planning to pursue medical school after earning a degree in neuroscience. I'm aware of the time, debt, and sacrifice that come with this path, but I'm trying to get a realistic and holistic understanding of what this field truly demands. Receiving honest advice and insight from an expert with real experience would be beyond valuable to my future decisions, especially now, as I begin to carve out my future.
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5 answers
Keith Peevy
Physician—neonatologist
16
Answers
Mobile, Alabama
Updated
Keith’s Answer
When I was on the admissions commit my medical school during my faculty years, I cautioned an applicant in her early 30’s that she would be in her 40’s before she practiced medicine. Her response: “Well, I’ve got to be doing something for the next 10 years.”
You will be doing something for the next 10-15 years—you will not give up all of the pleasures of life, but you will sacrifice pleasure (time with friends and family in order to study), sacrifice sleep (studying and then on call in your clinical years), sacrifice traveling when others are more free to do so, sacrifice aspects of relationships (studying when you would rather be with your significant other).
But, if you look upon it as investment in helping others, then the returns on investment are life long.
Don’t do it for income primarily. Do it to serve. And you will have a very fulfilled life.
You will be doing something for the next 10-15 years—you will not give up all of the pleasures of life, but you will sacrifice pleasure (time with friends and family in order to study), sacrifice sleep (studying and then on call in your clinical years), sacrifice traveling when others are more free to do so, sacrifice aspects of relationships (studying when you would rather be with your significant other).
But, if you look upon it as investment in helping others, then the returns on investment are life long.
Don’t do it for income primarily. Do it to serve. And you will have a very fulfilled life.
Thank you so much for your detailed and realistic response! The sacrifices do seem daunting, but rewarding in the long run, as you pointed out. I will keep this in mind as I move forward and possibly pursue a career in medicine. Thanks again for your time :)
Julia
James Hanson
Pediatric Intensive Care Physician; Consultant
157
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
James’s Answer
I agree with Dr. Peevy. The path to becoming a physician is long, and at times arduous compared to most other professions. As a pediatric intensive care physician, I had way too many >24 hours without sleep. Too many major holidays spent with my work colleagues in the hospital instead of at home with my loved ones. Too many missed meals, because the patients needed me. Too many RSVPs in the negative due to my work schedule. However, there is much joy in those long hours. If you enjoy learning, medicine is a fantastic career choice. If you enjoy helping others, medicine is a fantastic career choice. You meet like-minded people along the way that share the good and bad experiences with you, and you form bonds that are very strong. Despite what most people think was far too much work, I have raised a family, traveled the world, contributed to medical knowledge through the research I did, and saved many lives.
I know many people who thought they would become doctors who decided to change their minds along the way (to become nurses, therapists, public health workers...). I also have met many who started out in nursing, respiratory therapy, paramedic work... who decided to become physicians.
I urge you to give it a go - but don't beat yourself up if you decide it isn't the right path for you.
I know many people who thought they would become doctors who decided to change their minds along the way (to become nurses, therapists, public health workers...). I also have met many who started out in nursing, respiratory therapy, paramedic work... who decided to become physicians.
I urge you to give it a go - but don't beat yourself up if you decide it isn't the right path for you.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response! I definitely think the lost time with loved ones that comes with this career is one of the main sacrifices that are often underestimated, so I appreciate the honesty in your response. As someone who would love to travel and have a family one day, I'm glad that you were able to find the time to do so despite your demanding career. Thank you for your kind encouragement and all you do; I appreciate the time you took to respond!
Julia
Payal Patel
Cardiology Fellow
5
Answers
Aurora, Colorado
Updated
Payal’s Answer
Surprisingly, studying in medical school and residency/fellowship is not the most difficult part. It was other parts of life (relationships, mental and physical health, time for family/friends, processing emotional patient experiences) that are challenging to work through.
Know that at some point you will experience burnout and significant stress. Forgive yourself and give yourself permission to take the time and space you need to get to the end goal. Advocate for yourself. If you have free time, try to develop workout routines, learn to cook, learn basic life skills (chores, taxes, investments, etc.) and find activities that make you happy.
Know that at some point you will experience burnout and significant stress. Forgive yourself and give yourself permission to take the time and space you need to get to the end goal. Advocate for yourself. If you have free time, try to develop workout routines, learn to cook, learn basic life skills (chores, taxes, investments, etc.) and find activities that make you happy.
Yasmin Mohamed Alamin
Clinical Nutrition Student
63
Answers
Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
Updated
Yasmin’s Answer
Hi Julia👋🏻...
One thing a lot of pre-med and med students underestimate is how much it affects your everyday life, not just your schedule...
Sure, the long hours, debt, and studying are obvious, but it’s also about missing social events, late nights, and the constant pressure to perform, Friends might go out while you’re studying for the MCAT or exams, and it can feel lonely at times.
Another big sacrifice is mental and emotional energy... You’ll deal with stress, uncertainty, and sometimes really heavy situations during clinical rotations, It takes a lot to stay empathetic while also protecting your own wellbeing.
Time for hobbies, travel, or just “doing nothing” is limited. You learn to prioritize everything carefully, and it forces you to grow disciplined in ways you didn’t expect.
That said, it’s also incredibly rewarding if medicine is your passion...
Helping people, learning constantly, and building a career that truly matters makes the sacrifices worth it.
but it’s important to know it’s not just about hard work... it’s about balance, support, and taking care of yourself along the way
One thing a lot of pre-med and med students underestimate is how much it affects your everyday life, not just your schedule...
Sure, the long hours, debt, and studying are obvious, but it’s also about missing social events, late nights, and the constant pressure to perform, Friends might go out while you’re studying for the MCAT or exams, and it can feel lonely at times.
Another big sacrifice is mental and emotional energy... You’ll deal with stress, uncertainty, and sometimes really heavy situations during clinical rotations, It takes a lot to stay empathetic while also protecting your own wellbeing.
Time for hobbies, travel, or just “doing nothing” is limited. You learn to prioritize everything carefully, and it forces you to grow disciplined in ways you didn’t expect.
That said, it’s also incredibly rewarding if medicine is your passion...
Helping people, learning constantly, and building a career that truly matters makes the sacrifices worth it.
but it’s important to know it’s not just about hard work... it’s about balance, support, and taking care of yourself along the way
Rita Chuang
Physician
253
Answers
Henderson, Nevada
Updated
Rita’s Answer
The sacrifices you make are your time. I would even go further. The sacrifices you make continue after pre-med and medical school. It continues in residency and for the rest of your life.
I ask all the medical school students who rotate with me this question. You have your own private practice and you decide you will be seeing your own patients in the hospital. You have your daughter's basketball practice scheduled after work. You get a call after work that one of your patients is in the hospital. What do you do?
If you see the patient, you will make excuses. It's just a basketball practice, not actually a game. My patients need me. I'll make it up to my child. I'll buy her a nice gift.
It happens again but this time, it's a game. You make another excuse. Well, it's not a play off or an important game. The thing is that you tell your child that your work was more important than your child.
I think medicine is different depending on your field. I was in primary care and it's challenging because you need to know a lot about everything and people come in with more than 1 problem. In fact, they save their problems. They ask to be squeezed in when you already have a busy schedule or they make you feel guilty. "Doctor, I've been your patient for 10 years and I've referred patients to you. When I tried to make an appointment, I could not get in for 5 days." What do you do?
I think you need to know yourself. I'm a people pleaser which was great and I was a better doctor when I first started but then, I was seeing 40 patients a day and going to the hospital. It was easier to squeeze a patient in for a simple problem then to hear them complain for 10 minutes on the phone how their problem is an emergency. I didn't take time off for myself. I worked Saturday and Sunday (not seeing patients) but cleaning all the documents out of my inbox so I wouldn't be so tired on Monday. Slowly, the job consumed me. I sold my practice and retired early. I finally feel free. Know yourself and set boundaries because as one doctor said, "Some patients are vampires." They will continue to consume you and you need to protect yourself otherwise, you will become like me.
Being a doctor is noble and there are a lot of benefits but I tell everyone interested in medicine. You pay the price of becoming a doctor... and so does your family.
I ask all the medical school students who rotate with me this question. You have your own private practice and you decide you will be seeing your own patients in the hospital. You have your daughter's basketball practice scheduled after work. You get a call after work that one of your patients is in the hospital. What do you do?
If you see the patient, you will make excuses. It's just a basketball practice, not actually a game. My patients need me. I'll make it up to my child. I'll buy her a nice gift.
It happens again but this time, it's a game. You make another excuse. Well, it's not a play off or an important game. The thing is that you tell your child that your work was more important than your child.
I think medicine is different depending on your field. I was in primary care and it's challenging because you need to know a lot about everything and people come in with more than 1 problem. In fact, they save their problems. They ask to be squeezed in when you already have a busy schedule or they make you feel guilty. "Doctor, I've been your patient for 10 years and I've referred patients to you. When I tried to make an appointment, I could not get in for 5 days." What do you do?
I think you need to know yourself. I'm a people pleaser which was great and I was a better doctor when I first started but then, I was seeing 40 patients a day and going to the hospital. It was easier to squeeze a patient in for a simple problem then to hear them complain for 10 minutes on the phone how their problem is an emergency. I didn't take time off for myself. I worked Saturday and Sunday (not seeing patients) but cleaning all the documents out of my inbox so I wouldn't be so tired on Monday. Slowly, the job consumed me. I sold my practice and retired early. I finally feel free. Know yourself and set boundaries because as one doctor said, "Some patients are vampires." They will continue to consume you and you need to protect yourself otherwise, you will become like me.
Being a doctor is noble and there are a lot of benefits but I tell everyone interested in medicine. You pay the price of becoming a doctor... and so does your family.