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What should I learn about people now in high school to help me succeed in the field of surgery later in life?
Should I learn to always let people be right, or should I learn to listen to their opinions even if I don't agree with it?
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Franny’s Answer
Hi Ashlee,
It's fantastic that you have such a clear goal while still in high school. To become a successful surgeon, it's important to develop both strong academic and people skills early on.
Here are some key skills to focus on:
1. Communicate Clearly
Surgeons talk more than they operate. They need to:
- Explain complex medical issues in simple language
- Comfort scared or emotional patients
- Work well with nurses, doctors, and families
- Lead teams in high-pressure situations
Try joining debate, public speaking, theater, or student leadership activities to practice these skills.
2. Develop Empathy
Great surgeons understand their patients' emotional struggles, not just their medical issues. Practice:
- Listening without interrupting
- Seeing things from different perspectives
- Showing compassion, even when people are upset
Consider volunteering at hospitals, nursing homes, or community centers.
3. Understand Human Behavior
People often don't make logical decisions when scared. A good surgeon learns:
- Why people resist advice
- How stress affects behavior
- Family reactions to medical crises
- Building trust quickly
Taking psychology classes and observing different reactions can help.
4. Work With All Types of Personalities
You'll interact with many people, like nurses, anesthesiologists, and patients. Not everyone communicates the same way. Get involved in team sports, clubs, or part-time jobs to gain experience.
5. Be Open to Feedback
Top surgeons are always learning. They accept criticism without getting defensive. Practice:
- Asking how to improve
- Listening to feedback
- Admitting mistakes and learning from them
6. Build Emotional Resilience
Surgery is rewarding but can be stressful. Learn to:
- Manage stress
- Stay calm under pressure
- Recover from setbacks
- Keep going when things are tough
7. Develop Leadership Skills
Surgeons often lead teams. Leadership involves:
- Making decisions in uncertain situations
- Staying calm in emergencies
- Taking responsibility
- Helping the team succeed
Seek leadership roles in clubs, sports, or volunteer activities.
Academics are Important Too
Focus on subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, math, and English, which is crucial for communication and critical thinking.
One Last Tip
Many students focus only on science grades, but the best surgeons are also:
- Kind
- Curious
- Humble
- Dependable
- Great communicators
If you're in high school, spend as much time learning about people as you do on science. Technical skills can be taught later, but connecting with people is what makes a good surgeon exceptional.
It's fantastic that you have such a clear goal while still in high school. To become a successful surgeon, it's important to develop both strong academic and people skills early on.
Here are some key skills to focus on:
1. Communicate Clearly
Surgeons talk more than they operate. They need to:
- Explain complex medical issues in simple language
- Comfort scared or emotional patients
- Work well with nurses, doctors, and families
- Lead teams in high-pressure situations
Try joining debate, public speaking, theater, or student leadership activities to practice these skills.
2. Develop Empathy
Great surgeons understand their patients' emotional struggles, not just their medical issues. Practice:
- Listening without interrupting
- Seeing things from different perspectives
- Showing compassion, even when people are upset
Consider volunteering at hospitals, nursing homes, or community centers.
3. Understand Human Behavior
People often don't make logical decisions when scared. A good surgeon learns:
- Why people resist advice
- How stress affects behavior
- Family reactions to medical crises
- Building trust quickly
Taking psychology classes and observing different reactions can help.
4. Work With All Types of Personalities
You'll interact with many people, like nurses, anesthesiologists, and patients. Not everyone communicates the same way. Get involved in team sports, clubs, or part-time jobs to gain experience.
5. Be Open to Feedback
Top surgeons are always learning. They accept criticism without getting defensive. Practice:
- Asking how to improve
- Listening to feedback
- Admitting mistakes and learning from them
6. Build Emotional Resilience
Surgery is rewarding but can be stressful. Learn to:
- Manage stress
- Stay calm under pressure
- Recover from setbacks
- Keep going when things are tough
7. Develop Leadership Skills
Surgeons often lead teams. Leadership involves:
- Making decisions in uncertain situations
- Staying calm in emergencies
- Taking responsibility
- Helping the team succeed
Seek leadership roles in clubs, sports, or volunteer activities.
Academics are Important Too
Focus on subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, math, and English, which is crucial for communication and critical thinking.
One Last Tip
Many students focus only on science grades, but the best surgeons are also:
- Kind
- Curious
- Humble
- Dependable
- Great communicators
If you're in high school, spend as much time learning about people as you do on science. Technical skills can be taught later, but connecting with people is what makes a good surgeon exceptional.