2. You finally get to study things that are 100% relevant to your interests. You don´t have to study horrible science classes with no clinical applications, no survey classes that are way below your intellectual capabilities and are in no way able to keep your interest, no fluff BS classes like "Introduction to Liberal Arts", and no suffering through painfully boring lectures that a hold absolutely no relevance to your career goals. Even BIOCHEM in med school is wonderful. I promise.
3. People start telling you that you're smart. - Which may not seem like a big deal, but it's an interesting phenomenon. I don't ever particularly remember feeling as though people thought I was an idiot... but I do remember always feeling the need to demonstrate that I was capable. Before, it always seemed like professors and advisors were a little (or a lot) on the discouraging/skeptical side. If I had an idea, question, or whatever I was usually faced with 762 reasons why my idea was ridiculous or not possible. In med school your professors LISTEN to you.... and they seem genuinely happy and excited to answer your questions. And when you have a new idea, they say "I don't know, try it!". It's amazing! It's as if I've entered into this whole world where I am suddenly considered credible and capable. It's pretty damn nice, actually.
4. You're one of the "Good Guys" - You're going to be a doctor, and for all intents and purposes that's the same as actually being a doctor for most people... and you are suddenly a "good guy". "Good Guys" are few and far between. Firefighters are good guys. Lawyers, not so much.. The definition of a "good guy" is someone that everyone generally assumes to be benevolent, trustworthy, well intentioned... and who is welcome in nearly every society in the world. As long as you conduct yourself appropriately, your title as a physician... as a healer... automatically gives you privileges that other people have to earn over time. For instance, people listen to you, respect what you say, and will let you see them naked within 5 minutes of knowing them. Not to say that you can't screw up your identity as a "good guy"... because many doctors do. But your default starting position in mainstream society is as a "good guy". If you keep your reputation solid, it's like having a golden ticket at Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.
5. Your family starts calling you for medical advice - For which, you can say something innocuous like "I think you have a virus"... then charge them $220 bucks! (Just Kidding!)
Unless your medical school is a lot better than mine was probably your lectures only contain about 50 to 70% useful information for what you'll actually do as a doctor.
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way, those liberal arts classes may be some of the most important ones you took. Remember that the practice of medicine is more art than science and understanding human nature is more important than understanding human physiology.
Good to have you back Ella. You are blogging up a storm today! You are a natural blogger and the world would be a sad place without your words.
haha, Aye Aye ma'am. Agree to your Reasons!
ReplyDeleteActually I used to feel awkward when family called me for medical advise. I mean I was just a second year medico, hardly knowing anything much back then. So I used to find it tricky dodging them towards qualified docs.
Lol.
luved ur blog :)
I was going to burst your bubble about every single one of the things you mentioned as "good" about being in med school..... but I said to myself, "Why not let her enjoy it while she can?"
ReplyDeleteHopefully you'll still feel that way at the end of your clerkships. I mean, I have LOVED med school and am tremendously happy I went, but I can say that feeling stupid is pretty much an every day occurrence for me, not everything you learn is important OR relevant, I still go through #1, and btw -- the public hates doctors.