My journey through medical school, thoughts on medicine, ethics, specialties, pre-med perils, and advice for those who want to do the same.
“"Virus" is a Latin word used by doctors to mean, "Your guess is as good as mine”
"The difference between an itch and an allergy is about one hundred bucks."
"A patient going to a doctor for his first visit was asked, ''And whom did you consult before coming to me?'' ''Only the village druggist,'' was the answer. ''And what sort of foolish advice did that numbskull give you?'' asked the doctor, his tone and manner denoting his contempt for the advice of the layman. ''Oh,'' replied his patient, with no malice aforethought, ''he told me to come and see you.''"
"He's the best physician that knows the worthlessness of the most medicines" Benjamin Franklin
A man speaks frantically into the phone, "My wife is pregnant, and her contractions are only two minutes apart!"
"Is this her first child?" the doctor queries.
"No, you idiot!" the man shouts. "This is her husband!"
Rejoice that you're not a premed?
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're definitely not alone with that feeling though! Just take things one step at a time I suppose... although I don't how well that advice works when you're in medical school and there's too much studying to do to take things one step at a time. Oh well. You're smart, you'll make it!
ReplyDeleteHeh.... in third year, they hold your head underwater and see how well you can drink then!(or so the analogy contiues). Fourth year you do it to others. ;-)
ReplyDeleteGood luck in your studies, and remember it does suck less as you progress.
I completely understand. Remember, *lots* of people feel the same way. Don't give up and don't give in, because at the end of the day, P=MD. You will be a doctor, and a great one.
ReplyDeleteKeep on keeping on, experiement with routines etc
ReplyDeleteAs a med student on an accelerated course in the UK, I feel you on this. I'm doing the first two years in one - which means the main course people are always much better prepared and relaxed. I have no routine other than panic. Urgh, I'm assuming next year is easier and I'll have a life again!
ACCELERATED med school? Do you have a death wish? I can't imagine. Seriously. I can't.
ReplyDeleteFor what it counts, I think you are going to make a great physician.
ReplyDeleteThanks doll. It counts. Believe me.
ReplyDeleteA lot of us second years feel this way. You're not alone! So long as you pass everything (and it doesn't even have to be on the first try!), you're good to go. :)
ReplyDeleteI am an MSII and can totally relate. All of my friends can totally relate, too. We are also freaking out about boards because we do not get dedicated time in May or June to solely study for Step I. Eeegads...it is going to be a long spring! Hang in there:)
ReplyDeleteI'm not one for cheesy quotes, but...
ReplyDeleteWhen you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
I think you'll b ok ella. I'm only a 1st year, so i can't say this from personal experience, but i know ppl in upper years... they all say this.
ReplyDeleteI also don't like cheesy quotations, but, for your thoughts, Calvin Coolidge said, "Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not... genius will not...education alone will not...persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." So, press on.
I'm drowning a little in 1st year, but i'm hoping to get better at time management eventually. I hope.
Oh, and in relation to the UK med student, I have a sneaking suspicion that she is in a 5 or 6 yr program (usually the MBBS lasts this long) which is by nature a little less compressed since they often get into med school right after high school (A levels there), but some graduate programs do also last 5 years. So she's probably now down to about 4 or 5 years now that she's compressed her schedule. But of course, she'd have to confirm this (i may be waaaaaay off base).
Good luck. =)
nik
and i'm done! after reading through your entire blog intermittently for a month, i must say i am very impressed with the person you are and the doctor you will become.
ReplyDeletethanks for providing all this great insight. i can't imagine all of the pre-meds you have inspired/motivated thus far.
As far as actually getting a plan together for studying, sometimes I think it's a good idea to take a few minutes, and pretend that you're giving advice to someone else. It really changes your sense of panic about it. Then just start going for it. You always express so much confidence in your readers' ability to conquer their med school/premed challenges -- maybe just think of yourself as one of them!
ReplyDeleteMy biggest frustration is when I spend about an hour freaking out that I won't have enough time to get it all done, which is clearly a waste of time. Ahh.
M1
Thanks everybody! I'm trying! And thanks for reading my blog!
ReplyDeleteYou will be fine.... You are probably just exhausted. You have come this far.. don't doubt yourself. I spoke with you over the summer regarding my son... remember??? He just got an interview (in January) for a dual admission program. We'll see.....
ReplyDeleteHey Nik
ReplyDeleteI'm on a four year course straight for students with a previous degree. There are about ten UK courses that do this, for science and non-science graduates (like this course http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/gem/index.aspx, Oxbridge, some London schools)
So I'll do one year at university, then three years in clinical rotations, and then be a junior doc. And maybe sleep at some point...ah sleep...