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Did you ever feel discouraged during medical school? If so, when and how did you overcome it?
#medicine #healthcare #school #college #medical-school
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6 answers
Updated
Reba’s Answer
Hi Savannah,
I am glad to help you if I can. It is not really my academic area, but I will give you what I can suggest.
I have never attended medical school, but I am in a Ph.D program and yes I did feel discouraged.
I first I found a mentoring group on FB or on Meetup. I also found videos on Youtube or others in the program and reached out to them on Twitter and they responded and a gave me survival tips.
I also took a day that I did a fun thing like dance class, etc where my mind had a complete rest from school.
What things are you feeling discouraged about?
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Medic.Students/
FB:https://www.facebook.com/MedicalStudentsCommunity/
I am glad to help you if I can. It is not really my academic area, but I will give you what I can suggest.
I have never attended medical school, but I am in a Ph.D program and yes I did feel discouraged.
I first I found a mentoring group on FB or on Meetup. I also found videos on Youtube or others in the program and reached out to them on Twitter and they responded and a gave me survival tips.
I also took a day that I did a fun thing like dance class, etc where my mind had a complete rest from school.
What things are you feeling discouraged about?
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Medic.Students/
FB:https://www.facebook.com/MedicalStudentsCommunity/
Updated
Madison’s Answer
Many students struggle in medical school and all for a variety of reasons. Some struggle academically, some socially, some with work/life balance, some with the financial aspects, some with the pressure of it all. Overall, with whatever your are personally struggling with, TALK to someone. Talk to classmates you trust, talk to a mentor or professor at your school who you click with, talk to family/friends/therapist. Remind yourself WHY you wanted to be a doctor and why this is worth it to you. Take time for yourself and the things outside of school/work that make you happy in life and do those things!! Remember you're a person too and not just a med student/doctor and your feelings matter! The match can be very intimidating and that is normal for EVERYONE, remember you are NOT alone in that! Everyone was nervous about the match and that is ok, it is a big scary thing that will change your life and you dont fully have control over. One thing that helped ease my mind with the match was knowing that 100 % regardless of the outcome I knew I had put 200% my very personal best on that application and I didn't have any regrets on things I wished I wouldve done better and I think that really helped to encourage me and get me through that part of the process.
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Medical School is very challenging. There is a huge volume of information to learn, the classes are demanding, and once you get into clinicals the hours are very different from what you are used to.
Just about every medical student will have challenges as some point, either with a particular class or with a rotation.
The most important things to help get you through are the following.
1. Pick a hobby (just 1) and continue it through medical school. Having something to do for a few hours a week will help you remain balanced. Recognize that you may have less time for it at certain times, but having a way to relieve stress is important.
2. Talk to your co students about struggles. It may appear that everyone has it together, but everyone struggles at some point. Recognizing this and asking others for help is huge and something you will need to rely on through your career.
3. If you are having a particularly hard time, access resources through your school. Medical schools want their students to be successful and have resources in place to help. Tutors, mental health experts, and simply other students who have been there before you.
Just about every medical student will have challenges as some point, either with a particular class or with a rotation.
The most important things to help get you through are the following.
1. Pick a hobby (just 1) and continue it through medical school. Having something to do for a few hours a week will help you remain balanced. Recognize that you may have less time for it at certain times, but having a way to relieve stress is important.
2. Talk to your co students about struggles. It may appear that everyone has it together, but everyone struggles at some point. Recognizing this and asking others for help is huge and something you will need to rely on through your career.
3. If you are having a particularly hard time, access resources through your school. Medical schools want their students to be successful and have resources in place to help. Tutors, mental health experts, and simply other students who have been there before you.
Updated
Nivetha’s Answer
Even though this is not my area I can give some suggestions based on experience my friends had. Being in a medical school is always a challenging task to overcome and is never easy. If you feel discouraged about getting stressed all the time try to focus your mind on other things like your favourite hobby. Always remember you might not be the only one going through this phase. Find people and discuss about how you feel when you are low. Talk to your friends and family whenever you are feeling low. Get time management tips from your seniors. Healthy eating habits and sleeping will help feel you energetic when you are burned out. Always remember your end goal and keep going.
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Richard’s Answer
Time management is key. Between lecture, lab and studying, the first 2 years will be grueling. Make sure to leave time for yourself to exercise, eat right and even some socializing.
There will be times during 3rd and 4th year when you will be frustrated by your continued lack of skills and knowledge but just remember that there will be plenty of time to master your specialty during residency.
I take inspiration from the story of the failed Antarctic exploration by polar explorer Ernest Shackleton and his crew as told in the book “Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage.” Understanding their ability to overcome the incredible hardships and survive teaches me that humans can accomplish anything
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Krystal’s Answer
I went through 4 years of nursing school and absolutely there were times when I felt discouraged and down. But you have to look at the macro picture here. Nothing in this world worth having, comes easy. At those times you must remain focused and remember that YOU CAN DO THIS!! Form study groups with classmates. Share the load with other classmates in order to lighten yours. Share ideas about how to remember and memorize all this anatomy terms and kick this degrees butt!! GOOD LUCK!!