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Is it hard being a doctor?
Hello! I'm Ms. Stoelinga at the International Community School. My 2nd graders have a few questions and I'd like to share your advice with them. Thanks in advance!
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John’s Answer
There are many ways to answer this question. I think all of them really require an understanding as to how we define "hard". Is the path to being a doctor hard? To get into medical school or an osteopathic school, it is important to have good grades in college, which also requires good grades in high school. Good grades are not the the only factor, as I believe a well-balanced person in any profession will have more success than somebody who just keeps their nose in the books. The schooling does require long hours and difficult work, but depending on your motivation, if you dream of being a doctor, you are working towards a goal in that type of work never feels hard. If you are somebody who loves science and loves learning, then it really feels like busy work and not hard work.
Once you have reached the goal of becoming a doctor, you are part of a rewarding career that gives you an opportunity to connect with people and become part of their lives. What makes this hard is sometimes having to let families know bad news. There are sometimes difficult life and death discussions which do make the job hard. A lot of medical professionals choose their path because they care about people and want the opportunity to keep them healthy. It is sometimes difficult when that is not possible.
The hardest part in my opinion of being a doctor is balancing time. I think you would learn a lot about balancing time through the busy work of medical school and college, while you are trying to balance a social life and may be even a job to help support the cost of your education. Sometimes being a doctor requires long hours at work, meetings, a lot of time behind a computer writing your notes, and this all has to be balanced and taking care of yourself and making sure that you get home to your family. Time management can be the hardest part and not letting the job define who you are as a person.
Once you have reached the goal of becoming a doctor, you are part of a rewarding career that gives you an opportunity to connect with people and become part of their lives. What makes this hard is sometimes having to let families know bad news. There are sometimes difficult life and death discussions which do make the job hard. A lot of medical professionals choose their path because they care about people and want the opportunity to keep them healthy. It is sometimes difficult when that is not possible.
The hardest part in my opinion of being a doctor is balancing time. I think you would learn a lot about balancing time through the busy work of medical school and college, while you are trying to balance a social life and may be even a job to help support the cost of your education. Sometimes being a doctor requires long hours at work, meetings, a lot of time behind a computer writing your notes, and this all has to be balanced and taking care of yourself and making sure that you get home to your family. Time management can be the hardest part and not letting the job define who you are as a person.
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John’s Answer
I have relatives that are doctors and it is very difficult but also very rewarding. It takes at least 7 years of college and med school and then a doctor has to work at a hospital for at least one year before they have completed their education and can start seeing patients. My relatives tell me it is difficult but very very rewarding once they became Doctors.
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Yasemin’s Answer
Hi Ms. Stoelinga! I have two siblings, one who is about to finish medical school and one who is a resident with me on the path as well! It is very hard but extremely rewarding! Even as a premed student you have experiences that really make you love the field and motivate you further. It's hard work, perseverance, discipline and at times sacrifice like missing out on family events to study, but in the end it's an amazing field!
Best of luck to your 2nd graders!
Best of luck to your 2nd graders!