9 answers
Hema
Student
Plymouth, Minnesota
1
Question
Asked
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what is the hardest thing about studying medicine and what advice do you have for students aspiring to be doctors?
i want to be a doctor but my biggest fear is that medical school will be too much for me to handle
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9 answers
Jonathan Wells MD, FAAFP
Family Physician
7
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Jonathan’s Answer
Something that comes to mind for me is "you don't have to if you want to" - medical school and even work post-training can be hard at time but if you know yourself and you know why you are pursuing medicine or something else as a career/profession then you will find ways to make it work.
Functionally, I'd say some of the harder things about medical school training are figuring out how you learn best and working with that to get through what is required as a pre-graduate and graduate student. For me the group settings of lectures were not the best places I learned - for me I learned best reading through the information myself typically in coffee shops so I didn't have the emptiness of a library. It was also figuring out ways to not have my life completely absorbed by medical studies (because life is about more than your training/job).
Functionally, I'd say some of the harder things about medical school training are figuring out how you learn best and working with that to get through what is required as a pre-graduate and graduate student. For me the group settings of lectures were not the best places I learned - for me I learned best reading through the information myself typically in coffee shops so I didn't have the emptiness of a library. It was also figuring out ways to not have my life completely absorbed by medical studies (because life is about more than your training/job).
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6183
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello There Very Important Researcher,
The Hardest Thing About Studying Medicine:
Studying medicine is undoubtedly a challenging and demanding journey that requires dedication, resilience, and hard work. One of the hardest aspects of studying medicine is the sheer volume of information that students are required to learn and retain. Medical school curriculum covers a wide range of subjects from anatomy and physiology to pharmacology and pathology, making it overwhelming for many students.
Furthermore, the pressure to perform well academically while also gaining practical experience through clinical rotations can be daunting. Balancing the rigorous academic demands with clinical responsibilities and personal life can lead to high levels of stress and burnout among medical students.
Another significant challenge in studying medicine is the emotional toll it can take on students. Dealing with human suffering, illness, and death on a daily basis can be emotionally draining and mentally exhausting. Developing the necessary emotional resilience to cope with these challenges is crucial for aspiring doctors.
Advice for Aspiring Doctors:
Stay Committed: Pursuing a career in medicine requires unwavering commitment and dedication. Stay focused on your goals and remind yourself why you chose this path in the first place.
Seek Support: Don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed. Whether it’s seeking academic support from professors or emotional support from friends and family, building a strong support system is essential in navigating the challenges of medical school.
Practice Self-Care: Taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being is crucial in maintaining a healthy balance throughout your medical education. Make time for activities that bring you joy, prioritize self-care practices such as exercise and mindfulness, and seek professional help if you’re struggling with your mental health.
Develop Effective Study Habits: With the vast amount of information you need to learn in medical school, developing effective study habits early on is key to success. Find study techniques that work best for you, stay organized, and create a study schedule that allows for regular breaks and rest.
Stay Curious: Medicine is an ever-evolving field with new research and discoveries constantly emerging. Stay curious, engage in lifelong learning, and remain open to new ideas and perspectives.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Harvard Medical School: Harvard Medical School is one of the leading medical schools globally known for its rigorous curriculum and innovative approach to medical education.
American Medical Association (AMA): The AMA is a prominent professional organization representing physicians in the United States. It provides valuable resources for medical students, residents, and practicing physicians.
The Lancet: The Lancet is a prestigious medical journal publishing cutting-edge research articles, reviews, and commentary on various aspects of medicine and healthcare worldwide.
These sources were instrumental in providing accurate information on the challenges faced by medical students and offering valuable advice for aspiring doctors.
God Bless You > 1,000%!
James Constantine Frangos.
The Hardest Thing About Studying Medicine:
Studying medicine is undoubtedly a challenging and demanding journey that requires dedication, resilience, and hard work. One of the hardest aspects of studying medicine is the sheer volume of information that students are required to learn and retain. Medical school curriculum covers a wide range of subjects from anatomy and physiology to pharmacology and pathology, making it overwhelming for many students.
Furthermore, the pressure to perform well academically while also gaining practical experience through clinical rotations can be daunting. Balancing the rigorous academic demands with clinical responsibilities and personal life can lead to high levels of stress and burnout among medical students.
Another significant challenge in studying medicine is the emotional toll it can take on students. Dealing with human suffering, illness, and death on a daily basis can be emotionally draining and mentally exhausting. Developing the necessary emotional resilience to cope with these challenges is crucial for aspiring doctors.
Advice for Aspiring Doctors:
Stay Committed: Pursuing a career in medicine requires unwavering commitment and dedication. Stay focused on your goals and remind yourself why you chose this path in the first place.
Seek Support: Don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed. Whether it’s seeking academic support from professors or emotional support from friends and family, building a strong support system is essential in navigating the challenges of medical school.
Practice Self-Care: Taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being is crucial in maintaining a healthy balance throughout your medical education. Make time for activities that bring you joy, prioritize self-care practices such as exercise and mindfulness, and seek professional help if you’re struggling with your mental health.
Develop Effective Study Habits: With the vast amount of information you need to learn in medical school, developing effective study habits early on is key to success. Find study techniques that work best for you, stay organized, and create a study schedule that allows for regular breaks and rest.
Stay Curious: Medicine is an ever-evolving field with new research and discoveries constantly emerging. Stay curious, engage in lifelong learning, and remain open to new ideas and perspectives.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Harvard Medical School: Harvard Medical School is one of the leading medical schools globally known for its rigorous curriculum and innovative approach to medical education.
American Medical Association (AMA): The AMA is a prominent professional organization representing physicians in the United States. It provides valuable resources for medical students, residents, and practicing physicians.
The Lancet: The Lancet is a prestigious medical journal publishing cutting-edge research articles, reviews, and commentary on various aspects of medicine and healthcare worldwide.
These sources were instrumental in providing accurate information on the challenges faced by medical students and offering valuable advice for aspiring doctors.
God Bless You > 1,000%!
James Constantine Frangos.
Amalya Sukiasyan
ESOL teacher at Washington English Center
297
Answers
Yerevan
Updated
Amalya’s Answer
Every academic discipline has its challenges. So medicine is not an exception. If you are really interested in the field, just make the necessary efforts, keep going and stay motivated: You will succeed if you believe in your strengths!
All the best.
All the best.
Richeal Makinde
Medical Student
3
Answers
Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
Updated
Richeal’s Answer
Medical school is a wonderful place to be. The role as a human being you would learn to be sympathetic and you will learn to be empathetic. I can assure you that you will be stressed! There will be times when you would question whether medicine is the right fit for you, but at the end of the day, it is up to you to always remind yourself of why you wanted to become a doctor because you will need to do that on a daily basis to keep you going. There will be times when you will feel like quitting or you will feel like it is too difficult and then, the reason why he entered medical school would help you to get you going when he gets tough!
Kess French
Medical Student
109
Answers
Updated
Kess’s Answer
Hello, Hema!
Great question!
Medical school is very challenging. The people who get into medical school are the ones who usually excel in undergrad. There are some exceptions but for the most part, these are the students that find undergrad relatively easy.
Medical school is not like that. It's hard, and stressful, and tbh, kind of terrible. If you do pursue it, the best advice I can give you is to schedule time off to take care of yourself. Don't use every waking moment doing school stuff. Try to take a day off a week or at least half a day.
Great question!
Medical school is very challenging. The people who get into medical school are the ones who usually excel in undergrad. There are some exceptions but for the most part, these are the students that find undergrad relatively easy.
Medical school is not like that. It's hard, and stressful, and tbh, kind of terrible. If you do pursue it, the best advice I can give you is to schedule time off to take care of yourself. Don't use every waking moment doing school stuff. Try to take a day off a week or at least half a day.
Derick Baker
EMT
2
Answers
Columbia
Updated
Derick’s Answer
Medical school in general is tough! It's long and arborious, stressful, frustrating and just down right Brutal. Now the hardest part will that right there is managing it, if you have a good work ethic, keep yourself motivated, believe in enjoying the fun moments and have a can do attitude when it counts and still able to manage it, I don't see why you can't get through it just fine. Remember, school is the easy part in health care.
Mandy Rice
Surgeon
3
Answers
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Updated
Mandy’s Answer
Training to be a doctor is very hard, it's true. But if you are passionate about taking care of people, you work hard at studying, and you have big goals for your life, you can go far in this field.
Scott Adler
Physician (recently retired)
30
Answers
Langhorne, Pennsylvania
Updated
Scott’s Answer
Hello Hema. First of all, aspiring to be a physician is laudable. As an internist, I can tell you it is an extraordinarily rewarding life to lead and though it is a difficult path, it is one worth the effort. Granted it is necessary to be an excellent student but grades are not the only factor in being accepted to medical school. You do not have to choose a specific major though there are some required courses so you can choose a line of study that includes those classes but leaves you other options for your future. If you are accepted, rest assured you will be able to succeed in medical school as you have already passed through a tough gauntlet to get there. There are also many fields related to medicine and by taking a varied course load and studying other areas, you may unexpectedly find fields that interest you even more. Good luck.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6183
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Hema,
The Biggest Challenge in Pursuing Medicine:
Embarking on a medical education journey is indeed an uphill task, demanding unwavering commitment, tenacity, and resilience. The most daunting aspect of this journey is the colossal amount of information that students must absorb and retain. The curriculum of a medical school is extensive, encompassing subjects from anatomy and physiology to pharmacology and pathology. The depth and intricacy of medical knowledge can be intimidating for many students, particularly when coupled with the stress to excel academically.
Additionally, the stringent nature of medical education necessitates long study hours, clinical rotations, and practical exams. Juggling academic obligations with clinical duties and personal life is a formidable challenge for budding doctors. The heavy workload and lofty expectations can trigger stress, burnout, and feelings of incompetence among medical students.
Guidance for Future Doctors:
Stay Organized: Cultivate efficient study habits, formulate a study timetable, and rank tasks to manage your time effectively. Keep abreast of your coursework and clinical duties to prevent lagging behind.
Seek Support: Don't shy away from seeking help when necessary. Be it soliciting advice from professors, forming study circles with classmates, or utilizing mental health resources, having a support network can significantly ease the rigors of medical school.
Practice Self-Care: Prioritizing your physical, mental, and emotional health throughout your medical education is crucial. Allocate time for activities you love, maintain a balanced lifestyle, and strive for equilibrium between your academic endeavors and personal life.
Stay Motivated: Recall the reasons behind your decision to pursue medicine and cling to that passion during tough times. Celebrate your accomplishments, regardless of their size, and stay fixated on your long-term objectives.
Embrace Challenges: Recognize that encountering challenges is an integral part of the learning journey in medicine. Treat hurdles as opportunities for growth and learning rather than insuperable obstacles.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): The AAMC offers valuable resources and insights into medical education, including details on the medical school application process, curriculum framework, and student support services.
American Medical Association (AMA): The AMA provides advice on various facets of medical education and training, as well as resources for aspiring physicians navigating the intricacies of the healthcare system.
Harvard Medical School: As a globally recognized medical institution, Harvard Medical School's publications and research offer credible views on the challenges of medical education and strategies for success in the medical field.
GOD BLESS!
James Constantine.
The Biggest Challenge in Pursuing Medicine:
Embarking on a medical education journey is indeed an uphill task, demanding unwavering commitment, tenacity, and resilience. The most daunting aspect of this journey is the colossal amount of information that students must absorb and retain. The curriculum of a medical school is extensive, encompassing subjects from anatomy and physiology to pharmacology and pathology. The depth and intricacy of medical knowledge can be intimidating for many students, particularly when coupled with the stress to excel academically.
Additionally, the stringent nature of medical education necessitates long study hours, clinical rotations, and practical exams. Juggling academic obligations with clinical duties and personal life is a formidable challenge for budding doctors. The heavy workload and lofty expectations can trigger stress, burnout, and feelings of incompetence among medical students.
Guidance for Future Doctors:
Stay Organized: Cultivate efficient study habits, formulate a study timetable, and rank tasks to manage your time effectively. Keep abreast of your coursework and clinical duties to prevent lagging behind.
Seek Support: Don't shy away from seeking help when necessary. Be it soliciting advice from professors, forming study circles with classmates, or utilizing mental health resources, having a support network can significantly ease the rigors of medical school.
Practice Self-Care: Prioritizing your physical, mental, and emotional health throughout your medical education is crucial. Allocate time for activities you love, maintain a balanced lifestyle, and strive for equilibrium between your academic endeavors and personal life.
Stay Motivated: Recall the reasons behind your decision to pursue medicine and cling to that passion during tough times. Celebrate your accomplishments, regardless of their size, and stay fixated on your long-term objectives.
Embrace Challenges: Recognize that encountering challenges is an integral part of the learning journey in medicine. Treat hurdles as opportunities for growth and learning rather than insuperable obstacles.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC): The AAMC offers valuable resources and insights into medical education, including details on the medical school application process, curriculum framework, and student support services.
American Medical Association (AMA): The AMA provides advice on various facets of medical education and training, as well as resources for aspiring physicians navigating the intricacies of the healthcare system.
Harvard Medical School: As a globally recognized medical institution, Harvard Medical School's publications and research offer credible views on the challenges of medical education and strategies for success in the medical field.
GOD BLESS!
James Constantine.