I am a non-trad, finished MS1 back in May. My background: I just turned 28, unmarried, no children. I made 2 very big moves, worked for 5 years, and completed my M.S. before starting med school. Not only was this my first year of medical school, but it was also my first year as a homeowner and landlord. My take on MS1 as a non-trad:
My overall "report" on the year: Manageable. With the exception of Anatomy and Neuro, there weren't any subjects that I hadn't at least approached in a a basic form in grad school. Still, that doesn't mean it was easy, by any stretch of the imagination. Oddly enough, I ended up enjoying histo and embryology (it seems like everyone else detested these subjects), parts of CMB, and renal physiology the most. That being said, nothing about first year was easy. Meaning: you have to work very hard and make some sacrifices to do well. But, if you work hard, and really understand the material, you can be right up there with your young, fresh, brilliant classmates from Harvard and Cornell.
The worst part about this year, for me, was adapting to a new city where I didn't know a soul, a new neighborhood that, frankly, made me feel very unsafe, and learning how to take care of a house that just didn't want to cooperate. I had a couple of meltdowns this year that revolved around house and car issues - but I am proud to say that (so far) I have not blown a fuse over med school.
Going on rounds or sitting in on a case presentation, and actually understanding some of what was being said.
Getting home the night after an exam, to realize that you have to get up and go to class and small group the very next day. No break, no sick day, no day off, nothing.
Has it been what you expected, or have there been surprises (good or bad)?
Here is where I will comment on the younger generation. I came to medical school, still in the mindset that I am in my "early-to-mid-twenties." Sadly, no matter how hard I try, there is a mountain of difference between myself and my 22-year old classmates who just graduated from UG. Their hangovers last a couple of hours. Mine last 2 days. They have the stamina to pull all-nighter after all-nighter, and still go out Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. I need my 7 hours of sleep a night, and I'm lucky if I make it out both weekend nights. Still, I try to party like a rock star once in a blue moon, while I'm still young, because I know I will miss it terribly once these days are over.
I must also say that I have been pleasantly surprised by the maturity level of many of my younger classmates. I'd say that the vast majority of them are capable of being very professional individuals.
There is also (at my school) a wealth of non-traditional students. People who, upon first glance, appear to be 23 and fresh out of college, but who actually have M.S.s and R.N.s and J.D.s, who have held innumerable jobs, who have families and spouses, who have had entire careers, before coming to medical school. These are the people that I identify with most.
It is sometimes difficult, and even lonely, at times, to be one of the "older" students. You
feel old. You feel out-of-the-loop. But the way I see it, you can do one of two things. Isolate yourself, keep your distance, say "tsk-tsk" to all of the silly things that the youngs kids do (which you were doing when you were their age, so why begrudge them that experience?), and stay an island. Or, join in the fun once in a while. Yeah, you may be an old fart, but I'll bet you that you can still drink most of them under the table on the proper occasion, 2-day hangover be damned.
Still glad you took the plunge?
Hell yeah. Bring on round 2.
How do you plan to recharge this summer?
I'm working at a local hospital on a couple of clinical research projects, working in the clinic/going on rounds every chance I get, and taking a lot of time off to go to Italy and work on my house. And that's it.
Good luck to all of the non-trads of the c/o 2011!!