A little help, PLEASE.

[MartinMD]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hi guys, i have a lot of questions about becoming a Doctor but as of right now, I only need 1 answered...well maybe not answered, i just really need some advice.

I'm graduating from High school in June, Finally! Baisically during senior year all i could think about was the future, I'm certain i want to become a Doctor, i am willing to dedicate the time and effort needed to succeed in college!

here's the thing though... in high school, I goofed off, chased girls, cut class, a whole bunch of stuff that was fun at the time, I figured, why not? I'm a teen i'm entitled to some fun. I don't regret it at all (just wana put that out there) i feel like ive done everything and now im ready to dedicate my self, and by the way i never had a hard time passing classes, test, school was really easy i just decided not to put a 100% in

well... I'm going to a CC, it doesnt discourage me, it doesnt make me sad, i knew what i was getting myself into & I really dont have a problem with it considering it saves money. I've been reading a lot of stuff online and I know I have to keep my GPA up, so I plan to stay focused all through college, I'm going to study & focus, I wont be distracted by anything!

sorry for that long speech, i felt like i had to talk about it to someone, anyone.
I just want to know if you guys think it would be a good idea to take all my math pre reqs in the CC? i really really really HATE math (only subject i don't enjoy). I feel like i should get it over with as soon as possible. is this a good idea?

 

[NightGod]

Won't be a problem. Just aim for As in everything. Think to yourself that getting a B is like getting a D and a C might as well be an F. They won't actually impact you that negatively, but if you have that attitude going in, the motivation is a lot easier to find. You can also knock out some of your pre-reqs while you're there (in fact, I personally recommend getting at least two done). If you don't, you'll end up about a year behind when you get to a four-year school and are trying to fit everything into your schedule. Save at least one of the harder classes for the four-year (I recommend orgo) and take a Biochem or something similar at the four year if you aren't pursing a bio or chem major to prove that you can handle the upper level work and that your good grades at the CC weren't a fluke/because the CC was easy.

 

[MartinMD]

Thanks for the quick reply NightGod, what are the other pre reqs I should take in CC?

& 1 more question, do you ever doubt that being a doctor's in your future?
Sometimes it runs through my mind but I feel like if I want it bad enough and I work hard enough everything will work out.

 

[johnnyscans]

Hi guys, i have a lot of questions about becoming a Doctor but as of right now, I only need 1 answered...well maybe not answered, i just really need some advice.

I'm graduating from High school in June, Finally! Baisically during senior year all i could think about was the future, I'm certain i want to become a Doctor, i am willing to dedicate the time and effort needed to succeed in college!

here's the thing though... in high school, I goofed off, chased girls, cut class, a whole bunch of stuff that was fun at the time, I figured, why not? I'm a teen i'm entitled to some fun. I don't regret it at all (just wana put that out there) i feel like ive done everything and now im ready to dedicate my self, and by the way i never had a hard time passing classes, test, school was really easy i just decided not to put a 100% in

well... I'm going to a CC, it doesnt discourage me, it doesnt make me sad, i knew what i was getting myself into & I really dont have a problem with it considering it saves money. I've been reading a lot of stuff online and I know I have to keep my GPA up, so I plan to stay focused all through college, I'm going to study & focus, I wont be distracted by anything!

sorry for that long speech, i felt like i had to talk about it to someone, anyone.
I just want to know if you guys think it would be a good idea to take all my math pre reqs in the CC? i really really really HATE math (only subject i don't enjoy). I feel like i should get it over with as soon as possible. is this a good idea?

How do you know that you want to be a physician?

 

[NightGod]

Thanks for the quick reply NightGod, what are the other pre reqs I should take in CC?

& 1 more question, do you ever doubt that being a doctor's in your future?
Sometimes it runs through my mind but I feel like if I want it bad enough and I work hard enough everything will work out.

...
I personally took General Chemistry and Physics, Biology wouldn't be a horrible choice, either. As for the doubt, there are moments, especially since I'll be looking to matriculate when I'm 40. So, I'm pursuing a major that has a decent future outside of medicine to make sure my bets are hedged, but I also work that much harder to make sure my grades are the best they can be (straight As for the two years I've been back) and do everything else that I can to make sure my application is as strong as possible...volunteer work, clinical experience, etc. I've found that my best defense against the uncertainty is putting in the hard work to ensure that everything I can personally control is the best it can be, beyond that I can let go of the rest.

 

[rguil15]

I'm a teen i'm entitled to some fun. I don't regret it at all (just wana put that out there)

Just by way of caution, this worldview easily turns into "I'm in college, I'm entitled to have some fun". There's regretting something, and that's your business and there's seeing the lack of wisdom or maturity in ones ways. Feeling entitled to much of anything has always gotten me in trouble. My undergrad was a train wreck because I thought I "should" be able to do whatever I wanted. If you want to be a doctor, play time is over. If play time is not over, maybe drop out of college, go travel the world and work (wwoof.org) or something, get it all out and over with. Then when you know what you want, why you want it, and are focused on getting it, come back to school and dominate it. But whatever you do, do not take these classes lightly.

 

[MartinMD]

Just by way of caution, this worldview easily turns into "I'm in college, I'm entitled to have some fun". There's regretting something, and that's your business and there's seeing the lack of wisdom or maturity in ones ways. Feeling entitled to much of anything has always gotten me in trouble. My undergrad was a train wreck because I thought I "should" be able to do whatever I wanted. If you want to be a doctor, play time is over. If play time is not over, maybe drop out of college, go travel the world and work (wwoof.org) or something, get it all out and over with. Then when you know what you want, why you want it, and are focused on getting it, come back to school and dominate it. But whatever you do, do not take these classes lightly.

thanks for the words of advice, I completely understand where you are coming from. I understand I will be tempted in college, I know my self and I know how much self control I have, I'll make a promise to my self not to slack off or goof off. I plan on taking every class seriously and being very dedicated, I understand the better I do in college the closer my dreams get to becoming reality.

 

[MartinMD]

How do you know that you want to be a physician?

Well earlier this year, when I realized that life was about to begin I started thinking, I want a career where the things I do matter, i'm not saying other jobs don't matter, please don't get me wrong. I want to feel like im actually doing something everyday I go to work. If I said this was the only reason I'd be a liar. I wana help others but at the same time I want to be able to provide for a family in the future. I've always wanted to be a family man but before anything happens I want to make sure my kids will have a comfortable life, a father to be proud of, that sorta thing.

 

[johnnyscans]

Well earlier this year, when I realized that life was about to begin I started thinking, I want a career where the things I do matter, i'm not saying other jobs don't matter, please don't get me wrong. I want to feel like im actually doing something everyday I go to work. If I said this was the only reason I'd be a liar. I wana help others but at the same time I want to be able to provide for a family in the future. I've always wanted to be a family man but before anything happens I want to make sure my kids will have a comfortable life, a father to be proud of, that sorta thing.

A heads-up: I'm not trying to be an a**hole, or smash your dreams. I'm just giving my advice.

That's a really generic response. I can name a ton of jobs off of the top of my head that will fill your goals, and all of them are easier to attain than becoming a physician. I hate the pressure that the US education system puts on students to choose a career so early.

My advice: Keep every door open. Protect your GPA. Follow your heart and soul and interests. Volunteer, shadow, ask everyone you meet about their job. It took me two years of working full time, volunteering and researching before I decided to return to school to complete my predmedical requirements. Take classes in every subject. Get to know your professors. Ask questions. Attend office hours. Do everything in your power to not pursue medicine. If no matter what, you keep getting pulled back onto the path to medical school, then the path is for you. This journey is hard, expensive, stressful and at times outright depressing. Some people are dealt very *****y genetic hands, and there is nothing that modern medicine can do to save them. A large amount of physicians undergo at least one divorce, many are in debt for years, and residency is one of the toughest, if not the toughest, right of passage in any career.

You're young. Enjoy yourself, but be responsible. Protect your GPA at all costs. You don't want to end up in my shoes. On paper, and in my opinion, I have a great application, save my first two years of undergrad. I partied, I smoked weed, I drank a lot of beers. I'm in a post-bacc program now, I have a 3.9 post-bacc GPA, I work in one of the top research labs in the country, I've worked at two amazing jobs, but I know I'm still going to be asked about those first two years.

Sorry for the long winded response. I just wish someone had told me this 10 years ago.

Everything else will fall into place from there.

 

[MartinMD]

A heads-up: I'm not trying to be an a**hole, or smash your dreams. I'm just giving my advice.

That's a really generic response. I can name a ton of jobs off of the top of my head that will fill your goals, and all of them are easier to attain than becoming a physician. I hate the pressure that the US education system puts on students to choose a career so early.

My advice: Keep every door open. Protect your GPA. Follow your heart and soul and interests. Volunteer, shadow, ask everyone you meet about their job. It took me two years of working full time, volunteering and researching before I decided to return to school to complete my predmedical requirements. Take classes in every subject. Get to know your professors. Ask questions. Attend office hours. Do everything in your power to not pursue medicine. If no matter what, you keep getting pulled back onto the path to medical school, then the path is for you. This journey is hard, expensive, stressful and at times outright depressing. Some people are dealt very *****y genetic hands, and there is nothing that modern medicine can do to save them. A large amount of physicians undergo at least one divorce, many are in debt for years, and residency is one of the toughest, if not the toughest, right of passage in any career.

You're young. Enjoy yourself, but be responsible. Protect your GPA at all costs. You don't want to end up in my shoes. On paper, and in my opinion, I have a great application, save my first two years of undergrad. I partied, I smoked weed, I drank a lot of beers. I'm in a post-bacc program now, I have a 3.9 post-bacc GPA, I work in one of the top research labs in the country, I've worked at two amazing jobs, but I know I'm still going to be asked about those first two years.

Sorry for the long winded response. I just wish someone had told me this 10 years ago.

Everything else will fall into place from there.

You don't sound like an a**hole at all. I feel like aslong as I get math out of the way I'll be alright. I have no problem with science, and I feel like residency is going to be my kind of thing. I enjoy hard work and I really can't see myself doing anything else in the future. I really hope college goes accordingly, I hope i'm not over my head.

 

[rguil15]

Keep every door open.
Protect your GPA.
Volunteer, shadow, ask everyone you meet about their job.
Take classes in every subject.
Protect your GPA at all costs.

These are gold, couldn't agree more.
If you really think you want to be a doctor, find one who will at the least let you shadow him/her several times, at most a family friend who will mentor you through this long process.

I just wish someone had told me this 10 years ago.

This.
There are very few people who know what they want at your age, if you're going to go to college right away, the most important thing no matter what courses you take is to take them seriously. Makes A's, there's no reason not to. And if 3 years from now it turns out that you really do want to pursue medicine, you won't be on this board with a sad story about your dismal GPA.

 

[MartinMD]

Thanks for all the kind words guys.

Can someone fill me in on what college is going to be like? if I do all my homework and participate in class is that enough to get straight As? Or is it more complex than that? Any tips you can give me to help me get and maintain a high GPA?

And about shadowing a doctor, I don't know any doctors to ask, I plan on finding a way eventually. Do I necessarily need to know a doctor?

 

[johnnyscans]

Thanks for all the kind words guys.

Can someone fill me in on what college is going to be like? if I do all my homework and participate in class is that enough to get straight As? Or is it more complex than that? Any tips you can give me to help me get and maintain a high GPA?

And about shadowing a doctor, I don't know any doctors to ask, I plan on finding a way eventually. Do I necessarily need to know a doctor?

Obviously it's nice if you have connections to one. Ask your parents or your primary care provider and go from there. I've gotten some absolutely fabulous opportunities through networking. My mentor put me in touch with his colleague who gave me a research position which then opened up some outstanding shadowing experiences. I've found that most physicians love helping you if you are truly passionate and dedicated to the career.

If that doesn't work use your hospital volunteering (which you'd better be doing if you want to get into medical school) to network yourself. This is a delicate process. You don't want to go around kissing ass from day one, but once you've put in your time, people will start to notice you. . . it's up to you want to do from there.

The important part is gaining a first hand understanding of the profession. You say you want to be a physician, but I'm going to guess you have zero clinical exposure. You have to think of applying to medical school like you're trying to start a business. The admission committee can be thought of as venture capital. You're the entrepreneur. They're only going to invest in you if you've shown you can handle the business, so to speak. They want to see commitment to community service, clinical exposure, excellent grades, humility, compassion, dedication, confidence, professionalism.

In order to get an A-/A in your classes, you're going to need to do amazing on your exams. Most teaches set up their class so that if you show up, take notes, do your assignments and do OK on exams you'll get a B. In order to step up to the next level, you need to do well on exams.

My tips, FWIW:
-Always read ahead. Covering chapter 15 in physics, 3 in biology, 1-3 in english and 6 in math this week? Read all of them the weekend/week before. It's much easier to learn a subject when you've already been introduced to it. The goal here, when reading, is not to master the material. Rather, it's to prime your brain for learning.

-Ask questions when something is unclear. You don't have to raise your hand in the middle of lecture, but either jot it down or send your professor an email. The best thing to do? Swing by office hours. Every one of my professors knows my name and face. I don't pester them, or go out of my way to ask questions just for the sake of talking, I just ask when I'm unsure. This helps when it comes time to ask for letters of recommendation.

-Sit in the first 5 rows. For the most part, slackers sit in the back. They're on facebook or their phone texting the entire class, they talk to the person sitting next to them, and they'll distract you. Sit in the front. This will help your professor to recognize your face.

-For your problem based classes (math, chemistry, physics) the key is working problems. You should be able to do every single type of problem that you can be asked.

-Try not to skip class. It will happen, especially during your freshman year. Just don't miss the ones where there's attendance taken or pop quizzes given.

 

[CopToEM]

I took more than half of my college credits at a community college. Additionally, I took at least 75% of that half online. I graduated from a small university with a rigorous science department. I look back fondly (with one exception) on both my community college courses and the faculty.

At no point during the interview trail did anyone ever ask me about why I went to a CC for courses. No one. A class is a class is a class at the end of the day. The stigma about CC is largely unfounded.

Carry on. 👍