advice for second thoughts

[crock1255]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I was accepted to an out of state medical school, and though I'm only 27, I'm seriously worried about the debt, future income, and whether this is the right field for me. I've had a lot of friends go through med school and I'm worried I don't, as my family says, "have the ass for it," meaning I don't have the patience/work ethic.
Anybody else in a similar boat or been in a similar boat?

 

[Goro]

It's normal to have anxieties about new endeavors. If this is what you truly want to do, you'll do it. If you're losing sleep over it, then perhaps ask for a one year deferral.

In the mean time, suggest doing more patient contact work, because it's really about helping them and not about you.

I was accepted to an out of state medical school, and though I'm only 27, I'm seriously worried about the debt, future income, and whether this is the right field for me. I've had a lot of friends go through med school and I'm worried I don't, as my family says, "have the ass for it," meaning I don't have the patience/work ethic.
Anybody else in a similar boat or been in a similar boat?

 

[BuddyTheElf]

I was accepted to an out of state medical school, and though I'm only 27, I'm seriously worried about the debt, future income, and whether this is the right field for me. I've had a lot of friends go through med school and I'm worried I don't, as my family says, "have the ass for it," meaning I don't have the patience/work ethic.
Anybody else in a similar boat or been in a similar boat?

I think these worries are on everyone's mind. I'm starting school this fall and all I can think about is the debt and how long it'll take to pay off the loans and the toll that medical school will take on me and my relationships. The biggest thing that keeps crossing my mind is "What if I'm just not smart enough? What if I just can't handle it?" From those I've talked with, it sounds like a lot of people feel this way. In the end, I know I want to be a physician and I wouldn't be as happy doing anything else. I would regret not doing this and would always wonder "What if?"
So you need to look at where you see your life ending up. If this is "the" career for you, then toss your worries aside and go for it. You're not alone in being worried about these things! It's totally normal. 🙂

 

[Sabate]

I was accepted to an out of state medical school, and though I'm only 27, I'm seriously worried about the debt, future income, and whether this is the right field for me. I've had a lot of friends go through med school and I'm worried I don't, as my family says, "have the ass for it," meaning I don't have the patience/work ethic.
Anybody else in a similar boat or been in a similar boat?

Definitely healthy to have doubts and reservations about any process that is such a time and economic commitment as medicine. You've gotten in somewhere (congrats!) which means the admissions committee doesn't just think you can hack it but is willing to trust that you will do well. The debt load is real, the worries about future income are real as well. For myself, I can't imagine doing anything else and being nearly as happy. Hopefully the same goes for you.

 

[DrMidlife]

Anxiety is normal. In particular, it's normal just before you take on a decade of training that will likely cost $300k.

But how would you tell whether this anxiety is something to heed or not?

My suggestions:

1. If there's a career other than medicine in which you'd be happy, for the love of all that's holy do the other career.

2. Get completely honest with yourself about why you wanted to go to med school. Are you doing med school for any reason other than that you want to practice medicine? Are you going to med school because you want prestige or money or the approval of your parents or others? Are you going to med school because you honestly don't know what else to do and you're in too far to not lose face? If any of these are more true than a basic "yes I want to be a doctor" then I think you should at least pursue a deferral on that acceptance.

Make sure the strongest voice in your head is your own voice and make sure it's telling you the truth.

Best of luck to you.

 

[kami333]

Do you want to run away to Jamaica with me?