Advice? :)

[TexanGal]

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Hey guys! 🙂
I'm obviously new here, but I've been checking out the forums for several weeks now and finally decided to join in!
I'm currently a high school senior... I think it's safe to say I'm probably going to be one of the youngest people on this forum. I've always been interested in the medical field, but have now narrowed it down to either anesthesiology or pediatrics. I live in Texas, and plan to go to UT then onto medical school, my dream being Southwestern in Dallas. A lot of people I know make fun of me because I have it all "planned", when they don't even know what college they're going to yet. But that's how I've always been.
I'm very dedicated. I'm currently ranked 2/713 in my class, and plan to continue with that. I also know that ranking isn't all that matters.
Anyways, I know I might probably seem a bit uneducated on here due to my awful vocabulary and not understanding half of the things you guys talk about in here, but I was just wondering if you had any advice for a future anesthesiologist (fingers crossed).
Thanks guys! 😳

 

[pmichaelmd]

I suppose it's good that you have your eye on the prize at such a young age, but don't let some of the best years of your life pass you by. I, too, had decided to pursue medicine at a young age, but changed my mind at least several times while in college. I think that is what college is all about...learning to make it "on your own," finding yourself, growing, experiencing new things, etc. Do you have a college plan yet? Where are you heading next year? That is the first step. The next will be in making sure you actually LIKE science and are able to tolerate all of the obstacles that await you should you choose to pursue a career in medicine. My advice is to have fun in college, study hard, and make certain that you pick a field you enjoy. Not many can do that at 18, but there are exceptions to the rule. You'll have to have some facility with math, chemistry, biology, physics, etc. I applaud you for your current class ranking...that is no mean feat.

Don't be in such a hurry to grow up. Enjoy the journey and you'll find that the destination is satisfying, no matter where you end up.


Good luck and keep asking questions!
PMMD

 

[Laryngospasm]

Heres my best advice....go to a good college, ENJOY yourself as much as you can while still doing well.
I still remember everyone telling me how college would turn out to be the best time of my life...I was so focused and uptight that I feel like I missed it to some extent. DONT be that person! You will never be happier, less stressed, more free, than you are in college. I will say again, ENJOY yourself. continue to look into medicine, if you still are interested after all the horror stories...most of which are true, if slightly exaggerated...then apply and get in.
Do keep your debt level as low as possible..you will thank me later.
And pediatrics is a noble profession, but you should consider that making a salary of 100-140K per year with a possible debt of 100-300K, you will pay a high price for the nobility, and would probably have a better lifestyle and much less stress and NO overnight call with any of the plethora of jobs paying 50-100K, not to mention be much further ahead on your investments and retirement.
You will go on to make your own decisions but pediatrics and anes. are about as different as you can get.
High school is a joke compared to the challenges you will face, so keep an open mind as to how hard things can really be. And be humble throughout the journey..or life will do it for you.

 

[Coastie]

Hey TexanGal!

Glad to have you here. Keep pursuing your dreams, but have alot of fun in the process.

Good advice already given, especially about keeping your debt down, staying humble, and having alot of fun (while working hard) in college.

Best of luck.

Coastie, M.D. Class of 2007

Hey guys! 🙂
I'm obviously new here, but I've been checking out the forums for several weeks now and finally decided to join in!
I'm currently a high school senior... I think it's safe to say I'm probably going to be one of the youngest people on this forum. I've always been interested in the medical field, but have now narrowed it down to either anesthesiology or pediatrics. I live in Texas, and plan to go to UT then onto medical school, my dream being Southwestern in Dallas. A lot of people I know make fun of me because I have it all "planned", when they don't even know what college they're going to yet. But that's how I've always been.
I'm very dedicated. I'm currently ranked 2/713 in my class, and plan to continue with that. I also know that ranking isn't all that matters.
Anyways, I know I might probably seem a bit uneducated on here due to my awful vocabulary and not understanding half of the things you guys talk about in here, but I was just wondering if you had any advice for a future anesthesiologist (fingers crossed).
Thanks guys! 😳

 

[Trisomy13]

A lot of people I know make fun of me because I have it all "planned", when they don't even know what college they're going to yet. But that's how I've always been.

To reiterate the eariler responses.. enjoy the present. Do very well in college while having as much fun as possible. If you rhave other interests, you don't necessarily have to be "premed" either. Just do well in whatever major you choose.

As far as narrowing things down to peds or anesthesia... you will hear this many times, only because it is a truth proven many times over and experienced by us all... you will not have a good idea of what that field is like until you are knee deep in it your third or fourth year of med school, so keep an open mind. 🙂

 

[aredoubleyou]

Leave Texas, go to an ivy for Uni, then Harvard MBA, work for a big insurance company, then hoard crap loads of cash and let all the little people in medicine fight amongst eachother for your table scraps.

Sorry, a bit bitter today for some reason.

 

[Gern Blansten]

Just remember that when you arrive at college, you will be surrounded by many others who were also at the top of their graduating class. First year biology and chemistry courses are very effective at reducing the number of premed students. Don't fall into the trap of assuming that because you did well in high school that college will be a chip shot for you. You will still have to put in the extra effort. But DO enjoy your college years.

 

[VolatileAgent]

why not a 6-year combined undergrad/med degree? if you already know this is what you want, just go that way. you'll be 24 instead of 26 when you start residency. we have a kid in our 1st year categorical class this year who did exactly that at univ of miami. (what's most scary is that i'm almost old enough to be his father... but, definitely old enough to be yours!! )