Another cold feet thread?

[blitzel3]

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So I've wanted to become a physician since I was six years old. I've wanted to go to Johns Hopkins University since I was in sixth grade. Now I'm a pre-med student at a great university, but all of a sudden I'm not too sure about this whole "doctor" thing. Honestly I think it's an amazing profession that I'd love to commit myself too, but I'm afraid that after the journey there is through I'll be miserable. I'm afraid of not being happy after approximately 12 years of medical education of some sort (pre-med/med/residency).

Is it normal to wonder if it's worth it or am I just lacking courage? Are the only people meant to be doctors the ones who read medical journals in the bathroom or is there room for others? I've never really found myself reading about medicine in my free time, but I've done religious studies for almost three years now. It's kinda my thing, but I never considered a career with it. I'm just worried that I won't be happy as a doctor--although I have almost no reason to believe that--and will regret not going for religious studies.

Sorry for the long read.

 

[Krisss17]

So I've wanted to become a physician since I was six years old. I've wanted to go to Johns Hopkins University since I was in sixth grade. Now I'm a pre-med student at a great university, but all of a sudden I'm not too sure about this whole "doctor" thing. Honestly I think it's an amazing profession that I'd love to commit myself too, but I'm afraid that after the journey there is through I'll be miserable. I'm afraid of not being happy after approximately 12 years of medical education of some sort (pre-med/med/residency).

Is it normal to wonder if it's worth it or am I just lacking courage? Are the only people meant to be doctors the ones who read medical journals in the bathroom or is there room for others? I've never really found myself reading about medicine in my free time, but I've done religious studies for almost three years now. It's kinda my thing, but I never considered a career with it. I'm just worried that I won't be happy as a doctor--although I have almost no reason to believe that--and will regret not going for religious studies.

Sorry for the long read.

Why do you want to be a doctor? What has it been that has pushed you up until now to pursue this goal? If you can answer it without any doubt or hesitation, you may just be having cold feet, and I'm sure that is normal.

If, however, this has may have been due to family pressures and expectations, it might due you well to take a break and find out what you want.

Medical school isn't going to disappear, and if you feel the need to take a year or so break, you may find yourself either coming back and pursuing this with a newfound gusto, or you may find something more to your liking. Best of luck!

 

[Appless]

I think we all question if this is the right path from time to time as pre meds and even after in med school. Its perfectly normal to think about it and you should. No career takes up as much of your life or is as difficult to get into as medicine. Im not sure where you are in college but just take your time and relax. You could always try and get more involved in some clinical things and see how you like it. I certainly question it still sometimes but in the end you will find your answer. Also you might want to pursue other interests and see where that leads. Maybe you wil find something you are just as interested in as medicine and you will want to pursue that due to the better quality of life. Who knows what will happen but now is the time to explore. Better to think about this now then your 3rd yr in med school when you are 100k+ in debt and probably at the point of no return.

 

[blitzel3]

Why do you want to be a doctor? What has it been that has pushed you up until now to pursue this goal? If you can answer it without any doubt or hesitation, you may just be having cold feet, and I'm sure that is normal.

If, however, this has may have been due to family pressures and expectations, it might due you well to take a break and find out what you want.

Medical school isn't going to disappear, and if you feel the need to take a year or so break, you may find yourself either coming back and pursuing this with a newfound gusto, or you may find something more to your liking. Best of luck!

I've always known that the only reason I wanted to be a doctor was because i wanted to help people, and for what ever reason I've always seen being a doctor as the way I ought to do that.I never even looked up how much doctors madein terms of salary until yesterday. Neither money nor recognition drove me, but the idea of helping others some day. I guess I'm just wondering if I could be a good doctor. I have no doubt that I can get there, but should I? I'm starting to think it's just cold feet of course, but I could never push away the idea that my worries might not be a yellow flag. I'm sure I'll get over it.

I simply can't help but wonder if I just have what it takes to be a good doctor. I can see myself as one, but will I be? Then again I've been known to think too much haha.

 

[blitzel3]

I think we all question if this is the right path from time to time as pre meds and even after in med school. Its perfectly normal to think about it and you should. No career takes up as much of your life or is as difficult to get into as medicine. Im not sure where you are in college but just take your time and relax. You could always try and get more involved in some clinical things and see how you like it. I certainly question it still sometimes but in the end you will find your answer. Also you might want to pursue other interests and see where that leads. Maybe you wil find something you are just as interested in as medicine and you will want to pursue that due to the better quality of life. Who knows what will happen but now is the time to explore. Better to think about this now then your 3rd yr in med school when you are 100k+ in debt and probably at the point of no return.

I'm sure I will get my answer in time. In a way I think I've always known the answer, but my mind needs to make sure that I'm not making a mistake since I have only truly thought of one career since I was six years old. Most other people probably thought about many careers.

 

[funkydrmonkey]

So I've wanted to become a physician since I was six years old. I've wanted to go to Johns Hopkins University since I was in sixth grade. Now I'm a pre-med student at a great university, but all of a sudden I'm not too sure about this whole "doctor" thing. Honestly I think it's an amazing profession that I'd love to commit myself too, but I'm afraid that after the journey there is through I'll be miserable. I'm afraid of not being happy after approximately 12 years of medical education of some sort (pre-med/med/residency).

Is it normal to wonder if it's worth it or am I just lacking courage? Are the only people meant to be doctors the ones who read medical journals in the bathroom or is there room for others? I've never really found myself reading about medicine in my free time, but I've done religious studies for almost three years now. It's kinda my thing, but I never considered a career with it. I'm just worried that I won't be happy as a doctor--although I have almost no reason to believe that--and will regret not going for religious studies.

Sorry for the long read.

Some schools, like Emory I believe offer a combined MD/M.Div degree.

Oh and I have never read about medicine in my free time, art and novels fill that role as well as videogames. I refuse to read too much medical stuff because I feel we should be humans and as doctors we should not have to be all about medicine 24/7...

 

[blitzel3]

Some schools, like Emory I believe offer a combined MD/M.Div degree.

Oh and I have never read about medicine in my free time, art and novels fill that role as well as videogames. I refuse to read too much medical stuff because I feel we should be humans and as doctors we should not have to be all about medicine 24/7...

Wha-wha-what?! Really?! Thanks for the info!

😀 😀 😀

 

[vickpick]

i see a post saying that can u answer the question " why do u wanna be a doctor?" without a doubt, you're just having cold feet, i disagree... I think very people can answer that w/o doubt or a thought..

it will be extremely foolish of u to not think abt what ur life will be like after the 12 years of education in the field... after all, u're dedicating a significant part of UR life to the field...

so even if u dont exactly know why u wanna be a doc, ur just having "cold feet"

I think it happens to everyone once in a while.... unless ur the perfect pre-med.. which I know is impossible..

 

[blitzel3]

it will be extremely foolish of u to not think abt what ur life will be like after the 12 years of education in the field... after all, u're dedicating a significant part of UR life to the field...

so even if u dont exactly know why u wanna be a doc, ur just having "cold feet"

I agree. "The unexamined life is not worth living." I believe that is what Socrates said.

 

[starfishprime]

So I've wanted to become a physician since I was six years old.

Because, you know, six-year-olds are well-renowned for their ability to make solid, rational, informed decisions.

 

[Hastur]

I've wanted to be a doctor since I was very small (4-6 years old) and by the time I first entered college I was interested in too many other things to even give pre-med a try, knowing that it would eat my life if I did.

So I screwed around for a while, got a liberal arts degree, got a creative writing degree, wrote a couple of novels, got a bunch of odd jobs, taught abroad for a year... and now I've started back as a premed/science major.

I'm really glad I went out and lived. I feel much more willing to dedicate myself now at 25 than I did as a teenager.

College will always be there, and the field is continuously improving. If you're genuinely feeling pulled away towards something else, go with it and come back later if that's what you want to do.

If reading the above doesn't make something in you feel liberated, doesn't make you want to steer for that other life that fascinates you.. then maybe it's a passing escapist impulse better served by a volunteer trip or vacation focused on other things.

 

[KeyzerSoze]

I've wanted to be a doctor since I was very small (4-6 years old)

I wanted to drive a firetruck in space.

 

[ACGator09]

So I've wanted to become a physician since I was six years old. I've wanted to go to Johns Hopkins University since I was in sixth grade. Now I'm a pre-med student at a great university, but all of a sudden I'm not too sure about this whole "doctor" thing. Honestly I think it's an amazing profession that I'd love to commit myself too, but I'm afraid that after the journey there is through I'll be miserable. I'm afraid of not being happy after approximately 12 years of medical education of some sort (pre-med/med/residency).

Is it normal to wonder if it's worth it or am I just lacking courage? Are the only people meant to be doctors the ones who read medical journals in the bathroom or is there room for others? I've never really found myself reading about medicine in my free time, but I've done religious studies for almost three years now. It's kinda my thing, but I never considered a career with it. I'm just worried that I won't be happy as a doctor--although I have almost no reason to believe that--and will regret not going for religious studies.

Sorry for the long read.

mine happened some time after my post-acceptance-elation week.
i think/hope you're just having cold feet... cuz i've wanted to become a doctor since i was really young too. like 5. and i believe that nothing else would provide me with the kind satisfaction that a physician gets after improving the well-being of another human being.

Because, you know, six-year-olds are well-renowned for their ability to make solid, rational, informed decisions.

you're right. gonna quit tomorrow.

 

[Nilf]

I've wanted to be a doctor since I was very small (4-6 years old) and by the time I first entered college I was interested in too many other things to even give pre-med a try, knowing that it would eat my life if I did.

So I screwed around for a while, got a liberal arts degree, got a creative writing degree, wrote a couple of novels, got a bunch of odd jobs, taught abroad for a year... and now I've started back as a premed/science major.

I'm really glad I went out and lived. I feel much more willing to dedicate myself now at 25 than I did as a teenager.

Seems like you've made right moves and your decision to pursue medicine is a mature one.

 

[VMSmith]

I've always known that the only reason I wanted to be a doctor was because i wanted to help people, and for what ever reason I've always seen being a doctor as the way I ought to do that.I never even looked up how much doctors madein terms of salary until yesterday. Neither money nor recognition drove me, but the idea of helping others some day.

You need to be a little more honest with yourself. Helping people, while certainly one motivation, is not your only motivation for wanting to be a doctor. I can say that with 100% confidence even though I have no idea who you are. Your mentioning Hopkins in particular suggests one possible reason to me.

Maybe the idea of helping others some day is your primary motivation, but you have to admit that the idea of being a doctor and helping people is more attractive to you than being a nurse, or a teacher, or a social worker, or any other professional and helping others. What is it about being a doctor rather than anything else that makes that particular profession better for you?

Is it the money? The prestige? The stable job market? The knowledge that you'd be achieving up to your potential? Or something else?

Medicine isn't something you go into for only one reason. Once you figure out what your reasons are, you may have a better idea if it's truly the right decision for you.

 

[McGillGrad]

Medical school has been one of the most amazing experiences in my life. I started med school after running a business for a few years, bumming around a couple years and enjoying life. Now I am working hard and pushing myself a great deal more than I have ever done academically. Yet, unlike some of the people fresh out of undergrad, I appreciate every moment and enjoy the journey as much as I look forward to the destination.

If you remember to enjoy the journey, you will always have fond memories of your 7-9 years of medical school and residency.

 

[blitzel3]

You need to be a little more honest with yourself. Helping people, while certainly one motivation, is not your only motivation for wanting to be a doctor. I can say that with 100% confidence even though I have no idea who you are. Your mentioning Hopkins in particular suggests one possible reason to me.

Maybe the idea of helping others some day is your primary motivation, but you have to admit that the idea of being a doctor and helping people is more attractive to you than being a nurse, or a teacher, or a social worker, or any other professional and helping others. What is it about being a doctor rather than anything else that makes that particular profession better for you?

Is it the money? The prestige? The stable job market? The knowledge that you'd be achieving up to your potential? Or something else?

Medicine isn't something you go into for only one reason. Once you figure out what your reasons are, you may have a better idea if it's truly the right decision for you.

Well I can guarantee it's neither for money nor prestige. I simply want to live comfortably not like a king, and I'm not worried about becoming the next Ben Carson in fame, but rather in success. The fact of the matter is even if there is some sub-conscious other reason for wanting to be a doctor, all that matters in the end is helping others. For what ever reason I naturally see myself doing that as a physician.

 

[FuturaDocta]

Well I can guarantee it's neither for money nor prestige. I simply want to live comfortably not like a king, and I'm not worried about becoming the next Ben Carson in fame, but rather in success. The fact of the matter is even if there is some sub-conscious other reason for wanting to be a doctor, all that matters in the end is helping others. For what ever reason I naturally see myself doing that as a physician.

First of all, you should definitely explore all your choices before you make the big commitment to being a doctor. There are several things you should consider before you cancel them all out, such as: being a social worker, a professor, a researcher at a medical school, a professor/physician/researcher, a cop, a firefighter, a dental assistant, a biochemical engineer, head of NASA etc. I could go on and on. There are so many things you could be and I think the reason being a doctor is such a popular field is because we tend to be most familiar with that sort of thing since we have been going to one since we were born (run on, but you get the point). We are so exposed to the hospital setting that we tend to want to be a part of it.

PS. you sound like me. I don't even think about the money and when I see the wages they make, I am just shocked. I doubt I would be part of anything mainstream, though. I have thought about opening a clinic in Mexico or something that would better serve the people (you all can think I am full of BS all you want, but that is what I wanna do). If you have seen the healthcare crisis down there, you may feel me.

Bottom line: Just do your research before you make a drastic decision. You never know what you will end up doing by the time you finish college. Plus, don't feel pressured about the timeline of things. Life really isn't that short, you can explore lots of things (be a doctor, then be a CSI agent if that is what interests you later). I hear being flexible is a virtue in the medical field nowadays . good luck with your future endeavors

 

[ChubbyChaser]

So I've wanted to become a physician since I was six years old. I've wanted to go to Johns Hopkins University since I was in sixth grade. .

Im going out ona limb here, but are you asian?

 

[buccsmf1]

I think just about everyone has those days that they wonder, "is this really worth it?" or "am i going to miserable for 10 years?" But I guess if you feel like that EVERY day then yea, you might be aiming for the wrong field

 

[username456789]

Im going out ona limb here, but are you asian?

That was my first thought. Or Indian.

As with the most recent Spelling Bee National Champion, I have to think that the majority of the people spouting off "I've wanted to be a doctor since I was 5" are actually saying "my parents have wanted me to become a doctor since I was 5."

 

[ChubbyChaser]

That was my first thought. Or Indian.

As with the most recent Spelling Bee National Champion, I have to think that the majority of the people spouting off "I've wanted to be a doctor since I was 5" are actually saying "my parents have wanted me to become a doctor since I was 5."

I agree with that, for the most part.

 

[Muffinpuff]

Not only is it okay to doubt, it's a necessary and helpful process. i changed my career plans 5 times while I was in college, and I wasn't premed until technically my junior year. It's good you're wondering, it's absolutely normal. but you should take a look at the field more, and see what you're willing to sacrifice, if it fits your personality, what you like and don't like about medicine and mostly if you have a passion for healing the sick.

 

[Muffinpuff]

That was my first thought. Or Indian.

As with the most recent Spelling Bee National Champion, I have to think that the majority of the people spouting off "I've wanted to be a doctor since I was 5" are actually saying "my parents have wanted me to become a doctor since I was 5."

Yeah i wondered about that too, and since so many of them not only wanted to be doctors, they wanted to be neurosurgeons, like at 13? really?!! Like they've had exposure to that when? through spelling?

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Yeah i wondered about that too, and since so many of them not only wanted to be doctors, they wanted to be neurosurgeons, like at 13? really?!! Like they've had exposure to that when? through spelling?

I wanted to be a pro basketball player and the host on "the price is right" when i was 13

 

[FuturaDocta]

I wanted to be a pro basketball player and the host on "the price is right" when i was 13

I wanted to be a movie star till I was 16ish ( I was heavy on drama classes and musical theater).

I also wanted to be on the price is right and who wants to be a millionaire! I think I would definitely have a good time on that show.

 

[Evergrey]

Renee Descartes said, "If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things."

 

[ChubbyChaser]

Renee Descartes said, "If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things."

Didnt he do mad herb?

 

[funkydrmonkey]

Wha-wha-what?! Really?! Thanks for the info!

😀 😀 😀

Yup, and Yale, Vanderbilt, offer the joint program also and BU and Harvard have divinity schools so you might be able to set something up. But there are only a few universities that have divinity schools here in the US...

 

[Brent8927]

I wanted to drive a firetruck in space.

That's just silly... Everybody knows that they use fire-boats in space...

OP, I always wanted to be an architect--even through most of college. But I found that it wasn't what I had thought it to be, and I found that medicine was my calling. But I definitely wavered here and there, and I'm a bit nervous, and excited, to begin medical school this fall.

One thing to consider is, is this profession really what you want to do, or are their aspects of it that you like and could do elsewhere? Could you still help people in another profession? Yes!--but it'll be a different kind of helping. You can even help people by volunteering at a soup kitchen. I realized what I loved so much about architecture/engineering was building and creating things, especially with m hands. Well golly!--I can do that outside of a job--I can garden, create art, furniture, outdoor decks, etc. etc.

Whatever you decide to do should be what you want to be one of the larger focuses of your life. Make your calling your career, your soul-mate your wife (or husband), and I'll guarantee you happiness 🙂

 

[VMSmith]

For what ever reason I naturally see myself doing that as a physician.

I think that the "for what ever reason" is something you should sit down and try to figure out...that might help you figure out whether medicine is right for you, or if you'll find the same satisfaction doing something else like other posters have suggested.

I would also suggest that while helping others is one of the most common reasons stated by people going into medicine, medical school and residency has the nasty tendency of beating that noble motive out of people. Unlike in other fields, as people progress further in their medical training, they tend to become less empathetic and less humanistic.

Just did a quick search on google: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1681685

If "helping others" is truly truly your only motivation for going into medicine, I would strooongly suggest taking a good look at other professions before diving in.

 

[VMSmith]

Wanted to add that I'm not trying to put you on the defensive about your motivations for doing medicine.

But my skepticism about "helping others" as being the only reason you want to go into medicine is something you'll likely face in interviews if you do decide to apply. This is something you need to figure out not just to help you in your decision to go into medicine but also to help you actually get into a medical school.

 

[FuturaDocta]

Renee Descartes said, "If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things."

Correct me if I am wrong, but he also said doubt everything you know in order to see the truth (or something much more eloquent). He is a nice philosopher and contributed well to the scientific field. You should take philosophy it is an interesting subject, but very challenging (at my school anyway).

Actually Jesus said the same thing to an extent. He said something along the lines of doubt everything in order to truly follow me. I don't have it quoted, but some avid bible reader can correct me.

The OP still has plenty of time to figure out what he or she wants for a profession.

 

[bunnity]

I think shadowing some doctors or getting a job in a hospital would help you figure things out. I've wanted to be a lot of things (I believe the earliest one was garbage collector - I thought the trucks were awesome) and I've found that trying them out is really the only way for me to know. At one point I wanted to be a human doctor, so I got a job as an EKG technician. I got a lot of exposure to patients and got to know several doctors pretty well. Fairly quickly I realized that while medicine was cool, I wasn't into human medicine. A couple more career ideas down the line, I stumbled on vet medicine, started shadowing / volunteering, and absolutely loved it and knew I would love doing it every day for the rest of my life. Long story short, I think the best way for you to know what makes you happy is to experience it - shadow doctors, talk to doctors, talk to patients, see how it makes you feel.

 

[Evergrey]

Haha, nfi if Descartes smoked hash.

Yeah I always wanted to take Philosophy (particularly Metaphysics and Ethics courses) but I never did which is kinda sad. I'll try to read some ethics books but it won't be nearly as beneficial as an actual class.

More on-topic, in regards to the OP: I regularly question my decision to apply to medical school in hopes of attending. Usually I realize that even though it is difficult path, I feel like it will also be very satisfying. Ever since I started taking science classes in college, I loved the subject matter. So for me I'm looking forward to medical school not only for what it will lead to (i.e. licensure as a physician) but also due to my intellectual curiosity for what will be taught in medical school.

I talked to a doctor that I shadowed about this exact thing, and he told me (I paraphrase): "You may be going to medical school, but it's not like you're putting life on hold." What he meant was that even though it'll be hard, you'll have fun too -- in school and out of school. It's not going to be complete misery. You're not signing a contract to pure misery for 7-8 years -- there's going to be a lot of triumph, joy, and exultation along the way, in regards to your career, family, friends, hobbies, etc, also.

Ultimately, dude, take things one step at a time. If you don't want to go to medical school right now, don't. Definitely don't force yourself to go through something that you believe will make yourself miserable just because you think the end result is worth it. This is my personal philosophy anyway... I want to be happy today, and also tomorrow too. (For those naysayers out there, yes, working hard and going in-depth in science classes makes me feel fulfilled). If I really thought medical school would make me really unhappy (maybe I'm naive), then I definitely wouldn't apply.

I hope this was of some help to you.