Any accepted students starting to feel scared?

[musicalfeet]

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I'm not sure where to post this, and also don't really have many people to talk to this about except strangers on the internet who may empathize 🙂

Does anyone else have fleeting moments of being afraid of doing poorly once school starts? I'll have moments where I'm super excited to start, and then other moments of "omg what if I totally suck at this". Not to mention, all the crazy amounts of different resources med students seem to use and I can hardly wrap my mind around any of it. There also seems to just be less threads discussing this in general, so I feel more alone than usual (in comparison to like, MCAT threads or Ochem threads where people have told you where to focus on, which resources outside of class are great, etc that seem straightforward).

I have no idea what to expect this August, except perhaps a crazy, intimidating load that will probably feel like getting run over by a Mack truck... which scares me when I think about it.

Okay now I'm rambling. Neuroticism out T_T

 

[Lannister]

Definitely. A few nights ago, I was lying in bed and for the first time ever, I thought to myself, "What if I'm making a mistake? What if I can't handle this?"
But I think those are very normal reactions. We've just gotta take it one day at a time, there's no point in worrying about it before we've even begun med school!

 

[Moko]

Definitely. A few nights ago, I was lying in bed and for the first time ever, I thought to myself, "What if I'm making a mistake? What if I can't handle this?"
But I think those are very normal reactions. We've just gotta take it one day at a time, there's no point in worrying about it before we've even begun med school!

Absolutely! These are very normal feelings to have, and they're present at every step of training ("Am I ready for rotations? Am I ready for residency? Am I ready to be an attending?" etc.).

Just go in expecting to bust your ass off, have faith in the system, and don't be afraid to reach out to faculty and friends for help. Tens of thousands of medical students go through this process every year and the overwhelming majority of us do just fine. 🙂 Good luck!

 

[DrFizition]

Yea basically everyone feels this way after their first acceptance, including me. I'm assuming we all felt the same way before starting undergrad, we just don't remember it. Just gotta suck it up and do it!

 

[Lannister]

Yea basically everyone feels this way after their first acceptance, including me. I'm assuming we all felt the same way before starting undergrad, we just don't remember it. Just gotta suck it up and do it!

Ha I remember freshman year, I seriously thought about dropping out. But I've made it! (Almost).

 

[Pastamahn]

Oh I'm scared s**tless haha but also excited!

 

[eteshoe]

I'll just interject - feeling scared is normal but don't be afraid to make mistakes because you will make them. Just be willing to learn and improve.

 

[texan2414]

Agreed! There are times when I can't believe I'm accepted to med school which gets me so excited .... but then I start thinking about the difficult road ahead and I begin questioning myself.

I'm taking solace in the fact that I'm not the only one going through these motions. Whatever "normal" means lol

 

[piii]

Not scared at all but is anyone else feeling ansty? I've spent so many years getting to this point and now that I'm in I just want to move on with it. I'm having a great time enjoying the adult life and relaxing but I'm sick of waiting! Probably will look back at this and laugh/cry when I'm in school and wish I had more time lol

 

[DrFizition]

Not scared at all but is anyone else feeling ansty? I've spent so many years getting to this point and now that I'm in I just want to move on with it. I'm having a great time enjoying the adult life and relaxing but I'm sick of waiting! Probably will look back at this and laugh/cry when I'm in school and wish I had more time lol

I agree. This is my gap year between undergrad and med school and its soooo boring. I just wanna be pummeled with work already and actually feel like a med student. All that rewarding knowledge... yum...

 

[getdown]

You should feel scared. People's lives depend on you in the future. Always keep that in mind. Use it as motivation when you're studying and can't find a reason to memorize the mechanism of action of another antibiotic. It could be someone you really care about on that exam room. A healthy amount of fear should drive you every time you're taking care of someone in clinicals and residency. Your decisions directly impact them. Complacency kills.

But do enjoy the ride. It's an amazing journey and such a rewarding experience. Many highs, many lows. Good luck to you all.

 

[f4reignbeauty]

I'm not sure where to post this, and also don't really have many people to talk to this about except strangers on the internet who may empathize 🙂

Does anyone else have fleeting moments of being afraid of doing poorly once school starts? I'll have moments where I'm super excited to start, and then other moments of "omg what if I totally suck at this". Not to mention, all the crazy amounts of different resources med students seem to use and I can hardly wrap my mind around any of it. There also seems to just be less threads discussing this in general, so I feel more alone than usual (in comparison to like, MCAT threads or Ochem threads where people have told you where to focus on, which resources outside of class are great, etc that seem straightforward).

I have no idea what to expect this August, except perhaps a crazy, intimidating load that will probably feel like getting run over by a Mack truck... which scares me when I think about it.

Okay now I'm rambling. Neuroticism out T_T

Imposter syndrome is real, and it happens to the best of us. One thing I've learned, is that medical school is NOTHING like you've experienced in undergrad. You may have to change your study methods, but it's doable and you, my friend, can and will adjust to the rigors of medical school. As far as resources, just figure out what works best for you, and don't feel as though you're missing out if you've determined Anki decks, etc. were not of benefit to you.

Oh yeah, and congrats on getting into medical school! That is NO easy feat! 🙂

 

[thatwouldbeanarchy]

Yup. Definitely antsy. Definitely scared. But more than anything else, it just seems completely unreal. Like, seriously? I'm going to medical school? I'm going to be a doctor? Is this a joke?!?!? 😆

 

[texan2414]

I agree. This is my gap year between undergrad and med school and its soooo boring. I just wanna be pummeled with work already and actually feel like a med student. All that rewarding knowledge... yum...

I shall quote this when you're frantically up all night trying to memorize cranial nerves ..............

 

[cardzkp]

Not scared at all but is anyone else feeling ansty? I've spent so many years getting to this point and now that I'm in I just want to move on with it. I'm having a great time enjoying the adult life and relaxing but I'm sick of waiting! Probably will look back at this and laugh/cry when I'm in school and wish I had more time lol

That's because you're a caps fan... the caps are just antsy to be cup champs in a few months --- and that's coming from a die hard Islanders fan.....

 

[Squamous Eddie]

Not scared of doing well, because I'm sure I will. But I'm scared of somehow losing my acceptance now, lol. Also seconding being antsy to just hurry up and start already. I finished my major in junior year, so senior year has just been me relaxing and doing some light research to write my thesis so I can graduate. I guess add in the anxiety of actually graduating, and that sums up how I feel these days.

 

[raiderette]

I worry that I will hate it, that I stayed focused on this goal, only for it to be the wrong goal. I have always grown up with something to prove And I worry that everyone will underestimate me.

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[DrFizition]

I worry that I will hate it, that I stayed focused on this goal, only for it to be the wrong goal. I have always grown up with something to prove And I worry that everyone will underestimate me.

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That's why they want you to do a crap load of volunteering, clinical work, and other extra work. So you know that you really want this.

 

[w0rldw3y3d]

Hell no. I'm ready to go, but I also am a realist and don't expect to be top 10% or anything. I'm in competition with myself.

 

[raiderette]

That's why they want you to do a crap load of volunteering, clinical work, and other extra work. So you know that you really want this.

I have done just that. But what if I would be happier doing something I never considered in my myopic quest to be a physician? Nonetheless, I am ready for August to come.

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[Dr.NickRiviera]

I am. I'm scared I'll **** it up just like I did undergrad. I'm also scared that I won't be able to make any friends as I'm a bit older than everyone else (but not so old that I have a family). It's a little weird how the social anxiety never seems to go away despite how far I've come with social interactions...

 

[musicalfeet]

I am. I'm scared I'll **** it up just like I did undergrad. I'm also scared that I won't be able to make any friends as I'm a bit older than everyone else (but not so old that I have a family). It's a little weird how the social anxiety never seems to go away despite how far I've come with social interactions...

Yay you managed to explain my fears in a much more succinct way.

 

[NotAnotherPreMed]

I feel that way on the weekends but then during the week I have all my classes and activities to take care of all while trying to enjoy my last semester as an undergrad. So far it's ok but obviously these feelings will get stronger over the summer!

 

[carpediem22]

Not scared at all but is anyone else feeling ansty? I've spent so many years getting to this point and now that I'm in I just want to move on with it. I'm having a great time enjoying the adult life and relaxing but I'm sick of waiting! Probably will look back at this and laugh/cry when I'm in school and wish I had more time lol

Dude I feel the exact same way, like cannot wait to move into my [apartment/dorm] and get my white coat and start learning **real medicine** and adopt my new kitten and sleep in the library [maybe not though due to aforementioned kitten].

 

[whatever5]

YES! I think if you're not scared, you're not aware of what you're getting yourself into.

 

[terra330]

Definitely a bit nervous. Especially since I've been out of school a little while now and the transition to having no school to the load of medical school just seems crazy from this side of it.

 

[Benjoe11]

No doubt. I think about how much I still don't know and how much left I have to do and it's scary. But it's also really exciting. Haha just trying to focus on the exciting part!

 

[Benjoe11]

I agree. This is my gap year between undergrad and med school and its soooo boring. I just wanna be pummeled with work already and actually feel like a med student. All that rewarding knowledge... yum...

Also can't wait for the gap year to be over. Haha I feel like a bum with out mountains of work to comb through haha.

 

[Poit]

Med school isn't hard bro.

 

[hopefulERdoc251]

I am petrified for medical school to start! But I am insanely excited to begin the next step in my life haha. I think it's normal though, especially when you hear that it's the hardest 4 years of your life.

 

[Lannister]

I'm also scared that I won't be able to make any friends

This. I have a hard time making friends, and I don't want to end up alone and miserable in med school like I did during my first year of undergrad. It was bad enough then, I don't think I could handle that alongside the stresses of med school.

 

[cardzkp]

Terrified, mortified, petrified, stupefied, by medical school

 

[italiancowgirl]

Don't worry, you will find your people. I felt the same way so I know saying don't worry is pointless, but stay busy with stuff. I was terrified for the entire first week that they would say, we changed our mind and you are not welcome. Try to embrace it though, it is real, the dream is happening. Also, it is not an amorphous dream but a labor intensive, uncomfortable, stretch of a new lifestyle that will push you to every limit and light you up inside. It will both excite and terrify you on a regular basis. Welcome to med school my friends.

 

[takeurmeds02]

I worry that I will hate it, that I stayed focused on this goal, only for it to be the wrong goal. I have always grown up with something to prove And I worry that everyone will underestimate me.

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Yea, this is probably my greatest fear. I know I want to do this without a doubt and I couldn't see anything else for myself. But it has still crossed my mind since I've been accepted..

 

[redferrari]

I was scared before undergrad, and my fears were unfounded. I therefore refuse to fill my mind with negative thoughts. And I'm a naturally over-confident person hahaha

 

[NicksMD]

Scared and antsy but prepared. Learned a lot about myself in this gap year. We're not in this fight alone guys.


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[Hospitalized]

I shall quote this when you're frantically up all night trying to memorize cranial nerves ..............

Oh, oh, oh... to touch and feel, very good velvet... such heaven.

 

[futuredoc71]

Nerves are starting to kick in! Excited & so ready to move on. Bored to death on my 2 year "gap year"

 

[waytogo1]

Glad I'm not the only one 🙂 I was afraid I wasn't cut out for med school bc I started thinking "what if I fail med school?"

 

[MightBeACylon439]

What If I have a crappy MCAT??!?!?!
What if I Don't get secondaries?!?!?!
What if I dont get an interview?!?!?!
What if I dont get accepted?!?!?!?
What if I fail out of Medical School?!!??!?!
What if I get a crappy board score!?!??!
What if I dont get my residency!?!?!?!

You're always going to have a new stress. Work hard you'll be fine.

With that said remember that last sentence. Work hard. You'd be surprised by how few ****s people give when they get to medical school, the literally dont study at all and then bitch when they fail. WTF? Med school is hard, but so doable a monkey could do it if that monkey had the determination.

 

[Glazedonutlove]

What If I have a crappy MCAT??!?!?!
What if I Don't get secondaries?!?!?!
What if I dont get an interview?!?!?!
What if I dont get accepted?!?!?!?
What if I fail out of Medical School?!!??!?!
What if I get a crappy board score!?!??!
What if I dont get my residency!?!?!?!

You're always going to have a new stress. Work hard you'll be fine.

With that said remember that last sentence. Work hard. You'd be surprised by how few ****s people give when they get to medical school, the literally dont study at all and then bitch when they fail. WTF? Med school is hard, but so doable a monkey could do it if that monkey had the determination.

Feels different now compared to the premed stuff. I feel like now we are finally starting the real journey into this career.

 

[pyrrion89]

I'm not sure where to post this, and also don't really have many people to talk to this about except strangers on the internet who may empathize 🙂

Does anyone else have fleeting moments of being afraid of doing poorly once school starts? I'll have moments where I'm super excited to start, and then other moments of "omg what if I totally suck at this". Not to mention, all the crazy amounts of different resources med students seem to use and I can hardly wrap my mind around any of it. There also seems to just be less threads discussing this in general, so I feel more alone than usual (in comparison to like, MCAT threads or Ochem threads where people have told you where to focus on, which resources outside of class are great, etc that seem straightforward).

I have no idea what to expect this August, except perhaps a crazy, intimidating load that will probably feel like getting run over by a Mack truck... which scares me when I think about it.

Okay now I'm rambling. Neuroticism out T_T

The feeling never ends. I'm an MS2 and I'm freaking out about having to deliver babies in a few months. Imposter syndrome is real and pervasive in medical school. The flip side is you will hardly be alone, and it's normal.

 

[Tenk]

Don't worry. Even as an attending I have days where I doubt myself. It's what keeps us going, learning, fighting.

The day that you think you know everything and are invincible is the day that your patients die.

 

[pramirez184]

I'm not sure where to post this, and also don't really have many people to talk to this about except strangers on the internet who may empathize 🙂

Does anyone else have fleeting moments of being afraid of doing poorly once school starts? I'll have moments where I'm super excited to start, and then other moments of "omg what if I totally suck at this". Not to mention, all the crazy amounts of different resources med students seem to use and I can hardly wrap my mind around any of it. There also seems to just be less threads discussing this in general, so I feel more alone than usual (in comparison to like, MCAT threads or Ochem threads where people have told you where to focus on, which resources outside of class are great, etc that seem straightforward).

I have no idea what to expect this August, except perhaps a crazy, intimidating load that will probably feel like getting run over by a Mack truck... which scares me when I think about it.

Okay now I'm rambling. Neuroticism out T_T

I'm literally just excited. I'm in grad school and it's time to move on. I am so ready for med school.

 

[Gymnast89]

Easier said than done, but try and keep in mind that people in general are proud, and are more likely to share when they're doing well. When you're sitting in a room with your classmates and hearing everyone talk about how awesome they're doing, it's not because everyone's doing awesome! It's because some did awesome that week, and the folks who are struggling are quiet.

I failed a quiz 1st year and after freaking out silently for days I worked up the guts to confide in my anatomy partner...who told me then that he'd failed something earlier that month. That was basically my introduction into this secret network of like 25 of my classmates who I knew fairly well but who I'd had no idea had failed anything.

That thing lecturers always like to say, like "Ask a question if you're thinking it, because your classmates are thinking the same thing and just too scared to ask"... that holds true outside the lecture halls.

Yes it's normal to be scared, and yes you can do this. Congrats on getting in -- that's an enormous accomplishment!

 

[mimelim]

Feels different now compared to the premed stuff. I feel like now we are finally starting the real journey into this career.

It is funny. I would say that the further I have gotten, the more I realize that the journey started far earlier than I ever expected. Granted this more philosophical than anything, but the foundation for becoming a good physician (or any type of professional for that matter) starts in high school and keeps going and going and going...

 

[Smoove]

Feels awesome!!!!

But also scared of choosing the right school and wondering if I can keep up with the class 😳

 

[HelpMe212]

I'm currently in a finance internship and every day think about just staying in finance and ditching medicine (I have been accepted to a school already). You just have to believe in yourself and remember that you are going to be an amazing doctor one day.

 

[Glandzburg]

As @Nontrad_DO_143 said, just remember that if you work hard, you'll be fine. Medical school is challenging, but it is very doable. You must simply put in the required time and effort. You've made it past the biggest bottleneck: getting into medical school. There are very few that won't complete the journey after that hurdle, and I guarantee most of those that drop out due to academic struggles are the ones that couldn't make themselves put in the time. You are not going to learn any mindblowing-complex astrophysics; I can promise you that if you actually work hard, you will get through just fine. Sure, you may not get as much sleep as you like some nights, but you'll be fine. That's the most important thing to remember when you feel overwhelmed.

TL;DR - You'll all be fine

 

[ditritium monoxide]

A lot of bromides about working hard and being fine seem to be tossed around. If you peek at the medicalschool sub reddit, it really seems like less than half of med students are able to do decently (top-half of class) and balance their life outside of class. I don't want to be a debbie-downer, but I really wonder, will all of them be fine? Or only a small portion of them? If it's the latter, then I hope everyone here has a way to strategise.