Apprehensive about my future

[MJD503]

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Made a dumb mistake by dropping out of HS very early, studied hard for my GED, got a job in long term care at 18, now work at a Psychiatric Hospital and have had good success and gained what feels like excellent experience. After being exposed to the healthcare enviornement through work experience and being hospitalized in my mid-teens from severe clinical depression, I knew I wanted to be a Doc. Nursing doesn't do it for me because of a variety of reason. I want to have the full, deep spectrum of knowledge that med school and residency offers. Of course the independence, leadership and critical decision making that goes with it is positive.

Now I'm trying to make up from my high school days at a local CC. I was at college level in everything they test you on except math where I'm way behind. So I'm working on getting at college level in Math(need 4-5 more terms), slowly but surely and takling other areas I am interested in on a part time basis. My quandry is it is going to take me 3-4 years just to get into a 4 year school. Another two to finish that and a year to work on med school apps. That puts me at 6-7 years and 26-27 years old. Seems soooo long when your working hard to pay for school and bills yet not feeling any closer to the goal. Actually feel falling behind because my debt is going to be at $30,000-40,000+ before I make it to med school.

Anyone with a similar experience or advice on getting to the goal sooner would be great!

 

[Nate]

This is definitely a marathon, not a sprint. Only those who endure make it. Your plan is fine but you cannot lose focus on that tiny light at the end of the tunnel and allow yourself to slip up grades/MCAT/applications no matter how far away the end seems. DO schools seem to favor non-traditional applicants with life experience as you have, and so you shouldn’t view your past “mistakes” as baggage, but rather part of the process. The trial now is simple, endure and overcome and you will become a doctor. Just remember that everyone faces trials and tribulation, it is how we overcome them that shows our worthiness to enter this profession. That is without going into the specifics of my personal experiences that led me down the road less traveled by as well, but as you can see I made it and so will you. Good luck

 

[EricH]

We share a commonality, see my post here:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=191164

Nate is absolutely right, it is an endurance trial. I am 27 and still have 2 years of undergrads left to go. I had to go to CC at night for the 5 years to get to the university level. As I proceed I am more enamored with the idea that life is about the process, not the destination. As we move thought life there will always be a new hurdle in front of us, ours is to choose what to do with it. For me, it was about surrendering to the clock. I used to get depressed and bogged down by the timeline, everyday seemed an eternity with my goal beyond the horizon. Once I surrendered to the timeline and focused on being an excellent student, my progress seemed fast.

The good news is that you know what you want to do, I have not always known, for me, knowing my path was a huge relief! This means you can plan carefully and not waste any time. Get your transfer requirements done early, that way your last semester or two are spent taking electives and considering 4 year schools, not worrying about acceptances. Progressive classes like math can be frustrating. If I were you I would either: take a class every session and intersession that way your at the college level in about a year instead of two, or get a tutor and tell them you want to test into college algebra or Trig in 6 months.

Patience and endurance, patience and endurance. 🙂

Feel free to send me a message anytime! We members of the "payin for our mistakes" club gotta stick together 👍

 

[JakeHarley]

You are in good shape, especially if you are rocking your classes. You may be a few years older...so what? University can be really fun, study hard and enjoy it! Time and time again people say their happiest times were along the road, not at the final destination.

Work hard, enjoy yourself in the moment, and when the time comes for med school you'll be ready.

Peace.

 

[raspberry swirl]

. . . although i dont know if this is necessarily inspirational or not, but, even if you loose sight of the light at the end of the tunnel, or change your mind half way, there is no such thing as wasted education. whether you make it all the way or half way, or even just take a few more classes, you will have gained something that will prepare you better for wherever you end up. good luck!