Cold feet...

[Ninja9]

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Anybody got them?

As the date draws nearer to send in my deposit, I find myself doubting my choice of going to dental school more and more. There's no guarantee that any of us are actually going to LOVE being a dentist....shadowing only shows you so much. I didn't grow up with dentists in my family, or any doctors for that matter. Relying on the hours of shadowing and researching I have done and taking a leap of faith that I will thoroughly enjoy this career is somewhat frightening. Add to this the fact that I will be voluntarily going ~$250,000 into debt, and I am really freaking out.

Anyone else ever feel this way?

 

[Skygrandpager]

Anybody got them?

As the date draws nearer to send in my deposit, I find myself doubting my choice of going to dental school more and more. There's no guarantee that any of us are actually going to LOVE being a dentist....shadowing only shows you so much. I didn't grow up with dentists in my family, or any doctors for that matter. Relying on the hours of shadowing and researching I have done and taking a leap of faith that I will thoroughly enjoy this career is somewhat frightening. Add to this the fact that I will be voluntarily going ~$250,000 into debt, and I am really freaking out.

Anyone else ever feel this way?

I certainly can relate. But i also feel excited b/c we could really enjoy this work for the rest of our lives. I'm sure with any big decision its only natural to doubt one's choice, but this is an opportunity that many do not get.

 

[NonTradHopeful]

Anybody got them?

As the date draws nearer to send in my deposit, I find myself doubting my choice of going to dental school more and more. There's no guarantee that any of us are actually going to LOVE being a dentist....shadowing only shows you so much. I didn't grow up with dentists in my family, or any doctors for that matter. Relying on the hours of shadowing and researching I have done and taking a leap of faith that I will thoroughly enjoy this career is somewhat frightening. Add to this the fact that I will be voluntarily going ~$250,000 into debt, and I am really freaking out.

Anyone else ever feel this way?

Hey Ninja,

I can understand your predicament. However, as somebody who has tried the "other" careers out there, I can tell you something: You're VERY lucky to have this opportunity. I've seen what it's like to work for a large corporation and be treated as just another dot on the painting. I've seen the greed that corporations have (only care about their bottom line and nothing else). I'm walking away from a career at a major corporation in order to pursue this dream and hopefully be in the EXACT position you're in. Do yourself a favor...submit your deposit and don't look back. You're incredibly blessed to be accepted to a school that will give you a career where you can be your own boss, help improve people's lives, work <40 hours a week, and earn more than 90% of Americans in the process.

Put down your deposit, and make the most of it. Good luck, buddy.

 

[junkemails44]

Imagine, how many people at this hour are thinking, "I would love to be in your situation."

 

[Ninja9]

Thanks for the comments guys. It really helps to hear others' opinions and experiences about this.

I do feel VERY fortunate to be in the position I am (despite the uncertainty), so I don't want to come across as someone who doesn't see the wonderful opportunity staring me in the face. I guess I'm more scared about moving. Having lived close to home all my life, I'm now packing up and going across the country to pursue this, so I think that is part of the doubt.

Thanks again, and keep the comments coming!

BTW, I'm a girl, buddy. 😛

 

[junkemails44]

Thanks for the comments guys. It really helps to hear others' opinions and experiences about this.

I do feel VERY fortunate to be in the position I am (despite the uncertainty), so I don't want to come across as someone who doesn't see the wonderful opportunity staring me in the face. I guess I'm more scared about moving. Having lived close to home all my life, I'm now packing up and going across the country to pursue this, so I think that is part of the doubt.

Thanks again, and keep the comments coming!

BTW, I'm a girl, buddy. 😛

There is NOTHING, I mean literally nothing that will is guaranteed. But seeing how much people want this, and how hard I have worked for this opportunity, it would be silly to let it go to a waste, don't you think? Good luck!

 

[NonTradHopeful]

Thanks for the comments guys. It really helps to hear others' opinions and experiences about this.

I do feel VERY fortunate to be in the position I am (despite the uncertainty), so I don't want to come across as someone who doesn't see the wonderful opportunity staring me in the face. I guess I'm more scared about moving. Having lived close to home all my life, I'm now packing up and going across the country to pursue this, so I think that is part of the doubt.

Thanks again, and keep the comments coming!

BTW, I'm a girl, buddy. 😛

Lol, girl or guy doesn't affect buddy status.

As for moving cross country, that can be an exciting thing, actually. I remember I was scared to move away from my family, and it was hard for the first semester or two, but after that I really enjoyed the independence and the notion that I'm making my own decisions. People do it every day, and it's part of life to move away from people/situations that you're used to.

Don't look at it as a necessary evil...but look at it, instead, as the beginning of a new chapter in your life. You'll be absolutely fine.👍

All the best...

 

[scottyhoop]

Well, I can say that when I shadowed it looked pretty cool. Now that I am actually in dental school and doing hands on stuff I love it. I was actually sad when we had a snow day (yes I know...i'm a nerd). While my story might not be the same as everyone's...you will have a totally different view of dentistry once you start doing it for yourself rather than watching someone else do it. Good luck with your choice...I agree with everyone else. Go to school and see for yourself!

Scotty

 

[NonTradHopeful]

Lol, girl or guy doesn't affect buddy status.

As for moving cross country, that can be an exciting thing, actually. I remember I was scared to move away from my family, and it was hard for the first semester or two, but after that I really enjoyed the independence and the notion that I'm making my own decisions. People do it every day, and it's part of life to move away from people/situations that you're used to.

Don't look at it as a necessary evil...but look at it, instead, as the beginning of a new chapter in your life. You'll be absolutely fine.👍

All the best...

Oh and one more thing. Chances are, you're going to be attending a school that has 50-100 people in your class. That means there are going to be 50-100 other people who are in similar situations as you are: moved away from their comfort zone in order to pursue this education. You can take great comfort in knowing that you're not doing this alone...you have other classmates who will be just as worried/confused/excited/lost/enthusiastic as you are. It certainly helps to know that.😀

 

[peerless218]

Unlike you guys, It will be my 2 year anniversary of sitting around and do nothing by the time I start dental school. I've been sitting on my arrrsss for too long and I just can't WAIT to start. By ya, thinking about carrying that 300+K on my shoulder gives me a weak stomach.

 

[junkemails44]

Unlike you guys, It will be my 2 year anniversary of sitting around and do nothing by the time I start dental school. I've been sitting on my arrrsss for too long and I just can't WAIT to start. By ya, thinking about carrying that 300+K on my shoulder gives me a weak stomach.

Already a dental student, eh?? Haha

 

[kbkt902]

I think the scariest part is knowing that you have committed (in my case, at the age of 21) to what you will be doing, professionally, for the rest of your life. I have no doubts about whether or not I want to be a dentist, but it's still scary to think that my future is pretty much set in stone.

 

[Ninja9]

Thanks again everyone. 🙂 I'm feeling much better now. It's weird how it comes in waves-one morning I'll wake up and be so excited to start dental school, and the next day....well....

But I'll just try and take the advice given and push on through. I know if I don't go, I will regret my decision each and every day. I don't think I could live with myself for doing that.

 

[twothirtee]

I'm not a predent, I'm the mother of one, and the daughter of a dentist. I can truly tell you that my dad loved every day of being a dentist. He literally whistled on his way to work until he retired at age 74. He also had friends that retired in their 50s, and bought golf courses and stuff. Don't think it's for the rest of your life, it can be, but you'll make tons of $ to invest in other things if you want to do something else later. Good luck.

 

[ucla2134]

i can understand cold feet before the wedding day, but come on girl cold feet before entering this great profession

 

[peerless218]

Already a dental student, eh?? Haha

Unofficial dental student that is

 

[teh dentist]

I think that this is a feeling that many of us get. It comes with every great step we take in life.


Don't be scared though, go for it!

 

[doc toofache]

Thanks again everyone. 🙂 I'm feeling much better now. It's weird how it comes in waves-one morning I'll wake up and be so excited to start dental school, and the next day....well....

right there with you... at least we've decided on schools...

before that i'd go to sleep swearing allegiance to one school.. and then wake up thinking "wait which school do I wanna go to???"



hey ninja at least you can get some snowboarding in... super jealous...

 

[BiomajorPreDent]

Anybody got them?

As the date draws nearer to send in my deposit, I find myself doubting my choice of going to dental school more and more. There's no guarantee that any of us are actually going to LOVE being a dentist....shadowing only shows you so much. I didn't grow up with dentists in my family, or any doctors for that matter. Relying on the hours of shadowing and researching I have done and taking a leap of faith that I will thoroughly enjoy this career is somewhat frightening. Add to this the fact that I will be voluntarily going ~$250,000 into debt, and I am really freaking out.

Anyone else ever feel this way?

Assuming you like dentistry, you will have NO problem paying the debt back, so relax about that.

If you go through it and do not like it, there are many options available to you.

The odds of you hating every aspect of dentistry are slim. What you could do is pick an area you enjoy and either specialize in that, or limit your scope of practice to certain procedures.

For example: A guy I know who graduated last year realized he hated everything about general dentistry so he is going into Endo instead and is very happy with his choice. (Of course someone will respond to this and say you need to do well to get into specialties, but if you got into dental school, I would say you probably already have the drive to become a specialist if you wanted).

I know a GP who hates blood, so he has limited his practice to only cosmetic procedures (and they are lucrative too)

If you do not enjoy practicing you can always go back and teach. There is always a demand for instructors in the dental schools.

You can work for insurance companies. They employ dentists to inspect insurance claims.

 

[dl9006]

Hey Ninja,

I can understand your predicament. However, as somebody who has tried the "other" careers out there, I can tell you something: You're VERY lucky to have this opportunity. I've seen what it's like to work for a large corporation and be treated as just another dot on the painting. I've seen the greed that corporations have (only care about their bottom line and nothing else). I'm walking away from a career at a major corporation in order to pursue this dream and hopefully be in the EXACT position you're in. Do yourself a favor...submit your deposit and don't look back. You're incredibly blessed to be accepted to a school that will give you a career where you can be your own boss, help improve people's lives, work <40 hours a week, and earn more than 90% of Americans in the process.

Put down your deposit, and make the most of it. Good luck, buddy.

+1

although i didn't have a career in a corporation, i can tell you from working in a company for about a year that working a corporate job sucks!

you never know when you'll get axed when things go bad and you're nothing but a dispensable tool in the eye of the company

 

[ElCubanito]

A GP who hates blood? Wao...Blood is common to every dental procedure; specially esthetics...

Well, I can honestly say that you are not going to "love" dental school. Its a lot of effort and depending the school you go to it might tear you apart. I've had my tough times.

And no, I don't think I would have the energy to do it again. Sometimes I'm glad I didn't know much before going in...the debt is there and is real. There's no such thing as "good debt".

If you have a problem with that then join the Army Navy or AirForce. I have some classmates that did this and they owe 0 USD. Plus a nice stipend.

I don't mind the debt but would hate to do Army dentistry...let along being shipped anywhere with sand and a "safe or green zone".

 

[THP23]

Anybody got them?

As the date draws nearer to send in my deposit, I find myself doubting my choice of going to dental school more and more. There's no guarantee that any of us are actually going to LOVE being a dentist....shadowing only shows you so much. I didn't grow up with dentists in my family, or any doctors for that matter. Relying on the hours of shadowing and researching I have done and taking a leap of faith that I will thoroughly enjoy this career is somewhat frightening. Add to this the fact that I will be voluntarily going ~$250,000 into debt, and I am really freaking out.

Anyone else ever feel this way?

Wow I thought I was the only one!
A few weeks ago I had a huge panic attack/ breakdown because of this worry.....

(Thoughts that entered my head)first of all like you said there really is no "guarantee" that I am going to absolutely love the profession to death. I come from a family of entrepreneurs....there is actually ZERO Doctors in my family. Secondly, if I didn't love it, I would be a prisoner of my own success in school now having a hefty amount to pay back in loans. Finally, I have worked so hard over the past 4 years in school in order to attain this goal/ dream profession-- and now that I have it I don't want it? (freaked me out).

Two weeks ago was really the first time I actually "stepped outside the box" and looked at my future. Before I had been so concentrated on getting good grades and getting into dental school that the weight on my choice to become a dentist never really hit me until I was actually accepted and committed.

However, after thinking about it for a few weeks after my "freak out" I am very excited to start dental school. I do believe it is going to be an awesome profession and one in which I will enjoy doing and on top of that, has a handsome pay. Yes there is no guarantee that you will love your choice of career like an obsession, but that goes with any career....especially with entrepreneurs (i'm from a family of restaurant owners.....think $200,000 sounds like a big debt to pay off???? How about $800,000+ if a restaurant doesn't work out!!)

So in short, Ninja you are not the only one....I think more people than would like to admit on hear have felt the same way at one point or another. After all it IS a big decision, but I truly believe you and everyone else on here is making a wise career choice.

Hopefully this has helped to warm those cold feet LOL. 👍

 

[MXDenty77]

to the OP, were always making decisions based on incomplete info., and yes we all have reservations because its the unknown. Whats most important to me at least is knowing that I made the best decision and I am willing to own whatever consequences that follow (both the positive and the negative). Own your decision and enjoy the ride because your only coming around this way once so don't live with regrets and revel in the possibilities that lay ahead; in dentistry there are SOOO many!

 

[THP23]

to the OP, were always making decisions based on incomplete info., and yes we all have reservations because its the unknown. Whats most important to me at least is knowing that I made the best decision and I am willing to own whatever consequences that follow (both the positive and the negative). Own your decision and enjoy the ride because your only coming around this way once so don't live with regrets and revel in the possibilities that lay ahead; in dentistry there are SOOO many!

x 1,000,000

 

[Ninja9]

Thanks everyone! My feet are warm and back on track. I'm sending in my deposit tomorrow.

I guess I just have to stop analyzing things so much and just live life.

Colorado here I come! 🙂

 

[NonTradHopeful]

Thanks everyone! My feet are warm and back on track. I'm sending in my deposit tomorrow.

I guess I just have to stop analyzing things so much and just live life.

Colorado here I come! 🙂

*Clapping* Great to hear. You're going to be just fine, Ninja.👍

 

[doanh]

life is too short to regret.

 

[Dent010]

life is too short to regret.

+1