Do you actually enjoy medical school?

[Lawpy]

Wait till you find out that clinical years are even worse.

Doesn't change the fact that preclinicals should be shortened. It just means i'd rather deal with subjective crap from attendings over memorizing useless crap to please PhDs

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[Ole_Toe]

Yes it's amazing. To be fair I'm a bit older and worked plenty of dead-end and sh** jobs for many years, so being able to learn medicine as a full-time student is an incredible privilege. Being a med student opens up so many doors. Obviously it's a lot of work, and your perspective might depend on your upbringing and what other options you had. For me and my family this is a major come-up

 

[BuildingMyOwnLuck]

My school has weekly exams (closer to 1.5/week) so not really. I wish I had time to learn things that are interesting but the exams make it so that I just cram, rinse and repeat. It’s all good though, Im treating this like SEALS training, it’s gonna suck but at least I’ll be happier when I’m an attending.

 

[LunaOri]

I loved every minute of medical school. The worst day of med school was better than the best day at the dead-end job I worked before. I think it's easier to enjoy it if you have spent some time working before you start--going straight from college to med school might be like SSDD.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Honestly for that reason among others, i want preclinical to be shortened to 1 year. 1.5 yrs tops.

My school is 1.5. Definitely enough. I was just starting to be over it during the last block.

 

[Detailsmatter]

MS2 here close to dedicated period. I've honestly loved every moment of med school. its really motivating finally learning the material you've wanted to learn for so many years. things start to click and you realize that life isn't about the next exam coming up. everything you're learning (for the most part lol) is a step closer to helping a patient and that mentality has helped me so much. im no longer just learning for an exam im learning to be a competent and knowledgable physician. Since having this mentality its really helped on doing very well in my classes and hopefully step. Ive always been big on having balance so I've never really felt burned out throughout school. I've just focused on enjoying the moment and the time we have to just learn as much as we can

 

[deleted1082375]

Personally, I hate being in school and have stuff shoved down my throat. I do much better studying on my own and retain info much better. That being said, the first two years have been awful for that reason.

However, I love the science more than anything and don't want to be anywhere else. Nailing a complex topic and seeing how you can actually use your knowledge is what is rewarding for me.

The grind sucks but the art is amazing.

 

[7331poas]

Doesn't change the fact that preclinicals should be shortened. It just means i'd rather deal with subjective crap from attendings over memorizing useless crap to please PhDs

Its got nothing to do with subjective grading or memorizing useless stuff. Its that my time is captive and actively wasted while on clerkship. I would say 70% of my 60 hour "work weeks" on clerkship is sitting around doing nothing. At least in preclinical I can set my own hours and expectations.

All that being said I agree with the other posters, med school is 1000% better than working a regular 9-5 with no upward mobility.

 

[Lawpy]

Its got nothing to do with subjective grading or memorizing useless stuff. Its that my time is captive and actively wasted while on clerkship. I would say 70% of my 60 hour "work weeks" on clerkship is sitting around doing nothing. At least in preclinical I can set my own hours and expectations.

All that being said I agree with the other posters, med school is 1000% better than working a regular 9-5 with no upward mobility.

I mean that sucks and is probably reflective of a crappy site but even then that's better than 2 long years of boring preclinical crap. I'll still try to do some scut or something if i can.

 

[sunshinefl]

Yes it's amazing. To be fair I'm a bit older and worked plenty of dead-end and sh** jobs for many years, so being able to learn medicine as a full-time student is an incredible privilege. Being a med student opens up so many doors. Obviously it's a lot of work, and your perspective might depend on your upbringing and what other options you had. For me and my family this is a major come-up

I loved every minute of medical school. The worst day of med school was better than the best day at the dead-end job I worked before. I think it's easier to enjoy it if you have spent some time working before you start--going straight from college to med school might be like SSDD.

I’m 35 and I’ve worked since I was 14, full time since I was 18. I still felt like preclinical was miserable isolating torture. I am sick of the idea that working before should insulate you from the misery. For me, it certainly did not.

 

[Kardio]

The worst day of med school was better than the best day at the dead-end job I worked before.

I am sick of the idea that working before should insulate you from the misery. For me, it certainly did not.

I’m an M1 and I don’t particularly like preclerkship - but having crappy work experiences prior to starting, as a mental reference point for ‘the alternative life’, has been helpful.

 

[sloop]

I’m 35 and I’ve worked since I was 14, full time since I was 18. I still felt like preclinical was miserable isolating torture. I am sick of the idea that working before should insulate you from the misery. For me, it certainly did not.

It’s probably more about temperament than anything else. People generally go into medicine for some mix of bookish reasons and people reasons. Where you are in terms of that balance probably has some bearing on what your experience is at various points in training.

Although I think I’m fairly good at it (I went into psych after all), I’m pretty introverted and don’t actually enjoy talking to people all that much. It honestly kind of stresses me out. I also really like predictability. For me, looking back on it, I really enjoyed the preclinical years and hated third year. I felt like the grading was more objective and predictable. I knew exactly what I had to do every day and, as long as I put the time in and studied the material, I would do well. Also, much of the time I could set my own schedule and, even when I couldn’t, I at least knew when my obligations started and ended with a fair degree of certainty.

I also did not work a serious job before I entered residency. I entered a combined BS/MD program at 17 and went straight through med school. While I will say that med school was dramatically less “fun” than college, that’s a different thing from being enjoyable. College was a lot of friendship and socialization. Med school was about colleagues and the rewards of learning the fundamentals of a profession. They were enjoyable in different ways so I wasn’t bothered so much by the different environment.

 

[Dantes]

Yeah I don't really feel the same way as a non-trad. I worked for five years before med school and worked during college. Even at my worst jobs if I was disrespected or ignored I was at least paid for it, or could stand up for myself in some capacity. Worst case scenario I could try and find a different job. Here everything can be held against you with the boogeyman of professionalism, and you're the one paying for it! Maybe it's because at my school your grade mostly (60-80%) stems from evals...your mileage may vary.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Eh, I’m a super non-trad. I’m about to turn 37. I had a career as an OR tech and FA, a music career, and an enlisted Navy career. Med school is a million times better than any of those. It’s definitely not perfect and there have been times when I felt really frustrated.

I’m just starting rotations, so I’m sure I’m about to experience more frustrations over the next year. But unless they have me hanging over the side of a cruiser chipping paint in 140 degree weather for 8 hours without a break only to go straight into a 6 hour watch with no rest or sleep, I don’t think it will be that bad.

I think it really depends on what your work experience was before med school, your expectations, and your temperament.

 

[Lawpy]

I’m 35 and I’ve worked since I was 14, full time since I was 18. I still felt like preclinical was miserable isolating torture. I am sick of the idea that working before should insulate you from the misery. For me, it certainly did not.

Wait it helped made clinicals enjoyable at least right? Clinicals >>>>>>>>>>>>> boring, isolating, so much crap memorizing preclinicals.

Like i'm all for getting rid of preclinicals completely and just start out only clinicals but unfortunately the foundation is needed even though UFAPS/Anki does a far better job.

 

[sunshinefl]

Eh, I’m a super non-trad. I’m about to turn 37. I had a career as an OR tech and FA, a music career, and an enlisted Navy career. Med school is a million times better than any of those. It’s definitely not perfect and there have been times when I felt really frustrated.

I’m just starting rotations, so I’m sure I’m about to experience more frustrations over the next year. But unless they have me hanging over the side of a cruiser chipping paint in 140 degree weather for 8 hours without a break only to go straight into a 6 hour watch with no rest or sleep, I don’t think it will be that bad.

I think it really depends on what your work experience was before med school, your expectations, and your temperament.

Work experience: grocery store, correctional officer, CNA, RN

Expectations: work harder than ever before, not to feel sub-human

Temperament: extrovert, adaptable, intense

Wait it helped made clinicals enjoyable at least right? Clinicals >>>>>>>>>>>>> boring, isolating, so much crap memorizing preclinicals.

Like i'm all for getting rid of preclinicals completely and just start out only clinicals but unfortunately the foundation is needed even though UFAPS/Anki does a far better job.

oh I said in my first post in this thread I really enjoyed the clinical years. Even when they’re confusing or frustrating they’re 800x better than preclinical. Talked about this a lot in my residency interviews too (came up by various questions).

 

[Lawpy]

Work experience: grocery store, correctional officer, CNA, RN

Expectations: work harder than ever before, not to feel sub-human

Temperament: extrovert, adaptable, intense

oh I said in my first post in this thread I really enjoyed the clinical years. Even when they’re confusing or frustrating they’re 800x better than preclinical. Talked about this a lot in my residency interviews too (came up by various questions).

Yeah i saw but i was thinking if there's a trend between prior work experience and having good clinical experience. Because it's looking like people who worked like clinicals more than preclinicals. And people who didn't work like preclinicals more than clinicals.

I'm not sure if intro/extrovert plays a role because i'm willing to be an introvert with prior work experience will like clinicals more than preclinicals.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Work experience: grocery store, correctional officer, CNA, RN

Expectations: work harder than ever before, not to feel sub-human

Temperament: extrovert, adaptable, intense

oh I said in my first post in this thread I really enjoyed the clinical years. Even when they’re confusing or frustrating they’re 800x better than preclinical. Talked about this a lot in my residency interviews too (came up by various questions).

So your post demonstrates my point. You are extroverted, expected to work harder than ever, have prior work experience that is tough and involves dealing with difficult people...and you enjoyed your clinical years.

Totally what I would have assumed.

 

[Lawpy]

Maybe i'm biased since i don't know why anyone would like 2 years of isolating, depressing experience memorizing a flood of crap when UFAPS/Anki does a better job. I just think clinicals, as much as they get the hate for being subjective, personality conflicts, gunners, arbitrary grading and not doing much for most of the rotation, do a much better job reflecting medicine for what it is, for better or for worse

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Maybe i'm biased since i don't know why anyone would like 2 years of isolating, depressing experience memorizing a flood of crap when UFAPS/Anki does a better job. I just think clinicals, as much as they get the hate for being subjective, personality conflicts, gunners, arbitrary grading and not doing much for most of the rotation, do a much better job reflecting medicine for what it is, for better or for worse

Preclinical is not always isolating. Depends on the curriculum. We had a lot of interaction with our classmates. Too much of it IMO.

 

[Neopolymath]

So your post demonstrates my point. You are extroverted, expected to work harder than ever, have prior work experience that is tough and involves dealing with difficult people...and you enjoyed your clinical years.

Totally what I would have assumed.

I fit your line of reasoning here and actively liked clinical years despite their glaring flaws. That said, I actually liked preclinical as well if not better because it was truly a privilege. My job was to sit in the AC and learn science all day. My time was my own and my schedule flexible compared to clinical years.

I think it's all perspective and relative. I think a lot of people who don't like preclinical truly don't like it. I also think a small segment of people just need some perspective and attitude adjustment because they are whining about listening to LoFi hip-hop and doing Anki as a job compared to legit hard work like construction.

Edit: I had more free time M1 and M2 than while working and college.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I fit your line of reasoning here and actively liked clinical years despite their glaring flaws. That said, I actually liked preclinical as well if not better because it was truly a privilege. My job was to sit in the AC and learn science all day. My time was my own and my schedule flexible compared to clinical years.

I think it's all perspective and relative. I think a lot of people who don't like preclinical truly don't like it. I also think a small segment of people just need some perspective and attitude adjustment because they are whining about listening to LoFi hip-hop and doing Anki as a job compared to legit hard work like construction.

Edit: I had more free time M1 and M2 than while working and college.

Yeah, I’m not dismissing anyone’s feelings. If you feel isolated, you feel isolated. If you’re miserable, you’re miserable. That might just require a shift of perspective, but maybe it’s just not your bag.

 

[Maimonides1]

To all Medical students current and future:
As much the steep incline of the medical educational process appears to be grinding you in a very daunting way..,
all your current anxieties and pains will dissipate away..,
and leave you with everlasting sweet memories and great sense of self fulfillment..,
that will always help you in dealing with future chapters of treating human pains and sufferings..
and serves as a constant reminder for why in the first place.., you choose this noble profession!!

 

[Fried Plantaris]

Do you actually enjoy medical school?

I live for the post-block, post-test weekends

*Currently a 2nd year

 

[Lawpy]

I fit your line of reasoning here and actively liked clinical years despite their glaring flaws. That said, I actually liked preclinical as well if not better because it was truly a privilege. My job was to sit in the AC and learn science all day. My time was my own and my schedule flexible compared to clinical years.

I think it's all perspective and relative. I think a lot of people who don't like preclinical truly don't like it. I also think a small segment of people just need some perspective and attitude adjustment because they are whining about listening to LoFi hip-hop and doing Anki as a job compared to legit hard work like construction.

Edit: I had more free time M1 and M2 than while working and college.

I just think 2 years is a waste of time when 1 year is plenty. I like being in the hospital and clinic.

 

[Tangerine123]

Hated it, specially the clinical years. Developed severe physical and mental problems because of it. Contemplated self harm many times.

But

The grass is actually greener on the other side. Don't despair, look for counseling if you need to.

 

[You shall know the Truth]

No

 

[Phloston]

Now that I have an acceptance, I find myself constantly wishing the year would speed up and I could leave my gap year job and finally start school. But then I read sooo much that makes me wonder if this is just a particularly potent case of the grass being greener on the other side. Go and browse any school-specific forum or thread from a grizzled fourth-year, you’ll often find there is so much negativity. Whether it’s about lackluster facilities, unsupportive administrations, or disappointing clinical experiences, I rarely see people raving about their med school experience.

I would love to hear from y’all on the brighter side of medical school, or at least tell me I’m not naive to get my hopes up for the next four years!

Even for people who "enjoy" med school, there will inevitably be periods you loathe. You'll know some time around middle of 4th year if medicine is what you actually want to do.

 

[viralhiker]

This thread needs a poll smh

Good idea! Just added one!

 

[Lem0nz]

I was absolutely miserable in medical school all four years. Hated everything that wasn’t surgery and even found surgery boring if I was only retracting.

I came to the conclusion that I was just a ****ty medical student. I was a great resident and excellent surgeon. Just needed to be in a setting where I was doing and more engaged. I fair very poorly when watching or being taught at.

 

[TragicalDrFaust]

I’m grateful to be here every day. It’s much easier than undergrad because I have the luxury of being able to dedicate my full attention to school. I moved to a fun new city and got to move out of my dorm room sized apartment back home. I’m thankful I’m working towards a career that will help me give back to the community. And after working for what was arguably not a living wage for the past decade, I’m looking forward to earning a physician’s salary.

For people who don’t like school, yeah there are stressors and things can be frustrating. But we’re living the lifestyle of the top 10% of earners. That’s a gift.

Barring very strange circumstances, your enjoyment of medical school will depend on why you went into medicine and your general outlook. Do you generally feel positive about your life? If not, based on how unhappy some of our colleagues seem, it’s a skill worth developing.

 

[sunshinefl]

I’m grateful to be here every day. It’s much easier than undergrad because I have the luxury of being able to dedicate my full attention to school. I moved to a fun new city and got to move out of my dorm room sized apartment back home. I’m thankful I’m working towards a career that will help me give back to the community. And after working for what was arguably not a living wage for the past decade, I’m looking forward to earning a physician’s salary.

For people who don’t like school, yeah there are stressors and things can be frustrating. But we’re living the lifestyle of the top 10% of earners. That’s a gift.

Barring very strange circumstances, your enjoyment of medical school will depend on why you went into medicine and your general outlook. Do you generally feel positive about your life? If not, based on how unhappy some of our colleagues seem, it’s a skill worth developing.

I’m sorry I can’t just let this go. I had sincere reasons for going into medicine and experience in healthcare. I am generally a positive, excited person. Please stop saying my suffering and misery throughout preclinical was just due to a poor attitude. Also we are not living a physician lifestyle as you said, and it is NOT a gift even when you are an attending and can. It’s through my blood, sweat, tears, sacrifices.

 

[Lem0nz]

I’m grateful to be here every day. It’s much easier than undergrad because I have the luxury of being able to dedicate my full attention to school. I moved to a fun new city and got to move out of my dorm room sized apartment back home. I’m thankful I’m working towards a career that will help me give back to the community. And after working for what was arguably not a living wage for the past decade, I’m looking forward to earning a physician’s salary.

For people who don’t like school, yeah there are stressors and things can be frustrating. But we’re living the lifestyle of the top 10% of earners. That’s a gift.

Barring very strange circumstances, your enjoyment of medical school will depend on why you went into medicine and your general outlook. Do you generally feel positive about your life? If not, based on how unhappy some of our colleagues seem, it’s a skill worth developing.

I dunno if that's true. Like I said above - I absolutely disliked, borderline hated school. But holy crap I love being a surgeon, I love my patients, I'm very happy with my career and couldn't imagine doing anything else. Residency was pretty good and light years better than med school. Just as comfort for those who may be out there who love medicine but are struggling with not enjoying school because they're frustrated they aren't actively doing something as learners. It's OK to feel that way. Residency is much different.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I’m sorry I can’t just let this go. I had sincere reasons for going into medicine and experience in healthcare. I am generally a positive, excited person. Please stop saying my suffering and misery throughout preclinical was just due to a poor attitude. Also we are not living a physician lifestyle as you said, and it is NOT a gift even when you are an attending and can. It’s through my blood, sweat, tears, sacrifices.

The depression = poor attitude trope is a tired one. If you have clinical depression, adjustment or stress disorder, etc., just “having a positive attitude!” isn’t going to fix it.

I will say though that the “gift” idea is an opinion. Even though it is a LOT of work to get into medicine, it is perfectly okay to view it as a gift. But saying it’s a gift shouldn’t be used to minimize anyone’s mental health issues.

 

[Neopolymath]

I’m grateful to be here every day. It’s much easier than undergrad because I have the luxury of being able to dedicate my full attention to school. I moved to a fun new city and got to move out of my dorm room sized apartment back home. I’m thankful I’m working towards a career that will help me give back to the community. And after working for what was arguably not a living wage for the past decade, I’m looking forward to earning a physician’s salary.

For people who don’t like school, yeah there are stressors and things can be frustrating. But we’re living the lifestyle of the top 10% of earners. That’s a gift.

Barring very strange circumstances, your enjoyment of medical school will depend on why you went into medicine and your general outlook. Do you generally feel positive about your life? If not, based on how unhappy some of our colleagues seem, it’s a skill worth developing.

What's with the virtue signaling? Med school is completely transactional. We aren't privileged. We pay 50k a year. Maybe you didn't earn your way into medical school LOL? I say this as someone "made for medicine."

You aren't the lucky few who won the completely random lottery into heaven.

You can enjoy medicine and be thankful you aren't digging ditches every day in the third world but not use this mindset that causes all of us to get treated poorly and taken advantage of by everyone every step of the way. It's ridiculous.

 

[slowthai]

Barring very strange circumstances, your enjoyment of medical school will depend on why you went into medicine and your general outlook. Do you generally feel positive about your life? If not, based on how unhappy some of our colleagues seem, it’s a skill worth developing.

I mean, as much as I complain about crap on here, I'm a glass half full kind of guy. It's a glass half full of BS!

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

What's with the virtue signaling? Med school is completely transactional. We aren't privileged. We pay 50k a year. Maybe you didn't earn your way into medical school LOL? I say this as someone "made for medicine."

You aren't the lucky few who won the completely random lottery into heaven.

You can enjoy medicine and be thankful you aren't digging ditches every day in the third world but not use this mindset that causes all of us to get treated poorly and taken advantage of by everyone every step of the way. It's ridiculous.

Depends on your perspective. Only like 40% of applicants get accepted. By that view, it is a privilege to get to study/practice medicine and be intimately involved in patients’ lives. It’s just as condescending to tell someone they’re wrong for having that opinion as to tell someone they’re wrong for viewing it transactionally.

They are both valid ways to look at medicine and any other career.

 

[Neopolymath]

Depends on your perspective. Only like 40% of applicants get accepted. By that view, it is a privilege to get to study/practice medicine and be intimately involved in patients’ lives. It’s just as condescending to tell someone they’re wrong for having that opinion as to tell someone they’re wrong for viewing it transactionally.

They are both valid ways to look at medicine and any other career.

There is another option. Most of those 60% didn't earn their way in or weren't cut out for it? There will always be a group of people who didn't deserve a rejection but largely people who got into med school earned it. That's not a privilege. The privilege comes from the doctor-patient relationship, not the fact that an individual met admission criteria and then paid the fee to ride the ride.

Would you tell someone who made the olympic team for the backstroke that they are lucky? Most people don't get to be in the olympics for backstroke. They would probably laugh at you after realizing you diminished their 10 million laps in the pool and forgoing a life.

Also the OP is about med school, not medicine. And the post I quoted is about med school, not medicine. I think there is a distinction there and that's what draws my ire.

You can call it the just world fallacy but many of us deserve to be here. It wasn't luck that my school offered me a spot,objectively based on my resume and characteristics. That's not getting lucky. Things in life to be thankful for are usually based on luck (or fate if that's your brand of religion). "My baby was born healthy" "we just happened to be born white in America and don't have issues others are facing" "I was born to rich parents" "my family is safe during the pandemic because we have jobs and can work from home" blah blah blah

See how that's different than someone saying it's a privilege some person studied hard, did good on mcat and got in? The other poster says this person needs an attitude adjustment if they don't like M1 or M2 because they are privileged that they were smarter/harder working than the random people who didnt get in. LOL just LOL at that. That has nothing to do with the other unless you want to go back to the pure luck that you were born with the zip code, family, and genetics to succeed. Sorry, I guess?

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

There is another option. Most of those 60% didn't earn their way in or weren't cut out for it? There will always be a group of people who didn't deserve a rejection but largely people who got into med school earned it. That's not a privilege. The privilege comes from the doctor-patient relationship, not the fact that an individual met admission criteria and then paid the fee to ride the ride.

I know several people with great apps who fell through the cracks and didn’t get in until they reapplied once or twice. Yes, if you applied to med school with a 2.8 and a 490 with no ECs, then you were never getting in. But anyone with near the mean GPA and MCAT and the ECs who didn’t get in didn’t just not work hard enough, and that’s a very condescending mindset to have.

Would you tell someone who made the olympic team for the backstroke that they are lucky? Most people don't get to be in the olympics for backstroke. They would probably lunch you after realizing you diminished their 10 million laps in the pool and forgoing a life.

You’re conflating luck and privilege. And as someone who has competed at a top level in a sport (not the Olympics), yes there is a bit of luck and I absolutely felt privileged to be able to experience it.

Also the OP is about med school, not medicine. And the post I quoted is about med school, not medicine. I think there is a distinction there and that's what draws my ire.

That’s splitting hairs IMO. I have been very grateful and have felt very privileged to be able to be in medical school. I worked very hard for many years to be able to get in, did very well on the mcat and my postbacc, and did some very intense ECs. So by your view, I deserve to be in med school. But I still feel like I’ve been given a gift, and that view is not less than or invalid because you disagree.

 

[slowthai]

@Neopolymath @Matthew9Thirtyfive
You guys are both right okay? Now kith

 

[Neopolymath]

I know several people with great apps who fell through the cracks and didn’t get in until they reapplied once or twice. Yes, if you applied to med school with a 2.8 and a 490 with no ECs, then you were never getting in. But anyone with near the mean GPA and MCAT and the ECs who didn’t get in didn’t just not work hard enough, and that’s a very condescending mindset to have.

You’re conflating luck and privilege. And as someone who has competed at a top level in a sport (not the Olympics), yes there is a bit of luck and I absolutely felt privileged to be able to experience it.

That’s splitting hairs IMO. I have been very grateful and have felt very privileged to be able to be in medical school. I worked very hard for many years to be able to get in, did very well on the mcat and my postbacc, and did some very intense ECs. So by your view, I deserve to be in med school. But I still feel like I’ve been given a gift, and that view is not less than or invalid because you disagree.

As I said, some people fall through the cracks. It's not a perfect process. I'm not going to apologize for the opinion that some people didn't have the combination of innate intelligence or hardwork/discipline to get into school. That's not condescending. Condescending is telling someone that earned their way into medical school by outcompeting the other applicants that they should feel lucky. Lucky for what exactly? They didn't get randomly choosen via lottery...

Privilege is a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group. I guess you could say Michael Phelps is privileged that his physique gave him the chance to do 10,000 laps to be in the olympics if you want to back up that far. I don't know what sport you played but when I played pro I certainly didn't feel lucky while practicing all the time that I could have been with my family or friends. It's a transaction. I felt lucky to be born with two legs and natural athleticism but that's only half the battle as you know.

Can you call something a gift that isn't charity? Did getting shot at and working your ass off in the military not count as earning your chance to be at your school? Other people didn't do that or didn't have the academic rigor to be accepted as well. I won't diminish your accomplishments for you.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

As I said, some people fall through the cracks. It's not a perfect process. I'm not going to apologize for the opinion that some people didn't have the combination of innate intelligence or hardwork/discipline to get into school. That's not condescending. Condescending is telling someone that earned their way into medical school by outcompeting the other applicants that they should feel lucky. Lucky for what exactly? They didn't get randomly choosen via lottery...

These are strawman arguments. I didn’t say anything about you having to apologize for your opinion or that anyone who got into med school didn’t work for it. The condescending part is when you tell someone who didn’t get in that they “just didn’t work hard enough” or, what I was actually saying in my post, when you tell someone that their opinion is ridiculous just because it differs from yours—which you did.

Privilege is a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group. I guess you could say Michael Phelps is privileged that his physique gave him the chance to do 10,000 laps to be in the olympics if you want to back up that far. I don't know what sport you played but when I played pro I certainly didn't feel lucky while practicing all the time that I could have been with my family or friends. It's a transaction. I felt lucky to be born with two legs and natural athleticism but that's only half the battle as you know.

Good for you. Your opinion is different. You keep falling into the trap of solipsism. Your experience and opinion is not the only one out there, and it’s not the only one that is valid. I trained endlessly, 3 times a day sometimes, for a really long time. I put in a LOT of work to get to where I was. I felt very lucky that I didn’t get hurt, that I had great trainers, that things worked out the way they did. I felt privileged to get to travel to interesting places and meet people and do things most people never get to do.

Can you call something a gift that isn't charity? Did getting shot at and working your ass off in the military not count as earning your chance to be at your school? Other people didn't do that or didn't have the academic rigor to be accepted as well. I won't diminish your accomplishments for you.

And a few people who did that with me didn’t get into med school despite having good apps. It happens. You keep wanting to go by these strict definitions. The use of the word gift to mean something that you feel #blessed to have is very common. And yes, I feel like getting to be in med school and not being blown up is a gift.

I respect that you have a different opinion that is totally valid. It’s just possible for other people to have different views, and they aren’t any less valid.

 

[DoctorWhere]

I love it . So much . I literally can’t get enough of studying (I swear I am serious). My admins are amazing , - I love them so much I actually sometimes just email to say hi. My class is ok - no “shark” action, even though there are a few cringe worthy ppl . Most are fine . We exchange resources , etc. City is cheap to live in . And the bar on the corner has great burgers . My life is pretty great .

I want colleagues like you

 

[DoctorWhere]

Wow, thank you all for your answers! Y'all are a very reflective and realistic bunch. I've noticed some commonalities in the responses (admin usually sux, there will certainly be parts of med school that'll grind you down, shorten this/that), but surprisingly these answers are more positive in general than I was expecting. Also, I have a lot of sympathy for you first-years who started during COVID (and everyone else trying to med school during a pandemic for that matter). That must be rough. I am excited to get started next year, and I think you all have helped in assuaging my anxieties/uncertainties.

The student panels during my interviews have been amazing for accessing how supportive each program is (including faculty/administration/etc.) Now, I am wondering if SDN biased me into ranking my schools based on program support haha.

 

[TragicalDrFaust]

I’m sorry I can’t just let this go. I had sincere reasons for going into medicine and experience in healthcare. I am generally a positive, excited person. Please stop saying my suffering and misery throughout preclinical was just due to a poor attitude. Also we are not living a physician lifestyle as you said, and it is NOT a gift even when you are an attending and can. It’s through my blood, sweat, tears, sacrifices.

I'm only expressing my opinion- I don't mean to suggest anything about anyone else's experiences. From my perspective, medical school feels like a spa. I spent the last decade working retail and food service while going to undergrad and escaping an abusive relationship. For the record I have a mental illness and part of the way I manage it is finding ways to be grateful and positive. That works for me. I did not mean for my statement to be across the board prescriptive. But I do think that it's important for physicians and med students to remember that we generally won't have to worry about finances as much as the average person and are able to have a flexible and rewarding career.

Also OP was asking if medical school was enjoyable so I was trying to say yes, depending on if you can keep your eyes on the prize and find coping skills that work for you.

And yes honestly I do get a bit frustrated when I hear people complaining about their job/school (this has been true since community college and my earliest food service jobs), that they selected and willingly entered, so maybe I let that get into my post a little.

 

[underthesun]

These are strawman arguments. I didn’t say anything about you having to apologize for your opinion or that anyone who got into med school didn’t work for it. The condescending part is when you tell someone who didn’t get in that they “just didn’t work hard enough” or, what I was actually saying in my post, when you tell someone that their opinion is ridiculous just because it differs from yours—which you did.

Good for you. Your opinion is different. You keep falling into the trap of solipsism. Your experience and opinion is not the only one out there, and it’s not the only one that is valid. I trained endlessly, 3 times a day sometimes, for a really long time. I put in a LOT of work to get to where I was. I felt very lucky that I didn’t get hurt, that I had great trainers, that things worked out the way they did. I felt privileged to get to travel to interesting places and meet people and do things most people never get to do.


And a few people who did that with me didn’t get into med school despite having good apps. It happens. You keep wanting to go by these strict definitions. The use of the word gift to mean something that you feel #blessed to have is very common. And yes, I feel like getting to be in med school and not being blown up is a gift.

I respect that you have a different opinion that is totally valid. It’s just possible for other people to have different views, and they aren’t any less valid.

@Neopolymath this is classic @Matthew9Thirtyfive going all “intellectual” on an SDNer who has a valid dissenting opinion. Just enjoy this gif and stop poking the bear

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

@Neopolymath this is classic @Matthew9Thirtyfive going all “intellectual” on an SDNer who has a valid dissenting opinion. Just enjoy this gif and stop poking the bear View attachment 329742

You realize that I literally told him his opinion is valid and totally legitimate, right? Did you actually read the post? The entirety of my post was saying that two people can have different opinions and have them both be valid--that we shouldn't be telling someone else they are "wrong" because they disagree.

 

[Lawpy]

@Neopolymath this is classic @Matthew9Thirtyfive going all “intellectual” on an SDNer who has a valid dissenting opinion. Just enjoy this gif and stop poking the bear View attachment 329742

What? He literally said he recognized dissenting opinions while pointing out it's ok to have contrary opinions as well

 

[Lawpy]

You realize that I literally told him his opinion is valid and totally legitimate, right? Did you actually read the post? The entirety of my post was saying that two people can have different opinions and have them both be valid--that we shouldn't be telling someone else they are "wrong" because they disagree.

 

[underthesun]

You realize that I literally told him his opinion is valid and totally legitimate, right? Did you actually read the post? The entirety of my post was saying that two people can have different opinions and have them both be valid--that we shouldn't be telling someone else they are "wrong" because they disagree.

My point is that you should stop clogging up threads with your pseudo-intellectual nonsense