Does it get better?

[projectlogic]

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To those of you who are in 3rd year and beyond.. does life get better?

I feel like my life is passing me by. Seems like all my non-med school friends are enjoying life (making good money, going on vacations, etc.) meanwhile I just accure debt and spend most of my time studying. I feel like my life has gotten worse since starting med school.

Maybe I lack perspective or something. I don't know.. just need to vent I guess.

Anyone else feel the same way?

 

[Guillemot]

Becoming a doctor isnt about being happy bro. Its about being able know you are better than everyone else because you are a doctor. Your friends probably think you are having an awesome time in medical school. Dont let them think otherwise or your going to ruin the only thing you got going for you.

 

[VerynCE]

Becoming a doctor isnt about being happy bro. Its about being able know you are better than everyone else because you are a doctor. Your friends probably think you are having an awesome time in medical school. Dont let them think otherwise or your going to ruin the only thing you got going for you.

I don't think that being a doctor makes someone better than someone else. How do you come to this conclusion?

To the original question. I can't speak to life beyond 3rd year since I'm not there yet, but life is what you make of it. If you entered medical school for the right reasons, it should be worth sacrificing those vacations and extra spending money early on. Also note that other peoples lives probably aren't perfect either. You just see the surface things (like the vacations) for example. But maybe they're sitting there wishing they tried to get into a professional school.

People tend to want what they don't have.

 

[Iso4ane]

I don't think that being a doctor makes someone better than someone else. How do you come to this conclusion?

To the original question. I can't speak to life beyond 3rd year since I'm not there yet, but life is what you make of it. If you entered medical school for the right reasons, it should be worth sacrificing those vacations and extra spending money early on. Also note that other peoples lives probably aren't perfect either. You just see the surface things (like the vacations) for example. But maybe they're sitting there wishing they tried to get into a professional school.

People tend to want what they don't have.

I don't think that doctors are above everyone else, however we do sacrifice our 20's and early 30's, and that is something other people tend to overlook. so I do understand where the OP is coming from.

 

[oceanillusion42]

To those of you who are in 3rd year and beyond.. does life get better?

I feel like my life is passing me by. Seems like all my non-med school friends are enjoying life (making good money, going on vacations, etc.) meanwhile I just accure debt and spend most of my time studying. I feel like my life has gotten worse since starting med school.

Maybe I lack perspective or something. I don't know.. just need to vent I guess.

Anyone else feel the same way?

Totally know where you're comin from. I too hope things will get better in the future, and they probably will.... because it literally cant get worse than listening to lectures and reading first aid all day lol.

My friends are buying houses, getting married, etc. I've got nothin lol. Just keep tellin myself it will be worth it in the end.

 

[jerseytrash]

To those of you who are in 3rd year and beyond.. does life get better?

I feel like my life is passing me by. Seems like all my non-med school friends are enjoying life (making good money, going on vacations, etc.) meanwhile I just accure debt and spend most of my time studying. I feel like my life has gotten worse since starting med school.

Maybe I lack perspective or something. I don't know.. just need to vent I guess.

Anyone else feel the same way?

A few of my friends are making good money and going on vacations. Most of the others are struggling with employment, trying for grad school/med school/professional school after being unable to find jobs, or stuck in jobs they hate.

Everyone always thinks the grass is greener on the other side. I also sometimes feel jealous of my friends who are out having a good life or whatever. But, on the other hand, I'm also going into a profession I like (which I can't say about all of my friends), I'm sure to at least have a job in the foreseeable future, and am getting married in about a year. So life's really not all that bad sometimes.

 

[pdxhopeful]

I'm only a first year, but I'm definitely a non-trad so hope I have something to offer to the discussion.

Yes, one would hope to avoid being miserable in the short term, but life is about the long game and priorities for real happiness. I can't really complain about my previous job - I worked with a generally good group of people, did something I believed in, and got paid respectably if not well - but the idea of doing it another 30+ years with the only advancement being into roles I didn't want was really depressing. Being on the path I am now is a major relief.

I'm also wondering if your friends' lives are truly as rosy as you think, or if they're going to be as rosy in 20 years.

 

[jerseytrash]

I'm also wondering if your friends' lives are truly as rosy as you think, or if they're going to be as rosy in 20 years.

QFT

I have friends who are burnt out after working in the same job for only 5-10 years. Many are reconsidering their futures.

Sure, physicians have burnout, but it's not usually because they dislike their job, but rather b/c of the paperwork and other BS they have to deal with on a day to day basis.

 

[punkedoutriffs]

OP, you are a MED STUDENT for god's sakes. In AMERICA no less. To answer your question, yes you lack perspective. And just because there are others whose perspectives align with yours, doesn't mean the perspective is correct.

 

[jdj16]

to echo what others have said...i'm not sure what kind of circle you ran in in college...3/4 of my friends from college are still working the same jobs they worked before they graduated. In the year between my graduation and starting med school, i worked at the movie theater for minimum wage. no one that i've gone to school with has what you'd consider a "career" type job, and they're certainly not taking vacations to anywhere other than mom and dad's house.

contrast that to my setup here...i go to class for a few hours a day and then really dictate my own schedule to whatever i want to do. granted, after next year (when i start 3rd year) my cushy schedule will get flipped upside down, but in the grand scheme of things, i'd rather work 80 hours a week at the hospital than 80 hours a week between burger kind and the movie theater.

if you're really feeling depressed and it's not just a "i need a break" sensation, try talking to an advisor or one of the people you work with.

 

[John Lannister]

To those of you who are in 3rd year and beyond.. does life get better?

I feel like my life is passing me by. Seems like all my non-med school friends are enjoying life (making good money, going on vacations, etc.) meanwhile I just accure debt and spend most of my time studying. I feel like my life has gotten worse since starting med school.

Maybe I lack perspective or something. I don't know.. just need to vent I guess.

Anyone else feel the same way?

Pretty normal feeling.

 

[swamprat]

OP, you are a MED STUDENT for god's sakes. In AMERICA no less. To answer your question, yes you lack perspective. And just because there are others whose perspectives align with yours, doesn't mean the perspective is correct.

Dude u havent even started medical school yet u dont have any perspective or right to criticize OP. To the OP, third year blows it doesn't get better other than a different kind of crappy-ness of no longer having to study every day but having to show up to a fake-job and fake enthusiasm everyday. Your time will no longer be your own. Oh and don't forget more hoops, step 2 cs, ck etc.

 

[John Lannister]

nm

 

[punkedoutriffs]

Dude u havent even started medical school yet u dont have any perspective or right to criticize OP.

Oh common, pulling rank already? You really think it makes that much of a difference? How's it different than premeds bitching and moaning in undergrad? It's just same S&HT, different day. At least in med school you have the assurance you'll be a doctor and not a lab tech.

 

[Stellar Clouds]

To those of you who are in 3rd year and beyond.. does life get better?

I feel like my life is passing me by. Seems like all my non-med school friends are enjoying life (making good money, going on vacations, etc.) meanwhile I just accure debt and spend most of my time studying. I feel like my life has gotten worse since starting med school.

Maybe I lack perspective or something. I don't know.. just need to vent I guess.

Anyone else feel the same way?

It gets better. Nearing the end of second year sucks. Studying for boards + finals = worst part of medical school. Don't get me wrong, third year is a lot of work, but when you are actually seeing real patients it is way more enjoyable. And of course, fourth year is awesome!

OP, you are a MED STUDENT for god's sakes. In AMERICA no less. To answer your question, yes you lack perspective. And just because there are others whose perspectives align with yours, doesn't mean the perspective is correct.

Wrong answer. Come back after you actually start medical school and your naivety wears off.

 

[punkedoutriffs]

Wrong answer. Come back after you actually start medical school and your naivety wears off.

Maybe it takes an outsider's perspective to see the forest for the trees.

 

[sonofva]

now that I'm settled into the clinical years thoroughly, it is a little refreshing. i mean it still sucks in a lot of ways. but better than sitting at a desk studying biochem all day.

however, i think that if i was sitting here now, without having taken a looooong break to travel/party/work weird jobs before medical school...i probably would feel cheated of my youth.

 

[Evil_Abed]

Oh common, pulling rank already? You really think it makes that much of a difference? How's it different than premeds bitching and moaning in undergrad? It's just same S&HT, different day. At least in med school you have the assurance you'll be a doctor and not a lab tech.

Yea, it matters a whole lot. You have absolutely 0 experience with med school as of right now. No, it's not the same as dealing with premeds "bitching and moaning in undergrad." It's you who has no perspective to provide any sort of "insight" to the OP.

Change your status back to premed, go back to pre-allo, and come back in a few months once you've got some actual experience being a med student. Until then, your opinion on this matter is relatively worthless. Sorry bro.

To be on topic, OP, I can understand the frustration. It especially sucks right now while studying for Step 1. I'm encouraged by the fact that most of the M3s at my school seem fairly content (if not overworked) with the clinical years -- I'll find out in a few months. Until then, we just gotta do the best we can to not burn out. This is supposed to be one of the most depressing times of medical training, from what I've been told.

 

[punkedoutriffs]

No, it's not the same as dealing with premeds "bitching and moaning in undergrad."

What's the difference?

 

[swamprat]

Oh common, pulling rank already? You really think it makes that much of a difference? How's it different than premeds bitching and moaning in undergrad? It's just same S&HT, different day. At least in med school you have the assurance you'll be a doctor and not a lab tech.

Seriously not rank although when I was in your shoes NOT that long ago I would think the same thing. Its hard to understand until you start the process.. its pretty horrible. Don't get me wrong there are good times but it gets tiring, stressful,feels like a waste of time and as you start to near the latter half of med school you want to do the specialty you want (the who cares im a doctor thought process doesn't matter as much anymore). You would think its all smooth sailing after you get in which is what I thought being a premed and knowing how difficult it is to get into med school but its not.. you'll see. Welcome future colleague 👍 Its not too late to turn back..

 

[John Lannister]

Oh common, pulling rank already? You really think it makes that much of a difference? How's it different than premeds bitching and moaning in undergrad? It's just same S&HT, different day. At least in med school you have the assurance you'll be a doctor and not a lab tech.

I can understand what you're thinking, but it's probably best to wait until you get into med school.

It's a unique and challenging process.

After you complete M2 your opinion will at least carry some weight.

 

[punkedoutriffs]

Seriously not rank although when I was in your shoes NOT that long ago I would think the same thing. Its hard to understand until you start the process.. its pretty horrible. Don't get me wrong there are good times but it gets tiring, stressful,feels like a waste of time and as you start to near the latter half of med school you want to do the specialty you want (the who cares im a doctor thought process doesn't matter as much anymore). You would think its all smooth sailing after you get in which is what I thought being a premed and knowing how difficult it is to get into med school but its not.. you'll see. Welcome future colleague 👍 Its not too late to turn back..

Thanks for a patient, non-malignant explanation.

 

[John Lannister]

What's the difference?

Good luck. I hope you can try to have sympathy for those who are struggling. Sometimes we can't learn that until we have major struggles in our own lives though - which some pre-meds are short on.

 

[534455]

Seriously not rank although when I was in your shoes NOT that long ago I would think the same thing. Its hard to understand until you start the process.. its pretty horrible. Don't get me wrong there are good times but it gets tiring, stressful,feels like a waste of time and as you start to near the latter half of med school you want to do the specialty you want (the who cares im a doctor thought process doesn't matter as much anymore). You would think its all smooth sailing after you get in which is what I thought being a premed and knowing how difficult it is to get into med school but its not.. you'll see. Welcome future colleague 👍 Its not too late to turn back..

Very well put.

Agreed MD school is a grind. It is not what I expected. It is true what doxycycline wrote as to tiring, stressful, though I do not feel it is a waste of time. I probably don't feel that way b/c I had a great time in my 20s and 30s.

Having gotten married, had a family, traveled the world, owned a house, made my money, did the bling and hit most of my dreams, I feel like medical school for me at this juncture is perfect . I have never felt I was wasting my life in anything I was doing because whatever I wanted to do, I did it: traveled, lived in several cities, built, conquered, saw, laughed, dreamed, cried. I don't feel like I've missed anything in my life but that's only because I sought out to live my life beforehand.

If you feel you are missing out on life, then you have some thinking to do. I do not think it will get easier . I am expecting it to be a more of my arse in a sling for sure. But at least I know I lived my life to the fullest, did everything I wanted to do, have a wonderful family that supports me and I them. I feel like I am set. I just need to get my MD and go on to the next station.

I am thinking more and more as I survey the medical school classes and students, that medical school really should be for older students (over 30). In that way they can do all the fun stuff they want to do, rightly so, mature, gain life experiences, start a business or make some money, etc .

Cheers

 

[calvnandhobbs68]

Roadlesstravel's secret to life happiness and solution to all problems...

Be older

 

[jerseytrash]

Oh common, pulling rank already? You really think it makes that much of a difference? How's it different than premeds bitching and moaning in undergrad? It's just same S&HT, different day. At least in med school you have the assurance you'll be a doctor and not a lab tech.

It's not pulling rank. Until you've been through the stress and work of med school you cannot understand what it's like watching your friends out in the industry go and make 6 figure salaries with far less debt than you and live large (though like I said, for me, this is the minority of my friends, as many are either trying for grad school again, stuck in jobs they hate, or struggling to find employment).

 

[Anigma07]

Becoming a doctor isnt about being happy bro. Its about being able know you are better than everyone else because you are a doctor. Your friends probably think you are having an awesome time in medical school. Dont let them think otherwise or your going to ruin the only thing you got going for you.

0/10 post.

 

[tco]

What's the difference?

Here's an example:

I just finished OB/GYN. I scored an 87th percentile on the shelf. Not too bad, but not outstanding. As you realize, our grades are not solely based on tests any more. I finished the rotation on night float and labor and delivery - two fairly time consuming rotations (eleven 12 hour shifts in twelve days), but I did what I could to make myself useful on the service. I was told by my classmates that I should just disappear and study, but I refused to do that...Apparently a mistake because I got terrible evaluations anyway.

I was called in to defend a couple of the evaluations I received. One was semi-legit Basically, I did something wrong one morning, and a resident called me out on it. I explained myself (in what I thought was a respectful way) and apologized to the resident. She said "Okay," which I assumed meant it's not a problem. I then (which she didn't know) proceeded to apologize to the patient for any distress I may have caused. She said what happened wasn't a problem at all, and she appreciated our care. For the rest of the week, she and the other off service resident treated me like it was my first day - respectful and kind. We were slammed, so they didn't teach me much, but I didn't blame them. They have jobs. Meanwhile, if there was no one around, I would grab triages on my own (a couple of the triages they didn't even have to see because I reported straight to the senior) and helped out nurses with odds and ends...Again, a lot of stuff they didn't even know happened. Anyway, my evaluation read that I was, "unprofessional, lazy, disrespectful, slammed charts on the desk (never happened), and reacted negatively to criticism (the only criticism I received was a tongue lashing for what happened above - to which I didn't react at all)." The other evaluation had a bunch of made up junk that never happened...It basically got thrown in the garbage...However, both evaluations *numerical* score count towards my grade, which basically screws me.

So, to answer your question, "How is it different?" It doesn't matter what your intentions are, or how you actually act that determine your grade. It's how other people are doing that day or how they perceive that you're acting that determine your grade. I made myself available for an extremely time consuming part of the rotation that my other classmates did the opposite for, and ended up getting terrible evaluations for it. The resident I'm talking about is extremely nice, extremely intelligent, and a very good teacher. I must have just done the wrong thing on the wrong day to make her mad. I'm just glad I got a chance to explain what happened to the course coordinator to avoid that nonsense going into my Dean's Letter...That doesn't always happen. If it would have stayed, that's something that would hurt my career more than just a couple of points on my grade.

 

[yehhhboiii]

Thanks for a patient, non-malignant explanation.

Non-malignant? More like people are hating on a fake wannabe pre-med talking out of his ass. "Lacks perspective" indeed. It doesn't matter what your status claims you are, you have no idea what medical school is like so please don't try to share your "outsider's perspective". We already know what it's like to be a clueless undergrad. Check your attitude before you start crying about pulling rank.

 

[punkedoutriffs]

It's not pulling rank. Until you've been through the stress and work of med school you cannot understand what it's like watching your friends out in the industry go and make 6 figure salaries with far less debt than you and live large

I don't doubt that school is stressful. I have friends like that now (I'm 25) with good jobs, slick new cars, etc. while I have a 4 year old bike and less than $500 to my name. The thing is, what they do doesn't really concern me. It has nothing to do with me. I don't view my life in relation to theirs, so it never bothers me.

 

[punkedoutriffs]

Here's an example:

I just finished OB/GYN. I scored an 87th percentile on the shelf. Not too bad, but not outstanding. As you realize, our grades are not solely based on tests any more. I finished the rotation on night float and labor and delivery - two fairly time consuming rotations (eleven 12 hour shifts in twelve days), but I did what I could to make myself useful on the service. I was told by my classmates that I should just disappear and study, but I refused to do that...Apparently a mistake because I got terrible evaluations anyway.

I was called in to defend a couple of the evaluations I received. One was semi-legit Basically, I did something wrong one morning, and a resident called me out on it. I explained myself (in what I thought was a respectful way) and apologized to the resident. She said "Okay," which I assumed meant it's not a problem. I then (which she didn't know) proceeded to apologize to the patient for any distress I may have caused. She said what happened wasn't a problem at all, and she appreciated our care. For the rest of the week, she and the other off service resident treated me like it was my first day - respectful and kind. We were slammed, so they didn't teach me much, but I didn't blame them. They have jobs. Meanwhile, if there was no one around, I would grab triages on my own (a couple of the triages they didn't even have to see because I reported straight to the senior) and helped out nurses with odds and ends...Again, a lot of stuff they didn't even know happened. Anyway, my evaluation read that I was, "unprofessional, lazy, disrespectful, slammed charts on the desk (never happened), and reacted negatively to criticism (the only criticism I received was a tongue lashing for what happened above - to which I didn't react at all)." The other evaluation had a bunch of made up junk that never happened...It basically got thrown in the garbage...However, both evaluations *numerical* score count towards my grade, which basically screws me.

So, to answer your question, "How is it different?" It doesn't matter what your intentions are, or how you actually act that determine your grade. It's how other people are doing that day or how they perceive that you're acting that determine your grade. I made myself available for an extremely time consuming part of the rotation that my other classmates did the opposite for, and ended up getting terrible evaluations for it. The resident I'm talking about is extremely nice, extremely intelligent, and a very good teacher. I must have just done the wrong thing on the wrong day to make her mad. I'm just glad I got a chance to explain what happened to the course coordinator to avoid that nonsense going into my Dean's Letter...That doesn't always happen. If it would have stayed, that's something that would hurt my career more than just a couple of points on my grade.

This is typical?

 

[punkedoutriffs]

To people who are telling me to F- off:

Look, you probably know better than me. All I know is, I've heard the same laments echoing year after year in undergrad (during bio 101, during orgo, during labs, during MCATs) and I read on these forums the same sentiments continue throughout medical school, residency, and beyond. Something always seems to suck. That said, doesn't it make more sense to stop indulging in the line of thinking that somehow "it" will get better somewhere down the line and start thinking of ways for "you" to cope with "it?"

 

[jerseytrash]

Here's an example:

I just finished OB/GYN. I scored an 87th percentile on the shelf. Not too bad, but not outstanding. As you realize, our grades are not solely based on tests any more. I finished the rotation on night float and labor and delivery - two fairly time consuming rotations (eleven 12 hour shifts in twelve days), but I did what I could to make myself useful on the service. I was told by my classmates that I should just disappear and study, but I refused to do that...Apparently a mistake because I got terrible evaluations anyway.

I was called in to defend a couple of the evaluations I received. One was semi-legit Basically, I did something wrong one morning, and a resident called me out on it. I explained myself (in what I thought was a respectful way) and apologized to the resident. She said "Okay," which I assumed meant it's not a problem. I then (which she didn't know) proceeded to apologize to the patient for any distress I may have caused. She said what happened wasn't a problem at all, and she appreciated our care. For the rest of the week, she and the other off service resident treated me like it was my first day - respectful and kind. We were slammed, so they didn't teach me much, but I didn't blame them. They have jobs. Meanwhile, if there was no one around, I would grab triages on my own (a couple of the triages they didn't even have to see because I reported straight to the senior) and helped out nurses with odds and ends...Again, a lot of stuff they didn't even know happened. Anyway, my evaluation read that I was, "unprofessional, lazy, disrespectful, slammed charts on the desk (never happened), and reacted negatively to criticism (the only criticism I received was a tongue lashing for what happened above - to which I didn't react at all)." The other evaluation had a bunch of made up junk that never happened...It basically got thrown in the garbage...However, both evaluations *numerical* score count towards my grade, which basically screws me.

So, to answer your question, "How is it different?" It doesn't matter what your intentions are, or how you actually act that determine your grade. It's how other people are doing that day or how they perceive that you're acting that determine your grade. I made myself available for an extremely time consuming part of the rotation that my other classmates did the opposite for, and ended up getting terrible evaluations for it. The resident I'm talking about is extremely nice, extremely intelligent, and a very good teacher. I must have just done the wrong thing on the wrong day to make her mad. I'm just glad I got a chance to explain what happened to the course coordinator to avoid that nonsense going into my Dean's Letter...That doesn't always happen. If it would have stayed, that's something that would hurt my career more than just a couple of points on my grade.

This happened to me as well on OB/Gyn (seems to be a recurring motif for the rotation)... one of my evals was done by a resident I was on call with once. Entered a patient's room and introduced myself first to the family and then to the patient (patient was spanish speaking only, family translated) and the resident took me outside and snarled at me for 10 minutes about how it was inappropriate. I delivered 4 babies that night almost entirely on my own (with the help of a newly minted intern) and the nurses otherwise loved me. Got a mediocre eval from her b/c of the above incident.

I don't know if OB attracts bitchy people or if they become that way

 

[sonofva]

This is typical?

yes. 3rd year evals are loads of subjective bs...

 

[tco]

This is typical?

I wouldn't say it's typical, but it happens.

I have another friend that received terrible evaluations because he let it be known that he was going into neurosurgery. They said, "Student doctor ____ showed no enthusiasm for learning about ____, and showed little initiative to see patients in this field as he has already decided to do neurosurgery."

This happened to me as well on OB/Gyn (seems to be a recurring motif for the rotation)... one of my evals was done by a resident I was on call with once. Entered a patient's room and introduced myself first to the family and then to the patient (patient was spanish speaking only, family translated) and the resident took me outside and snarled at me for 10 minutes about how it was inappropriate. I delivered 4 babies that night almost entirely on my own (with the help of a newly minted intern) and the nurses otherwise loved me. Got a mediocre eval from her b/c of the above incident.

I don't know if OB attracts bitchy people or if they become that way

There was a patient we had the next day that I spent a lot of time with (more time than the resident, which is understandable given their patient load and amount of paperwork). She was a unique case, so I made certain that she was okay with me being in the room during the delivery. She said, "Yes, absolutely." Then, when the time came, as the team was going in, the resident said, "I think it's best that you aren't involved with this patient's delivery. Stay in the work room."

 

[tantacles]

Becoming a doctor isnt about being happy bro. Its about being able know you are better than everyone else because you are a doctor. Your friends probably think you are having an awesome time in medical school. Dont let them think otherwise or your going to ruin the only thing you got going for you.

This is such a great troll post. And people responded to it seriously; that's the best part.😀

 

[deleted525628]

Oh common, pulling rank already? You really think it makes that much of a difference? How's it different than premeds bitching and moaning in undergrad? It's just same S&HT, different day. At least in med school you have the assurance you'll be a doctor and not a lab tech.

I have to agree with this. There's not much more you can do with an undergraduate degree in biology or biochem besides being a lab tech or PhD route (which is still a lab tech for 3-6 years).

 

[PTPoeny]

This time of year was the worst for me every single year of medical school. Starting each new year no matter how much the work sucks I felt like I was making progress. So, I understand where you are coming from and I do think it gets better (at least it did for me).

Also, it is important to figure out how to live life while working 80 hours a week. I would recommend against putting your life on hold in terms of getting married and enjoying time with friends and going on vacation just because you have to study a lot or be at the hospital a lot. It takes some balancing to figure out but it is very worth it.

 

[Ost3oclast]

Here's an example:

I just finished OB/GYN. I scored an 87th percentile on the shelf. Not too bad, but not outstanding. As you realize, our grades are not solely based on tests any more. I finished the rotation on night float and labor and delivery - two fairly time consuming rotations (eleven 12 hour shifts in twelve days), but I did what I could to make myself useful on the service. I was told by my classmates that I should just disappear and study, but I refused to do that...Apparently a mistake because I got terrible evaluations anyway.

I was called in to defend a couple of the evaluations I received. One was semi-legit Basically, I did something wrong one morning, and a resident called me out on it. I explained myself (in what I thought was a respectful way) and apologized to the resident. She said "Okay," which I assumed meant it's not a problem. I then (which she didn't know) proceeded to apologize to the patient for any distress I may have caused. She said what happened wasn't a problem at all, and she appreciated our care. For the rest of the week, she and the other off service resident treated me like it was my first day - respectful and kind. We were slammed, so they didn't teach me much, but I didn't blame them. They have jobs. Meanwhile, if there was no one around, I would grab triages on my own (a couple of the triages they didn't even have to see because I reported straight to the senior) and helped out nurses with odds and ends...Again, a lot of stuff they didn't even know happened. Anyway, my evaluation read that I was, "unprofessional, lazy, disrespectful, slammed charts on the desk (never happened), and reacted negatively to criticism (the only criticism I received was a tongue lashing for what happened above - to which I didn't react at all)." The other evaluation had a bunch of made up junk that never happened...It basically got thrown in the garbage...However, both evaluations *numerical* score count towards my grade, which basically screws me.

So, to answer your question, "How is it different?" It doesn't matter what your intentions are, or how you actually act that determine your grade. It's how other people are doing that day or how they perceive that you're acting that determine your grade. I made myself available for an extremely time consuming part of the rotation that my other classmates did the opposite for, and ended up getting terrible evaluations for it. The resident I'm talking about is extremely nice, extremely intelligent, and a very good teacher. I must have just done the wrong thing on the wrong day to make her mad. I'm just glad I got a chance to explain what happened to the course coordinator to avoid that nonsense going into my Dean's Letter...That doesn't always happen. If it would have stayed, that's something that would hurt my career more than just a couple of points on my grade.

THIS is what Im dreading about med school....

 

[tco]

Forgot to mention that everyone who I got along *really* well with, dominated pimp sessions with, and just did awesome in general with gave me average marks and no comments, so my comments section is just the general BS that everyone gets PLUS one negative sentence that I told my course coordinator that she should just leave since it's in my evaluations. Can't be perfect, right? It wasn't that bad of a comment, and how am I going to throw a fit over it when I just defended, "Doesn't take negative criticism well," right? Right?! 🙁

 

[John Lannister]

Here's an example:

I just finished OB/GYN. I scored an 87th percentile on the shelf. Not too bad, but not outstanding. As you realize, our grades are not solely based on tests any more. I finished the rotation on night float and labor and delivery - two fairly time consuming rotations (eleven 12 hour shifts in twelve days), but I did what I could to make myself useful on the service. I was told by my classmates that I should just disappear and study, but I refused to do that...Apparently a mistake because I got terrible evaluations anyway.

I was called in to defend a couple of the evaluations I received. One was semi-legit Basically, I did something wrong one morning, and a resident called me out on it. I explained myself (in what I thought was a respectful way) and apologized to the resident. She said "Okay," which I assumed meant it's not a problem. I then (which she didn't know) proceeded to apologize to the patient for any distress I may have caused. She said what happened wasn't a problem at all, and she appreciated our care. For the rest of the week, she and the other off service resident treated me like it was my first day - respectful and kind. We were slammed, so they didn't teach me much, but I didn't blame them. They have jobs. Meanwhile, if there was no one around, I would grab triages on my own (a couple of the triages they didn't even have to see because I reported straight to the senior) and helped out nurses with odds and ends...Again, a lot of stuff they didn't even know happened. Anyway, my evaluation read that I was, "unprofessional, lazy, disrespectful, slammed charts on the desk (never happened), and reacted negatively to criticism (the only criticism I received was a tongue lashing for what happened above - to which I didn't react at all)." The other evaluation had a bunch of made up junk that never happened...It basically got thrown in the garbage...However, both evaluations *numerical* score count towards my grade, which basically screws me.

So, to answer your question, "How is it different?" It doesn't matter what your intentions are, or how you actually act that determine your grade. It's how other people are doing that day or how they perceive that you're acting that determine your grade. I made myself available for an extremely time consuming part of the rotation that my other classmates did the opposite for, and ended up getting terrible evaluations for it. The resident I'm talking about is extremely nice, extremely intelligent, and a very good teacher. I must have just done the wrong thing on the wrong day to make her mad. I'm just glad I got a chance to explain what happened to the course coordinator to avoid that nonsense going into my Dean's Letter...That doesn't always happen. If it would have stayed, that's something that would hurt my career more than just a couple of points on my grade.

OB/GYN has some of the worst behaving people in medicine. It must stem from some of them being miserable people.

Forgot to mention that everyone who I got along *really* well with, dominated pimp sessions with, and just did awesome in general with gave me average marks and no comments, so my comments section is just the general BS that everyone gets PLUS one negative sentence that I told my course coordinator that she should just leave since it's in my evaluations. Can't be perfect, right? It wasn't that bad of a comment, and how am I going to throw a fit over it when I just defended, "Doesn't take negative criticism well," right? Right?! 🙁

They just evaluate how much they liked you. It has nothing to do with performance. If they like you, they ignore the bad things you do and focus on the good (even if it's minimal). If they hate you, they ignore all the good you do and focus on 1 bad moment out of 1,000. It's a sad game. Fortunately, this isn't the rule for all rotations.

 

[KnuxNole]

This is typical?

In some specialties, absolutely 😛


I do see where OP is coming from. When I was in 3rd year, I felt bad because I would log on Facebook, and see literally a ton of people talking about going on their 3rd week long vacation of the year, going out to clubs/bars 7 days a week, and basically having a care-free life with no worries. Whereas I would feel drained in a surgery rotation and want to go back to a time where I was in control of my time. However, I tried not to feel bad about it, realize that there are still parts of the week that I enjoy in and out of work, and that 4th year is gonna be smooth sailing afterwards!

When I log on Facebook now, I still see people who have fancy cars, living the sweet life in NYC, LA, Miami and vacation pics. It doesn't make me feel bad...although I lose time going through cool pictures :O

 

[punkedoutriffs]

They just evaluate how much they liked you. It has nothing to do with performance. If they like you, they ignore the bad things you do and focus on the good (even if it's minimal). If they hate you, they ignore all the good you do and focus on 1 bad moment out of 1,000. It's a sad game. Fortunately, this isn't the rule for all rotations.

How would you get them to like you?

 

[John Lannister]

How would you get them to like you?

Social skills. Being like them. Good looks.

Those help.

 

[John Lannister]

Forgot to mention that everyone who I got along *really* well with, dominated pimp sessions with, and just did awesome in general with gave me average marks and no comments, so my comments section is just the general BS that everyone gets PLUS one negative sentence that I told my course coordinator that she should just leave since it's in my evaluations. Can't be perfect, right? It wasn't that bad of a comment, and how am I going to throw a fit over it when I just defended, "Doesn't take negative criticism well," right? Right?! 🙁

You're missing the point.

An evaluation is not an objective look at your performance. It's a subjective look at your performance. Your comments/actions are seen through a filter. If you're going back to analyze how their eval makes sense based upon your objective performance, then you're going to be confused.

 

[tco]

Social skills. Being like them. Good looks.

Those help.

You can hit two out of the three and still strike out.

 

[235009]

To those of you who are in 3rd year and beyond.. does life get better?

yes, it does. the pre-clinical years are absolutely dreadful. in terms of awfulness:

MS1 > MS2 >>>>>> MS3 >>>>> MS4

....and that's the perspective of someone who passed everything comfortably. I can't even imagine what those two years are like for those who struggle! Just accept that the pre-clinical years of med school are going to be wasted years of your life. It was even hard to enjoy or appreciate the time i wasn't studying because i always felt like i should be studying more. The only redeeming factor is summer between first and second year... try to enjoy that as much as you possibly can!

 

[cowme]

No point in medical education is worse than M3 year. But to be fair, I am a rads resident.

 

[tco]

No point in medical education is worse than M3 year. But to be fair, I am a rads resident.

SERIOUSLY considering following you down that path. So seriously that I'm fixin' up my MS4 schedule to head that way. I was thinking medicine the whole year until the past 2 or 3 months.

 

[NearnstPotentia]

To those of you who are in 3rd year and beyond.. does life get better?

I feel like my life is passing me by. Seems like all my non-med school friends are enjoying life (making good money, going on vacations, etc.) meanwhile I just accure debt and spend most of my time studying. I feel like my life has gotten worse since starting med school.

Maybe I lack perspective or something. I don't know.. just need to vent I guess.

Anyone else feel the same way?

No you have the correct perspective. The idiot below who hasn't started medical school yet and who says otherwise will eventually understand, be it in med school or during residency.

Go on medscape and look at the polls performed on lifestyle. Pay attention in particular to the parts about whether they would choose medicine as a career again. Medicine is about getting to do something that is really cool at first but then becomes just another job. In return you get to watch your life pass you by, lots of stress, lost time with family, loss of family, and a **** ton of rationalization. You will rationalize that you are doing something so good for so many people that it makes it worth it. Through time you'll experience disrespect, lawsuits, and general annoyance from the people you are trying to help. Worse still, those people think your services aren't worth your inflated salary and will complain and complain about how you get paid to much for so little work. Eventually you'll run out of things to hold on to to make this idiotic choice of a career worthwhile.

I live near the beach but I haven't been out of my house in any meaningful way for 5 weeks as I study these last few days for step1. What stings the most is seeing the smiling faces of the happy people having fun, hanging out with friends, and enjoying life in around the beach town where I live. Two days after I take step1 I start 3rd year where my success rests primarily on "playing the game" rather than my marks on an exam.

I would get out of medicine if I didn't have loads of debt and ailing parents. I wish I had done dentistry