Feeling sad about my gap year while seeing all of my friends off to med school

[PreMedStudent55555]

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I don't really have anyone to talk to about this who understands so I decided to talk here. I just graduated college and am applying to med school right now. Things are going according to plan as I am blessed with an interview opportunity but it sucks because I was talking to some of my friends and they were telling me how excited they were about making new friends and treating patients and here I am just working and still going through the process. Anyone have any advice or input on how to deal with this. I just feel sad I guess sigh.

 

[Engrailed]

I don't really have anyone to talk to about this who understands so I decided to talk here. I just graduated college and am applying to med school right now. Things are going according to plan as I am blessed with an interview opportunity but it sucks because I was talking to some of my friends and they were telling me how excited they were about making new friends and treating patients and here I am just working and still going through the process. Anyone have any advice or input on how to deal with this. I just feel sad I guess sigh.

Chin up buttercup. 🙂
“Life is the most difficult exam. Many people fail because they try to copy others. Not realizing that everyone has a different question paper.”

 

[Cornfed101]

Hey at least you’re not 30 years old and just now figuring this out. I’ve met some attendings younger than I am.

 

[TravelingMedicine]

I don't really have anyone to talk to about this who understands so I decided to talk here. I just graduated college and am applying to med school right now. Things are going according to plan as I am blessed with an interview opportunity but it sucks because I was talking to some of my friends and they were telling me how excited they were about making new friends and treating patients and here I am just working and still going through the process. Anyone have any advice or input on how to deal with this. I just feel sad I guess sigh.

I mean there is nothing to be sad about because everyone goes to medical school at their own pace. Sure they started medical school but you still have time to explore and do other things before having to jump into medical school. Focus on your other interests outside of medicine and enjoy the time you have after secondaries and the start of medical school. You do not need to start medical school at the same time as your friends, and you still have the opportunity to meet others outside of medical school.

 

[710118]

I felt the same way and even worse because my friends went to a 7 year BS/MD program and I am taking 2 gap years before matriculating. My friends are like in there 2 year already and will be in 3rd year when I start. I think you just have to realize that this is your own separate path and that this path will likely afford you better options because a gap year enhances your app.

 

[Phoebus Apollo]

Lol hot dayamn here i am wrapping up my 3rd gap yr and about to head to med school and I’m like holy moly cannoli time goes FAST

gap years are very special. Enjoy every ounce of it! (Or don’t, it’s still good for ya imo)

 

[pinkowl250]

Taking a gap year was the best thing that happened to me. I know it sucks right now but you will have a wonderful career one day that others can only dream of so keep your head up and keep grinding! Make the most of this year because it may be the last free time you get for a while

 

[TempuraOreos]

I totally get how you're feeling. My friends are going into fourth year and Im just about to start in a few weeks. For me it was motivation that I was gonna get there too. I was just gonna go at my own pace and it worked out. I really think these gap years enhanced my app. So see it that way, you may end up somewhere not even your friends imagined you'd end up!

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

You just gotta learn to accept it. Not everyone’s life plays out the same way to get to the same point. This year I had to watch all my friends from MS1-2 match meanwhile I’m stilling here years away.

 

[Dr panda]

Do not compare yourself to others, it is pointless. Most of my friends just graduated from colleges, while I still have few years to go through. 1 year is just nothing.

 

[Striatum14]

You just gotta learn to accept it. Not everyone’s life plays out the same way to get to the same point. This year I had to watch all my friends from MS1-2 match meanwhile I’m stilling here years away.

Do you think that fact that your degree is free makes it worth it?

 

[Pagan FutureDoc]

Do you think that fact that your degree is free makes it worth it?

Honestly there are days when I’m not sure. But honestly most the time I’m wondering if I really need the MD or not, or if just a PhD would have been enough to get me where I want to go.

 

[BellaWriterChic]

Everyone stresses out about imaginary timelines that have to be met. I was one who did for sure. I didn't get in anywhere until my third cycle and took two gap years. In the end it was worth it, though initially I was feeling exactly like you. So chin up, power through, and make the most of your time. There is not a universal schedule that you are missing out on. You got this.

 

[Dwight Snoot]

I think everyone should take a gap year. You are going to really enjoy it. Check back in on your friends in a few months when they are stressed with exams and you're enjoying your relaxing year off.

 

[Brain Whisperer]

I don't really have anyone to talk to about this who understands so I decided to talk here. I just graduated college and am applying to med school right now. Things are going according to plan as I am blessed with an interview opportunity but it sucks because I was talking to some of my friends and they were telling me how excited they were about making new friends and treating patients and here I am just working and still going through the process. Anyone have any advice or input on how to deal with this. I just feel sad I guess sigh.

But now you have a year where you can relax a bit while your friends are going into med school which is many years straight of hard work before you can be as free as you were before entering. Plus in 10 years, would a gap year even make a difference?

 

[Dr. Stalker]

See my thread about this topic here: White Coat Ceremony Picture, the new Facebook Profile Picture

I got roasted as you can tell from the comments. SDN is a toxic environment, don't expect much support, understanding, or pity. DM me if you do want to talk. I've been through the pain before.

Long story short, applied first cycle with meh MCAT, got rejected everywhere, while my peers with identical MCAT or lower MCAT, lower GPA, lower ECs managed to sneak in. Life is unfair. Sorry OP. I'm here for you, though.

 

[seeinghowitgoes]

I deferred matriculation for a year for a non-medicine opportunity I had and couldn’t help but want to start medical school while I was away - it’s normal and it’s a sign you’re starting of with the prerequisite enthusiasm for the field. It’s a good thing.

My own gap year was a tale of two experiences. First six months I had the worst FOMO ever to not be going through what my friends who were in medical school were going through, the second six months I decided I was going to make sure I took advantage of the year and it became one of the best periods of my life. Enjoy the possibilities of this gap year and try to grow from them. In my experience, people who took gap years tended to be way more mentally prepared to handle the rigors of medical schools. Maybe it’s selection bias, maybe the extra year actually does something for clarifying goals and all, but it was definitely my experience.

 

[TheRealBatmanMD]

I don't really have anyone to talk to about this who understands so I decided to talk here. I just graduated college and am applying to med school right now. Things are going according to plan as I am blessed with an interview opportunity but it sucks because I was talking to some of my friends and they were telling me how excited they were about making new friends and treating patients and here I am just working and still going through the process. Anyone have any advice or input on how to deal with this. I just feel sad I guess sigh.

Whenever I feel down, I just watch this video. ALWAYS STAY FOCUSED.

 

[Medic741]

I don't really have anyone to talk to about this who understands so I decided to talk here. I just graduated college and am applying to med school right now. Things are going according to plan as I am blessed with an interview opportunity but it sucks because I was talking to some of my friends and they were telling me how excited they were about making new friends and treating patients and here I am just working and still going through the process. Anyone have any advice or input on how to deal with this. I just feel sad I guess sigh.

Do you have any hobbies to pursue in your time off?

 

[deleted947265]

I don't really have anyone to talk to about this who understands so I decided to talk here. I just graduated college and am applying to med school right now. Things are going according to plan as I am blessed with an interview opportunity but it sucks because I was talking to some of my friends and they were telling me how excited they were about making new friends and treating patients and here I am just working and still going through the process. Anyone have any advice or input on how to deal with this. I just feel sad I guess sigh.

Sort of the same situation ignoring the fact I have no friends to be jealous of. :/

You're almost there, I have another 11 months before I even apply. lul.

I imagine it's harder to be in app year though because all of your pieces are on the board and you just kinda have to play it out. I have all kinds of stuff to do med school application stuff to do in the next 10 months or so. I sorta let the trying to get into med school thing get in the way of living my life last year, my grades and mentality suffered for it. Just do life. Have a hobby you can sink your teeth into on the weekdays when you get home from work. Personally I blog, read and play Destiny with my brother. It's keeping me from going insane... so far.