Go back and change things

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
imtheman25

imtheman25

Full Member
7+ Year Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2014
Messages
125
Reaction score
154
Members don't see this ad.
I will be starting med school next year, and I was curious to all the MSs out there ..... If you could back to your first year of med school what is one thing you would change?
 
I'd actually bother to read textbooks and build a stronger foundation rather than cram. Also, I'd use firecracker and really keep up with it! Lastly, I'd put more effort into connecting and forming relationships with my classmates. I wish I had a better support system
 
I would relax a bit more. Anatomy sucks, but other than that, as long as you put in the work, there's no need to stress out.
 
imtheman25 said:
I will be starting med school next year, and I was curious to all the MSs out there ..... If you could back to your first year of med school what is one thing you would change?
Click to expand...

deleting forum account and just lurking
 
I would worry less about Step 1 during first year and just focus on the content my school was teaching. 99.9% of my Step 1 prep was accomplished during 2nd year.
 
Tenk said:
More Jack, less Coke.
Click to expand...
That was second year. Especially the horrible class that was clinical medicine. Like, thanks for teaching me how medicine was done in the 80s.

Sent from my 0PJA2 using Tapatalk
 
Good advise thanks guys, im in the same boat as OP. Do you think I should start getting used to using anki now (in grad school) and I have no idea what firecracker is?!?
 
Gambler 101 said:
I'd actually bother to read textbooks and build a stronger foundation rather than cram. Also, I'd use firecracker and really keep up with it! Lastly, I'd put more effort into connecting and forming relationships with my classmates. I wish I had a better support system
Click to expand...

Agree. Cramming gets you by, but none of it sticks. Knowing this stuff is the foundation of what allows us as physicians to think critically, know when to be off protocol, make decisions in the absence of strong evidence, formulate innovative treatment strategies, etc. It's one of the main things - other than qualifying for residency - that makes us different from the NPs and PAs.

It all builds up to a critical mass. If you are able to have multiple organ systems and disease processes at your finger tips, it makes coming up with a differential diagnosis and managing the interactions easier. The future is sick patients with multiple comorbidities.

jqueb29 said:
I would relax a bit more. Anatomy sucks, but other than that, as long as you put in the work, there's no need to stress out.
Click to expand...

This is part of not cramming. Planning is crucial.
 
Definitely would've built a better foundation instead of cramming.
 
I think in reality just about everyone crams in some way or another. I study every single day and do my best to avoid the cram, but when I have some lectures given to me on Friday that are going to be on the exam on Monday, and it's already tough to keep up and know the past stuff, some cramming is going to have to be done. the pace is no joke, but you just have to do as much as you can stand to do and be at peace with it.
 
Giovanotto said:
How come?
Click to expand...
You asked, so I will respond. The following message only applies to me. There's no need that your experience be anything like this. If you arn't ready for my real, negative truth, don't read further:

Essentially the specialties I like are currently extremely competitive. I put immense pressure on myself to do well and it takes a toll everyday on me. Again this is internal, i know. I score well and have some research coming along too, but its hard to go to sleep and wakeup every day worried about catching up. I'm on an accelerated curriculum and for the next x number of months, I don't see myself being able to fully unwind and relax until Step is over. When i am not studying, the guilt is immense. I feel its weight non-stop.

Not to mention, I haven't seen my family often or my friends from college since I started school. All the time they are making plans and having a blast. They are picking up on my newfound boringness and even keeping in touch is hard now. Friends of mine from my college who were similarly ranked went into high paying jobs (total compensation 150k first year out); these second group of high-earning friends don't have great hours either, but when they are done with work it is over. Their work doesn't haunt them, like my work haunts me, everyday. For me, it is almost as if one long hurdle leads onto another one. Worst part is, there's no guarantee I can actually do what i like. One of my friends who was a year ahead of me is currently in something called private equity and probably makes about 250-270k total (incl. bonuses) for about 55 hrs of work a week and has a great life otherwise. I remember a distinct conversation we had where he told me that medicine was such a long road, etc. and I stood my ground, defending the field as a naive pre-med, hoping that I could show him one day that it is worth it.

There are positives too, but here you asked for the negatives, so there they are. Was a little therapeutic throwing all the negatives out there, not gonna lie. Don't let my negativity get to anyone. This is my battle to fight.
 
Last edited:
Tri723 said:
You asked, so I will respond. The following message only applies to me. There's no need that your experience be anything like this. If you arn't ready for my real, negative truth, don't read further:

Essentially the specialties I like are currently extremely competitive. I put immense pressure on myself to do well and it takes a toll everyday on me. Again this is internal, i know. I score well and have some research coming along too, but its hard to go to sleep and wakeup every day worried about catching up. I'm on an accelerated curriculum and for the next x number of months, I don't see myself being able to fully unwind and relax until Step is over. When i am not studying, the guilt is immense. I feel its weight non-stop.

Not to mention, I haven't seen my family often or my friends from college since I started school. All the time they are making plans and having a blast. They are picking up on my newfound boringness and even keeping in touch is hard now. Friends of mine from my college who were similarly ranked went into high paying jobs (total compensation 150k first year out); these second group of high-earning friends don't have great hours either, but when they are done with work it is over. Their work doesn't haunt them, like my work haunts me, everyday. For me, it is almost as if one long hurdle leads onto another one. Worst part is, there's no guarantee I can actually do what i like. One of my friends who was a year ahead of me is currently in something called private equity and probably makes about 250-270k total (incl. bonuses) for about 55 hrs of work a week and has a great life otherwise. I remember a distinct conversation we had where he told me that medicine was such a long road, etc. and I stood my ground, defending the field as a naive pre-med, hoping that I could show him one day that it is worth it.

There are positive too, but here you asked for the negatives, so there they are. Was a little therapeutic throwing all the negatives out there, not gonna lie. Don't let my negatives reasons get to anyone. This is my battle to fight.
Click to expand...
Preach
 
Tri723 said:
You asked, so I will respond. The following message only applies to me. There's no need that your experience be anything like this. If you arn't ready for my real, negative truth, don't read further:

Essentially the specialties I like are currently extremely competitive. I put immense pressure on myself to do well and it takes a toll everyday on me. Again this is internal, i know. I score well and have some research coming along too, but its hard to go to sleep and wakeup every day worried about catching up. I'm on an accelerated curriculum and for the next x number of months, I don't see myself being able to fully unwind and relax until Step is over. When i am not studying, the guilt is immense. I feel its weight non-stop.

Not to mention, I haven't seen my family often or my friends from college since I started school. All the time they are making plans and having a blast. They are picking up on my newfound boringness and even keeping in touch is hard now. Friends of mine from my college who were similarly ranked went into high paying jobs (total compensation 150k first year out); these second group of high-earning friends don't have great hours either, but when they are done with work it is over. Their work doesn't haunt them, like my work haunts me, everyday. For me, it is almost as if one long hurdle leads onto another one. Worst part is, there's no guarantee I can actually do what i like. One of my friends who was a year ahead of me is currently in something called private equity and probably makes about 250-270k total (incl. bonuses) for about 55 hrs of work a week and has a great life otherwise. I remember a distinct conversation we had where he told me that medicine was such a long road, etc. and I stood my ground, defending the field as a naive pre-med, hoping that I could show him one day that it is worth it.

There are positive too, but here you asked for the negatives, so there they are. Was a little therapeutic throwing all the negatives out there, not gonna lie. Don't let my negatives reasons get to anyone. This is my battle to fight.
Click to expand...

I have a similar experience
 
Tri723 said:
You asked, so I will respond. The following message only applies to me. There's no need that your experience be anything like this. If you arn't ready for my real, negative truth, don't read further:

Essentially the specialties I like are currently extremely competitive. I put immense pressure on myself to do well and it takes a toll everyday on me. Again this is internal, i know. I score well and have some research coming along too, but its hard to go to sleep and wakeup every day worried about catching up. I'm on an accelerated curriculum and for the next x number of months, I don't see myself being able to fully unwind and relax until Step is over. When i am not studying, the guilt is immense. I feel its weight non-stop.

Not to mention, I haven't seen my family often or my friends from college since I started school. All the time they are making plans and having a blast. They are picking up on my newfound boringness and even keeping in touch is hard now. Friends of mine from my college who were similarly ranked went into high paying jobs (total compensation 150k first year out); these second group of high-earning friends don't have great hours either, but when they are done with work it is over. Their work doesn't haunt them, like my work haunts me, everyday. For me, it is almost as if one long hurdle leads onto another one. Worst part is, there's no guarantee I can actually do what i like. One of my friends who was a year ahead of me is currently in something called private equity and probably makes about 250-270k total (incl. bonuses) for about 55 hrs of work a week and has a great life otherwise. I remember a distinct conversation we had where he told me that medicine was such a long road, etc. and I stood my ground, defending the field as a naive pre-med, hoping that I could show him one day that it is worth it.

There are positives too, but here you asked for the negatives, so there they are. Was a little therapeutic throwing all the negatives out there, not gonna lie. Don't let my negativity get to anyone. This is my battle to fight.
Click to expand...
Incredibly unique scenario. I would not be going to medical school today if I had your kind of friends/influences and had that income potential without further schooling. Everyone around me, which I may add are incredibly talented, either are in graduate school, pre-med/working, or working a job with horrible hours at < 100k. And, I live in a MAJOR city. I'm not sure where you're from...

The guilt that you refer to is my number 1 concern. I remember my last two years in undergrad at a really expensive private school where I studied my ass off the entire time and felt guilty whenever I wouldn't. It sucked.
 
Giovanotto said:
Incredibly unique scenario. I would not be going to medical school today if I had your kind of friends/influences and had that income potential without further schooling. Everyone around me, which I may add are incredibly talented, either are in graduate school, pre-med/working, or working a job with horrible hours at < 100k. And, I live in a MAJOR city. I'm not sure where you're from...

The guilt that you refer to is my number 1 concern. I remember my last two years in undergrad at a really expensive private school where I studied my ass off the entire time and felt guilty whenever I wouldn't. It sucked.
Click to expand...
You are right it is unique. Can't say too much about myself otherwise people from my school can deduce my identity on SDN. But let's just say that placement into great jobs for those who were summa cum laude at my school was excellent. Those doing worse, there was a significant drop off in line with what you are saying. For those excellent jobs, I am referring only to the top ones from my school.

The guilt is real. Sorry to say. But I have enough hope in the future to not even consider dropping out. Not an option! Onwards I go...

Edit: if it makes you feel better a lot of people suppress their guilt by chanting "P=MD!" . I don't agree with it, but that's a story for another day.
 
Last edited:
Giovanotto said:
How come?
Click to expand...
The annoyance, lies, the bull**** propaganda that medicine is about patient care/management.
The ridiculous and unnecessary time spent going through the hoops that only a grade school would normally require.
The subjective measure of a student (instead of objective like it should be).
The power play, coercion and immaturity.
But almost all professional programs are plagued by this. And then they ask why physicians become cynical dinguses.

Sent from my 0PJA2 using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

W
VEPSUM- Mount Sinai Program.. anyone hear back?
Replies
0
Views
383
wiredjazmine
W
magician7772222
Things to focus on as an M1 interested in psych?
Replies
4
Views
538
AJS59
AJS59
magician7772222
Things to keep in mind for incoming M1s?
Replies
14
Views
2K
Mr.Smile12
Mr.Smile12
P
Should I push step2 back
Replies
13
Views
6K
pvabc15
P
L
Failing first year. Need advice on things to help in the repeat year.
Replies
4
Views
672
FlowRate
FlowRate
Top