Having Second Thoughts... :(

[Cofo]

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Guys, I am only a freshman, who was 110% going the pre-dental route. Now, I am not so sure. I know that I want to be a doctor, and help people. I am extremely good with kids, and I have shadowed a pediatrician MD before. I got bored after 2 hours of shadowing him just because I was merely shadowing. My girlfriends family thinks that I would make a terrific pharmacist, and although I can see myself as a pharmacist, I just don't know, because I know there is a lot of chemistry involved (chemistry is fun, but I really have to study hard at it to understand it.) I know I am supposed to be some sort of a doctor. I am torn right now between Dentistry, Medicine, and Pharmacy. HEEEEEEELP!!! I can literally see myself doing any one of these fields. Any advice?

 

[nerv12345]

if the reason you're torn between pharmacy and the others is because her family thinks you'll make a "terrific" pharmacist...then i'd stay stick to pre-dental/pre-med unless you have a genuine interest in it.

you don't want to end up getting your pharmD and then dislike your profession for the next 40 years just because someone suggested you'd make a good pharmacist

 

[soyroger]

Try to get a variety of experiences within each field despite how boring it may be at the time. You'll be able to look back and compare later. When I was in your shoes I did everything from shadow small town docs, to watching surgeries at large medical center, to interacting a lot with pharmacists at a cancer center, to volunteering at a free clinic and seeing both MD's and dentists in action with the uninsured. Every experience gave me more insight and often times taught me that the supposed glorified positions (ie. ER doc at level 1 trauma center) may not be all that desirable. Of course, do all this while thinking about what job fits your personality and how much you'll enjoy it for the next few decades. For me, once I got married and my wife became pregnant my priorities shifted and I desperately wanted a career where I'd be home more and I still wanted to do some good in the medical field. It may be similar or different for you, but good luck.

 

[SarahLorraine]

Soyroger has great advice.

I've been in your shoes too. I became almost every profession on here in my head lol...quarter life crisis if you will...sometimes I think you can't just PICK something when you absolutely feel you have to. Are there any classes that overlap as prereqs that you can take while you are waiting for that AHA moment? If so, then I would do that and just take a deep breath...explore your options and realize that it usually isn't as urgent as it feels. This is a big decision that can't be made in haste. You'll be ok! Something will suddenly just feel so right and it will all make sense. At least...that's what happened in my case. 😀

Good luck!

 

[twester]

👍👍 to Soyroger's advice. The more information you have about what each professional does, the more sure you'll be. There's a lot of chemistry in every medical profession and a lot of biology as well. If you know why you're studying the stuff, you'll be motivated.

My big fear was physics. I failed it in high school and dropped it my first year of college. Once I had a goal and a reason to do well in it, I excelled. Find out which direction you want to go in and then make it happen.

Good luck!