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How do you stay motivated when...
Started by toff4l
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I would think that if you love what you are doing, that should help a lot. If you are having difficulty studying because you are disinterested or overwhelmed, perhaps this isn't the right career path? I look at medical school as the start of a really awesome road. I'm going to enjoy the road the entire time, because 10 years is a lot. You can't keep waiting for 10 years for your income to start rolling in if you don't love what you do.
Also, there is nothing written down that you can't get married and start a family of your own during medical school/residency!
Also, there is nothing written down that you can't get married and start a family of your own during medical school/residency!
you might be posting in the wrong forum because with nontrads, many of us are making money, are married, and have children. we get to study, stress, and stay motivated as well. that is the fun about being a nontrad, trying to figure out to send your kids through school while simultaneously sending yourself through school.
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This. I already did all that stuff in spades. We're here because we're looking for more than just making money in a career that doesn't nourish anything other than our checking accounts. Married ten years this June, one toddler breaking everything he can get his hands on. Stress is what you make of it.
I'm surprised at the lack of empathy you've received on this thread--I absolutely 100% understand your struggle. I don't know your demographics, but presumably their similarity to mine (26 year old, engaged with no kids but essentially ready for 'em whenever) explains our similar experience.
I've been very on the fence lately about whether or not I want to go through with all of this, but I'm far enough in right now that I feel that I at least owe it to myself to apply and see if I get in. I keep telling myself that nothing is decided until I've enrolled...
Not sure if that helps, motivation wise, but sometimes I think it's nice to know you're not alone.
What are your reservations about medical school?
I only ask because I do have a friend who sounded just like you ("I'm already here so I might as well keep on going") only to drop out after the first year.
I knew someone like you would understand. I think the late 20's are the worst years because it's hard to settle down and focus on medical school at the same time. I'd like to meet someone but I keep avoiding it because I know that my priority is to get into medical school and then life will make a little bit more sense because I will know what I am doing with it. Also I have this fear that if I have kids when I'm in my mid 30's that I'll be really old and I can't have fun with them. So many things to think about at this age.
I really don't know a kind way of telling you that your preconceived notions of what life is/should/will be at certain ages is incredibly naive. If you think that your late 20's pursuing an amazingly rewarding new career, with no SO and no kids, are the "worst years," I think that says more about your outlook on life than about "the late 20's." And mid 30's is "really old" and you can't have fun with your kids? How many mid-30's parents do you know? Cheer up and make your life what you want it to be. It's not a lack of empathy, it's a lack of navel gazing.
I'm 28, married, no kids, starting med school in August. The one thing that has been trying for me is deciding on when to have kids. My husband and I decided that we're going to likely have our first kid when I'm about 33-34 (after intern year).
I don't think mid or even late 30s are at all too late to have kids. My sister-in-law had both her kids in her mid/late 30s. She seems to have done fine, no complaints. Mid 30s, the kids are likely out of the house by mid-50s, which isn't really all that old anymore. You have like 20 or so years of life left on average to do whatever you want.
I don't think mid or even late 30s are at all too late to have kids. My sister-in-law had both her kids in her mid/late 30s. She seems to have done fine, no complaints. Mid 30s, the kids are likely out of the house by mid-50s, which isn't really all that old anymore. You have like 20 or so years of life left on average to do whatever you want.
Actually, if it makes you feel any better, a remarkable number of doctors nowadays are ending up marrying other doctors--usually ones they meet in medical school. Imagine the level of empathy that comes with that--'twould be nice. Also, I don't think mid 30's is too old to enjoy your children at all.
My reservations are not about school at all. I love learning and the more I study the sciences, the more I recognize how fascinating I find all of this. My concern is in balancing a personal life and school. Is it a top priority for me to be an excellent physician and experience a fulfilling, rewarding career that gives back to my community? Absolutely. Is it my top priority? I can't say that it is. I was raised in an environment that taught me family and my relationships should always come first. That won't change with med school, and I plan to raise my children in a similar way.
I want kids, and sad thing for us girls--we don't have an indefinite window of opportunity. My reservation then (in short--HA), is that I won't be able to have the sort of family life I envision for myself while in med school, and that waiting to start my family until after med school will be "biologically" too long.
I love your attitude. You sound like me on the "Med school--woohoo!" days.
