How to Survive and Cope Rotations?

[OMSWeebHours]

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Hello, I am a trad student who went straight through college and am now in OMS-II. I'm not sure what to do to prepare for rotations, as I haven't had much work experience outside of a few weeks.

Though honestly, my big fear is losing control of my time forever and being suck in a 8-5+ grind with little time for hobbies for the rest of my life until I am too old to do anything anymore. During 2nd year so far, at least for the first semester, I've been slacking pretty hard and still managed to pass everything ok, but once I am required to be at places for 5-6 days a week grinding and studying in addition to doing well in clinical impressions, I'm not sure I will be able to manage

 

[Angus Avagadro]

I know you are looking for reassurance, but as you found out, becoming a physician is hard. That doesnt get better, and often gets worse. Now if you are smart, and classwork comes easy, but don't have a blue collar work ethic, then rotations may be tough. The good news, is you won't know how to be helpful as a new 3rd yr, but your classmates won't either. You may feel inadequate, but that is normal. Just go in every day and learn how a hospital ward or an office is run. Some rotations will be hard, others will be much easier. You will get better and some rotations will actually be quite enjoyable. Don't overthink things. Most people won't have high expectations for a 3rd yr. Good luck and best wishes.

 

[eyeeye_captain]

Tough love time.

That’s a pretty doom and gloom take, but guess what - it would probably be more or less the same outside of medicine. My friends generally work longer hours than I do.

If you think rotations, where you don’t have to chart, get sent home early etc., are bad, wait for residency when you have actual responsibilities. I agree with above, you have to go in, suck it up, and grind it out. When all is said and done, you can try to tailor a slow practice to what you desire. You’ll probably make significantly less money, which is tough if you have loans, but your call.

But let’s be real - most regular people make a 8-5 work with their hobbies and families. It doesn’t matter if it’s medicine. You just have to budget time. Unless you have a partner or family floating you, you have to have a job.

Again, you’re going to have to deal with it, and you’d deal with it in another field as well. Put on your big pants and be an adult. You’re allowed to be scared, and I don’t blame you at all, but this is how the world works. If you struggle, get some good support (family/friends/therapy) or find healthy coping mechanisms.

Being an adult sucks, but we all get there. Welcome to the real world kiddo, you’ll survive.

 

[OMSWeebHours]

yeah, I realize the grass is not greener on the other side lol. If anything second year is too green and I am basically a bum (not good I know but I am passing and still putting boards as the focus, gotta lock in more before Step and COMLEX tho to be safe)

To me I guess an issue is I don't really feel like I'm working towards anything. In high school I had some pretty rough classes and took solace in basically "doing it for the future" but it just seems like that ad infinitum with people saying "It GeTs wOrsE" in med as you get more and more stuff to do...

Makes me wonder what the goal is. Probably doesn't help I have been in a bad headspace for a while, was actually very motivated for a long stretch but something shifted and now I feel pretty apathetic about if I even get through. I mean, the world will move on and the hospital will just find intern #173 to all the work instead of #172 if they are gone. I dunno if I'm even a good fit for the field I originally eyed anymore, still interested in it but eh..

Feels like a cruel joke that I aced the most feared preclin block at our school with flying colors just to basically shrivel up and lose motivation later on.

 

[Ho0v-man]

it’ll suck through training but as a physician you can choose a lifestyle specialty, even the “lower paying” ones like psych or primary care and have more money to throw into your hobbies than you would had you pursued other paths.