I think third can be difficult because we students are shifted from one preceptor to another, and have no/little experience with the rotation we are on when we start it. One way of presenting for attending x, may be expected, but when you present to attending y, you may be doing it wrong in their eyes. We do have alot of responsibilities on rotations compared to first and second year, however, it is very frustrating knowing what those responsbilities are. I.e. versus having to get urine cultures ourselves on medicine rotations, because the nurses won't, versus sucking up smoke with a bovie in surgery, and getting yelled at for not cutting the right length. Fourth year and later is so much better because at least you know enough that you can do alot on your own, and the attendings have less and less power to harass you. I know residents still get their share of abuse, but, it is nothing compared to what I have seen students get IMHO. Residency would be maddening if you had to say rotate through all the specialties every three months, and expected to perform on the level of a resident. It matters a great deal if the residents at your program are happy, or not, a malignant program will lose residents at all years of training, I have seen it myself.
.
