Mediocre Grades. Feeling extremely discouraged.

[meded]

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Hey Everyone, long time lucker here. I am a first year med student. So, a bit of how I got to the feeling discouraged part of the post..

I started off first semester doing very well on my midterms, tests and quizzes. Finished the semester with nice grades. This semester however, the table has completely flipped on me. Granted, I am now doing a dual DO/MPH (started taking MPH classes this semester and I love every minute of every second of it). Here's the problem, my med school grades are starting to take a hard hit and this is very depressing for me. I haven't failed any tests yet (knock on wood) but my grades in comparison to last semester is appalling 🙁

The dilemma is that I know that dropping MPH will mean MORE time for med school studying and much more better grades. However, I see my career part more so along the lines of International Medicine and Health Policy in some third world countries so the MPH is critical. Also, I love MPH and just the thought of dropping it to make my grades better feels like I'm a sell out and I know without a shadow of a doubt that I'll regret it. The second part of the dilemma is that I have no clue what type of doctor I want to be and that is why I want to have the best grades possible to keep my options open (in case I start rotations and suddenly fall in love with a some-worth competitive specialty).

Also, I might add that I've had a fair share of distractions (significant other related) which is so stupid because relationships at this stage is so temporary but I can't help that I got distracted.

With all that said, every waking day for the past couple of weeks has been depressing to say the least. I am also concerned about my mental health because with every ticking second, my mind is flooded with thoughts of incompetency especially in relation to my grades as well as fears about the future.

Has anyone dealt with a similar situation or know anybody who has dealt with a similar situation and can offer any help/advice/input at all?

 

[GUH]

Hey Everyone, long time lucker here. I am a first year med student. So, a bit of how I got to the feeling discouraged part of the post..

I started off first semester doing very well on my midterms, tests and quizzes. Finished the semester with nice grades. This semester however, the table has completely flipped on me. Granted, I am now doing a dual DO/MPH (started taking MPH classes this semester and I love every minute of every second of it). Here's the problem, my med school grades are starting to take a hard hit and this is very depressing for me. I haven't failed any tests yet (knock on wood) but my grades in comparison to last semester is appalling 🙁

The dilemma is that I know that dropping MPH will mean MORE time for med school studying and much more better grades. However, I see my career part more so along the lines of International Medicine and Health Policy in some third world countries so the MPH is critical. Also, I love MPH and just the thought of dropping it to make my grades better feels like I'm a sell out and I know without a shadow of a doubt that I'll regret it. The second part of the dilemma is that I have no clue what type of doctor I want to be and that is why I want to have the best grades possible to keep my options open (in case I start rotations and suddenly fall in love with a some-worth competitive specialty).

Also, I might add that I've had a fair share of distractions (significant other related) which is so stupid because relationships at this stage is so temporary but I can't help that I got distracted.

With all that said, every waking day for the past couple of weeks has been depressing to say the least. I am also concerned about my mental health because with every ticking second, my mind is flooded with thoughts of incompetency especially in relation to my grades as well as fears about the future.

Has anyone dealt with a similar situation or know anybody who has dealt with a similar situation and can offer any help/advice/input at all?

Mediocre passing grades are common in medical school in spite of what SDN and classmates tell you. You will be able to go into internal medicine if you continue to pass every exam. Doing public health work in the third world is not reserved for graduates of top residency programs. The fourth and fifth paragraphs, however, indicate that you should speak with a counselor at your school.

 

[OverlyRomantic]

@GUH summed it up pretty well. If you continue to pass, rock step/comlex, do well on your rotations, you'll be fine. Your passing grades won't hold you back. I would advise against burn out though. Seek help, talk to someone! Find something you can do to disconnect for a little bit and refresh yourself.

 

[Goro]

You can't have everything. Dump the MPH, and dump it now. You can always do an MPH in the future.

Hey Everyone, long time lucker here. I am a first year med student. So, a bit of how I got to the feeling discouraged part of the post..

I started off first semester doing very well on my midterms, tests and quizzes. Finished the semester with nice grades. This semester however, the table has completely flipped on me. Granted, I am now doing a dual DO/MPH (started taking MPH classes this semester and I love every minute of every second of it). Here's the problem, my med school grades are starting to take a hard hit and this is very depressing for me. I haven't failed any tests yet (knock on wood) but my grades in comparison to last semester is appalling 🙁

The dilemma is that I know that dropping MPH will mean MORE time for med school studying and much more better grades. However, I see my career part more so along the lines of International Medicine and Health Policy in some third world countries so the MPH is critical. Also, I love MPH and just the thought of dropping it to make my grades better feels like I'm a sell out and I know without a shadow of a doubt that I'll regret it. The second part of the dilemma is that I have no clue what type of doctor I want to be and that is why I want to have the best grades possible to keep my options open (in case I start rotations and suddenly fall in love with a some-worth competitive specialty).

Also, I might add that I've had a fair share of distractions (significant other related) which is so stupid because relationships at this stage is so temporary but I can't help that I got distracted.

With all that said, every waking day for the past couple of weeks has been depressing to say the least. I am also concerned about my mental health because with every ticking second, my mind is flooded with thoughts of incompetency especially in relation to my grades as well as fears about the future.

Has anyone dealt with a similar situation or know anybody who has dealt with a similar situation and can offer any help/advice/input at all?

 

[meded]

You can't have everything. Dump the MPH, and dump it now. You can always do an MPH in the future.

Thanks for your wise input, Goro! I would dump it now and resume during residency as some of my current mentors did or some other time except my school has offered a scholarship to get the MPH so I am paying close to nothing to get the additional degree. Should I opt to do this later, I will pay for it. I guess I have to do a cost benefit analysis. I will consider it at the close of this semester when my final grades ring in

 

[IslandStyle808]

Thanks for your wise input, Goro! I would dump it now and resume during residency as some of my current mentors did or some other time except my school has offered a scholarship to get the MPH so I am paying close to nothing to get the additional degree. Should I opt to do this later, I will pay for it. I guess I have to do a cost benefit analysis. I will consider it at the close of this semester when my final grades ring in

Consider this option if you are still wondering about getting an MPH. You could do a preventative care residency, I believe don't have to pay anything for the degree (however it is 2 years after internship year). This could even be done after another residency (like internal medicine) and then it would be just 2 years (internal medicine residency + preventative care residency = 5 years total). Just a thought.

 

[Kera]

Thanks for your wise input, Goro! I would dump it now and resume during residency as some of my current mentors did or some other time except my school has offered a scholarship to get the MPH so I am paying close to nothing to get the additional degree. Should I opt to do this later, I will pay for it. I guess I have to do a cost benefit analysis. I will consider it at the close of this semester when my final grades ring in

Actually, many times you don't pay to get the MPH during residency. Or, you could always do one of the one-year fellowships after residency where the MPH is paid for (and you get paid in the process).

 

[costales]

MPHs are a dime a dozen. You can get an MPH online in your pajamas.
http://www.publichealthonline.org/degree-programs/masters/