My Memory is garbage

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Hello everyone,
I'm currently an MSIII, and I'm feeling pretty discouraged/disillusioned. I did alright in MSI and II, but I feel like my clinical rotations are going to ****. I'm at the 6 month mark, and I feel like I don't know anything. It seems like I don't get anything out of clinic, because I'm always zoning out, and I literally can't remember anything that happens in a given day. It seems like every time that I give an answer I'm wrong, even when I feel completely certain about it. I learn something 5 times, and I still forget it. This isn't limited to medicine either. I feel like I haven't retained anything long term in any discipline or hobby, unless its something simple, or something that I can think through without memorization (i.e. mechanical problems where you can physically visualize the system). On the MCAT, I didn't miss any questions on the CARS section, and I remember thinking that it was so easy because there wasn't anything I had to remember.

I'm worried now, because there's obviously a lot of information you have to know from the first two years of med school, not only to do well in clinicals, but to be an effective doctor. I seem to remember a great deal less than my classmates, and I've been told by my attendings that "I need to read more" (basically that I don't know ****). I feel like my mind wasn't made for medicine. Anyone else deal with this? Advice would be appreciated. Wondering if I went into the wrong career field..

 

[Moko]

Repetition, repetition, repetition. Competency will come with time.

In practice, having a poor memory isn't as big of a deal when you can simply look things up. In fact, it's probably a good thing not to rely solely on your memory as studies have shown improved outcomes with using checklists and other aids, etc. I still routinely look up the workup and differential for common symptoms and diseases to ensure that I'm not forgetting anything.

 

[libertyyne]

you are going to be fine , there is a lot of training ahead of you where you will see bread and butter cases again and again solidifying your knowledge. As long as you are passing your steps and courses you will be fine, it might take a little bit of repitition to hammer those things into your head. You also know a lot more than you think you do. If you are still concerned do some anki.
Some of the better physicans I have met have made a habit of looking stuff up quickly on things they dont see everyday to 1. repeat info so they dont miss anything, 2. to make sure they are up to date on any changes 3. to not miss anything.

 

[Ludwig2000]

I seem to remember a great deal less than my classmates, and I've been told by my attendings that "I need to read more" (basically that I don't know ****). I feel like my mind wasn't made for medicine. Anyone else deal with this? Advice would be appreciated. Wondering if I went into the wrong career field..

Attendings tell everyone they need to read more.
You’ll remember the knowledge you use. 3rd year sucks because you hardly ever use the same knowledge for more than a few weeks.

 

[Tenk]

If you were as smart as an attending you wouldn’t need to be in school. Usually it’s residents who have these feelings of imposter syndrome. As long as you aren’t failing, you’re fine.

Get some rest, do lots of questions, read some, exercise, eat healthy, chill and try to have a good time during MS3/4 without over analyzing everything.