Post-acceptance and absolutely fed up with the idea of med school.

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funkymunkytoes

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It's finals week of my last semester of undergrad. I've spent the past week doing nothing but studying for my upcoming finals.

At this point I've been through 4 years of undergrad, thus 4 years of studying, 4 years of racking up EC's, 4 years of thinking about the MCAT, and 4 years of competition. This essentially adds up to 4 years of applying to medical school. I'm burned out.

I'm hoping I only feel this way because of the present situation of cramming and what not, but at this point I'm just not all that excited about going to med school. Anybody else share my lack of starry-eyed optimism and excitement about the next four years? More importantly, will it pass? I'm hoping after a summer of collecting myself I'll be ready to roll. Any thoughts?
 
It's finals week of my last semester of undergrad. I've spent the past week doing nothing but studying for my upcoming finals.

At this point I've been through 4 years of undergrad, thus 4 years of studying, 4 years of racking up EC's, 4 years of thinking about the MCAT, and 4 years of competition. This essentially adds up to 4 years of applying to medical school. I'm burned out.

I'm hoping I only feel this way because of the present situation of cramming and what not, but at this point I'm just not all that excited about going to med school. Anybody else share my lack of starry-eyed optimism and excitement about the next four years? More importantly, will it pass? I'm hoping after a summer of collecting myself I'll be ready to roll. Any thoughts?

Just take a long, nice vacation somewhere you've always wanted to go, and DON'T THINK ABOUT MED SCHOOL.
 
Clearly you are going to make a bad doctor, as you can't push yourself into med school without frustration.
 
It's finals week of my last semester of undergrad. I've spent the past week doing nothing but studying for my upcoming finals.

At this point I've been through 4 years of undergrad, thus 4 years of studying, 4 years of racking up EC's, 4 years of thinking about the MCAT, and 4 years of competition. This essentially adds up to 4 years of applying to medical school. I'm burned out.

I'm hoping I only feel this way because of the present situation of cramming and what not, but at this point I'm just not all that excited about going to med school. Anybody else share my lack of starry-eyed optimism and excitement about the next four years? More importantly, will it pass? I'm hoping after a summer of collecting myself I'll be ready to roll. Any thoughts?

Were you ever excited about going to med school? Are you excited about being a doctor one day?

I am still excited about medschool, but in a different way, somehow, this process has knocked some of the stars out of my eyes, for sure.
 
I'm sure that feeling is common amongst a lot of graduating pre-meds going to med school. Just take it slow, relax your last semester (a bit),

Have fun, DO NOT FIND A SUMMER JOB!!! Spend lots of time with your family and friends, you won't get to see them often once med school starts.
 
Were you ever excited about going to med school? Are you excited about being a doctor one day?

I am still excited about medschool, but in a different way, somehow, this process has knocked some of the stars out of my eyes, for sure.

A) Yes, not now
B) Yes, not now
 
Dude funky, just use this summer to decompress. That's what I'll be doing. I seriously am going to be a complete waste of space this summer, going out with my friends and girlfriend almost every night, and sleeping till noon. It'll be great.

After a few months of that, the student side of you will kick in and you'll be ready to start.
 
It's finals week of my last semester of undergrad. I've spent the past week doing nothing but studying for my upcoming finals.

At this point I've been through 4 years of undergrad, thus 4 years of studying, 4 years of racking up EC's, 4 years of thinking about the MCAT, and 4 years of competition. This essentially adds up to 4 years of applying to medical school. I'm burned out.

I'm hoping I only feel this way because of the present situation of cramming and what not, but at this point I'm just not all that excited about going to med school. Anybody else share my lack of starry-eyed optimism and excitement about the next four years? More importantly, will it pass? I'm hoping after a summer of collecting myself I'll be ready to roll. Any thoughts?
Stop whining. If you still feel that way a few after finals, give up your acceptances. I'm some will really appreciate that.
 
It's finals week of my last semester of undergrad. I've spent the past week doing nothing but studying for my upcoming finals.

At this point I've been through 4 years of undergrad, thus 4 years of studying, 4 years of racking up EC's, 4 years of thinking about the MCAT, and 4 years of competition. This essentially adds up to 4 years of applying to medical school. I'm burned out.

I'm hoping I only feel this way because of the present situation of cramming and what not, but at this point I'm just not all that excited about going to med school. Anybody else share my lack of starry-eyed optimism and excitement about the next four years? More importantly, will it pass? I'm hoping after a summer of collecting myself I'll be ready to roll. Any thoughts?


It's going to get MUCH worse. You will be professional student for the rest of your life.

Ask your medical school if you can delay your enrollment by a year, and then reevaluate your lifegoals. You are very likely to be unhappy in medicine.
 
I think everyone goes through this. I remember when my brothers got accepted. They just keep saying, I have worked so hard just to get in and I will have to work even harder to get through. Everyone questions it, maybe seek some advice. defer for a year if you need more time to think about it. Just remember, it will be something you regret not doing, not something you'll regret doing.
 
I would have taken a year off if I were you. Too late now, but it makes a huge difference.
 
Taking a year off and getting a job that makes you absolutely miserable is a good way to want to be back in the classroom studying.

Haha this is so true!!! Although my job for the "year off" (working in a clinic) has made me doubt if I want to work in a clinic...

I am still excited about medschool, but in a different way, somehow, this process has knocked some of the stars out of my eyes, for sure.

me too, mostly because of my lousy job in healthcare at the moment. Plus after the stress of applications, you're over a hurdle just to be staring in the face of a longer hurdle...

I'm sure that feeling is common amongst a lot of graduating pre-meds going to med school. Just take it slow, relax your last semester (a bit),

Have fun, DO NOT FIND A SUMMER JOB!!! Spend lots of time with your family and friends, you won't get to see them often once med school starts.

Alibai3ah! Does this mean you're going to spend time visting me next summer?
 
It's going to get MUCH worse. You will be professional student for the rest of your life.

Ask your medical school if you can delay your enrollment by a year, and then reevaluate your lifegoals. You are very likely to be unhappy in medicine.

god, nilf you're so full of it...you never tire of trying to scare away pre-meds because you yourself are miserable? Crap man, lighten up!

Everyone doubts their decisions somewhere along the way, especially when the going gets tough. That's exactly the time to just push on through, take the summer to relax a little and soon you'll feel back to normal. Don't forget why you put yourself through 4 years of undergrad...there is always a 'core' reason why you are doing this to yourself and that reason stays true even when you get totally fed up with finals.
 
I went right into my MA after undergrad... and then took a year off before med school. I worked a bit, traveled a bit, and came back ready to start med school refreshed. Don't get a job that you hate, but get one that isn't stressful and lets you enjoy yourself.
 
me too, mostly because of my lousy job in healthcare at the moment. Plus after the stress of applications, you're over a hurdle just to be staring in the face of a longer hurdle.

Telling your parents about me is going to be a bigger hurdle nina...
 
god, nilf you're so full of it...you never tire of trying to scare away pre-meds because you yourself are miserable? Crap man, lighten up!

Everyone doubts their decisions somewhere along the way, especially when the going gets tough. That's exactly the time to just push on through, take the summer to relax a little and soon you'll feel back to normal. Don't forget why you put yourself through 4 years of undergrad...there is always a 'core' reason why you are doing this to yourself and that reason stays true even when you get totally fed up with finals.

Well, we can't have every post be starry-eyed and optimistic. Make sdn too boring. He offers perspective.
anton_critic.jpg
 
Why are you guys telling the OP to reconsider med school? His frustration is merely stemming from his current finals, which really is nothing and will end soon. Now if he is under no stress and able to think calmly and clearly and he's still not looking forward to med school, then there might be a problem.

However, he just wanted to vent. That's all.
 
Ok here is Nilf's perspective (Nilf I am saving you the trouble of future posts):

Don't go into medicine, you'll hate your life.
 
Here is a little something that got pounded into my skull during my tenure in the military:

"The only easy day was yesterday."

Just remember to come up for air when you need to breath.
 
undergrad is like 1/10th of medical school.

enjoy ur summer doing nothing, cuz ur gonna embark in 7 years of sleepless nights
 
Taking a year off and getting a job that makes you absolutely miserable is a good way to want to be back in the classroom studying.

I second this. being in school is way more fun than being a pipette monkey in a lab.
 
I would recommend to anyone to take at least a year between undergrad and med school. Apply for a deferral, travel the earth, get in adventures 'n' ****. Start next August ready to roll.
 
the only things im worried about are living in the cold, and tacking on a huge debt.
Other than that, should be fun? 😳

I go to school near Hershey. Wait until your thighs go numb from walking out in the cold and you can hardly breathe the frosty air. Oh, the sidewalks are a ton of fun when there is 1/4" of ice on them too. Bring good snow boots.
 
I go to school near Hershey. Wait until your thighs go numb from walking out in the cold and you can hardly breathe the frosty air. Oh, the sidewalks are a ton of fun when there is 1/4" of ice on them too. Bring good snow boots.

are you serious?! 🙁 I was out there in January, and didn't find the weather too ridiculous...
at least i can workout inside the school gym and spend all my time studying indoors with central heating.

*here's to gaining 20 pounds of insulating adipose tissue during first year!*
 
Anton Ego from Ratatouille, of course!

Yeah, haven't seen many movies since i started the whole pre-med thing ... that one looks worth putting on the list.
 
Hearing this concerns me.
If this feeling does not go away within a few weeks of finals, I would worry about you being happy in medicine. You need something to get you through med school, because it's harder than undergrad. That something is an enthusiasm for practicing medicine...if you can't see yourself doing it and loving it, you may be miserable in the future. If you are just burned out from finals, that is another thing.

Is it too late to take deferred acceptance for med school? Do you think a year off would help you decide about this, if you aren't sure you want to be a physician?
 
honestly, i wouldn't question your career goals just because you're not exactly thrilled about being in school an additional 4 years. only a little more than 1/4 of your medical education will be even remotely near representative of what your day to day life as a physician might be. school=/=work. am i right on this?
 
honestly, i wouldn't question your career goals just because you're not exactly thrilled about being in school an additional 4 years. only a little more than 1/4 of your medical education will be even remotely near representative of what your day to day life as a physician might be. school=/=work. am i right on this?

But OP said they're not excited about being a Dr. now either
 
The part about not being excited about being a doctor is what worries me the most.
 
Let me clarify,

At one point I was very thrilled about being a doctor. I am still excited about being a doctor, but recently--especially now during finals week--the idea of going through MORE school, most of which won't be relevant to medicine at all (much like most of undergrad will be totally irrelevant to medical school) irks me. More class, more b.s., more competition--it seems inhuman! I agree though, I hope a summer of absolutely nothing will get me back into shape.
 
the idea of going through MORE school, most of which won't be relevant to medicine at all (much like most of undergrad will be totally irrelevant to medical school) irks me.
That's was pissed me off about pre-med courses but it's not like that in med school. Sure, there are classes that aren't nearly as relevant (looking at you, biochem 😡) but they're almost always at the beginning of med school. After that, you get to tackle physiology, anatomy, pathology...all pretty cool stuff and definitely relevant to medicine. It's not so bad.
 
Taking a year off and getting a job that makes you absolutely miserable is a good way to want to be back in the classroom studying.

totally agree. can't wait to start studying. feel like i'm losing neurons as we speak.
 
Let me clarify,

At one point I was very thrilled about being a doctor. I am still excited about being a doctor, but recently--especially now during finals week--the idea of going through MORE school, most of which won't be relevant to medicine at all (much like most of undergrad will be totally irrelevant to medical school) irks me. More class, more b.s., more competition--it seems inhuman! I agree though, I hope a summer of absolutely nothing will get me back into shape.
Medical school is not medicine. Even if you hate medical school, you could still love being a doctor. I go to a school that doesn't give grades or even have tests, and I still didn't especially enjoy sitting in a classroom much of the time during my first two years. (I did usually enjoy PBL though.) I also haven't enjoyed every minute of every day as an MS3, and there are some rotations that I outright despised. But the downsides of this year have been so much more bearable than those of the last two years, just because I'm finally out there on the wards, and I finally have enough background medical knowledge to be able to contribute in some small way. So, try not to judge this entire career based on what it's like to be in a classroom. You won't be sitting in that classroom forever.

When you feel burned out at some point during the next two years (and I say when, not if, because it's guaranteed that you will feel that way sometimes), spend a few hours in clinic or in the hospital with a preceptor you like. It helps to remind yourself every so often of what you are doing this all for. Congrats on getting accepted and good luck next year.
 
I have to admit that a year of doing a real 9-5 after college has cured my desire for the 'real world'...I am ready for more schooling.
 
OP, I had your concerns when I was in college, and this was why I made the decision not to apply to medical school. I felt like every decision I made was made with an eye toward what would impress a med school admissions committee, and I was so burned out on the whole process that I just gave up.

Fast forward a few years later, and I'm a little older and wiser. Obviously I've gotten back on the med school bandwagon. I think what you're feeling is normal, and that it will go away once you get a bit of a break like I did. You are suffering from burnout, and I truly believe that once you get some rest and have some fun, you will rediscover your excitement.
 
Check out the "cold feet" thread on the pre-vet forum - it seems like a lot of people are going through the same thing around this time.

Also Pennsylvania is not that cold, for those worrying about it. I mean it is around 30 degrees Fahrenheit for a couple months and it snows sometimes, but it's not an Arctic wasteland or anything.
 
are you serious?! 🙁 I was out there in January, and didn't find the weather too ridiculous...
at least i can workout inside the school gym and spend all my time studying indoors with central heating.

*here's to gaining 20 pounds of insulating adipose tissue during first year!*

Also Pennsylvania is not that cold, for those worrying about it. I mean it is around 30 degrees Fahrenheit for a couple months and it snows sometimes, but it's not an Arctic wasteland or anything.

Dude Matt, don't worry about it. I've been living in Philly for the past two years and the winters here are weak. You'll have some days in December/January when it's really cold (single digits cold) but for the most part it's going to be in the 30's in the winter. I got by with a fall-type fleece jacket for both winters.

HMC at least has a gym on the edge of the giant parking lot, so you won't be getting those 20 pounds of fat 😉 The secret to living in the cold is layering. I'm heading to Wisconsin myself, and I am ready for an "Arctic wasteland" 😉 being from Michigan.
 
At least you are honest yourself and - unlike many others whom I've run into - don't pretend that you are excited for something that isn't truly that exciting. I know a lot of people who will pretend that they actually enjoy sitting in bio lab for 6 hours using a pipet in fear that if they don't act 100% excited about it, they won't make good doctors or something.

I agree that medicine is starting to not look so great for me as well, for a few reasons:
1) It requires more schoolwork, more classes, more needless competition, etc.
2) It entails a life of toiling (which makes a simple 9-5 job look pretty nice)
2) Most doctors (whom I've met) don't seem to love it too much
3) I don't like most of the other people I see going into it

That said, please don't listen to people who say "Well if you are losing your passion for being a doctor, you better reconsider." Perhaps you should reconsider, but not based off of some loss of a nebulous "passion" (a word that doesn't really mean anything). None of us can really know for sure whether or not we will enjoy or have a passion for doctoring, because we haven't been doing it for 20 years.

I think for the time being it would be best to look at the realities surrounding your situation. Think about what truly drew you to medicine: is it academia? money? people? job security? An (as always) be honest regarding the reason. If you find that you can get those things with some less intensive line of work, then perhaps you should reconsider (I am in the process of doing that right now). However if you have needs that are only satisfied by a job in medicine, then put up with it in hopes that things will get better.

Another good (though slightly negative) thing to do is to look at the downsides of other fields of work. Surely they all have their crappy aspects, and maybe considering those will make you feel better about going into medicine. I actually am an engineering student, and used to be really excited about it until I saw how lonely, cubicle-like, and transient most of their jobs are - unfortunately that is the prevailing reason for my wanting to go into the medicine (it is another "version" of hands-on, applied science, but provides a much more dynamic environment).

Another thing to consider (which a lot of people here seem to forget), is that - as cliche as it sounds - you aren't defined by your line of work. Too many pre-meds make the mistake of feeling like their future and persona are competely dependent on their major/career/etc. But really people are people, and most people won't end up deriving happiness from their line of work anyway (personally I think happiness comes primarily from interactions with friends/family/lovers). So... you know, don't fret too much over the decision, you'll still be the same person (and probably end up happy regardless).

I know this post is kind of meandering, and it is hard for me to give you a single punch-line of advice. But continue to be realistic and honest with yourself - don't think so much about all of the philosophical "dream" and "passion" crap that floats around here. If you can't come up with a decision, then try to get a deferral and try something else for a year (go see the pyramids or something - I don't know).

I hope that helps. Don't feel bad about your doubts - it is good that you are having them; it's the doubtless ones ("I know for 100% sure that I have a passion for medicine) who are obviously clueless.
 
I went right into my MA after undergrad... and then took a year off before med school. I worked a bit, traveled a bit, and came back ready to start med school refreshed. Don't get a job that you hate, but get one that isn't stressful and lets you enjoy yourself.

I've done EXACTLY the same thing! (not as much traveling in the year off as I would have liked, but definitely a low stress (dry) research job). To the OP, I felt that way in undergrad/during my masters, and that's why I didn't apply. Now it's too late (though it may be possible to defer for a year, depending on your school), but just take some time off. I would recommend doing something productive in your summer, personally, but not stressful.
 
I took a year off to work, and in hindsight, this was an excellent decision. Unless you're totally burned out, I can't understand the people who say to do absolutely nothing for an entire summer. That's a whole summer wasted, and I don't think it takes that long to get re-motivated.

Get an easy job and make money, do some shadowing/volunteering, read some novels, and get plenty of sleep. Do something relatively productive.
 
are you serious?! 🙁 I was out there in January, and didn't find the weather too ridiculous...
at least i can workout inside the school gym and spend all my time studying indoors with central heating.

*here's to gaining 20 pounds of insulating adipose tissue during first year!*



The weather around there can be pretty cold (although Lewisburg, where han14tra goes to school, is probably consistently a few degrees cooler than Hershey). Some winters are worse than others, but you'll definitely see your fair share of snow during your 4 years.
 
I want you to know that your sentiments are shared and probably not uncommon. I spent 3 yrs (after college) trying to get into med school. And I'm totally excited about being a dr...but med school has times where it now just feels like it's a looming burden.

The thought of relocating, leaving behind the professional and personal life I have had for the past 6 years, and the self-imposed pressure to make the best of that life during this summer while I still have it, can definitely be overwhelming.

If you are seriously concerned that you won't overcome this feeling, find out how the school at which you plan to matriculate considers deferrals. It is not the end of the world to take a year off, especially if you think it could reignite your passion.

And...if you never feel excited about it and realize you just tracked yourself into a goal of getting into med school beginning early in college...so what? You don't have to become a doctor. It's better to realize that now instead of being one of the handful who bails on the profession after going into debt and spending all that time getting educated.
 
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