Post-match blues

[PatsyStone]

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I am so thrilled to have matched, however, I feel a little sad. I have spent the past several years working my butt off so I could match, and now that I have, I don't know what to look to next. Where is my life going? What do I want my want my sub-field focus to be? Do I want to stay in academics or cash-out and go into private practice? Do I want to keep doing research? Where do I want to live after residency?

Does anyone else feel the same way? Do any residents/attendings have any advice?

 

[Oo Cipher oO]

Learn to enjoy the rest of 4th year. You'll miss it during internship.

 

[PL198]

wtf do you mean you don't know what to do next. how about just relax

 

[Guero]

Most matched M4s I know are ecstatic, terrified, or both. I'm surprised and sorry you feel this way. Mind if I ask what field you're doing into, @PatsyStone?

 

[Slack3r]

I am so thrilled to have matched, however, I feel a little sad. I have spent the past several years working my butt off so I could match, and now that I have, I don't know what to look to next. Where is my life going? What do I want my want my sub-field focus to be? Do I want to stay in academics or cash-out and go into private practice? Do I want to keep doing research? Where do I want to live after residency?

If I were a betting man...

 

[Jabbed]

I remember showing up on the first day of med school orientation and thinking "well I made it here.. now what?"

 

[PatsyStone]

Most matched M4s I know are ecstatic, terrified, or both. I'm surprised and sorry you feel this way. Mind if I ask what field you're doing into, @PatsyStone?

Dermatology

If I were a betting man...

Yeah, we'll see; I really like research. Most derm residents I've met knew within the first 6 months if they were going to do a fellowship, and I imagine there's a similar breakdown for knowing whether one wants to continue in academics or not.

 

[Guero]

Congratulations! Maybe you can plan a celebratory trip abroad or something once you're done with your last rotation? Or did you schedule up to moving time?

Either way, I hope your blues soon resolve.

 

[PatsyStone]

Congratulations! Maybe you can plan a celebratory trip abroad or something once you're done with your last rotation? Or did you schedule up to moving time?

Either way, I hope your blues soon resolve.

Thank you so much for the kind words. I guess I feel like I've been running non-stop, and now that I stopped, it feels odd. I think drinking more may help

 

[username456789]

I am so thrilled to have matched, however, I feel a little sad. I have spent the past several years working my butt off so I could match, and now that I have, I don't know what to look to next. Where is my life going? What do I want my want my sub-field focus to be? Do I want to stay in academics or cash-out and go into private practice? Do I want to keep doing research? Where do I want to live after residency?

Does anyone else feel the same way? Do any residents/attendings have any advice?

My advice: relax and enjoy the rest of the year, and rest up for internship. There will be plenty of time for you to figure out if you want to do a fellowship in Derm, or if you want to stay in academics or go to private practice. Some people know these answers from day 1, others may change their minds several times, including at the very last minute.

You're fortunate enough to have matched into the best (in my opinion) specialty there is. The hard work certainly doesn't stop here, but you can at least enjoy a bit of a break.

 

[J ROD]

yeah, alcohol is always a good idea.....should have you in top shape for intern yr.

 

[PrettyLadyDoc24]

I am so thrilled to have matched, however, I feel a little sad. I have spent the past several years working my butt off so I could match, and now that I have, I don't know what to look to next. Where is my life going? What do I want my want my sub-field focus to be? Do I want to stay in academics or cash-out and go into private practice? Do I want to keep doing research? Where do I want to live after residency?

Does anyone else feel the same way? Do any residents/attendings have any advice?

Congrats! I remember not wanting to finish 4th year because like an idiot I scheduled my medicine Sub-I after the match (I'm in Pathology). So on top of not wanting to even get up in the morning, I had to pretend to care about a rotation I hated!

Your best bet is to take a nice vacation somewhere. You definitely deserve it. Academic medicine is tough but even if you're thinking of private practice, doing a research project is a great way to learn something cool. If you're thinking about research, it may be good to talk to current residents in your program and put out the feelers. My seniors have been very good to me, letting me "adopt" their old projects or publish their old posters. It's a good way to get started.

But definitely don't feel blue. You've earned a monumental achievement that's worthy of some much needed rest. Good luck to you!

 

[fancymylotus]

Dermatology



Yeah, we'll see; I really like research. Most derm residents I've met knew within the first 6 months if they were going to do a fellowship, and I imagine there's a similar breakdown for knowing whether one wants to continue in academics or not.

Derm? So. Many. Shooz. Get excited!

 

[stepone2015]

My plan was to go live in a foreign country for like a month. Try to grab as many friends as you can to put in a week here or there. I'm quite excited for it.

 

[smq123]

I am so thrilled to have matched, however, I feel a little sad. I have spent the past several years working my butt off so I could match, and now that I have, I don't know what to look to next. Where is my life going? What do I want my want my sub-field focus to be? Do I want to stay in academics or cash-out and go into private practice? Do I want to keep doing research? Where do I want to live after residency?

Does anyone else feel the same way? Do any residents/attendings have any advice?

It's a little bit like post pregnancy blues; it's all this excitement and buildup, and now it's a little anticlimactic.

No worries. Just enjoy the rest of 4th year. You'll have PLENTY of time to figure out the rest later, and you'll have lots of career advice while you're a resident. 🙂

 

[Kaustikos]

Dermatology
Yeah, we'll see; I really like research. Most derm residents I've met knew within the first 6 months if they were going to do a fellowship, and I imagine there's a similar breakdown for knowing whether one wants to continue in academics or not.

... You're going into the most lax field in terms of hours, with great lifestyle and pay. And, god forbid you hate it, can easily transition to other programs. So, I'm finding it hard to understand your predicament.

 

[Kahreek]

.....

 

[jw3600]

... You're going into the most lax field in terms of hours, with great lifestyle and pay. And, god forbid you hate it, can easily transition to other programs. So, I'm finding it hard to understand your predicament.

Sounds like someone else has the post match blues.

 

[fancymylotus]

Sounds like someone else has the post match blues.

Leave him alone.

 

[Kaustikos]

Sounds like someone else has the post match blues.

Nope. More like I don't understand how you can apply for residency in something you want, get in and not complain about where you're going but about the field you're going to. I'd understand if he matched in whatever other field he hates when he wanted Derm.
It's like wanting to have sex with Mila Kunis, her agreeing but coming on here and having doubts/blues about having sex with her without even doing it.

 

[jw3600]

Leave him alone.

I'm just messing. All in good fun.

Nope. More like I don't understand how you can apply for residency in something you want, get in and not complain about where you're going but about the field you're going to. I'd understand if he matched in whatever other field he hates when he wanted Derm.
It's like wanting to have sex with Mila Kunis, her agreeing but coming on here and having doubts/blues about having sex with her without even doing it.

I agree 100%. I also know that you have been on SDN long enough to know that more often than not people on these forums can exhibit some serious disconnect with reality.

I was surprised by your puzzlement over their emotions. Seems par for the course on here.

 

[Kaustikos]

I'm just messing. All in good fun.



I agree 100%. I also know that you have been on SDN long enough to know that more often than not people on these forums can exhibit some serious disconnect with reality.

I was surprised by your puzzlement over their emotions. Seems par for the course on here.

I know, hence why I didn't insult him. He doesn't deserve any sympathy... but a reality check about his situation.

 

[fancymylotus]

I know, hence why I didn't insult him. He doesn't deserve any sympathy... but a reality check about his situation.

Reality check = shooz overload.

 

[jw3600]

I know, hence why I didn't insult him. He doesn't deserve any sympathy... but a reality check about his situation.

*amicably nods in agreement*

 

[PatsyStone]

It's a little bit like post pregnancy blues; it's all this excitement and buildup, and now it's a little anticlimactic.

No worries. Just enjoy the rest of 4th year. You'll have PLENTY of time to figure out the rest later, and you'll have lots of career advice while you're a resident. 🙂

I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head. I am so incredibly excited to get to be a dermatologist (well, other than next year when I'll be chained to the general medicine wards), but it does feel anticlimactic. I'm waiting for the feeling to dissipate, but it's still lingering. Looking back, I remember having the same feeling when I got into med school: instead of being thrilled, I was depressed about having to move to a new city (which I ended up loving) and, well, student loans. I felt guilty at the time because most people are thrilled when they get in, and similarly, I currently feel kind of guilty that I'm not more excited. I've spent the past several years fighting tooth-and-nail to get where I am, and now that I have it, it feels kind of meh. I just wanted to see if anyone felt the same way, and if they did, to let them know that they're not alone.

Reality check = shooz overload.

OMG, yes, shooooeeesssss. I should start a countdown until I can buy my first pair of Louboutins

 

[Kahreek]

....

 

[Kahreek]

..........

 

[Wordead]

I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head. I am so incredibly excited to get to be a dermatologist (well, other than next year when I'll be chained to the general medicine wards), but it does feel anticlimactic. I'm waiting for the feeling to dissipate, but it's still lingering. Looking back, I remember having the same feeling when I got into med school: instead of being thrilled, I was depressed about having to move to a new city (which I ended up loving) and, well, student loans. I felt guilty at the time because most people are thrilled when they get in, and similarly, I currently feel kind of guilty that I'm not more excited. I've spent the past several years fighting tooth-and-nail to get where I am, and now that I have it, it feels kind of meh. I just wanted to see if anyone felt the same way, and if they did, to let them know that they're not alone.



OMG, yes, shooooeeesssss. I should start a countdown until I can buy my first pair of Louboutins

I feel the same way. Been full throttle for so long that it feels weird to not give a ****, not have any research projects going, and just being able to laze around and do nothing. I feel restless.

people on SDN are largely not going to be able to relate - see when VisionaryTics posted about dropping on his rank list. It's just med students going "you matched ENT. what are you complaining about?" It's akin to physicians complaining about pay to the public - johnny bluecollar cant fathom the problem.

 

[cs24]

I think you pretty much hit the nail on the head. I am so incredibly excited to get to be a dermatologist (well, other than next year when I'll be chained to the general medicine wards), but it does feel anticlimactic. I'm waiting for the feeling to dissipate, but it's still lingering. Looking back, I remember having the same feeling when I got into med school: instead of being thrilled, I was depressed about having to move to a new city (which I ended up loving) and, well, student loans. I felt guilty at the time because most people are thrilled when they get in, and similarly, I currently feel kind of guilty that I'm not more excited. I've spent the past several years fighting tooth-and-nail to get where I am, and now that I have it, it feels kind of meh. I just wanted to see if anyone felt the same way, and if they did, to let them know that they're not alone.

I felt the same way after senior year ended and I was waiting for med school. If I was a betting man, I'd bet I'll feel the same after matching. I'd be surprised if it wasn't a fairly common trend, especially if you were going for something really competitive and had that process become your whole life. After its over but before you move on to the next big thing you feel a bit empty.

 

[ZuluHotel]

I am so thrilled to have matched, however, I feel a little sad.

what it feels to get a spot in derm, i'll never know.

Why do some people feel sad after an orgasm? If matching derm feels half as good as I imagine, you're probably feeling some post-coital tristesse

 

[Psai]

I feel the same way. Been full throttle for so long that it feels weird to not give a ****, not have any research projects going, and just being able to laze around and do nothing. I feel restless.

people on SDN are largely not going to be able to relate - see when VisionaryTics posted about dropping on his rank list. It's just med students going "you matched ENT. what are you complaining about?" It's akin to physicians complaining about pay to the public - johnny bluecollar cant fathom the problem.

I totally felt him with that post. You keep going and when you stop momentarily, you feel lost. You just think to yourself, that's it? You don't really feel the feeling of accomplishment that you expected after all that hard work.

It's also disappointing when you don't get what you want. Those kids are just immature, it takes time and experience to understand. I remember what it was like to be a stupid premed arguing that doctors are making more than enough money so there's no reason to be complaining. Then they'll grow up and argue with the next generation of self proclaimed mother teresas

 

[Kaustikos]

I feel the same way. Been full throttle for so long that it feels weird to not give a ****, not have any research projects going, and just being able to laze around and do nothing. I feel restless.

people on SDN are largely not going to be able to relate - see when VisionaryTics posted about dropping on his rank list. It's just med students going "you matched ENT. what are you complaining about?" It's akin to physicians complaining about pay to the public - johnny bluecollar cant fathom the problem.

VT's story is different than this guy. VT didn't get what he wanted. This guy got what he wanted and is feeling sad about it. Without even giving it a chance. Point is; Wait until you start instead of getting so down on yourself over feelings not supported by facts.

I totally felt him with that post. You keep going and when you stop momentarily, you feel lost. You just think to yourself, that's it? You don't really feel the feeling of accomplishment that you expected after all that hard work.

It's also disappointing when you don't get what you want. Those kids are just immature, it takes time and experience to understand. I remember what it was like to be a stupid premed arguing that doctors are making more than enough money so there's no reason to be complaining. Then they'll grow up and argue with the next generation of self proclaimed mother teresas

Tell that to people who matched into programs they hated. Tell that to people who matched into specialties they didn't even want to do. Tell that to people who didn't match. Tell that to people on this forum whom are residents/attendings and ask them if they don't have to take an entire bottle of Zofran before reading the posts.

 

[FranzLO]

This is actually pretty common and normal, things will pick back up, just enjoy your time now and try to stay as stress-free as possible.

 

[wiggitywack12]

This is how I felt when I was accepted to med school. After all the stress your body just doesn't know how to adapt to good news for the first few days. Hopefully it will wear off soon and the reality will set in. Congrats OP!!!

 

[smq123]

VT's story is different than this guy. VT didn't get what he wanted. This guy got what he wanted and is feeling sad about it. Without even giving it a chance. Point is; Wait until you start instead of getting so down on yourself over feelings not supported by facts.

Tell that to people who matched into programs they hated. Tell that to people who matched into specialties they didn't even want to do. Tell that to people who didn't match. Tell that to people on this forum whom are residents/attendings and ask them if they don't have to take an entire bottle of Zofran before reading the posts.

Read the OP's post carefully. They're not sad about where they matched or the fact that they matched in their chosen specialty. They just asked if anyone else lost and at loose ends, after they matched. And that's normal. That's completely, totally normal.

And, actually, yes, I am an attending MD who had a crushingly disappointing Match Day when I was an MS4. No, I didn't have to take a bottle of Zofran before reading the posts. Even though that was not my experience, I could sympathize with the OP.

I hope that you had a good Match Day.

 

[bobow98]

Hit gym, make gains.

We are groot.

 

[NontradCA]

This makes perfect sense. You've won. Now it's time to take care of sick people. I think this is where dissatisfaction for physicians starts to kick in. Good thing your (for GWDS) in derm 🙂.

 

[KinasePro]

I feel the same way. Been full throttle for so long that it feels weird to not give a ****, not have any research projects going, and just being able to laze around and do nothing. I feel restless.

people on SDN are largely not going to be able to relate - see when VisionaryTics posted about dropping on his rank list. It's just med students going "you matched ENT. what are you complaining about?" It's akin to physicians complaining about pay to the public - johnny bluecollar cant fathom the problem.

Link to thread? I'm interested in this discussion. A lot of people in ortho matched lower on their list this year. Twas broot.

 

[cs24]

Link to thread? I'm interested in this discussion. A lot of people in ortho matched lower on their list this year. Twas broot.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/thr...ver-made-you-cry.1116946/page-3#post-16113173

 

[Psai]

VT's story is different than this guy. VT didn't get what he wanted. This guy got what he wanted and is feeling sad about it. Without even giving it a chance. Point is; Wait until you start instead of getting so down on yourself over feelings not supported by facts.



Tell that to people who matched into programs they hated. Tell that to people who matched into specialties they didn't even want to do. Tell that to people who didn't match. Tell that to people on this forum whom are residents/attendings and ask them if they don't have to take an entire bottle of Zofran before reading the posts.

So if you didn't match to where you wanted or at all, that makes it okay to **** on someone who also didn't match to where they wanted just because they matched into something that is more desirable and difficult to get into? If I recall correctly, most of the people talking trash were premeds and preclinical students

 

[username456789]

Reading this thread makes my head hurt. OP voiced what is not an uncommon experience following the anticipation of and subsequent completion of a major life event. Numerous users apparently skip over every word except "sad" and then criticize the OP for things he/she never said.

Unless PatsyStone heavily edited the original post in this thread, I'm having a difficult time understanding the replies from some people on here. PS never voiced disappointment for matching into Derm, nor sadness over the particular program. It was simply a "wow, I worked so hard and so long to get here and now I'm not used to this feeling of taking my foot off the gas pedal" phenomenon.

 

[Psai]

A lot of people on these forums read things into posts that weren't said so that they can voice their outrage over something that's only tangentially related

 

[username456789]

A lot of people on these forums read things into posts that weren't said so that they can voice their outrage over something that's only tangentially related

How dare you make fun of my dyslexia. Doesn't your school have sensitivity training??

Reported.

 

[FIREitUP]

Based on your posts, you seem like one of those over-achievers who doesn't know what to do with himself if he isn't working 100% of the time. Go out with your friends, forget about residency/school and have some beers...daily. You've become consumed with the idea of matching into derm that it's become a part of your existence. That needs to change.

 

[Wordead]

Link to thread? I'm interested in this discussion. A lot of people in ortho matched lower on their list this year. Twas broot.

It's always going to be brutal during this era of way too many med schools. I feel very fortunate to have matched well, and that ENT was actually less competitive this year than last year. I think Derm and ENT were the only two fields that had fewer applicants. We had several unmatched orthos from my school - some good people, too, with just a flaw or two (research, a low step).

 

[W19]

It's always going to be brutal during this era of way too many med schools. I feel very fortunate to have matched well, and that ENT was actually less competitive this year than last year. I think Derm and ENT were the only two fields that had fewer applicants. We had several unmatched orthos from my school - some good people, too, with just a flaw or two (research, a low step).

Maybe some people start realizing that they are not going to match into these specialties if they don't have their **** together.

 

[CherryRedDracul]

Link to thread? I'm interested in this discussion. A lot of people in ortho matched lower on their list this year. Twas broot.

Ortho is considered to have been the most competitive specialty to match into this year.

 

[Kaustikos]

So if you didn't match to where you wanted or at all, that makes it okay to **** on someone who also didn't match to where they wanted just because they matched into something that is more desirable and difficult to get into? If I recall correctly, most of the people talking trash were premeds and preclinical students

Uh.... no. Not it at all. I don't encourage "****ting" on anyone. Nor do I do it myself. But you're right, let's just toss this up right there with post-partem blues.

 

[KinasePro]

It's always going to be brutal during this era of way too many med schools. I feel very fortunate to have matched well, and that ENT was actually less competitive this year than last year. I think Derm and ENT were the only two fields that had fewer applicants. We had several unmatched orthos from my school - some good people, too, with just a flaw or two (research, a low step).

Same here. A lot of applicants who would've been locks in years prior either went unmatched or matched very low on thier lists. Glad to hear ENT was a even a tad less competitive this year though. Hopefully this years match scares some people away from ortho and there will be less carnage for the next year's batch.

What makes the whole thing that much more irritating though, is that the match day ceremonies were pretty much feast or famine. You're either spiking the football in front of your classmates or trying to politely excuse yourself form the festivities so you can go figure out your life. Ours was painful bc the non-competitive fields (peds, medicine, psych) matched at all premier programs, while the competitive fields had people landing all over the spectrum. It was a weird dissonance that didn't seem right. Felt like a lot of people were alienated that day and not in the mood to celebrate, while others were inadvertently rubbing it in. Made me question the whole tradition of match day all together.

Ortho is considered to have been the most competitive specialty to match into this year.

Honestly would not surprise me, based on what I saw on the trail. Multiple programs mentioned the step 1 average for the interview day was >250, and though I'm sure it certainly wasn't that high everywhere, I was pretty shocked. The game is indeed getting uglier my friends...

 

[PL198]

Same here. A lot of applicants who would've been locks in years prior either went unmatched or matched very low on thier lists. Glad to hear ENT was a even a tad less competitive this year though. Hopefully this years match scares some people away from ortho and there will be less carnage for the next year's batch.

What makes the whole thing that much more irritating though, is that the match day ceremonies were pretty much feast or famine. You're either spiking the football in front of your classmates or trying to politely excuse yourself form the festivities so you can go figure out your life. Ours was painful bc the non-competitive fields (peds, medicine, psych) matched at all premier programs, while the competitive fields had people landing all over the spectrum. It was a weird dissonance that didn't seem right. Felt like a lot of people were alienated that day and not in the mood to celebrate, while others were inadvertently rubbing it in. Made me question the whole tradition of match day all together.



Honestly would not surprise me, based on what I saw on the trail. Multiple programs mentioned the step 1 average for the interview day was >250, and though I'm sure it certainly wasn't that high everywhere, I was pretty shocked. The game is indeed getting uglier my friends...

I said something similar and got shredded for it. lolz