post-orientation -- I feel like quitting

[Madhatter]

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I just had my first day of orientation, and i just don't think i want to go to med school anymore. I didnt really like most of my class and all the social events are such a chore. Im so scared that im going to be miserable. I kinda wish i had a regular life and worked in corporate america, where atleast you're not beaten down by immense amount of memorizing and stress and you dont have this peer pressure to fit in and be bubbly.

 

[Iwy Em Hotep]

Then just do your own thing. This isn't (or rather, shouldn't be) like high school. If you want to avoid class and not see classmates, then go right ahead.

 

[Law2Doc]

I kinda wish i had a regular life and worked in corporate america, where atleast you're not beaten down by immense amount of memorizing and stress and you dont have this peer pressure to fit in and be bubbly.

What corporate america are you talking about? True, there's not much memorizing, but certainly no shortage of stress to beat you down in the rat race, and incredible peer pressure to totally fit the mold. And there's a lot more ass kissing to move up the corporate ladder than the medical ranks.
But sorry to hear you dislike your classmates so quickly.

 

[skypilot]

I just had my first day of orientation, and i just don't think i want to go to med school anymore. I didnt really like most of my class and all the social events are such a chore. Im so scared that im going to be miserable. I kinda wish i had a regular life and worked in corporate america, where atleast you're not beaten down by immense amount of memorizing and stress and you dont have this peer pressure to fit in and be bubbly.

Don't worry, the social events will wind down soon and it will be just you and the library. 🙂

Med students just go on crazy drunken festivals about once per month.

 

[loveumms]

What corporate america are you talking about? True, there's not much memorizing, but certainly no shortage of stress to beat you down in the rat race, and incredible peer pressure to totally fit the mold. And there's a lot more ass kissing to move up the corporate ladder than the medical ranks.
But sorry to hear you dislike your classmates so quickly.

Have to agree with this poster ... pretty much any job requires some degree of socalization (of course there are exeptions) and some form of having to do things you don't like.

Hopefully things will get better. Just remember, at the beginning everyone is in the same boat and as the year progresses you will find people who are more like yourself and it will get easier to socalize and have fun. Just give some of the people a chance, you might find some really good friends.

 

[domukin]

I just had my first day of orientation, and i just don't think i want to go to med school anymore. I didnt really like most of my class and all the social events are such a chore. Im so scared that im going to be miserable. I kinda wish i had a regular life and worked in corporate america, where atleast you're not beaten down by immense amount of memorizing and stress and you dont have this peer pressure to fit in and be bubbly.

I feel your pain, havent had orientation yet but we have that, then some retreat in the mountains and i'm sure some other stuff down the line. I'm not into any of that, in fact I used to be the kid that wouldn't trade his lunch at the spiritual retreats in catholic elementary school.

Anyway, just bear through it, attend what you must, and make your own way as the other poster suggested. You do not have to pretend to be chummy and nice all the time, but it's also to your advantage to be nice every now and again to secure future contacts. Think of it as a game, a sometimes annoying but usually necessary game, and in order to do what you want-practice medicine- you have to get through this and other hurdles.

 

[raosen]

agreed. every job has its stresses, and most jobs require a fair amount of socializing. i was a management consultant before this, and i have to say that med school is so much better. just stick it out. you sound like you have never experienced the "real world," and IMHO, it is actually very healthy for people to take a year or two off to see what else is out there. this way, you will be much happier when you "settle" into your medical career.

btw, if you hate socializing, maybe you should think about pathology or lab research 😀. pathologists and MD/PhDs, please dont flame me.

 

[RaaMD]

Wish you didn't feel so bad about your initial experience.

 

[SkylineMD]

I just had my first day of orientation, and i just don't think i want to go to med school anymore. I didnt really like most of my class and all the social events are such a chore. Im so scared that im going to be miserable. I kinda wish i had a regular life and worked in corporate america, where atleast you're not beaten down by immense amount of memorizing and stress and you dont have this peer pressure to fit in and be bubbly.

The best advice that I have received recently is this: Nothing in this world is hard if you put enough effort into it. That being said, medical school is going to require you to put in quite a bit of effort. It's nothing compared to undergrad (I personally thought undergraduate was a joke). Most people in your class will cut down on their partying after they get their first few grades back. I would recommend joining a bunch of clubs in school that give you clinical exposure. It will remind you why you wanted to be here so bad in the first place. There IS a light at the end of the tunnel though at times you might not see it. Just study hard and you'll be rewarded when you hear the words "Dr._____" later.

 

[YouDontKnowJack]

or maybe the OP really has an avoidant personality disorder.


really though, if you wanna quit, quit. There are people waiting to transfer to take your seat.

 

[Blake]

or maybe the OP really has an avoidant personality disorder.


really though, if you wanna quit, quit. There are people waiting to transfer to take your seat.

Harsh, but it's the cold hard truth. I wouldn't quit if I were you, but then again, I don't remember feeling like quitting, even during the week with 5 exams on 4 months worth of material.

Your life, your choices. Just don't do anything you'll regret... It's not easy, but you did well in undergrad, and you can definitely do well in med school. Good luck !

 

[Chris127]

That being said, medical school is going to require you to put in quite a bit of effort. It's nothing compared to undergrad (I personally thought undergraduate was a joke).

Just curious (as I am a premed undergrad), why did you think undergraduate was a joke?

 

[Rogue_Leader]

Just curious (as I am a premed undergrad), why did you think undergraduate was a joke?

Most med students find undergrad a joke in retrospect compared to the rigors of med school. I'm personally kicking myself for not drinking more beer and taking part in more ******* college antics while I had the chance.

 

[Chris127]

Most med students find undergrad a joke in retrospect compared to the rigors of med school. I'm personally kicking myself for not drinking more beer and taking part in more ******* college antics while I had the chance.

lol so most people here would consider undergrad to be fairly easy compared to med school?

Well I start my first semester this fall, so we'll see how much studying I actually need to do to keep my GPA up....

 

[Psycho Doctor]

I just had my first day of orientation, and i just don't think i want to go to med school anymore. I didnt really like most of my class and all the social events are such a chore. Im so scared that im going to be miserable. I kinda wish i had a regular life and worked in corporate america, where atleast you're not beaten down by immense amount of memorizing and stress and you dont have this peer pressure to fit in and be bubbly.

one day?? give it more time. You can't judge on one day when you don;t know anyone and everything is so new to you. yea i know it's scary and quite frankly you're starting to freak me out. meet people, then you may be more willing to partake of the social activities and no one is saying you have to participate in all of them, but i think if you dissociate yourself from everyone you'll be lonely and miserable. orientation is to get you to meet people and get to know them by stupid social events, but you may actually surprise yourself and have fun. hang in there, it will be fine.

 

[PiccoloPlaya]

You fool. Ditch the ridiculous med school idea, grab a guitar, join a rock band, and tour around the world.

 

[MoosePilot]

one day?? give it more time. You can't judge on one day when you don;t know anyone and everything is so new to you. yea i know it's scary and quite frankly you're starting to freak me out. meet people, then you may be more willing to partake of the social activities and no one is saying you have to participate in all of them, but i think if you dissociate yourself from everyone you'll be lonely and miserable. orientation is to get you to meet people and get to know them by stupid social events, but you may actually surprise yourself and have fun. hang in there, it will be fine.

Man, you managed to freak PD out. You know how hard that is to do? 😱



Kidding, buddy, just kidding!!

 

[SkylineMD]

Just curious (as I am a premed undergrad), why did you think undergraduate was a joke?

Just like Rogueleader stated, when you compare the amount of work you do in medical school to undergrad, its a joke (at least to me). I hardly really studied in undergrad and the only things i remember doing are HW assignments that were given. I didn't really study all that much either. However, medical school taught me how I needed to shape up and study. That cruise control that I was so accustomed to abruptly turned off and I ended up studying for some classes about 5-6hrs a day of "efficient" studying time. Less for some classes since I attended most lectures later on and it cut into my self studying time but I still learned the material well enough.

If you're just beginning undergrad, one rule that I thought was pretty good to go by was "every hour in class = every hour studying outside of it". If you follow that rule, you should not only be able to do well in your classes, but have a lot of free time too. Good grades to me is all about time management. If you can do that, you'll stay sane throughout this process.

 

[futrDrRae]

I did corporate america first, it sucks more than Med School because you feel like what you do means nothing. You may feel like that about memorizing ridiculous amounts of stuff in med school, but at the end of the day, your goal is to do something that means something. Btw - med school is professional school. No need to be best friends with classmates, school is the place where you learn, live life with your real friends. I've aften felt sort of distant from classmates, but I love what I'm there for - learning, and that's all that's important.

 

[cali7925]

haha, i felt the same way....they scared the s*** out of us in orientation...haha. stay the course...u'll meet ppl u like in due time.....just be open to everyone and try not to click like most ppl do.

corporate america isnt a bed of roses, there's a lot of politics and crap u have to put up with.

dont choose the ppl, jose the job....what job will u enjoy more....remember (and this is one think that is easier said than done)...medicine is u're job, not your life or who you are.

I just had my first day of orientation, and i just don't think i want to go to med school anymore. I didnt really like most of my class and all the social events are such a chore. Im so scared that im going to be miserable. I kinda wish i had a regular life and worked in corporate america, where atleast you're not beaten down by immense amount of memorizing and stress and you dont have this peer pressure to fit in and be bubbly.

 

[justcurious09]

I feel the same way - just begining and having thoughts of quitting. I have to remind myself that it's completely OK to be worried about what's ahead. It's a lot of work, and if you're like me and you've actually been out working for 5 years, no income, no weekends, no after 5pm free time, is hard to get used to. It's true that you have to give up a lot to become a physician.

But stopping so early is irrational. Give it a semester. If you don't like it take a leave of absence and think it over. You have time. You have options.

Don't study too hard. Just try and pass. Take time for yourself.


Adjusting to the work and to the social scene take TIME. It might not be as bad as you think. (I think I just gave myself a pep talk!).

 

[Deleted member 72527]

I just had my first day of orientation, and i just don't think i want to go to med school anymore. I didnt really like most of my class and all the social events are such a chore. Im so scared that im going to be miserable. I kinda wish i had a regular life and worked in corporate america, where atleast you're not beaten down by immense amount of memorizing and stress and you dont have this peer pressure to fit in and be bubbly.

I felt the same way the whole week of orientation. Now I feel like quitting too, but it's because I have an anatomy test on Monday. Except I don't REALLY want to quit. I hated orientation - it will probably get better. Give it a chance!

 

[Psycho Doctor]

Man, you managed to freak PD out. You know how hard that is to do? 😱



Kidding, buddy, just kidding!!

i think i used that line on every thread i posted on tonight 🙁

 

[turkdlit]

Orientation blows the big one...I still can't stand my classmates as a second year, but you have to realize that everyone is being extremely fake right now...

People talk themselves up, or are nauseatingly (sp?) friendly, or maybe there are too many jocks, or too many airheads, or too many gunners, too many nerds, whatever...you'll find your niche, just like undergrad.

I doubt many of us enjoyed undergrad orientation, but made some good friends in the end. I have a few choice, excellent friends in my class, and pretty much class...

Stick with it homes...

 

[turkdlit]

and pretty much class...

uh, that is, "and pretty much throw a big f*ck all to the rest of the class"...