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Anyone else dread starting med school?

 

[Shigaliketoxin]

First of all, I'm sorry you're feeling this way. This is a hard time of transition for just about any one in any situation and you are not alone in feeling this way.

Things to remember:

- You don't have to do every single (non-required) event during orientation. I skipped the scavenger hunts and happy hours, and I have made plenty of really solid friends.

- There will be other introverts who are choosing to skip out on events - you'll all find each other eventually.

- You have FOUR YEARS to make friends. slow down and remember you (probably) aren't going to meet your bff the very first day, anyways.

- Almost everyone else is secretly feeling the same way as you. Feel your feelings, take care of yourself, and do what is best for you. It is better to start med school sane/healthy/rested/normal than to wear yourself down during orientation trying to be something you aren't.

I was excited but also scared ****less and super anxious. It's a mixed bag of emotions, and that is okay. Just be yourself and your people will find you.

 

[Goro]

Hi SDN,

So I'm starting med school next week, and I don't feel up to it at all. For the past few weeks, I've been feeling more and more sad about starting. I'm moving into an area where I don't know anyone. I'm already a pretty introverted person, and just thinking about being surrounded by (and living with) strangers for the next few weeks is exhausting me. I really want to make friends and make good impressions, but I'm already feeling exhausted from talking to people. I don't know how I'm gonna keep up the upbeat/social facade for the week of orientation, when I can hardly find the energy to keep a conversation going with even my close friends. Also, the actual starting of medical school is going to make all of this that much harder. My significant other of 4 years and I broke up earlier this summer - although I've been mostly fine, talking to her everyday was what got me through a lot of tough times the past few years. And I don't really have anyone else I can talk to like I did w/ her. I don't know how I'm going to get through this next major challenge, without the person who always got me through my stresses/struggles.

The more I run into people enthusiastically asking me how excited I am, and the more I see excited orientation leaders/other classmates converse w/ enthusiasm on social media, the more isolated and hopeless I feel about starting. The past few weeks it's been hard finding energy and motivation. And when I think about the social, emotional, and academic challenges of med school, it makes me feel helpless and sad.

Did anyone else feel like this, or does anyone now feel like this?

All new endeavors are fraught with anxiety.

You WILL make new friends.

 

[sleepyhead22]

I felt the same way. Luckily I really pushed myself and found a group of people that I got along with pretty well during orientation week, because friend groups at my school were formed extremely quickly. Not every school is like this, but I'd definitely just suck it up for the first week, know that you'll be exhausted, but still go to as many events as you can. Orientation week is really the only time where you can just walk up to someone, say hi, and have it not be weird.

 

[Raney Schauer]

without the person who always got me through my stresses/struggles.

There's an old saying that nothing gets you past the last one like the next one. While it's extremely reductive and flippant, there is truth to it.

 

[Govols22]

Just know this will be the most anxious time, as are all transitional periods. From orientation to graduation, it will only get better and you will begin to feel in your comfort zone again.

 

[bigbite]

I am also feeling a little nervous...just think about how hard you have worked to get here and what the above posters have said is true! You don't have to attend every social event, and there will be plenty of introverts in your class too! As for needing someone to talk to, probably all medical schools offer some form of judgment free counseling. There are always people willing to listen

 

[OrthoTraumaMD]

Hi SDN,

So I'm starting med school next week, and I don't feel up to it at all. For the past few weeks, I've been feeling more and more sad about starting. I'm moving into an area where I don't know anyone. I'm already a pretty introverted person, and just thinking about being surrounded by (and living with) strangers for the next few weeks is exhausting me. I really want to make friends and make good impressions, but I'm already feeling exhausted from talking to people. I don't know how I'm gonna keep up the upbeat/social facade for the week of orientation, when I can hardly find the energy to keep a conversation going with even my close friends. Also, the actual starting of medical school is going to make all of this that much harder. My significant other of 4 years and I broke up earlier this summer - although I've been mostly fine, talking to her everyday was what got me through a lot of tough times the past few years. And I don't really have anyone else I can talk to like I did w/ her. I don't know how I'm going to get through this next major challenge, without the person who always got me through my stresses/struggles.

The more I run into people enthusiastically asking me how excited I am, and the more I see excited orientation leaders/other classmates converse w/ enthusiasm on social media, the more isolated and hopeless I feel about starting. The past few weeks it's been hard finding energy and motivation. And when I think about the social, emotional, and academic challenges of med school, it makes me feel helpless and sad.

Did anyone else feel like this, or does anyone now feel like this?

We have all been there. Nobody goes through this process without apprehension. As an introvert, I understand. You will find the people you click with eventually. Or, at the very least, you will find somebody tolerable for the four years. As for your relationship, my then-boyfriend broke up with me just as I started medical school. It was terrible at the time, but looking back now, it was the best thing that could have happened. It sounds cliché, but these things happen for reason. There is something better waiting on the path ahead.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[kraskadva]

One idea for you --- go ahead and call the student counseling center at your new school. Tell them you're incoming, and would like to go ahead and set up an appt. They will probably be able to work you in pretty quickly (before the rush that follows the first exams) and you can start a relationship with a counselor who can help walk you through the process of starting med school from the mental health side, as well as give you coping strategies to try out.

 

[Nucleophile1]

Thanks for all the advice and wisdom. You put in years of hard work and sacrifice to get this point, and you expect your feelings will validate all the hard work. But your emotions do not validate your sacrifice - the only thing they validate is that you've had a good life and you now have to leave it for something different, potentially good and potentially bad.

This is a completely normal feeling. I moved far away for medical school last year and now that I am standing on the other side of first year about to start second year, it has been completely worth it. There have definitely been ups and down but overall, it's been a great experience.

 

[sleepyhead22]

Thanks for all the advice and wisdom. You put in years of hard work and sacrifice to get this point, and you expect your feelings will validate all the hard work. But your emotions do not validate your sacrifice - the only thing they validate is that you've had a good life and you now have to leave it for something different, potentially good and potentially bad.

I feel you. I have to say I was extremely nervous that I was making a mistake/would hate the day to day/etc, and I ended up totally loving it. Maybe not exam weeks (and my entire neuro block was a dark time), but overall I REALLY enjoyed first year. Orientation week was horrible, though.

 

[panda16]

I totally resonate with your feeling. And to be honest, the feelings of not being in the right place (i.e. moving far away from home to a foreign place where you don't know anyone) still hit me time to time, but over time you realize that you're establishing friendships that are just different than what they were before. And accomplishing your life's dream!

 

[rolliespring]

It's normal and totally ok to feel that way. As an introvert orientation week was pretty much a nightmare for me lol. Each time when I had to be like "Hi I'm rolliespring I'm from Edo where you from?" etc. I was slowly dying inside haha. Make sure you be on good terms with everyone though because cliques form REALLY fast. I'm sure you'll find your own group. Just enjoy the rest of summer and embrace med school when it comes.

 

[Dr. Slimthick]

Literally felt the same way (except for the moving part, I stayed in my hometown). Looking back I had nothing to be worried about as everyone is just a nervous and wants friends too. Just go with the flow and avoid the high stress people. No one should be gunnerish/high strung during orientation and if they are.....

On another note you may be dealing with some breakup blues which I feel you on that one I'm currently in the same situation. That too shall pass. I promise that you will be so busy (in a good way) that before you realize it it is winter break!

 

[_NM_]

I feel exactly the same way as you! The idea of starting medical school, moving to a new place where I don’t know anyone, and having to make all new friends is daunting but so many people are in the same boat.

We will both make fiends, I’m sure. If you ever need a pep talk, let me know!