That First Feeling Starting Your Post Bach

[beBrave]

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So I started my post Bach a day ago. Keep in mind I was working on a PhD in clinical Psych previously. I remember thinking the entire time during my Doctoral program that something is wrong; I'm missing so many basics and if I specialize in something like Neuro-psychology, I am going to need a solid foundation in biology, physiology and Chemistry. The first day of BIO class, the first question the professor asked was the definition of life which I gave the best answer to. Long story short we began discussing Chem and I suddenly realized how much knowledge I was lacking. in a PhD its about asking the right questions but having a solid foundation is just as important.

I actually did some group work on the first day and we got our assigned question wrong and it felt exhilarating. My first feeling was OMG why did I wait so long; why didn't I do this years ago. It was a feeling of astonishment and regret (however I realized that I cannot change the past and I might not have been prepared years ago to do what I am doing now). Even though I feel very challenged, the most lingering feeling is knowing that I am on the right path and knowing there is no better alternative.

What were your first feelings when you started your post Bach Journey? What were the thoughts going through your mind?

 

[NuttyEngDude]

What were your first feelings when you started your post Bach Journey? What were the thoughts going through your mind?

That learning is fun, life is good, and we are fortunate to be able to have the opportunity to try.

 

[Captain Sisko]

That learning is fun, life is good, and we are fortunate to be able to have the opportunity to try.

+1

also, do I really want to do this, walking in. followed by yes, yes I do, walking out.

edit, tomorrow marks two years since my first nontrad premed activity, shadowing a pcp. come a long way.

 

[LiveLoveLearn]

I was pretty freaked out, actually. I hadn't taken any classes in 4 years, and I hadn't taken any science courses in 9 years (since HS). I had purchased some Biology, Physics and Chemistry for Dummies books, but I was still pretty intimidated by how far behind I was in the material and in just learning how to study again. On top of that, I was in HUGE classes with a ton of Freshman (I did a second BS, rather than an actual post-bac program), and I just felt really out of place. . . . Then I realized that my attitude was counter-productive, and told myself to get over it. I made a couple of study buddies and really dedicated myself, and I did fine.

Once I changed my attitude about my situation, I really enjoyed most of the material, and was so happy that I was able to excel at it. It still felt sort of like 2 years in transition, but I think that it was a good experience to get me ready for med school - both intellectually and socially, which I start in the Fall 😍

Good luck!

 

[alefor1]

I'm in my third week of my first DIY-post-bac class. It's going ok. The sheer volume of information is new to me, since I've been out of school for a couple years, this is science, and it's compressed into a 6-week session.

beBrave, you were on track to get a clinical psych PhD? That has been sort of my true desire, but I heard about how hard it is to crack a certain salary, etc., even after all that education. Are you going back or headed toward medicine? I'm curious about your process...

 

[LingoLaine]

That first day back on a college campus (13 years after I graduated from college, 9 years after finishing my master's degree) I was 35 years old and walking though a campus full of 18 to 22-year-olds. I looked around and honestly thought to myself, "Holy ****! What have I done?" But after that first day I never looked back.

I'd been an English major the first time through college and there I was, taking bio and chem. I knew it was going to be hard. Just the thought of ochem and physics terrified me. But it was exhilarating having a goal and a plan and working toward it. I had little kids, one with some medical issues, so it was slow going... it took me four years to finish the prereqs, plus two applications cycles to get in.

I just finished my first year of medical school and it's been a tough year but I survived. I'm the oldest in my class, but I'm so grateful for the opportunity and I still never look back.

 

[dsoz]

Isn't the meaning of life "live long enough to reproduce, then do it!"

Oh, wait, your prof asked about the definition of life. The meaning of life is more for philosophy. Ha ha.

I can't comment on post-bac classes, because I had all my prerequisite classes in my original BS degree. However, I did take a couple of classes to prove that I was not "brain damaged" before my application cycle. A funny story about the biochem class that I took; the professor was new enough that the ink was still drying on his PhD diploma. I was talking with him after class one day and we decided that he was young enough that he could have been a student in my high school science class. That made me feel really old. Ha ha.

dsoz

 

[beBrave]

I'm in my third week of my first DIY-post-bac class. It's going ok. The sheer volume of information is new to me, since I've been out of school for a couple years, this is science, and it's compressed into a 6-week session.

beBrave, you were on track to get a clinical psych PhD? That has been sort of my true desire, but I heard about how hard it is to crack a certain salary, etc., even after all that education. Are you going back or headed toward medicine? I'm curious about your process...

You are the second person to ask me about this subject today. I PMed the last person a lengthy explanation on my take of Clinical Psychology Vs MD/DO (If you would like a copy of it let me know).

Yes I was on track to get a Clinical Psychology PhD. I won't be going back due to salary differences and better career prospects that a MD/DO will offer.

 

[notvaricose]

Hello. I got my BA in psych last June and applied to clinical PhD programs last fall. I didn't get any interviews, and I won't be applying again this year. I think I've always been more interested in medicine/psychiatry but I never went for it. I am going back to start my prereqs this fall -- to see if I can pull the same kind of grades. I'm very interested in your take on clinical psych vs MD/DO. Would you mind sending me a copy of the PM as well? I would really appreciate it 🙂

 

[alefor1]

You are the second person to ask me about this subject today. I PMed the last person a lengthy explanation on my take of Clinical Psychology Vs MD/DO

Yes I was on track to get a Clinical Psychology PhD. I won't be going back due to salary differences and better career prospects that a MD/DO will offer.

Thanks for responding. I'd love a copy if you're willing.

 

[QrtrLifeCrisis]

What were your first feelings when you started your post Bach Journey? What were the thoughts going through your mind?

Feeling like there was a chance that I could fail miserably, but knowing that this was something that I needed to do regardless of the outcome.

A year and half later, I've finished my program with a 4.0, have taken the MCAT (scores pending), and filling out the AMCAS. I've never felt more right about my decisions than I do now. I'm going to become a doctor. This was always what I was meant to do.

It's okay to have the apprehension that you're probably feeling because the journey seems so long, but if you're truly committed, it'll all be worth it.