The Importance of High School to your career as a healthcare Professional

[jsnuka]

The goal of this thread is to share with our younger readers how to lay a strong foundation for future success in their academic and professional careers. Feel free to offer any advice that you may have.

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1) Listen to your teachers.

First and foremost, pay attention in your classes and follow the teacher's instructions. Your teachers will give you tips on notetaking and efficient ways to study and learn the material s/he is presenting in class. Be sure to grasp this information and utilize it as it will serve you well in the future.

2) READ the literature assignments you are given.

This sounds rather basic, but developing your reading comprehension and reading speed is a skill that wil serve you well as you prepare for graduate/professional studies and immediately in college as you are given a good deal of material to read and a short time to process it, understand it and utilize it.

DO NOT CHEAT on your reading assignments by using abridged versions of the assigned works of literature.

Read the material. Write out an outline of what you read to summarize it for yourself and maybe do it in your own words if the words are confusing. When you read be sure to have a dictionary and thesaurus with you to help you through the reading and to reinforce what you have read.

3) Getting excellent grades is ALWAYS important.

Performing well in your classes, as evidenced by your grades, is EXTREMELY crucial to your future success. Not just from the standpoint of an "A" is better than a "B" which is better than a "C"; but rather that your grades "should" indicate a your grasp of the material that your teachers have taught you and your mastery of it at your current educational level.

Your grades should reflect the discipline, effort and depth of your study habits as you have applied these factors to understand the material and make it your own.

4) Understand the mathematics and science you are learning.

Often times it may seem that the algebra, geometry and trigonometry that you are taught in high school has no immediate impact on your life. We all experieince the drudgery of it, but those classes are EXTREMELY important to your career.

First, math is a universal language that is spoken by everyone around the world. From that perspective, if you do not understand the math and learn it well, you will not be able to communicate effectively with your colleagues.

Second, key standardized tests that you will take in high school (ACT/SAT/PSAT), measure your ability to utilize the math skills you have learned in school and compare your ability to others taking these exams around the country.

More about standardized tests later.

In terms of your science classes, your high school science courses help you to grasp the vocabulary necessary for later success in your college science courses. At each level of your education, the information that you are required to learn becomes more specialized and progresses deeper into the subject matter than your previous class. It is important that you are prepared and work hard to be successful.

Your high school science and math classes are the foundation for YOUR success in your college courses and more immediately doing well in therse classes will help you perform well on the PSAT/ACT/SAT tests that will garner you scholarship awards and college acceptances depending upon your performance.

5 ) The PSAT/SAT/ACT

The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test also known as the National Merit Scholarship Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a test used to prepare you for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). The PSAT/NMSQT is taken in the sophomore year of high school and if you perfrom well on the test you can qualify for college scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship Competition.

The PSAT is also used to make you aware of areas of strength and weakness that you should review during your SAT preparation. It is very important that you are prepared and ready to take a standardized before you sit for the exam.

The best way to prepare for the SAT and the PSAT is to do well in your high school classes. Other suggestions for success are test preparation courses offered by commercial test review companies (e.g. Kaplan Test Prep or The Princeton Review and several others). You can also use SAT review books to hepl you as well.

Another means to prepare for these tests is to make use of the enrichment programs offered by local colleges in your area. An example of one of these programs can be found here. (in post #3)

Check with the Student Services or Academic Support Divisions of your local colleges to see if they offer these cost efficient test preparation programs in your area.

More information on these tests can be found through the links below.


http://www.actstudent.org/

http://www.collegeboard.com/

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/psat/about.html

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/about.html

6) The importance of Community Service/Volunteer work/Extra Curricular activities.

It is vital that you are well rounded as you progress academically. Through your extra curricular activities, for example, sports, clubs, church activities, community service, volunteer work; are an opportunity for you to develop your leadership abilities and learn how to communicate and work with others. Most importantly, how to interact with people who are different from you in some quality, one way or another.

The other fascinating aspect about your extra curricular activities is that you have a chance to discover what you like and develop your interests in an actvity and go far with it.

For example, your high school years are a good time to get a feel for what type of career you would like to pursue. You can find this out by shadowing professionals in that occupational field and asking them questions about their experiences.

If you are interested in healthcare, consider getting some "health care experience." Shadowing in a health care environment with other members of the health care team is valued for the indication of interest and commitment of the applicant to a career in healthcare. It can offer you an opportunity to understand the varying roles on the healthcare team and better appreciate the interrelationships of all healthcare providers in the care of the patient. Members of the healthcare team, include Physician assistants, physicians, registered nurses, physical therapists, audiologists, speech therapists and many others.

Participating in a shadowing experieince while in high school can help you narrow the field of possible college majors and focus your intentions as you apply for college scholarships.

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This is the first installment on this topic and it will continue tomorrow.

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[QofQuimica]

Great thread. I would add that it's also important to develop a love of reading in general. You will never again for the rest of your life have as much time to read for pleasure as you do while you're in high school. MCAT students often ask me what they should do to improve their MCAT VR scores. Unfortunately, the best solution of becoming a teenager again and reading more for pleasure is not an option for them. But it *is* an option for those of you who are still in high school. What to read? Whatever interests you, as long as it's well written and makes you think. The best thing about having reading as a hobby is that not only does it develop your mind, but it's free. If your high school library doesn't have books that interest you, join your public library and find good books there.

 

[jsnuka]

OK, so last night we talked about listening to your teachers, the importance of reading, getting good grades, the absolute necessity to understand the math and science you are learning; we briefly discussed the standardized tests you will take in high school and left off with a discussion about the role of extra curricular activities.

First, I want to spend a little more time on reading before going on into other topics. QofQuimica made a good point about developing a love for reading. In addition to books, I would suggest reading newspapers. Reading the newspaper helps you to be AWARE of the world around, both on a local/regional level, and a national/global level as well. It is important that you are able to hold meaningful, substantive conversation with someone about things other than what was on TV last night and what movie you last saw in the theater. The world is a dynamic place and it is crucial that you know what is going on so that you are abreast of any new developments that may directly impact you or those you hold dear.

Most newspapers are available in an online format these days, so if a print edition is too costly for you, be sure to stop by library to view the print edition or go to the newspaper's website to read the articles.

A listing of some excellent newspapers follows:

The New York Times (The NY Times has an OUTSTANDING Science Times section on Tuesday of each week that is phenomenal!!!!)

Los Angeles Times (also has a Science & Medicine section)

The Washington Post

Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Tribune

Personally, The New York Times and The Washington Post are must reads.

Other excellent reading sources are in the periodicals of your school or local public library.

National Geographic

Scientific American

These are some suggestions. Take a trip to your local library can lead you to find many other interesting newspapers and magazines to read that could motivate you towards a particular career path. Not only will having a voracious reading appetite nowhelp you in college and as you prepare for the MCAT and other standardized tests, but it will also help you in interviews.

Developing the habit of reading newspapers, books and magazines now will be very useful for you throughout your life no matter your career choice.

 

[jsnuka]

7) Develop a 2 year plan.

Most of the rest of your life for the next 10-15 years can be divided into 2 year increments with certain benchmarks or goals that you should achieve with in that timeframe. The goals are self determined, but it is IMPORTANT that you write it down and post it so that you can A) Remind yourself of what you should be doing and B) keep track of your progress. As one 2 year increment ends, the plan for the next one should be written and posted accordingly.

Sometimes your 2 year plan will need to be adjusted to a 3 year plan so that you can complete the necessary aspects of your goals.

NO WORRIES!!!!!!!!!!

Just adjust your plan and do not lose faith in yourself. Keep focus on your aspirations and persevere through any adversity that presents an obstacle to your success.

In our society, we tend to always celebrate the winner, but never take the time to understand his/her journey to success. Often times, the winner of a marathon is not the person who totally avoided the impediments in his/her race. The winner is the person who navigated through the roadblocks successfully and when s/he fell down, was able to recover and continue running to the finish line.

An example of a 2 year plan follows:

Freshman and Sophomore years of High School

Receive good grades in all of my classes==>shoot for the 4.0!!!

Participate in extra curricular activites

READ

Volunteer to do community service.

Begin investigating my college opportunities and create a career plan.

Do something academically inclined over the summer. (Many colleges have summer programs for interested HS students. Find one and get into it so that you can geta feel for life on a college campus.)

Prepare for the PSAT and SAT.

This is just an example. The one that you create for yourself will probably be more developed than this one and it should be. It should be tailored to your career goals, aspirations and reflect your interests and what you feel you need to do in order to be successful.

8) Keep a journal.

This is for both male and female students. Some people call it a diary and still some others, by way of the internet call it web log or blogging. Which ever method you decide to use, keep a journal and write in it about your career aspirations. Focus on why you want to do something and reflect on your daily/weekly experiences as you get closer to your goal.

Why do it?

The answer is a simple one.

For scholarship applications, college applications and especially for medical school, graduate school and other degree programs applications, you will need to write about why you are interested in a particular career and what have you done to showcase your interest in that career path. There is no time like in hgh school to begin the process of preparing for these essays. you will be making your life a lot easier by starting now and seeing if your interests change or mature as you get older and experience different things.


9) No man is an island.

You cannot accomplish ANYTHING in this world without the help of someone else. No matter what you try to accomplish in life someone has helped you to be successful. It has been either been your parents or other family members, friends, teachers, religious officials, community leaders, etc. Someone has or will help you along the way to achieving your goals.

Embrace the concept of teamwork and the collective efforts of a group to achieve a common goal.

In keeping with this line of thought, let people get to KNOW you. Tell people about your career aspirations. Let them know that you want to be a doctor. upon hearing about your intentions, that person may recommend you for an internship or set up a shadowing experience for you or suggest a scholarship program for you to apply for in the future.

You never how someone can help you, but you must first take the first step and let folks get to know you and see what type of person you are. When you do stalk about your accomplishments and aspirations try not to come across as arrogant, but do speak confidently and ALWAYS make eye contact and maintain it throughout your conversation with anyone.

10) Consider applying for INROADS in your junior and senior years of high school.

INROADS Frequently Asked Questions list

INROADS was a GREAT opportunity for me to learn about how to carry myself in a professional manner. It coverd resume' writing, professional attire and other tips that would serve anyone well no matter the career choice. SERIOUSLY consider applying for the program.

11) There are no shortcuts to success.

For this one, I will share a story with you. I had a teacher in high school, my Algebra 2/Trigonmetry/Pre-Calculus teacher, who gave is a mathematical formula sheet with EVERY possible math formula, equation and property listed on it. He announced to the class, "here is EVERYTHING you need to know on this sheet of paper. You do not need anything else, all of the information is here. The thing that you do need though, is to make the sacrifices necessary to UNDERSTAND everything that is one this sheet so that you can APPLY it on your tests, quizzes and homework assignments. You can choose to not do the homework, but if you 'pay the price' now and put in the hard work, effort and discipline needed to master this information, you will be better because of it."

Did any of us really listen to him?

On that first day, no. As time passed and the semester went on, YES!!!!

That teacher was giving us a life lesson. The lesson being that in order to be successful at ANYTHING you must "pay the price" or sacrifice something in order to achieve that goal. That sacrifice may be in the form of not going out with your friends to the mall to hang out, because you have homework to finish and studying to do. It could also be not being able to play a sport, until your grades are above a certain GPA.

Whatever goal you have in life, it will require you to sacrifice something in order to be the BEST at what ever you are doing.

Another example, Michael Jordan is not one of the best, if not the best, basketball player ever, by chance. He had an early interest in the sport, continued to develop his skills through hours and hours and hours of practice until he got better. He continued to practice and maintain his skills in order to APPLY the knowledge that he has obtained to any possible situation on the basketball.

This same dedication and diligence in necessary in the classroom and throughout your career. Make the sacrifices to be the BEST student you can possibly be and prepare yourself for the next challenge that awaits you.


12) Apply to college.

Ideally you have gone on college tours and attended college fairs or performed other research in order to get a sense for what colleges/universities are best for you. ANYONE can be successful in college, just make sure that you apply to and attend a school that will best meet your needs and nurture you so that you can conitue to be as successful as you can possibly be.

Consider location, family support, tuition costs, in state school vs. out of state and the availability of scholarship money as you apply.

Seek out fee waivers for the applications if at possible and be sure to complete all financial aid forms in a timely manner.

13) Above all else, take care of your grades. Learn the material you are being taught in class and be sure to understand it. READ any books, newspapers or other periodicals that you can get your hands on. Lastly, seek out help and/or advice from others. The only stupid question is the one that is never asked.



For specific information on tips to be a successful applicant to medical school click here==>Maximizing success as an Underrepresented Minority applicant

Top 10 Schools that put Black Students into Medical School

Top 10 Medical Schools Producing physicians from Underrepresented backgrounds


Be sure to purchase a copy of the following publications:

Minority Student Opportunities in US Medical Schools (MSO)

Medical School Admissions Requirements (MSAR)

The MSAR is updated annually and the MSO is updated biennially.


Good luck and post up any questions you may have.

 

[jsnuka]

Some US Medical Schools have combined BS/MD programs which allow you to receive both your Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine degrees in a 6-8 year timeframe.

You apply to these programs directly from high school and in some cases once you have matriculated to college and completed a year or two of the undergraduate curriculum.

Listing of US Medical Schools with combined BS/MD programs

These programs require that you have an OUTSTANDING score on your SAT/ACT examinations. So if you are really interested in going to medical school and guaranteeing your admission early to achieve one of your goals, doing well in your high school classes and succeeding on the PSAT/SAT/ACT is the way to go to make your dream a reality.

There is more information about these programs in the MSAR and MSO as well.