Introduction to a Future Doctor... Hopefully
When I decided I wanted to be a doctor, I was probably like... five. But that doesn't count right? I mean, kids say all the time what they want to be when they grow up, and its usually something crazy like an astronaut, or brave like a firefighter, or even something metanormal like a super hero. But I stuck with doctor. My mom would ask me every couple of years what my plans were, and she always got the same answer. I never even really knew why. Before I knew how hard it was, or how long it took, or even the financial stability that comes with it, that's all I wanted to be. Well, fast forward to high school, I started to realize that becoming a doctor was no easy task. I thought that since I made good grades and excelled in math and science that I would be a prime candidate. Boy was I wrong. Being the first person in my family to make it past high school, I didn't really have anybody showing me the ropes or mentoring me on my path to become a doctor. This put me behind most of my peers in college. Most of my other pre-med friends had already logged thousands of volunteer hours, shadowed multiple physicians, had clinical experience, and had already started their studying for the MCAT. However, I sort of just shrugged it off and thought to myself that if I just get better grades and have a stellar GPA, I would be fine. Boy was I wrong, again! After realizing that numbers alone wouldn't allow me to achieve my life-long dream, I started working on myself personally and not just academically. Long story short, after experiencing the good, the bad, and the ugly that exists in the medical field, and being there first-hand, I believe I have finally found all the reasons I want to stay on this path. I have also realized that I'm not in a race. To become a doctor, you have to really want it. It truly has to be something that you are obsessed with, and you can't see yourself doing anything else. So, hopefully all of my hard work and soul-searching pays off, and I get an acceptance letter one day!
An Accurate Representation of the Struggles
Source: Magoosh
Hi Jake! I'm a pre-med student and completely understand where your coming from. I'm also a bit more behind in my path than I originally intended. I haven't worried about getting any experience yet so I could maintain a strong GPA, but with applications right around the corner I've found myself frantically trying to get experience while studying for the MCAT. I also had the realization recently that it's okay if I don't get into a medical school immediately after undergrad, in fact a gap year seems like a better idea everyday. Good luck on the rest of your path!
ReplyDeleteI just want to say, wanting to be an astronaut as a child is not crazy.
ReplyDeleteAwe your story was real cute. I hope you become a doctor too. I agree, though it can be competitive, it is not necessarily a race. Those who don’t have the heart will get weeded out. Sometimes too it takes time. You may get knocked down a bunch in your attempts, but if you stick with it I believe your dedication can pay off.
I wanted to become a doctor. Psychologist actually. I like the prestige of being called “doctor”, but I soon realized that the work I actually wanted to do, therapy, didn’t necessarily require the temporary rigor, financial ruin, or insomnia that medical school practically requires. At least that’s all I see when I imagine medical school.
Hi Jake!
ReplyDeleteI'm a premed student as well, and I had the EXACT same thought process as you did. My application cycle is right around the corner and I have not nearly as much experience outside of school as other applying students. You're totally right; to become a doctor you have to ABSOLUTELY want it. That's part of why the application process is so daunting. If I've learned anything as a premed student, it is to accept rejections and denials with open arms, and try your very best to learn from them. After all, it shouldn't be looked at as a "no," but a "not yet." You will get there someday, and hopefully Clara and I will get there too!
If there is any single piece of advice I could give you, it's to find yourself a mentor if you havent already. Find multiple If you can! Someone who has finished medical school, or is currently in medical school to show you the ropes.
Wishing you the best of luck on your journey!
Hiya Jake, talk about sticking with your dreams! Back when I was a kid I wanted to be a marine biologist, but here I am today about to go work in IT. I hope all these years of wanting to be a doctor pay off and you have an amazingly rewarding experience when you reach your goals. You'll get there eventually if that's what you really want to work towards. You've had your experiences to help set you on the right path, now all you hopefully have to do is follow it! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThere is such a big group of pre-meds in this class every semester, Jake... including people wrestling with the MCAT and all the hard work that goes with medical school applications. I hope you will get that letter of acceptance you are hoping for! You can consider it your own "hero's journey" thinking about how the challenges you are facing are like the challenges faced by epic heroes of all kinds in all times (from the Ramayana to Lord of the Rings and all the heroes and heroines in between), and maybe that will give you some light in a moment of darkness... so that you can meet a better fate than Boromir in the meme: you can be the hero who does achieve the quest in the end! Even an unexpected sort of hero, like one of the brave hobbits who achieved things a mighty warrior of Gondor did not. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Jake!
ReplyDeleteWhile I'm not pre-med, two of my friends that I've lived with throughout college are, so I can empathize with some of the struggle that comes with choosing that path. It's definitely true that it's not a race and you have to want it. In the end, what matters is that you're doing something you're passionate about, and I'm glad that you've found that. Good luck with your studies and applications to med school, I'm sure something will work out!
Hey Jake! I loved reading your post as it's something I can really relate to as well. I also want to be a doctor and let me tell you, the struggle. is. real. My mom was a pharmacist growing up, I always had an interest in science and I was smart so I thought hmm yeah doctor sounds good. Although my reasons for wanting to become a doctor weren't that convincing, I've ended up really liking this path that I'm on. I also love your point about how it's not a race. I definitely think it is a competition but to win you have to pace yourself and keep determined. Good luck to you and your endeavors! Maybe we'll both meet in person wearing our white coats.
ReplyDeleteHey Jake,
ReplyDeleteI think all your accomplishments thus far are so awesome! It can be tough going to college, let alone not having anyone to really walk you through and sort of prepare you for it so I commend you. Do you know what kind of doctor you want to be? It's pretty cool that you have known since you were 5 and still continue to pursue that dream!
Hello!
ReplyDeleteIt was great reading about your struggle and overall revelation about wanting to be a doctor. I’m glad that you came out of your struggle stronger and wiser. It must’ve been difficult since you were the first to go to college and possibly the first doctor? I have the utmost confidence in you and your abilities. You are completely right that this is a difficult path and you must be passionate about it. After searching for the answer, I’m glad that you came to the realization as to why you want to become a doctor. I completely feel you about seeing other students with hundreds of hours and just focusing on GPA. My parents always told me to focus on academics so I ended up not doing much shadowing and volunteering until my junior year (big mistake). Anyways, I wish you the best of luck on everything!
Hi Jake! Good for you for sticking with your career goal for so long! I personally have changed mine even since coming to college. You didn't say what year you were, but if you still need "experience" you could consider volunteering at a local fire department. I'm a volunteer EMT back home and they're definitely looking for new people now-a-days. Just something you could look into! The great thing about fire departments is that, for the most part, there isn't really a competition to get in. At least not as a volunteer. It is a fair amount of work, but I also became certified as a 16 year old highschool sophomore (told you anyone could do it!). I'm sure it would be a little easier assuming you've already had some course work in anatomy and/or physiology. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteHi Jake,
ReplyDeleteReally cool to see that you are still chasing your childhood dream of becoming a doctor. I wish I had any idea what I wanted to be when I was a kid. That for sure would have made choosing a major a lot easier! Congrats on being the first person in your family to go past high school! That is a huge accomplishment and something you should be very proud of.
Hi Jake, nice to meet you!! I think you’ve presented a really good picture of your character in this story. It is so important that you stay focused and work toward your goals, not just expect to achieve them. I also came into college as a pre-med but I soon realized that it was not for me! I wish you the best of luck and I am confident that you are doing to make an amazing physician one day!
ReplyDeleteHey Jake! It is awesome to see someone who knew their passion at a young age and was able to pursue it still to this day. Your family must be super proud of you. I am just about to graduate and couldn't imagine going to school for several more years so it takes a special kind of person to be doing what youre doing. Keep up the good work. I love the meme that you put at the end of your blog. Best of luck the rest of this semester.
ReplyDeleteHey Jacob, as someone gearing up to attend law school next semester, I salute your passion for your future career. You are correct that it's gonna be your passion that gets you to the finish line. I think that doctors are absolutely amazing. I was reading about this one operation werema doctor can remove the two-thirds of the skull of a patient in order to relieve pressure on a swollen brain. That is straight up magical stuff right there. I wish you the best of luck in your goals, and I hope you get to participate in the field you love one day.
ReplyDeleteHey Jake
ReplyDeleteYour Doctor story and journey that you took to get to the place you are now is very cool. That's awesome that you stuck to the job that you wanted to be since you were young. When I was young I went from being an astronaut to wanting to become an architect and now i'm on the path to doing real estate. Well good luck with your future and I hope you accomplish your goals!