Comments on: Quitting Medical School http://solojourney.org/quitting-medical-school/ The Rejected ::: Saving Lives One Laugh at a Time Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:30:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Annabelle http://solojourney.org/quitting-medical-school/#comment-4610 Annabelle Wed, 20 May 2009 04:48:13 +0000 http://solojourney.org/?p=115#comment-4610 Hey, I found this site because recently I have been having doubts that I am the right person to be a doctor and so I searched quit medical school to see if it was normal to be having these feelings. I am a second year student in New Zealand, which means I just completed a competitive first year required for entrance. When I left school I wanted to be a journalist or a diplomat, I had always envisaged myself doing arts papers at uni. I love english and history, and english has always been my best subject. However I felt it would be difficult to never do science again, and to forget about all the things facts the underly the processes of life. I also figured I could make more of a difference in the world by persuaing science. For me, being a doctor combined the best career assets; being able to help people, learning science theory and the way every thing works in great detail, having a very practical aspect, and on top of all of this making money (which is important for supporting a family and I would love to be able to help charities when I am older). Now I am wondering if maybe I was wrong to analyse my choices so logically. Maybe I should have just gone with my gut feeling of who I naturally am....which is somebody who LIKES reading shakespeare and learning the history of the world so I know how everything got to where we are today. I love stories, and the world is such a mystical and variable place (or at least that is my current childishly fairtale-skewed view). And I want to know everything about it so I can help change the things that are down right unacceptable (starving people and wars etc). So as you can see by my ramblings if you have bothered to read this far....I am afraid that my passion doesnt lie in medicine and if this is true it would make me an unhappy and poor practitioner. Dont get me wrong, I still like medicine. I just dont know if this is enough anymore. Im only just turning 19 so I dont feel it is too late to change direction. It would be emotionally very difficult though because I really am torn between these 2 sides of my personality. It would also be a financial hardship, as I am on maximum student loan (over 20,000 dollars by the end of this year), and my family is not well off. Im sorry that I kind of hijacked this post, but I suddenly felt compelled to see if anyone out there has any advice, or understands how hard this choice is. To the original person who posted this....I think that unless you have another career path that is pulling you away from medicine then you should try to keep with it....although I know from experience that once you get behind in work the psychological stress is very difficult. Goodluck, and I would love to hear your decision, your thoughts on my prediciment, and anybody elses comments Hey,
I found this site because recently I have been having doubts that I am the right person to be a doctor and so I searched quit medical school to see if it was normal to be having these feelings. I am a second year student in New Zealand, which means I just completed a competitive first year required for entrance. When I left school I wanted to be a journalist or a diplomat, I had always envisaged myself doing arts papers at uni. I love english and history, and english has always been my best subject. However I felt it would be difficult to never do science again, and to forget about all the things facts the underly the processes of life. I also figured I could make more of a difference in the world by persuaing science. For me, being a doctor combined the best career assets; being able to help people, learning science theory and the way every thing works in great detail, having a very practical aspect, and on top of all of this making money (which is important for supporting a family and I would love to be able to help charities when I am older). Now I am wondering if maybe I was wrong to analyse my choices so logically. Maybe I should have just gone with my gut feeling of who I naturally am….which is somebody who LIKES reading shakespeare and learning the history of the world so I know how everything got to where we are today. I love stories, and the world is such a mystical and variable place (or at least that is my current childishly fairtale-skewed view). And I want to know everything about it so I can help change the things that are down right unacceptable (starving people and wars etc). So as you can see by my ramblings if you have bothered to read this far….I am afraid that my passion doesnt lie in medicine and if this is true it would make me an unhappy and poor practitioner. Dont get me wrong, I still like medicine. I just dont know if this is enough anymore. Im only just turning 19 so I dont feel it is too late to change direction. It would be emotionally very difficult though because I really am torn between these 2 sides of my personality. It would also be a financial hardship, as I am on maximum student loan (over 20,000 dollars by the end of this year), and my family is not well off. Im sorry that I kind of hijacked this post, but I suddenly felt compelled to see if anyone out there has any advice, or understands how hard this choice is. To the original person who posted this….I think that unless you have another career path that is pulling you away from medicine then you should try to keep with it….although I know from experience that once you get behind in work the psychological stress is very difficult. Goodluck, and I would love to hear your decision, your thoughts on my prediciment, and anybody elses comments

]]> By: Danger Mouse http://solojourney.org/quitting-medical-school/#comment-4121 Danger Mouse Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:42:45 +0000 http://solojourney.org/?p=115#comment-4121 Oh by the way, I am still married. I currently work as an Aerospace Physiologist. I am happier than I've ever been because I freed myself from the weight/pressure of medicine. I guess each person has to find their own balance. If medicine is really giving you psych/emotional issues, really question why. Talk to a psychiatrist/psychologist/friend/parent/etc, and get some advice. Then decide if all the hell is worth it for you. Decide what you are willing to sacrifice....because everyone will end up sacrificing a lot. Whether it be youth, health, mental stability, relationships, etc. I know a good amount of people who ended up divorcing, losing children, etc. I agree with Happiernow that you better find out what makes you tick or you will be bitter. Ciao.. Oh by the way, I am still married. I currently work as an Aerospace Physiologist. I am happier than I’ve ever been because I freed myself from the weight/pressure of medicine. I guess each person has to find their own balance. If medicine is really giving you psych/emotional issues, really question why. Talk to a psychiatrist/psychologist/friend/parent/etc, and get some advice. Then decide if all the hell is worth it for you. Decide what you are willing to sacrifice….because everyone will end up sacrificing a lot. Whether it be youth, health, mental stability, relationships, etc. I know a good amount of people who ended up divorcing, losing children, etc. I agree with Happiernow that you better find out what makes you tick or you will be bitter. Ciao..

]]> By: Danger Mouse http://solojourney.org/quitting-medical-school/#comment-4120 Danger Mouse Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:35:14 +0000 http://solojourney.org/?p=115#comment-4120 It takes courage to quit medical school. I left as a 4th year, after passing the Step 1, etc. I was married and felt that the lifestyle of a physician would get very counterproductive to a solid family. When you are at your death bed you are never going to wish you spent more time at the hospital. Make sure you don't give up hope that there actually may be something better than medicine. Quality of life is much more important that money or prestige. Anyways, that's my 2 Cents and I'm sticking to it. Thank you. It takes courage to quit medical school. I left as a 4th year, after passing the Step 1, etc. I was married and felt that the lifestyle of a physician would get very counterproductive to a solid family. When you are at your death bed you are never going to wish you spent more time at the hospital. Make sure you don’t give up hope that there actually may be something better than medicine. Quality of life is much more important that money or prestige. Anyways, that’s my 2 Cents and I’m sticking to it. Thank you.

]]> By: doctor? http://solojourney.org/quitting-medical-school/#comment-3866 doctor? Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:09:03 +0000 http://solojourney.org/?p=115#comment-3866 hi all some interesting thoughts here! heres my story im now in my 2nd year of medschool and am really serious bout quitting. i never used to be like this (a quitter). i used to work so damn hard and be very content with coming top. but then i went travelling.... and i feel like i have really found something i am passionate about. i feel like my eyes have been opened to the world and i now see that there is more to life than just working hard.... for what? I have become the kind of person where i want to work hard and get somewhere. i know in medicine that you do get the rewards about 20 years down the line, but i dont think i am willing to wait that long anymore. i want to go places, do hobbies try new things for most of my life as a pose to so far down the line. call me impatient? or just desparate to make the most of my life instead of being an unappreciated slave :/ which is whyyy i want to switch to dentistry. OK its not as exhilarating as medicine on a day to day basis, but i want to be able to have free time and not be constantly tired!!! i could have a proper family, pets, do sports and take time off whenever i want really. it just seems perfect. BUT. the annoying part. its those moments in medicine that you just dont get in dentistry that are stopping me from quitting. the moment when you save someones life or see a baby being born. It doesnt happen frequently, no, but when it does, its AMAZING. breaks my heart that i cant do everything i want in my life. and ive just changed my mind AGAIN. while writing this. i just cant decide what i want more :( hi all
some interesting thoughts here! heres my story

im now in my 2nd year of medschool and am really serious bout quitting. i never used to be like this (a quitter). i used to work so damn hard and be very content with coming top. but then i went travelling…. and i feel like i have really found something i am passionate about. i feel like my eyes have been opened to the world and i now see that there is more to life than just working hard…. for what? I have become the kind of person where i want to work hard and get somewhere. i know in medicine that you do get the rewards about 20 years down the line, but i dont think i am willing to wait that long anymore. i want to go places, do hobbies try new things for most of my life as a pose to so far down the line. call me impatient? or just desparate to make the most of my life instead of being an unappreciated slave :/

which is whyyy i want to switch to dentistry. OK its not as exhilarating as medicine on a day to day basis, but i want to be able to have free time and not be constantly tired!!! i could have a proper family, pets, do sports and take time off whenever i want really. it just seems perfect.

BUT. the annoying part. its those moments in medicine that you just dont get in dentistry that are stopping me from quitting. the moment when you save someones life or see a baby being born. It doesnt happen frequently, no, but when it does, its AMAZING. breaks my heart that i cant do everything i want in my life.

and ive just changed my mind AGAIN. while writing this. i just cant decide what i want more :(

]]> By: Kate http://solojourney.org/quitting-medical-school/#comment-3137 Kate Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:28:06 +0000 http://solojourney.org/?p=115#comment-3137 I am in third year aswell and im seriously thinking about quitting but im scared i quit then live to regret it. I have been feeling like this for a while but just keep telling myself to give it a bit longer. If i did quit i dont know what else i would do. I am in third year aswell and im seriously thinking about quitting but im scared i quit then live to regret it. I have been feeling like this for a while but just keep telling myself to give it a bit longer. If i did quit i dont know what else i would do.

]]> By: sarah http://solojourney.org/quitting-medical-school/#comment-2536 sarah Tue, 30 Sep 2008 03:29:00 +0000 http://solojourney.org/?p=115#comment-2536 dear happier now...i was wondering what made you pursue your MPH. i finished 3 years of medical school and am highly considering quitting. Yet i do not know what else to do. dear happier now…i was wondering what made you pursue your MPH. i finished 3 years of medical school and am highly considering quitting. Yet i do not know what else to do.

]]> By: happiernow http://solojourney.org/quitting-medical-school/#comment-2502 happiernow Sun, 21 Sep 2008 01:21:08 +0000 http://solojourney.org/?p=115#comment-2502 From a physician who is 7 years post-residency and on my way out, I hope all of you find that just pushing through it pays off in the end. I haven't and I just started my MPH in Health Policy and I LOVE IT. I wish I had quit when I was at the stage you guys are. If you truly like medicine but are just having a hard time because it's tough, keep going. But, for some of us the problem is deeper, and there is a lot of pressure from society/family/friends to just keep going. But, it's important to know yourself and if your true self doesn't fit with being a practicing physician, your life will be full of misery. From a physician who is 7 years post-residency and on my way out, I hope all of you find that just pushing through it pays off in the end. I haven’t and I just started my MPH in Health Policy and I LOVE IT. I wish I had quit when I was at the stage you guys are. If you truly like medicine but are just having a hard time because it’s tough, keep going. But, for some of us the problem is deeper, and there is a lot of pressure from society/family/friends to just keep going. But, it’s important to know yourself and if your true self doesn’t fit with being a practicing physician, your life will be full of misery.

]]> By: eTHAN http://solojourney.org/quitting-medical-school/#comment-2319 eTHAN Sat, 30 Aug 2008 04:58:59 +0000 http://solojourney.org/?p=115#comment-2319 Hey Adam, what Australian medical school do you attend? I think that we all feel like that at some point and I think it's worth reminding ourselves now and again how lucky we are to be doing medicine especially admidst a crappy economy. Medical school is bad but I suspect it will get worse before it gets any better. Hey Adam, what Australian medical school do you attend?

I think that we all feel like that at some point and I think it’s worth reminding ourselves now and again how lucky we are to be doing medicine especially admidst a crappy economy. Medical school is bad but I suspect it will get worse before it gets any better.

]]> By: Beach Bum http://solojourney.org/quitting-medical-school/#comment-2316 Beach Bum Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:23:14 +0000 http://solojourney.org/?p=115#comment-2316 The thought has crossed my mind, usually the night before a set of exams. But as an older student who came to medicine after another career (of sorts), I knew exactly why I was doing it, and was mostly prepared for the shit I'd have to wade through. I have doctors in my family, and one of the things that has really helped me is that during every one of my breaks, I have seen real patients. I hang out with my sister in the office and interview patients, and this break I've spent the last two days in the ER. There is something very motivating about seeing real people with real problems and knowing that all the factoids that I've stuffed into my brain are relevant. For example, two days ago I saw a patient with an Asprin overdose. All that acid-base stuff from Physiology came back, and I could actually see the Kussmal breathing and the competing acidosis and alkalosis. The time I spent in Physio suddenly became real. The thought has crossed my mind, usually the night before a set of exams. But as an older student who came to medicine after another career (of sorts), I knew exactly why I was doing it, and was mostly prepared for the shit I’d have to wade through. I have doctors in my family, and one of the things that has really helped me is that during every one of my breaks, I have seen real patients. I hang out with my sister in the office and interview patients, and this break I’ve spent the last two days in the ER. There is something very motivating about seeing real people with real problems and knowing that all the factoids that I’ve stuffed into my brain are relevant. For example, two days ago I saw a patient with an Asprin overdose. All that acid-base stuff from Physiology came back, and I could actually see the Kussmal breathing and the competing acidosis and alkalosis. The time I spent in Physio suddenly became real.

]]> By: Adam http://solojourney.org/quitting-medical-school/#comment-2258 Adam Fri, 22 Aug 2008 03:55:55 +0000 http://solojourney.org/?p=115#comment-2258 Wow thanks for all the comments and advice! Lately I just feel like I've lost that drive and determination that got me into medical school in the first place. Instead of going for 90s I'm happy with just a 50 because at the end of the day a 50 will allow you to move on and get you closer to your goal of becoming a doctor. However, getting a 50 in medical school is anything but easy. I'm getting the sense that they expect you to know so much to get past that 50 barrier and to get a 70 you just need to know a little bit more so there's not much separating us once you get over that hurdle. Don't get me wrong, medical school is enjoyable. I love the social aspect of it and I'm also looking forward to my true clinical years. I'm more of a hands on type of guy. FYI, it's not like I'm failing or anything but you just have that feeling in the back of your mind the whole time. Medical school is a big psychological game that we play with ourselves. Wow thanks for all the comments and advice! Lately I just feel like I’ve lost that drive and determination that got me into medical school in the first place. Instead of going for 90s I’m happy with just a 50 because at the end of the day a 50 will allow you to move on and get you closer to your goal of becoming a doctor. However, getting a 50 in medical school is anything but easy. I’m getting the sense that they expect you to know so much to get past that 50 barrier and to get a 70 you just need to know a little bit more so there’s not much separating us once you get over that hurdle.

Don’t get me wrong, medical school is enjoyable. I love the social aspect of it and I’m also looking forward to my true clinical years. I’m more of a hands on type of guy. FYI, it’s not like I’m failing or anything but you just have that feeling in the back of your mind the whole time. Medical school is a big psychological game that we play with ourselves.

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