Medicine: A Life Lesson

This past Tuesday was World Mental Health Day and I in that post, I defintely touched on an aspect of Medicine slightly but once I started, I couldn't stop writing so I thought I needed to really split the post into two to do it justice.

Being a medical student for three years, it became very eye-opening to me that this population of students, seemed to be the ones struggling the most. While it could be because they're learning about it and can recognise it more easily, I do think it's also to do with the sheer pressure on each individual. Even before graduating.

Even though I won't be a doctor anymore, I can recognise situations that evoked anxiety and pressure during my time as a medical student. I think it's important to recognise these and deal with them before the problem gets too great to bare.

  • Stressing about completing the course to a high enough standard
  • Worrying about balancing medicine with a social life
  • Anxieties about being a doctor

For me personally, the biggest pressure was going from being one of the best students to one of the worst. I was constantly comparing myself to others around me. It is so easy to do but after the first year I realised that it wasn't healthy. I shouldn't feel inadequate or insecure because of others.

Everyone differs with different strengths and weaknesses. People excel in different areas and the only person you should compare yourself to, is yourself. Are you better than you were yesterday? Are you doing your best?

At the end of the day, I saw in myself a problem and fixed it before it become an issue. I realised I had to make medicine a career that works around my life, rather than moulding my life around my medical career. That wouldn't have made me happy.

From first year I said: "I just have to get through the first three years". Then I kept hearing stories about how hard 4th year was, then foundation years. I realised, I can't concentrate only on Medicine for the rest of my life. I can't keep putting my life on hold. Medicine will always ask for more if you let it. It's up to you how much you let it take.

I sacrificed a lot for my GCSEs and A-Levels... reading, TV, my guitar and tennis. Becoming more mature, I realised I couldn't keep up with that life so I needed to readjust the balance. I tried and - while some might say I've not been successful, as I have now left the course - I can honestly say, I am happy. I have a number of things I'm passionate about and I finally feel that fire again.

I will be going into a few more things that I've learnt next week, but I felt this deserved and truly needed it's own detailed post as just one of the lessons I've learnt through Medicine.

Comments

  1. Medicine has taught me a lot. Here is one of the most important things.

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