Simply Girly

If you’re starting college, choosing AP courses or even being asked what you want to be when you grow up, then you understand the pressure of choosing your future at such a young age. People expect you to know what you want to do before you know your interests, values or future goals.

When I was younger, I wanted to be a vet, then a tennis player, then swimmer, then one day, I knew I wanted to be a doctor. It’s the only profession I could see my future self in. There are maybe two people I know that this has happened to. Everyone else may not have it this easy, thus, I have put together a checklist to help anyone judge if medicine is for them, as I believe these are necessary to succeed in this field.

1. You love people
2. You love learning
3. You are alright with high pressure environments
4. You understand sacrifice

Good news! You don’t need to have all of these to be a doctor, they can be learned! I definitely was not born with many of these. I had to work extremely hard to get myself to like school and the pressure of studying. I had to reframe my mind so I accepted sacrifices, and I definitely was not naturally the smartest. I had to force my way into my own mind so I could convince myself I was enjoying the pressure, and it is possible to learn. So really, there’s only one thing I think you really need to decide if you want to be a doctor.

1. Discipline

I am strongly convinced that any human who develops their discipline can pursue medicine. I personally, had to speak to myself day in and day out about how my passion for school outweighed the stress (not true), and had to re-affirm that I want to do this daily. If you can be consistent in teaching yourself passion for the field, and empathy, you can be a successful and amazing doctor and I stand by that.

Some phrases I used to repeat to myself daily (especially when I complained about my work load) are “you love this”, “this is so exciting”, “this is unbelievably interesting information”, “You love academics”, “you are passionate about exactly what you are doing.” These affirmations are probably helpful to everyone who wants to do something super difficult, not just those who want to go into medicine.

But you definitely have to be willing to look ridiculous and sound ridiculous to everyone who doesn’t understand. I remember my friends would give me such heavy side-eyes when I said that I enjoyed studying for the impossible exams, and I remember thinking I was absurd too. But it did work for me, and it worked for other people I guided through the medical school application process.

I will make future posts about how to get into medicine however, I just want to share my opinion on who should try their hand at the field.

I think anyone can go into medicine, and I think everyone is capable of getting into medical school as long as they put in the effort to develop their discipline and make a firm decision that this is for them.

Good luck, and hopefully, you take this as encouragement to become a doctor! I’ll always link some materials that could help you make decisions, this time, it’s a journal for writing down affirmations, some sticky notes to put up around the house (maybe on your bathroom mirror or next to your bed) remind yourself of your chosen thoughts, and some pretty pens.

Be well,

Med Girly