It’s never easy to make a decision that will change your life completely. In today’s Osmosis blog, medical student and Osmosis Medical Education Fellow Desireé Franco shares her experience about the motivation you need in order to start this new way of life.
In addition to everything you’ve heard, you need to remember why you chose Medicine in the first place. What really moves you to follow this path every day?
Studying in Medical school is possibly more challenging than the preparations you have to make for any other career; you have to be clear about why you want to study medicine and overcome any pessimistic notions that might try to deter you along the way.
Don’t be afraid! It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.
Don’t forget why you took this path!
On my first day of school, as with every medical student, I had to introduce myself and answer the very basic question: Why are you studying Medicine? (What a cliché question!)
I listened carefully to each of my partners. The majority answered with the same basic phrase: “Because I want to help others”. I’m not saying it’s a bad answer, but I really wanted to know if they really meant what they were saying or if they were just answering with what was expected of them.
Since I was a little kid, I have been formulating my answer to that question. For me, studying Medicine goes much further than just “helping others”.
I believe that medicine gives you the privilege of knowing the human being fully, within all the different spheres of the human experience. It’s an opportunity to begin to know and empathize with the depths of the feelings that people have when they are sick, and nothing compares to the wealth of knowing that patients trust you the most precious thing they have in the world: their lives.
In medicine, there is no difference of any kind; we are all human, and there are no social classes, ethnicity, race, customs, or nationality that distinguish us. All those titles that have been generated over time are deleted—in the clinic, there is simply doctor and patient.
Many events throughout history (and particularly, today) have shown us that, when it comes to health, everything else is irrelevant. And that’s why I would really like to be a part of this honorable profession.
During our presentations, we were also told to write a little note to save in our wallets that would remind us why we were starting to study Medicine. That way, we could read it whenever we had doubts or felt troubled and began thinking of giving up on this journey. I saved a drawing I made when I was 5 years old, an image of me being a doctor.
Now I can say… I’m fulfilling my childhood dream.
Get to Know Yourself
My first year in medical school was challenging. It wasn’t the school life I was used to. My schedule was varied; the workload was too much, and the time I spent with my friends and family was significantly reduced. Little by little, I adapted, but it wasn’t easy.
My recommendation for people starting medical school is that you make sure to have a balance in your life. Medicine is not everything and your personal life is also very important. Adjust your schedule and designate time to exercise, eat, sleep well, and spend time enjoying your loved ones. Remember that your health is very important and that you can reflect your well-being with your patients.
Your way of studying will also change. You will have to find new tools that help you reduce the workload and ensure that you truly understand the knowledge you’re acquiring.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s very likely we will enter a “new normal” enabled by innovations in technology. Your way of learning will not have to be to spend hours and hours sitting in a library with lots of heavy books. Learning will become much more virtual, giving you access to everything from your devices. In these new circumstances, platforms like Osmosis will be your best ally. Take advantage of this and get the most out of it! Remember to always do your best to stay positive.
Medical Friends Are for Life
Something very important to remember is that you’re not alone on this long road. Your colleagues are in the same situation as you, and you really need each other. They will be the ones with whom you will spend even more time than with your family. They will be the support you look to in order to study and prepare for an exam, and they will lift your spirits when things don’t go as you expect.
You will find people who share your dream and are eager to get ahead. With them, you can organize study sessions, conduct research protocols, or simply share experiences.
It is very nice to meet these people sometime later and remember the moments in which you had each other’s backs. Find your people and advance together on this beautiful path. Many of you will become friends for life.
I am a fourth-year medical student and I have not finished this journey yet, but I can really tell you that I’m still learning a lot day by day. Medicine is not just about learning all the great books and metabolic pathways; it is about generating empathy, understanding humanity, working as a team, exercising leadership, being innovative, and always being persistent.
I wish you success in this new path that I have found wonderful!
About Desireé
Desireé Franco is originally from Mexico City. She’s a fourth-year medical student at Anáhuac Mexico University. Her desired medical specialty is Plastic Surgery, and in her free time, she likes spending time with family and friends, learning new languages, traveling, and visiting art museums.
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