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Medschool - Blog Posts
REBLOG THIS. Doesnβt matter if it fits your accounts aesthetic, DO IT.
How to spot signs and symptoms of Breast CancerΒ
Dark Science Academia aesthetics
Day 17
March 7th 2021
Finally things are falling in placeπ
I don't get stressed when there is a lot of work...I usually get stressed when I am not doing what I should be doing.
π§‘
Today, we were supposed to learn about clinical presentations of hematologic disorders. The teacher came in, looked at us and told us he was not going to teach that. We were really confused until he opened a slide labelled clinical reasoning. He then explained that as 4th year medical students 7th week into our internal medicine attachment, we were not ecxpected to know a lot.
"Just the principles," he said. He also told us the feeling of inadequecy and lack of knowledge we feel when our peers answered a question we were struggling to grasp or find the answers for was completely normal. "It's because they read a section you haven't read, there might be sections you read they haven't. Think of it that way."
The fact that he said that quelled my imposter syndome just a little. I felt as if I knew nothing when my classmates answered real head-scratcher questions on bedsides, rounds and classes. And that feeling had affected my study sessions because they made me feel it wouldn't bring any change in my knowledge and I wasn't smart enough for medical school. Maybe these things were also felt by them no matter how much I thought they were confident in their knowledge.
Anyways, he taught us how to take history, do a focused physical examination and form our diagnosis based on the pertinent information from that.
I only wish that we learned this at the start of the attachment because it would've been a great help back then.
Dear reader,
The reason I started this blog is because I wanted to document my journey throughout medschool.The past two years in medical school have been a little difficult both in my academic and social life.
This is the truth that no one tells you about medical school.
It is not all about the aesthetic, it is not all about the title you get after graduation and it is not definietly about neglecting yourself for your education. It is a very slow, tortuous and laborious path that will examine every ounce of stregnth you have. It will push you to the breaking point and pull you back. It is a very long path that will test your mental and physical strength. I have 4 years left, as the total is seven years of study. This drains your hope of reaching your goals. As the years get longer, the obstacles you face also multiply. From peer pressure to pressure from the senior doctors, you will start questioning your decesion making skills. You will feel as if eveything you say is wrong and that you know nothing. You will feel as if you are wasting your years without amounting to nothing.
During my first two years of study, I have made decesions that have led to the deterioration of my mental and physical health. Although I haven't been clinically diagnosed, there are certain symptoms and signs that don't need a medical degree to notice. These unfavourable conditions have had negative effects on my physical health as well resulting in me over eating to cope with the stress that was prevealent in my life. The weight gain that resulted from that has led to a disorted body image where I couldn't see my self as attractive or desirable although that was far from the truth. My self confidence plummeted because I compared myself to other people, I couldn't form healthy boundaries because I felt that I would be abandoned by people if I had restrictions, I became insecure in my apperance and my clothing style which made me waste a lot of money on clothing and accessories because I wanted to fit in and I would have manic and depressive episodes which affected my sleeping pattern, apetite and memory.
I would think all this was hard on me because I was weak and undeserving of the opportunity I had. This gradually led to the development of imposter syndrome where I felt as if I wasn't enough, as if I didn't have the abilities required to be a medical student. I felt inferior to the other student with their studying and good grades. In order to escape this, I would go out to hang out with people who had questionable characters and never had second thoughts about manipulating me to get what they want. My first and half of second year of medical school went like this.
A new change started in my life when we had a minor course on the half of second year, which didn't require attendance. I stayed in my dormitory for the whole two months not even going to go out for meals. I entered a period of self reflection where I thought about the past choices I made and their effects on my present life. After an agonizing and meditative period, I did a lot of shadowwork on myself and defined my problems and their solutions. By the time the course was over, I was already adapted to my new mindset. This solved my social and personal problems and only the academical problems remained.
I didn't know how to study. That was the truth. I was a gifted overachiever in my highschool years. I didn't need to have long and intensive study sessions to understand the materials. Hence, I had no clue on how to do structured studying sessions. I reserached studying methods and tried them out sacrificing my grades in the process. I am still experimenting but I am confident that I am doing better than before.
I also decided to be open to the relationship aspect. Before, I didn't feel as if men were to be trusted and only had physical attachments that didn't pass the kissing stage. Currently, I have a boyfriend that is caring, academically gifted and amazing. Although he will be leaving after 6 months as he is in his internship year of medical school, I consider this a good experience in the dating department and I hope our relationship continues outside medical school.
I have also refined my social circle. I am only friends with people that have a healthy perception of what friendship is. I enjoy their company and do not feel like an outsider or feel awkward with them.
My advice is to remember who you are, to be yourself and to know your principles and routines. These have helped me on my journey to a better medical school life.
Join me on my journey through medical school. π
April Background
I created this new background for April! A reminder to all the great girls out there who are awesome human beings!
For a high quality foto, check out the link in my previous post!
50 Things to ask on Residency Interviews
HARK. Interview season is upon us!
And my old littles gave me the great idea to come up with a big olβ list of questions the interviewing 4th year can use to find the answers they need about certain program OR give ideas that a 4th year may not have thought of at all.
I hope this helps anyone who has been dreading the βany questions for us?β moment. Itβs not everything you can ask, it may not even highlight your program priorities, but hopefully you can get something out of it!
Is there any standard curriculum which the residents follow?
When do residents have to take step 3 by?
Is there any expectation to take step 3 before residency starts?
How are morning reports/grand rounds/resident lectures held?
Does the program support simulators and simulated learning?
Does the program have a sim center?
Is the in-training exam used by the program in any way?
When do the residents take the in-training exam at this program?
What is the percentage of specialty board pass rates?
What is the fellowship match rate/job placement rate?
What are you expected responsibilities on the floor?
What kind of call do you do as an intern vs as a senior?
What are you looking for a in a resident?
What do you value in a team?
How often are you working with seniors vs other interns vs attendings?
What fellowship programs does this program offer?
What are the responsibilities of the fellows toward residents, if any?
How are mentors approached?
How does continuity clinic run through the program?
How many electives are offered per year?
What specialties does the hospital not have?
Which specialties are done at an outside hospital/system if any?
What are some hallmarks that make this program different from others?
How does this program participate in resident wellness?
Are their any resources if a resident feels they need help?
Is there support when there is a loss during patient care?
Does the hospital have any associated medical schools?
What are the 3rd and 4th year med student expectations?
What are the resident expectations to the medical students?
How many fourth years are around during audition season?
How is the schedule organized (how many floor, clinic, etc months)?
Are schedules flexible in any way?
If someone needs to miss a day or call, how is that rectified?
How are vacation requested, decided and divided?
Is there a holiday schedule?
How does the program approach QI projects?
What are some standout QI projects from the residents?
What are the research expectations for each year?
What resources does the program provide for research?
Are the residents provided food and drink (stipend/resident lounge supply)?
Are the residents provided scrubs?
Do you get white coat replacements or fleeces/jackets?
What is the expected attire on the floor, clinic, etc?
What is the parking situation?Β Β
Are there any stipends for moving, study material, exams or conferences?
What is the average cost of living in that area?
Where do most of the residents live?
Do you need to be in close proximity to the hospital?
How do you think a program of this size facilitates the learning environment?
Do the residents hang out together?
I didnβt describe why someone would ask these so if youβre interested, donβt know what something means, or want elaboration feel free to send an ask.
Go forth! Be strong and confident!
Good luck!
what do u mean "From what I know, getting into med school/law school/similar programs is actually harder for students who got their undergrad in pre-med/pre-law/pre-that field." that makes no sense? u get into a med school by taking pre med classes in undergrad?
I totally understand your confusion. The idea that pre-med isnβt the best thing to major in to get into med school flies in the face of logic/conventional wisdom.First off, Iβd like to correct myself by saying that (for example) getting into med school with a pre-med undergrad isnβt harder from what I understand, but itβs not necessarily any better than majoring in something else. Thereβs two major reasons for this.One, med schools/other grad programs want to be able to claim diversity in their population when it comes to their students undergrad majors. They want to be able to point at their grad students and say βLook! We have students from every field of undergrad studies!βTwo, schools care a lot more about how you do as a student rather than the classes you take. They want hard working dedicated students, which there are plenty of outside of pre-med/pre-law/whatever else.I hope that made sense! If you have more questions you can keep asking.
100 Things Youβll Learn Fourth Year of Medical School
Every year Iβve been putting together a list of 100 things I learned in that year of medical school.Β
Hereβs the (slightly belated) list for fourth year!!Β
Read the other years here:Β
First Year
Second Year
Third Year
Bonus: 75 Things I learned about Step 1Β
This list includes things I learned about sub-internships, applying for and interviewing for residency, matching, and graduating!Β
Sub-I is the smartest you will ever be in all of med school, enjoy it.Β
ERAS will crash the day you apply. Donβt panic.Β
Nothing feels as good as cancelling an interview. NOTHINGΒ
Airport wine is ridiculously overpriced and often not that good, but so worth it after a long interview.Β
Say thank you to all the people who got you here β it takes a village to make a doctor β you didnβt do this alone.Β
Keep reading