Got four offers for medicine, but unsure if it's what I want to do - help?
Hi everyone, I'm in a difficult situation at the moment. All throughout high school, I wanted to do medicine. I got the straight As, a decent UKCAT, a pile of work experience and volunteering, a great personal statement and, eventually, four offers for medicine - with which I was really delighted. However, I'm having doubts now I'm due to start in September. I know I'll meet my grades, but I question whether I want to do medicine right here, right now. I've always liked it as a career, and at least thought I was committed when I applied, but now that Freshers dawns upon me, I feel uneasy. I feel upset at the prospect of doing science for the rest of my life, with not even a touch of the humanities. I have been a prolific writer throughout high school, and feel like I'm letting my talent go to waste to go into science, at which I'm only of average ability. I do like medicine as a career, especially the specialties of psychiatry, general practice and sexual health. However, I'm unsure if I want to dive in right now, without studying the arts first. I feel like I have so much still left to explore in subjects such as history, psychology and anthropology. Sometimes, though, I feel like medicine in our culture is so cold and clinical that I'm unsure if it's something in which I want to become involved. I did like some parts of my work experience, but actually found a lot of medical staff to be cynical and unfriendly - again, not an environment I would enjoy.
My question is: what do I do now?
I could just attend university in September, see how I like it, and if I'm enjoying the course just draw a line and say goodbye to the humanities for the rest of my life. Or, I could attend and find I want to change, and change courses. But I'd be worried that if I later decided to become a doctor, that medicine wouldn't want me because I was a previous drop-out. Also, I'd likely have to change universities (the uni I'm going to is prestigious and wouldn't just allow me to jump onto a history course, for example) which would mean leaving behind friends and social circles I had made. All things to consider.
I could ask the university to defer my entry for a year, have a think, and then either attend the medical course or decide to do something else. But I don't think they'd let me defer at this stage.
Thirdly, I could think **** it, and not attend university this September and apply for something else. But I'd want to study in America (flexible degree options for an academically broad individual like me) and don't know if I'd get in, or be able to afford to go.
What should I do? This is really getting me down. My whole family is so proud that I'm doing medicine and keep going on about it because we've never had a doctor in the family and come from humble beginnings, and I realise the value of the medical offers that I've received. I feel like I'm stuck in such a tricky situation.
Help appreciated
My question is: what do I do now?
I could just attend university in September, see how I like it, and if I'm enjoying the course just draw a line and say goodbye to the humanities for the rest of my life. Or, I could attend and find I want to change, and change courses. But I'd be worried that if I later decided to become a doctor, that medicine wouldn't want me because I was a previous drop-out. Also, I'd likely have to change universities (the uni I'm going to is prestigious and wouldn't just allow me to jump onto a history course, for example) which would mean leaving behind friends and social circles I had made. All things to consider.
I could ask the university to defer my entry for a year, have a think, and then either attend the medical course or decide to do something else. But I don't think they'd let me defer at this stage.
Thirdly, I could think **** it, and not attend university this September and apply for something else. But I'd want to study in America (flexible degree options for an academically broad individual like me) and don't know if I'd get in, or be able to afford to go.
What should I do? This is really getting me down. My whole family is so proud that I'm doing medicine and keep going on about it because we've never had a doctor in the family and come from humble beginnings, and I realise the value of the medical offers that I've received. I feel like I'm stuck in such a tricky situation.
Help appreciated
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Original post by compusmentus
Hi everyone, I'm in a difficult situation at the moment. All throughout high school, I wanted to do medicine. I got the straight As, a decent UKCAT, a pile of work experience and volunteering, a great personal statement and, eventually, four offers for medicine - with which I was really delighted. However, I'm having doubts now I'm due to start in September. I know I'll meet my grades, but I question whether I want to do medicine right here, right now. I've always liked it as a career, and at least thought I was committed when I applied, but now that Freshers dawns upon me, I feel uneasy. I feel upset at the prospect of doing science for the rest of my life, with not even a touch of the humanities. I have been a prolific writer throughout high school, and feel like I'm letting my talent go to waste to go into science, at which I'm only of average ability. I do like medicine as a career, especially the specialties of psychiatry, general practice and sexual health. However, I'm unsure if I want to dive in right now, without studying the arts first. I feel like I have so much still left to explore in subjects such as history, psychology and anthropology. Sometimes, though, I feel like medicine in our culture is so cold and clinical that I'm unsure if it's something in which I want to become involved. I did like some parts of my work experience, but actually found a lot of medical staff to be cynical and unfriendly - again, not an environment I would enjoy.
My question is: what do I do now?
I could just attend university in September, see how I like it, and if I'm enjoying the course just draw a line and say goodbye to the humanities for the rest of my life. Or, I could attend and find I want to change, and change courses. But I'd be worried that if I later decided to become a doctor, that medicine wouldn't want me because I was a previous drop-out. Also, I'd likely have to change universities (the uni I'm going to is prestigious and wouldn't just allow me to jump onto a history course, for example) which would mean leaving behind friends and social circles I had made. All things to consider.
I could ask the university to defer my entry for a year, have a think, and then either attend the medical course or decide to do something else. But I don't think they'd let me defer at this stage.
Thirdly, I could think **** it, and not attend university this September and apply for something else. But I'd want to study in America (flexible degree options for an academically broad individual like me) and don't know if I'd get in, or be able to afford to go.
What should I do? This is really getting me down. My whole family is so proud that I'm doing medicine and keep going on about it because we've never had a doctor in the family and come from humble beginnings, and I realise the value of the medical offers that I've received. I feel like I'm stuck in such a tricky situation.
Help appreciated
My question is: what do I do now?
I could just attend university in September, see how I like it, and if I'm enjoying the course just draw a line and say goodbye to the humanities for the rest of my life. Or, I could attend and find I want to change, and change courses. But I'd be worried that if I later decided to become a doctor, that medicine wouldn't want me because I was a previous drop-out. Also, I'd likely have to change universities (the uni I'm going to is prestigious and wouldn't just allow me to jump onto a history course, for example) which would mean leaving behind friends and social circles I had made. All things to consider.
I could ask the university to defer my entry for a year, have a think, and then either attend the medical course or decide to do something else. But I don't think they'd let me defer at this stage.
Thirdly, I could think **** it, and not attend university this September and apply for something else. But I'd want to study in America (flexible degree options for an academically broad individual like me) and don't know if I'd get in, or be able to afford to go.
What should I do? This is really getting me down. My whole family is so proud that I'm doing medicine and keep going on about it because we've never had a doctor in the family and come from humble beginnings, and I realise the value of the medical offers that I've received. I feel like I'm stuck in such a tricky situation.
Help appreciated
You don't need to forget about humanities forever. You could take adult education classes during the summer. I'd stick with what you've got and decide once you've actually started uni
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Original post by yabbayabba
You don't need to forget about humanities forever. You could take adult education classes during the summer. I'd stick with what you've got and decide once you've actually started uni
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Still, I kind of feel like I want to do a humanities degree. Thanks for the advice though
Do medicine. You can drop out if you want but there's no rush in doing humanities. My sister is at med school and there's an assessment which allows her to branch outside medicine.
It's incredibly hard to get in, who knows if you'll get in again if you change your mind.
It's incredibly hard to get in, who knows if you'll get in again if you change your mind.
Original post by compusmentus
Still, I kind of feel like I want to do a humanities degree. Thanks for the advice though
I've just graduated from an English and French degree at a 'top' university. I enjoyed the course content and, for me, there was no other degree I'd rather do.
However, the degree was mostly self taught to be quite frank, as most humanities degrees are. Thankfully, I only paid 3k, but you'll be paying 9k. Those extortionate fees don't justify the little teaching you get from a humanities degree. It's terrible value for money to essentially teach yourself. You could do humanities in your spare time if you have the discipline; a degree is far from essential.
Secondly, like most degrees these days, it doesn't automatically open doors to a specific career path, which is the main advantage of medicine. You've worked hard already (I imagine) to secure 4 offers and your heart has been in medicine for years. It would be strange to chuck that away. Doing a course that guarantees employment at the end is a blessing these days which barely anybody has; take advantage of that I say
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Original post by compusmentus
Hi everyone, I'm in a difficult situation at the moment. All throughout high school, I wanted to do medicine. I got the straight As, a decent UKCAT, a pile of work experience and volunteering, a great personal statement and, eventually, four offers for medicine - with which I was really delighted. However, I'm having doubts now I'm due to start in September. I know I'll meet my grades, but I question whether I want to do medicine right here, right now. I've always liked it as a career, and at least thought I was committed when I applied, but now that Freshers dawns upon me, I feel uneasy. I feel upset at the prospect of doing science for the rest of my life, with not even a touch of the humanities. I have been a prolific writer throughout high school, and feel like I'm letting my talent go to waste to go into science, at which I'm only of average ability. I do like medicine as a career, especially the specialties of psychiatry, general practice and sexual health. However, I'm unsure if I want to dive in right now, without studying the arts first. I feel like I have so much still left to explore in subjects such as history, psychology and anthropology. Sometimes, though, I feel like medicine in our culture is so cold and clinical that I'm unsure if it's something in which I want to become involved. I did like some parts of my work experience, but actually found a lot of medical staff to be cynical and unfriendly - again, not an environment I would enjoy.
My question is: what do I do now?
I could just attend university in September, see how I like it, and if I'm enjoying the course just draw a line and say goodbye to the humanities for the rest of my life. Or, I could attend and find I want to change, and change courses. But I'd be worried that if I later decided to become a doctor, that medicine wouldn't want me because I was a previous drop-out. Also, I'd likely have to change universities (the uni I'm going to is prestigious and wouldn't just allow me to jump onto a history course, for example) which would mean leaving behind friends and social circles I had made. All things to consider.
I could ask the university to defer my entry for a year, have a think, and then either attend the medical course or decide to do something else. But I don't think they'd let me defer at this stage.
Thirdly, I could think **** it, and not attend university this September and apply for something else. But I'd want to study in America (flexible degree options for an academically broad individual like me) and don't know if I'd get in, or be able to afford to go.
What should I do? This is really getting me down. My whole family is so proud that I'm doing medicine and keep going on about it because we've never had a doctor in the family and come from humble beginnings, and I realise the value of the medical offers that I've received. I feel like I'm stuck in such a tricky situation.
Help appreciated
My question is: what do I do now?
I could just attend university in September, see how I like it, and if I'm enjoying the course just draw a line and say goodbye to the humanities for the rest of my life. Or, I could attend and find I want to change, and change courses. But I'd be worried that if I later decided to become a doctor, that medicine wouldn't want me because I was a previous drop-out. Also, I'd likely have to change universities (the uni I'm going to is prestigious and wouldn't just allow me to jump onto a history course, for example) which would mean leaving behind friends and social circles I had made. All things to consider.
I could ask the university to defer my entry for a year, have a think, and then either attend the medical course or decide to do something else. But I don't think they'd let me defer at this stage.
Thirdly, I could think **** it, and not attend university this September and apply for something else. But I'd want to study in America (flexible degree options for an academically broad individual like me) and don't know if I'd get in, or be able to afford to go.
What should I do? This is really getting me down. My whole family is so proud that I'm doing medicine and keep going on about it because we've never had a doctor in the family and come from humble beginnings, and I realise the value of the medical offers that I've received. I feel like I'm stuck in such a tricky situation.
Help appreciated
It will be 5 long (****ty) years if you don't enjoy it, so make a decision based on you and not on your families expectations (they will get over it)
I'd do medicine. Just because you're not studying for a degree in the humanities doesn't mean you have to forget about them. Also, I would in no way envy those studying the humanities as for most it has become impossible to get a job worth the fees and matching any passion they have for their subject. It's cold to say it, but society wants scientists and engineers...not writers and philosophers.
Original post by yabbayabba
I've just graduated from an English and French degree at a 'top' university. I enjoyed the course content and, for me, there was no other degree I'd rather do.
However, the degree was mostly self taught to be quite frank, as most humanities degrees are. Thankfully, I only paid 3k, but you'll be paying 9k. Those extortionate fees don't justify the little teaching you get from a humanities degree. It's terrible value for money to essentially teach yourself. You could do humanities in your spare time if you have the discipline; a degree is far from essential.
Secondly, like most degrees these days, it doesn't automatically open doors to a specific career path, which is the main advantage of medicine. You've worked hard already (I imagine) to secure 4 offers and your heart has been in medicine for years. It would be strange to chuck that away. Doing a course that guarantees employment at the end is a blessing these days which barely anybody has; take advantage of that I say
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However, the degree was mostly self taught to be quite frank, as most humanities degrees are. Thankfully, I only paid 3k, but you'll be paying 9k. Those extortionate fees don't justify the little teaching you get from a humanities degree. It's terrible value for money to essentially teach yourself. You could do humanities in your spare time if you have the discipline; a degree is far from essential.
Secondly, like most degrees these days, it doesn't automatically open doors to a specific career path, which is the main advantage of medicine. You've worked hard already (I imagine) to secure 4 offers and your heart has been in medicine for years. It would be strange to chuck that away. Doing a course that guarantees employment at the end is a blessing these days which barely anybody has; take advantage of that I say
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Original post by Hayley Williams
It will be 5 long (****ty) years if you don't enjoy it, so make a decision based on you and not on your families expectations (they will get over it)
Original post by Frank the Tankk
I'd do medicine. Just because you're not studying for a degree in the humanities doesn't mean you have to forget about them. Also, I would in no way envy those studying the humanities as for most it has become impossible to get a job worth the fees and matching any passion they have for their subject. It's cold to say it, but society wants scientists and engineers...not writers and philosophers.
I'm Scottish, so fees aren't an issue for me. I'm just worried that I'm apprehensive not because medicine isn't right for me, but because of the commitment required. I don't really know what to think anymore.
First of all, doing medicine is in no way closing the door to the humanities.The beauty with medicine is that you really can find something to suit everyone.There is plenty of time and opportunity to study the humanities and be a doctor. Some doctors actually 'specialise' in the humanities and do it to various degrees from occasionally dabbling in it to doing it as full-time work. Some amazing ones even manage to combine the humanities with their daily clinical work on the ward or clinic.
You can intercalate in an arts or humanities subject. Yes, you work hard in medicine but you will also have plenty of time to do reading for your own leisure. In the longer term you too can become a medical sociologist, ethicist, artist, whatever. The fact that you are a doctor opens doors to the humanities which would not be possible if you were non-medical. Your experience and knowledge as a doctor becomes a unique asset. I would say that your talents would go to the waste if you didn't become a doctor first before embarking on the humanities. The fact that you're even interested in something outside of the basic sciences I think is fantastic and I think it would be a loss if you didn't become a doctor - we need people like that just as much as we need the basic science types.
I'm sure that you will pick this up very quickly for yourself when you start med school but since you haven't I'll say this. Medicine SHOULD NOT be purely reductionist, cold and uncreative. Part of the artform of medicine is combining lived experience with the science.
It sounds like you don't feel comfortable settling down just yet on a definite, though flexible (which I hope you got from my above ramblings), career path. To that I would say: have a reality check. The world isn't going to wait for you to float through academia studying everything you want to until your heart is content. For someone young and intellectually curious that's perhaps sad, but the reality is that it's not how it works. Trust me, training in medicine might be the best thing you ever did precisely because it actually allows you to do all of the things you actually wanted to do.
Bottom line: you're not closing the door to anything by studying medicine. On the contrary it gives you an incredible platform to go and do absolutely anything you want...with the fall back of becoming a GP if it all goes to ****.
You can intercalate in an arts or humanities subject. Yes, you work hard in medicine but you will also have plenty of time to do reading for your own leisure. In the longer term you too can become a medical sociologist, ethicist, artist, whatever. The fact that you are a doctor opens doors to the humanities which would not be possible if you were non-medical. Your experience and knowledge as a doctor becomes a unique asset. I would say that your talents would go to the waste if you didn't become a doctor first before embarking on the humanities. The fact that you're even interested in something outside of the basic sciences I think is fantastic and I think it would be a loss if you didn't become a doctor - we need people like that just as much as we need the basic science types.
I'm sure that you will pick this up very quickly for yourself when you start med school but since you haven't I'll say this. Medicine SHOULD NOT be purely reductionist, cold and uncreative. Part of the artform of medicine is combining lived experience with the science.
It sounds like you don't feel comfortable settling down just yet on a definite, though flexible (which I hope you got from my above ramblings), career path. To that I would say: have a reality check. The world isn't going to wait for you to float through academia studying everything you want to until your heart is content. For someone young and intellectually curious that's perhaps sad, but the reality is that it's not how it works. Trust me, training in medicine might be the best thing you ever did precisely because it actually allows you to do all of the things you actually wanted to do.
Bottom line: you're not closing the door to anything by studying medicine. On the contrary it gives you an incredible platform to go and do absolutely anything you want...with the fall back of becoming a GP if it all goes to ****.
Just to give the perspective of an older person - studying and learning doesn't stop in your twenties. You're obviously academically gifted and I imagine will keep up your reading outside the subject throughout med school. Afterwards you can do an OU degree in Humanities at your own pace, or study with the WEA.
Adult education is being cut cut cut at the moment but if you're in London then Citylit has some incredible courses that you could do on the occasional Saturday or one evening a week. Wherever you are there'll be some adult ed provision that you could do alongside your degree.
Adult education is being cut cut cut at the moment but if you're in London then Citylit has some incredible courses that you could do on the occasional Saturday or one evening a week. Wherever you are there'll be some adult ed provision that you could do alongside your degree.
Original post by compusmentus
Hi everyone, I'm in a difficult situation at the moment. All throughout high school, I wanted to do medicine. I got the straight As, a decent UKCAT, a pile of work experience and volunteering, a great personal statement and, eventually, four offers for medicine - with which I was really delighted. However, I'm having doubts now I'm due to start in September. I know I'll meet my grades, but I question whether I want to do medicine right here, right now. I've always liked it as a career, and at least thought I was committed when I applied, but now that Freshers dawns upon me, I feel uneasy. I feel upset at the prospect of doing science for the rest of my life, with not even a touch of the humanities. I have been a prolific writer throughout high school, and feel like I'm letting my talent go to waste to go into science, at which I'm only of average ability. I do like medicine as a career, especially the specialties of psychiatry, general practice and sexual health. However, I'm unsure if I want to dive in right now, without studying the arts first. I feel like I have so much still left to explore in subjects such as history, psychology and anthropology. Sometimes, though, I feel like medicine in our culture is so cold and clinical that I'm unsure if it's something in which I want to become involved. I did like some parts of my work experience, but actually found a lot of medical staff to be cynical and unfriendly - again, not an environment I would enjoy.
My question is: what do I do now?
I could just attend university in September, see how I like it, and if I'm enjoying the course just draw a line and say goodbye to the humanities for the rest of my life. Or, I could attend and find I want to change, and change courses. But I'd be worried that if I later decided to become a doctor, that medicine wouldn't want me because I was a previous drop-out. Also, I'd likely have to change universities (the uni I'm going to is prestigious and wouldn't just allow me to jump onto a history course, for example) which would mean leaving behind friends and social circles I had made. All things to consider.
I could ask the university to defer my entry for a year, have a think, and then either attend the medical course or decide to do something else. But I don't think they'd let me defer at this stage.
Thirdly, I could think **** it, and not attend university this September and apply for something else. But I'd want to study in America (flexible degree options for an academically broad individual like me) and don't know if I'd get in, or be able to afford to go.
What should I do? This is really getting me down. My whole family is so proud that I'm doing medicine and keep going on about it because we've never had a doctor in the family and come from humble beginnings, and I realise the value of the medical offers that I've received. I feel like I'm stuck in such a tricky situation.
Help appreciated
My question is: what do I do now?
I could just attend university in September, see how I like it, and if I'm enjoying the course just draw a line and say goodbye to the humanities for the rest of my life. Or, I could attend and find I want to change, and change courses. But I'd be worried that if I later decided to become a doctor, that medicine wouldn't want me because I was a previous drop-out. Also, I'd likely have to change universities (the uni I'm going to is prestigious and wouldn't just allow me to jump onto a history course, for example) which would mean leaving behind friends and social circles I had made. All things to consider.
I could ask the university to defer my entry for a year, have a think, and then either attend the medical course or decide to do something else. But I don't think they'd let me defer at this stage.
Thirdly, I could think **** it, and not attend university this September and apply for something else. But I'd want to study in America (flexible degree options for an academically broad individual like me) and don't know if I'd get in, or be able to afford to go.
What should I do? This is really getting me down. My whole family is so proud that I'm doing medicine and keep going on about it because we've never had a doctor in the family and come from humble beginnings, and I realise the value of the medical offers that I've received. I feel like I'm stuck in such a tricky situation.
Help appreciated
Most people are saying stick with medicine above. I felt like you, and still do to an extent. But think about why you picked. For example, I love volunteering and find any opportunity to go back to the wards and surgery where I did my work experience to remind myself what exactly it is I love so much. To be honest, if I were you and really wanted to do humanities I would try and defer my offer. Medicine is really hard if you don't like it - so maybe take some time out, study the humanities in your gap year - and come back refreshed and more motivated than ever, or at least with a clear idea of what you want to do.
Or make a pro and con list, attach points to how important you think each reason is, and add it up. It's better to be objective but unfortunately none of us can tell you because we don't know you. I've asked people on this website for advice before and listened to it and it went wrong because I went against my instinct (my fault completely) and wasn't brave enough etc. The people above might be wrong or right, Talk to someone who won't judge you and knows you well enough,
Good luck with whatever you do.
Medicine does stop you doing other stuff in the short term. I swithered between English lit and medicine but went for medicine thinking I could do Englishy things in my spare time (I used to love writing stories and songs). Medicine does take over your life though and for 9 years of med school and GP training there wasn't time for much else although as a student in London I used to go to the British Film institute on the south bank a lot and visit the galleries. If you choose to work part time once the career progression is over you then get more flexibility to do other stuff. I'm currently doing a free online course on song writing via Futurelearn and I've learned several instruments. I've lost the nack of writing stories though, but no longer want to do it as I don't think I could write a story that hasn't been told anyway.
I do enjoy the medicine though (mostly) and it is an extremely flexible job. Many doctors have been artists, poets, writers and comedians (Harry Hill was in the year above me) through the years.
I think you're just panicking now you've got in, getting in is so complex these days students don't take time out to think about it until it's too late.
I do enjoy the medicine though (mostly) and it is an extremely flexible job. Many doctors have been artists, poets, writers and comedians (Harry Hill was in the year above me) through the years.
I think you're just panicking now you've got in, getting in is so complex these days students don't take time out to think about it until it's too late.
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by taysidefrog
Medicine does stop you doing other stuff in the short term. I swithered between English lit and medicine but went for medicine thinking I could do Englishy things in my spare time (I used to love writing stories and songs). Medicine does take over your life though and for 9 years of med school and GP training there wasn't time for much else although as a student in London I used to go to the British Film institute on the south bank a lot and visit the galleries. If you choose to work part time once the career progression is over you then get more flexibility to do other stuff. I'm currently doing a free online course on song writing via Futurelearn and I've learned several instruments. I've lost the nack of writing stories though, but no longer want to do it as I don't think I could write a story that hasn't been told anyway.
I do enjoy the medicine though (mostly) and it is an extremely flexible job. Many doctors have been artists, poets, writers and comedians (Harry Hill was in the year above me) through the years.
I think you're just panicking now you've got in, getting in is so complex these days students don't take time out to think about it until it's too late.
I do enjoy the medicine though (mostly) and it is an extremely flexible job. Many doctors have been artists, poets, writers and comedians (Harry Hill was in the year above me) through the years.
I think you're just panicking now you've got in, getting in is so complex these days students don't take time out to think about it until it's too late.
When do u get to choose to work part time?
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Original post by taysidefrog
I think you're just panicking now you've got in, getting in is so complex these days students don't take time out to think about it until it's too late.
I think you're just panicking now you've got in, getting in is so complex these days students don't take time out to think about it until it's too late.
This. Exactly what I experienced. You focus so much on the process of getting in, kinda like being stuck to a fast moving conveyer belt, that you don't take a step back from it all. I finished up my exams and suddenly had time on my hands to think because there was literally nothing more I could do till results day - and I began having little niggles which grew into big doubts by mid August. I got my results, had my place and I immediately panicked and thought 'oh my God, I'm really not sure this is what I want to do any more'. It wasn't a (seemingly unattainable given the competition) goal for 'in-the-future' any more, it was suddenly very close and very real...and very long term - 'congrats, your basic career path till you're 70 is now all set'. Yikes!
Actually, thinking back, choosing a degree course is a big deal, and choosing Medicine is a really big deal, considering you're not just choosing 3 years of something which might lead to any number of jobs. Of course it was daunting. I course I had doubts and worries. Wouldn't it be unusual to embark on something like a career in Medicine with absolute 100% certainty at all points in the process and no questions or 'is this absolutely what I want?' moments whatsoever?
I said to myself "There's a reason I wanted to do this in the first place, I should go. I can drop out after 1 year if I find it's really not what I want and i hate it". 3 years on, and i still occasionally have minor 'moments'....but no panicking and no serious isssues because I did realise fairly quickly into the first term of first year that my reasons for choosing Medicine still existed and I definitely did want to be a doctor, and I'd been panicking needlessly because it felt like I was at the point of no return (it really isn't). The course wasn't great all the time or hugely enjoyable (hence the doubting moments) in years 1 and 2, because there were so many lectures and so little patient contact, but it's very different now in clinical years.
My experience would tell me to say 'go to med school, get stuck in, and you'll know how you feel with a lot more certainty than now after a year'. I know you might be in a very different position than I was, but it would be a massive decision to change direction now, so I'd say you'd have to be pretty sure about it. And I would expect that as results day arrives and a start date for the course looms in a few weeks, you might find yourself even more unsure purely because of that rather than because Medicine really is the wrong thing for you. Breathe. Consider your reasons for applying in the first place. Do they still exist?
(edited 8 years ago)
Original post by Bloom77
Some people work part time during their training, but that can make the training drag on endlessly. Most docs I know who didn't end up taking time out with maty leave left going part time until they were GPs or consultants. That can seem a long way away when you are 18 but I'm 51 and have been working part time for 23 years. Most of the dermatology consultants I work with in my dermatology specialty doctor post are part time as well.
Original post by yabbayabba
I've just graduated from an English and French degree at a 'top' university. I enjoyed the course content and, for me, there was no other degree I'd rather do.
However, the degree was mostly self taught to be quite frank, as most humanities degrees are. Thankfully, I only paid 3k, but you'll be paying 9k. Those extortionate fees don't justify the little teaching you get from a humanities degree. It's terrible value for money to essentially teach yourself. You could do humanities in your spare time if you have the discipline; a degree is far from essential.
Secondly, like most degrees these days, it doesn't automatically open doors to a specific career path, which is the main advantage of medicine. You've worked hard already (I imagine) to secure 4 offers and your heart has been in medicine for years. It would be strange to chuck that away. Doing a course that guarantees employment at the end is a blessing these days which barely anybody has; take advantage of that I say
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However, the degree was mostly self taught to be quite frank, as most humanities degrees are. Thankfully, I only paid 3k, but you'll be paying 9k. Those extortionate fees don't justify the little teaching you get from a humanities degree. It's terrible value for money to essentially teach yourself. You could do humanities in your spare time if you have the discipline; a degree is far from essential.
Secondly, like most degrees these days, it doesn't automatically open doors to a specific career path, which is the main advantage of medicine. You've worked hard already (I imagine) to secure 4 offers and your heart has been in medicine for years. It would be strange to chuck that away. Doing a course that guarantees employment at the end is a blessing these days which barely anybody has; take advantage of that I say
Posted from TSR Mobile
I agree with this post 100%. I was studying a languages degree, I loved it, I miss it, I felt it was edifying in a way Medicine (so far) is not, for me. But I dropped out just before final year because I realised I wanted to be a doctor (along with some other complex reasoning). I am absolutely happy with my choice. As taysidefrog says, humanities are mostly on hold right now due to time constraints, but I know I'll have a well-paid and challenging job at the end of this and I enjoy the course enough. Then I'll be in a position to do all sorts of things on the side.
do medicine and perhaps do intercalated degree in philosophy or something
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