Unsure what to choose.

Hi guys,

I'm sorry if this message comes out a little confused and scrambled as it will literally be an outpour of everything thats been going on in my head recently. (A little background) I have wanted to study medicine for many many years however due to health problems and being continuously in and out of school (in hospital) I did not get the grades I needed at a-level (my chemistry grade was below par). I studied a different undergraduate degree and I am now in the position to apply for graduate-entry medicine and up until recently was planning to do so.

However, part of me didn't think it would be a good idea because my life has very much been about sickness and ill-health (even now as I have chronic conditions) that I wasn't sure if I wanted to make my entire life about it. I did want to do something science related (not research) which involved healing in some way and always enjoyed interacting with animals (moreso than I did with human beings) and so began considering veterinary medicine. Now I'm torn between the two and go back and forth in my mind about which to commit to and its driving me insane. I write lists of pro's and cons, have done work experience for both of them but for some reason cannot decide and stick with a decision. A huge part of me is scared if I commit to veterinary medicine that I will regret it long term but another part of me is worried about making illness my entire life and the effect that would have on me mentally. I dont know if any of this makes much sense, I think I mostly need to vent tbh.

I also don't see myself really doing anything other than these two careers as I love science but did a research degree and was involved in a project and didn't really enjoy that aspect or engineering.

Reply 1

southwestfemale

I feel that you are pulling towards working with animals as you mention you enjoyed it. I also feel that there seems a huge dissapointment from somewhere if you dont choose medicine.

Not knowing the unknown is scary and I understand you have experience of sickness and ill-health which could give you judgements and maybe could become too involved(i know ive done it). It could also make you a very good medical person because you will be able to empathise with service users.

Is there anything else that you are interested in?

Reply 2

Byron

OP

Original post by southwestfemale

I feel that you are pulling towards working with animals as you mention you enjoyed it. I also feel that there seems a huge dissapointment from somewhere if you dont choose medicine.

Not knowing the unknown is scary and I understand you have experience of sickness and ill-health which could give you judgements and maybe could become too involved(i know ive done it). It could also make you a very good medical person because you will be able to empathise with service users.

Is there anything else that you are interested in?

I think its because I've been so set on medicine for such a long time, the thought of turning my back on the idea is scary within itself. I largely feel the huge disappointment you mention comes from myself, that ultimately not doing medicine makes me some sort of failure or cop out.

There isnt really anything else I'm interested - I know a scientific career is for me as thats mostly what I enjoy. Do you do medicine?

Reply 3

southwestfemale

Ive tried medicine for the last 10 years and been interrupted by a variety of things (illness and personal). From my own perspective things have moved on so quickly and Ive come out of nursing path completely now.
Sometimes the path we choose is not the one we necessarily set out on, but life has a funny way of introducing you to new skills which lead you to different areas of health care. (very deep I know but thats my experience).

I would ask myself this - every morning when I wake up am I thinking of a particular job? for me I did wake up and think I should be doing ........ a few people in my family say oh no here we go again, but I feel its right. What do you feel is right?

Reply 4

SilverstarDJ

18

Original post by Byron

I think its because I've been so set on medicine for such a long time, the thought of turning my back on the idea is scary within itself. I largely feel the huge disappointment you mention comes from myself, that ultimately not doing medicine makes me some sort of failure or cop out.

There isnt really anything else I'm interested - I know a scientific career is for me as thats mostly what I enjoy. Do you do medicine?

It's perfectly OK to set your heart on a different job - you past ambitions don't have to set a bearing for your future. You AREN'T a failure for choosing to do something different. However, from you post it seems you are seeking these careers because you are worried you will regret not following your dream, rather than having a true passion for one or the other.

I'm currently a vet student in my clinical years, feel free to ask me anything about applying, or the course etc. (quote/PM me please if you wish to ask me anything) I would mention that although working with animals is one of the reason I chose it, you still need to interact with people since the animals never come to you of their own accord! If you are interested in working with animals but NOT with people as much, then I would say a vet nursing career might be worth a thought - they spend a lot more time actually looking after the animals than the vets do (vets do more diagnosis and treating but it's the nurses who take care of patients, give them their meds, feed them, take them out for walks, make sure they are warm and comfortable etc.). I felt drawn to the career of vet med because I love animals and it is not as specialised as medicine so you can work across disciplines and get to do surgery as GP vet whereas you can't as a human GP.

As a graduate vet you will have to pay your own tuition fees out of your own pocket as you can't get a loan for a 2nd degree (some are 9,000 a year, others slightly more than 20 000 a year). Not sure about finanance for graduate medicine.

I too have had a lot of health problems in the past (and currently) but I personally find the way the body works (and doesn't work) to be fascinating and interesting. And I don't know about you, but when I see practice at the vet's I see quite a lot of healthy animals turning up - a huge part of a vet's work is prevention of disease in the first place (e.g. vaccinations, neutering). I find it rewarding to improve the quality of life for animals, even if sometimes very upsetting (especially when curable animals are put down because their owner can't afford to pay - there is no NHS for pets after all).

Are you less keen to have a career based on treating/preventing disease becuase you don't like hosptials/GP offices? Or are you finding it difficult to accept the health conditions you have and a career in medicine providing a reminder of your illnesses ? You seem to have as very negative view of (vet) medicine - that it is all about sickness - that I wonder if this is the right choice for you considering those aren't the first words that spring to my mind.

When you say you don't want to do research, is that because you didn't like the process of research or because you weren't thrilled about the topic your were studying? Or becuase you felt like you should be doing medicine instead so your heart wasn't set on reseach?

It's difficult to choose, I know.

Reply 5

Nottie

18

I think you should give medicine a try. Seems like you spent a lot time in hospitals so you do have a great experience that you can describe in ur personal statement or talk about during the interview.

Reply 6

Mr.Econometrics

16

Original post by Nottie

I think you should give medicine a try. Seems like you spent a lot time in hospitals so you do have a great experience that you can describe in ur personal statement or talk about during the interview.

Medicine is a serious commitment. You shouldn't just 'try' for the sake of trying. Better to be 100% on the course than to just go for it even if you're not sure it's for you.

Reply 7

Nottie

18

Original post by Mr.Econometrics

Medicine is a serious commitment. You shouldn't just 'try' for the sake of trying. Better to be 100% on the course than to just go for it even if you're not sure it's for you.

He said he always wanted to do medicine, right? If that is his 1st choice and the thing his heart tells him then why not try? I got the expression that op wants to become a medic but his mind tells him veterinary medicine is better for him. I would have listen toy heart :smile:

Reply 8

Mr.Econometrics

16

Original post by Nottie

He said he always wanted to do medicine, right? If that is his 1st choice and the thing his heart tells him then why not try? I got the expression that op wants to become a medic but his mind tells him veterinary medicine is better for him. I would have listen toy heart :smile:

Whilst I agree it's good to listen to your heart, you have to also consider the costs involved. What if the OP decides to drop out after a year after realising it's not the right course? It's far better to wait a year and be 100% sure on what you want to do. And good luck at Nottingham, by the way. Great institution.

Reply 9

Nottie

18

Original post by Mr.Econometrics

Whilst I agree it's good to listen to your heart, you have to also consider the costs involved. What if the OP decides to drop out after a year after realising it's not the right course? It's far better to wait a year and be 100% sure on what you want to do. And good luck at Nottingham, by the way. Great institution.

I think he will be satisfy with whichever course he chose. But I would advise him on choosing medicine if that was his dream. And thank you :smile:

Reply 10

Gina19

7

I'm sorry to hear that your health problems have been holding you back, but it's really great to see that you haven't stopped them getting in the way of what you want to do!
I don't have very much knowledge in either subject area, however, from how it seems you've wanted to do medicine for a long time but now you've doubted your choice. From experience of my own, once you have doubts about something then maybe that pathway is not for you? Both seem very rewarding careers, but take your time, i'm sure you'll come to a decision soon :smile:

Unsure what to choose.

Quick Reply

Related discussions

Latest

Trending

Trending

Articles for you