Thinking of dropping out of medicine (3rd year) what other courses are there?

To cut a long story short I got into medicine when I was 18 and I enjoyed year 1 but year 2 and 3 have been a massive pain so far. I don't enjoy the course and I'm certain this career is no longer for me so I want to pursue another course in Science because that's where my passion lies.

What options do I have with A-levels in biology chemistry maths and psychology all at A*?

Reply 1

King of the Ring

2

Stay on with Medicine. It is far too good an opportunity to give up.

Reply 2

Danny McCoyne

OP

1

Original post by King of the Ring

Stay on with Medicine. It is far too good an opportunity to give up.

Can you please stay on-topic?

Reply 3

EloiseStar

18

Original post by Danny McCoyne

Can you please stay on-topic?

That is on topic. Off topic would be discussing cars or something completely unrelated.

Reply 4

Danny McCoyne

OP

1

Original post by EloiseStar

That is on topic. Off topic would be discussing cars or something completely unrelated.

You're being deliberately obtuse I need some serious help for a life-altering decision I don't need your bull**** right now I'm so stressed as it is.

I need help with courses that would be suitable for my A-levels I have no idea what course to go into so some advice relating to that would be lovely.

I hope I didn't offend you.

Reply 5

EloiseStar

18

Original post by Danny McCoyne

You're being deliberately obtuse I need some serious help for a life-altering decision I don't need your bull**** right now I'm so stressed as it is.

I need help with courses that would be suitable for my A-levels I have no idea what course to go into so some advice relating to that would be lovely.

I hope I didn't offend you.

I'm sorry but if you're intelligent enough to get into medicine, you're intelligent enough to work out what courses you could do with your A-Levels and grades. From what you've posted you pretty much could do any science (possible disadvantage for physics).

You know your interests so why don't you look into different science courses? What aspects of science do you like?

Reply 6

King of the Ring

2

Original post by Danny McCoyne

You're being deliberately obtuse I need some serious help for a life-altering decision I don't need your bull**** right now I'm so stressed as it is.

I need help with courses that would be suitable for my A-levels I have no idea what course to go into so some advice relating to that would be lovely.

I hope I didn't offend you.

If that is your attitude, go and see your GP. TSR is not the right place.

Reply 7

Danny McCoyne

OP

1

Original post by EloiseStar

I'm sorry but if you're intelligent enough to get into medicine, you're intelligent enough to work out what courses you could do with your A-Levels and grades. From what you've posted you pretty much could do any science (possible disadvantage for physics).

You know your interests so why don't you look into different science courses? What aspects of science do you like?

The thing is I don't want to make the wrong choice again so I need help. What other science courses are you talking about? I want something with good employment rates and a secure career path. How does one make the choice?

Any help is appreciated.

I looked at pure science courses like chem, bio but those are of no interest to me. Something practical and scientific that's not clinical would be great.

I am looking btw as I type this just thought someone TSR might be able to help i.e. someone who has already been through this.

Original post by King of the Ring

If that is your attitude, go and see your GP. TSR is not the right place.

Reply 8

Doctor_Einstein

19

Original post by King of the Ring

Stay on with Medicine. It is far too good an opportunity to give up.

Are you kidding me? I worked in medicine now I work in finance. Med is ****.

Reply 9

futuremedic19

16

Original post by Danny McCoyne

To cut a long story short I got into medicine when I was 18 and I enjoyed year 1 but year 2 and 3 have been a massive pain so far. I don't enjoy the course and I'm certain this career is no longer for me so I want to pursue another course in Science because that's where my passion lies.

What options do I have with A-levels in biology chemistry maths and psychology all at A*?

Please don't drop out. Do you even have any idea how privileged you are to be a medical student. People literally spend years just trying their best to be on your position.
For medicine around 85,000 applicants apply for around 7000 places.

However I completely understand that you may not enjoy the more clinical side of the course or because of how the government is treating junior docs and the NHS you can't see yourself in Medicine, but trust me you've worked sooo hard to get into medical school and for your first 2 years so just stick it out until the end.

Remember medicine is an extremely diverse field and If you do enjoy the more science side of the course then remember you can always go into the research side of medicine and I'm sure your be successful in something your passionate about.

(I'm a first year medic and trust me no matter how tough it gets I would never give up the privilege that I have been given)

Reply 10

Danny McCoyne

OP

1

Original post by futuremedic19

Please don't drop out. Do you even have any idea how privileged you are to be a medical student. People literally spend years just trying their best to be on your position.
For medicine around 85,000 applicants apply for around 7000 places.

However I completely understand that you may not enjoy the more clinical side of the course or because of how the government is treating junior docs and the NHS you can't see yourself in Medicine, but trust me you've worked sooo hard to get into medical school and for your first 2 years so just stick it out until the end.

Remember medicine is an extremely diverse field and If you do enjoy the more science side of the course then remember you can always go into the research side of medicine and I'm sure your be successful in something your passionate about.

(I'm a first year medic and trust me no matter how tough it gets I would never give up the privilege that I have been given)

I get that but right now I just need look at my options? Do you mind helping out? I've been looking around the west midlands area for suitable alternative courses with my a-level but can't seem to find anything suitable to my interests.

Reply 11

hellodave5

19

What about your course don't you like at the moment? I felt the same doing a psychology degree (though shorter and less intense), as I didn't like a fair bit of the early content.

Would it be possible to just follow it through, have a medical degree on paper, then use the transferable skills from the course?
I would have thought medicine covers all bases progression wise if you're interested in human bio - doesn't have to be patient based: diagnostic (pathology) or medical research, or law?
Option to intercalate to give you a break from clinical practice?

What in biology/chem/maths/psych do you enjoy? World is still your oyster. Though may have funding problems doing another degree? Not sure

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 12

kkboyk

21

Original post by Danny McCoyne

To cut a long story short I got into medicine when I was 18 and I enjoyed year 1 but year 2 and 3 have been a massive pain so far. I don't enjoy the course and I'm certain this career is no longer for me so I want to pursue another course in Science because that's where my passion lies.

What options do I have with A-levels in biology chemistry maths and psychology all at A*?

You can honestly get into any STEM course with those A-levels, though you would have to do a foundation yr for Physics (if you decide to do Physics or Engineering), and possibly require to sit STEP or do FM to apply to unis that require A*AA and above.

Reply 13

Doctor_Einstein

19

Original post by futuremedic19

Please don't drop out. Do you even have any idea how privileged you are to be a medical student. People literally spend years just trying their best to be on your position.
For medicine around 85,000 applicants apply for around 7000 places.

However I completely understand that you may not enjoy the more clinical side of the course or because of how the government is treating junior docs and the NHS you can't see yourself in Medicine, but trust me you've worked sooo hard to get into medical school and for your first 2 years so just stick it out until the end.

Remember medicine is an extremely diverse field and If you do enjoy the more science side of the course then remember you can always go into the research side of medicine and I'm sure your be successful in something your passionate about.

(I'm a first year medic and trust me no matter how tough it gets I would never give up the privilege that I have been given)

This just shows it is possible for thousands of people to be delusional.

You're a first year mate, you think it will get better? First year is the best year of a doctor's life. In 1st year you still remember what it is like to have a life.

When you get to fourth year you'll be aching to finish medical school hoping to get into some paid work.

When you become an intern you'll hate it being treated like scum by senior doctors and be aching to get a training position so that you can get the job of your dreams.

You'll spend the next few years doing whatever you can to try and secure that training position you desire.

When you finally get a training position and you are studying and working day and night throughout your prime years of late 20's and 30's you'll be eagerly anticipating qualifying to finally get the job you deserve, while your finance mates are partying it up with chicks and fancy cars.

You'll spend the next 10 years working 60hours + per week trying to establish your career as a specialist. You'll hit 45, and when those grey hairs creep in you'll be thinking to yourself "not already?" while you wonder how your youth could slip away so quickly when you're still only getting started.

When you hit 60 you will have saved quite a bit and will probably now be considered "rich" and can afford some of the luxuries many desire, like fast cars and nice hotels. But a lamborghini just doesn't seem as appealing when you're 60 and your finance mates were driving them at 30.

The lifestyle of a medic is **** and if the OP isn't willing to commit his life to this field then there is no way he should continue mate.

Reply 14

Danny McCoyne

OP

1

Original post by hellodave5

What about your course don't you like at the moment? I felt the same doing a psychology degree (though shorter and less intense), as I didn't like a fair bit of the early content.

Would it be possible to just follow it through, have a medical degree on paper, then use the transferable skills from the course?
I would have thought medicine covers all bases progression wise if you're interested in human bio - doesn't have to be patient based: diagnostic (pathology) or medical research, or law?
Option to intercalate to give you a break from clinical practice?

What in biology/chem/maths/psych do you enjoy? World is still your oyster. Though may have funding problems doing another degree? Not sure

Well I am considering sticking with it. I was just looking at options because at the moment I feel like I have no options but to finish this year as well the year 4 and 5. So that's 3 years of me doing something I didn't enjoy last year.

I tbh don't care for helping people in the doctor-patient sense, I'm not empathetic at all to the simulated and sometimes real patients I have had contact with. I see people on my course thriving and enjoying it which is a stark difference to how lethargic I feel about actually treating and building a caring relationship with someone.

I'm good at science, in fact I love science, I chose Medicine because it was one of the hardest courses to get into and now that I have achieved getting in I have no interest in continuing.

Reply 15

Danny McCoyne

OP

1

Original post by kkboyk

You can honestly get into any STEM course with those A-levels, though you would have to do a foundation yr for Physics (if you decide to do Physics or Engineering), and possibly require to sit STEP or do FM to apply to unis that require A*AA and above.

Can you recommend some courses? I need all the help I can get. Pretty please. :smile:

Reply 16

kkboyk

21

Original post by Danny McCoyne

Can you recommend some courses? I need all the help I can get. Pretty please. :smile:

What exactly are you interested in (in particular which field of science)?

If you are interested in more than one different science, then I'd recommend a joint honours degree (e.g. Mathematics with Comp Sci), or you could have a look at Natural Science (which offers the opportunity of studying 3 different sciences at the same time).

Reply 17

Danny McCoyne

OP

1

Original post by kkboyk

What exactly are you interested in (in particular which field of science)?

If you are interested in more than one different science, then I'd recommend a joint honours degree (e.g. Mathematics with Comp Sci), or you could have a look at Natural Science (which offers the opportunity of studying 3 different sciences at the same time).

I'm interested in Chemistry the most. But what are the career options related to that?

Reply 18

k3ro

16

To be honest you can go into most areas, except maybe physics/engineering (though you do have maths). Go to the ucas A-Z list and see if anything inspires you.

Some ideas:
Pharmacy/Pharmacology/Pharmaceutical Science
Physiology
Dentistry
Paramedic Science
Neuroscience
Biomedical Science/Biomedical Engineering
Biomaterials Engineering
Forensic science
Bioveterinary Sciences
Radiography/Diagnostic Imaging
Psychology with Health Studies/Cognitive Neuroscience
Agricultural Science
Environmental Science
Business and Healthcare Management
Ecology and Wildlife Conservation
Conservation Biology
Analytical Chemistry
Materials Science
Marine Environmental Science

You could also go into most computer science courses since you have maths (and all related specialisms e.g. software engineering, online security, networks, artificial intelligence).