I cannot decide between law and medicine

I enjoy science and politics and debating I enjoy medicine, however, I think subjects such as history and religious studies come more naturally to me than some science.I find it much easier to debate than understand some theories or balance some chemical equations.I would love to help people and it would be more interesting probably than sitting in an office, I have heard from lawyers that their job is boring and is over exaggerated in movies and the reality is much different.I really enjoy religious studies I am very curious, but I also enjoy looking up diseases and looking at surgery and things as such.I cannot decide I have heard from some lawyers earn a good salary, but some say otherwise.Also, doctors are apparently overworked.Can someone weigh up the pro and cons, please.

I am confused before I knew deeply that medicine is the dream, but now I don't know anymore.The reality of me working all week morning night in a hospital for less money than deserved.I would like to work privately as I have heard the salary is better and the hours but, I would probably need some experience to work privately. I am so uncertain of my future couple days ago I was so sure.But now all I hear is junior doctors being abused and overworked by the NHS.Which is dangerous as it can be fatal.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 1

Docjones1

18

If you're not sure on medicine do law or take a gap year

Reply 2

Waliid

8

That's one way of looking at it but to make sure you choose the right one you should read about what other thought of the courses and also what you think about them. Which one do you enjoy most and want to be doing in your future. Also try looking at what do you want to be studying for the next 3-5 years.

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Reply 3

Xotol

14

Doubt is good. Do some work experience in both fields and see what interests you more. No one can weigh up the pros and cons for you; you have to do this yourself.

Reply 4

Ahmed766

15

~Doctor Pros
One of the most reputable degrees
Medicine is evolving all the time and if you like new things this is good (can be bad since you have to catch up with the new things which isn't always interesting)
You can save lives which is something that is amazing
lots of specialities available to choose from if you do well
you meet some amazing people
you develop really amazing skills if you go through this career path
If you work private then your pay is pretty damn good but you have to be something to be able to work private
you see people every day and work in a team (is good if you're a sociable person (not good if you're not)

cons
The pay is garbage compared to how much you have to work and study
You have exams for the whole of your life which can cause you lots of stress and make you more anti social
very difficult to get into (in some cases harder to get into for any Uni more than lots of Oxbridge courses)
You can't always save some people and it can take a toll on you
sometimes you're forced into certain specialities
you don't always meet good people, a few can be very arrogant and cold
with Tories in power I don't see a bright future for those aspiring to be doctors in the UK
you could end up in a really bad position for the simplest mistake you make and you have to hire a lawyer if a patient has ANY problem with you

Not sure about lawyers guy... At the end of the day it's your call, choose what interests you more not what people say about the degree or how much money you make from it because people change their minds a lot and are easily influenced by those around them, back then it was ok to take steroids now it's illegal in many body building competitions. As for the money, that mostly depends on how good you are at your job but I can bet that a lawyer would make more money than a doctor... Easily.
Sorry I forgot to say; This is coming from someone who IS NOT a doctor nor in medicine but from what I've read and stuff.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 5

Anonymous1502

OP

20

The thing is they both can pay good but only if you have experience and know people and it depends on your employer.

Reply 6

Ahmed766

15

Original post by Anonymous1502

The thing is they both can pay good but only if you have experience and know people and it depends on your employer.

Basically if it's the money, go for law only if you can get into a top 10 university, if it's for medicine then it doesn't matter where you go because you'll 99% end employed.

Reply 7

Anonymous1502

OP

20

Original post by Ahmed766

Basically if it's the money, go for law only if you can get into a top 10 university, if it's for medicine then it doesn't matter where you go because you'll 99% end up in employment.

My mum always says do what makes you happy,but they both do to some degree.

Medicine
-lots of over time
-lots of studying
-little pay compared to the work you do

Law
-might be boring
-may not be like I think it is
-you might deal with some unpleasant people
-the pay may be good but it may be bad it depends

Reply 8

Ahmed766

15

Original post by Anonymous1502

My mum always says do what makes you happy,but they both do to some degree.

Medicine
-lots of over time
-lots of studying
-little pay compared to the work you do

Law
-might be boring
-may not be like I think it is
-you might deal with some unpleasant people
-the pay may be good but it may be bad it depends

"might be boring" - get some work experience and find out.
"you might deal with some unpleasant people" - same or even more so for medicine.

Reply 9

Saint Etienne

THE BEST advice I can give is that the reality is sooooo far from the imaginary that you simply cannot know what is best for you without some hands on experience.
Go for that if you can - work experience.

Law and medicine are forever changing
It requires a life long commitment
Both can lead you into specialising which will be a whole different kettle of fish

Can you talk to anyone in the field?
But more than anything - go for work experience :smile:

Reply 10

Saint Etienne

Original post by Saint Etienne

THE BEST advice I can give is that the reality is sooooo far from the imaginary that you simply cannot know what is best for you without some hands on experience.
Go for that if you can - work experience.

Law and medicine are forever changing
It requires a life long commitment
Both can lead you into specialising which will be a whole different kettle of fish

Can you talk to anyone in the field?
But more than anything - go for work experience :smile:

IF YOU TAKE A GAP YEAR (which I recommend) please DON'T WASTE IT ... work it

Reply 11

DiddyDec01

3

Don't do law. It is massively over subscribed and there is already a surplus of law grads. Do something with a good likely hood of work at the end of it.

Reply 12

Saint Etienne

Have you considered being a VET ?

Just a thought

Reply 13

username1658559

16

Medicine more competitive to do at uni, law more competitive to find a job with

Reply 14

Butternuts96

14

Original post by Anonymous1502

I enjoy science and politics and debating I enjoy medicine, however, I think subjects such as history and religious studies come more naturally to me than some science.I find it much easier to debate than understand some theories or balance some chemical equations.I would love to help people and it would be more interesting probably than sitting in an office, I have heard from lawyers that their job is boring and is over exaggerated in movies and the reality is much different.I really enjoy religious studies I am very curious, but I also enjoy looking up diseases and looking at surgery and things as such.I cannot decide I have heard from some lawyers earn a good salary, but some say otherwise.Also, doctors are apparently overworked.Can someone weigh up the pro and cons, please.

I am confused before I knew deeply that medicine is the dream, but now I don't know anymore.The reality of me working all week morning night in a hospital for less money than deserved.I would like to work privately as I have heard the salary is better and the hours but, I would probably need some experience to work privately. I am so uncertain of my future couple days ago I was so sure.But now all I hear is junior doctors being abused and overworked by the NHS.Which is dangerous as it can be fatal.

First year medic here and I can confidently tell you that if you're the slightest bit unsure about medicine or law, you would not cope well on the course and you will definetely hate it or drop out as the workload is immense and it would be so dull for someone who doesn't LOVE biological sciences. If you like humanities more, then go for law cause you'll hate it here.

Reply 15

Anonymous1502

OP

20

Original post by Saint Etienne

Have you considered being a VET ?

Just a thought

I don't like dogs or cats unfortunately.

Reply 16

Anonymous1502

OP

20

Original post by Butternuts96

First year medic here and I can confidently tell you that if you're the slightest bit unsure about medicine or law, you would not cope well on the course and you will definetely hate it or drop out as the workload is immense and it would be so dull for someone who doesn't LOVE biological sciences. If you like humanities more, then go for law cause you'll hate it here.

I enjoy biology but I think humanities comes more naturally to me.

Reply 17

Anonymous1502

OP

20

Original post by Saint Etienne

THE BEST advice I can give is that the reality is sooooo far from the imaginary that you simply cannot know what is best for you without some hands on experience.
Go for that if you can - work experience.

Law and medicine are forever changing
It requires a life long commitment
Both can lead you into specialising which will be a whole different kettle of fish

Can you talk to anyone in the field?
But more than anything - go for work experience :smile:

I talked to people but everyone gives such different views.