Should I study medicine?

Do you have any regrets about studying medicine? Does the course/job live up to your expectations? Is there any possibility of having a reasonable work-life balance?!

Should I get a place next year that would put me at 30 by the time I graduate. When would be a good time to start a family?

I realise it's a very personal decision but any advise would be massively appreciated! If you could suggest any ways for me to get a greater insight myself that would also be extremely useful.

Thanks in advance!

I did undergrad medicine but have no regrets about choosing it. The job is different from what I expected, because what 18 year old really knows what to expect?! It is hard, and I think things are relatively worse for FY1s now than when I did it, because although their hours may be better on paper, the traditional firm structure is being eroded away and that was a valuable support network for me.

Work/life balance is a very subjective judgement. I still manage to do things I enjoy outside of work, go on holidays, help run a Brownie pack etc - though my personal balance has changed since having a child! Rotas do interfere with seeing friends/family, and you will be working Christmas on a regular basis for the foreseeable future, but it is possible to have some time to relax.

As for starting a family, I waited till I had a registrar job because I felt more secure with the longer term post (5 years, while foundation/core training jobs were only 2 years) and was 32 when my son was born. I've gone less than full-time since returning from mat leave, so I do 3 days a week and 60% of the normal amount of on-calls, which works nicely for me. As you would be older than me by the time you graduate, you may want to have kids sooner in your career, but there's never really a perfect time! The NHS maternity package is reasonable but you do have to have 12 months continuous NHS service before you're eligible, so that's worth bearing in mind.

Good luck with your application!