Gap year during medical school

hey

i was wondering if anyone knew if it was possible generally to take a year out of medical school. i know i should ask my own uni, but i thought i'd ask here first.

i'm finding it really hard at the moment and am questioning myself whether it is the right course for me. i wish i took a gap year before i came, i'm finding it really hard to be motivated for exams and stuff after constantly working/taking exams since year 9.

btw with the gap year, i would do something like travelling/volutary work abroad/get a job etc etc, anything that's totally different to what i'm doing now, ie not actively studying.

i'm kinda wondering if i have depression cos ever since first year exams i've been crying and feeling really down (sometimes for no apparent reason) on and off since (i'm near the end of second year). i'm thinking of seeing a counsellor, but can i do this if i'm not sure if i have depression or not?

i'm really not sure any more if i want to do medicine, but i don't know what else i'd rather do. i used to think the best option for me was to just continue because it's easier that way, and i can't think of any other course/job i would want to do over medicine (not that i'm particularly over the moon about doing it) and also it's a waste of money and a waste of my place if i give up.

please could anyone give me some advice...

thanku

xxxx

Reply 1

Fluffy

15

fairycakes

hey

i was wondering if anyone knew if it was possible generally to take a year out of medical school. i know i should ask my own uni, but i thought i'd ask here first.

i'm finding it really hard at the moment and am questioning myself whether it is the right course for me. i wish i took a gap year before i came, i'm finding it really hard to be motivated for exams and stuff after constantly working/taking exams since year 9.

btw with the gap year, i would do something like travelling/volutary work abroad/get a job etc etc, anything that's totally different to what i'm doing now, ie not actively studying.

i'm kinda wondering if i have depression cos ever since first year exams i've been crying and feeling really down (sometimes for no apparent reason) on and off since (i'm near the end of second year). i'm thinking of seeing a counsellor, but can i do this if i'm not sure if i have depression or not?

i'm really not sure any more if i want to do medicine, but i don't know what else i'd rather do. i used to think the best option for me was to just continue because it's easier that way, and i can't think of any other course/job i would want to do over medicine (not that i'm particularly over the moon about doing it) and also it's a waste of money and a waste of my place if i give up.

please could anyone give me some advice...

thanku

xxxx

Go and speak to your head of year or someone from your pastoral pool. If you're going to have a break year, between you preclinical and clinical is probably the time to do it. It's not 'generally' possible, but it is in circumstances like those you describe. You should also seek help from your university advice and counselling service, as their support in your decision will strengthen any requiest to the school board for a years leave, and also if you think you are depressed, it's never a bad thing to go and sound out a stranger trained to listen!

Each school has its own policies etc, so you would be best going and finding out what your shool's are and make an appointment to see someone in counselling.

Good luck xxxxx

Reply 2

randdom

20

I don't know what reasons there have to be but I know some people who have left my year and are coming back in the next year due to personal reasons. So it could be posible. your best bet is to go to you personal tutor (or the equivitant at your med school) and see what advice they can give you.

Rachel

Reply 3

anita_xx

My cousin is studying at Cambridge and is currently taking a year out between preclinical and clinical. I have to say I don't think it's an ideal way of doing things (I know how much I forgot in my 2 months summer holidays never mind a whole year!) but if you know that you need a break then do it. But definitely, as Fluffy said, do try and find someone to talk to about how you feel.

Good luck x

Reply 4

Fenella

Agree with everyone - go and talk to someone at your med school. Taking a whole year out is discouraged for obvious reasons but in the "what should one do when one is not coping" heirachy, it definitely comes before dropping out from the med school's point of view, and a fair few people have done so to date (taken a year out) for personal reasons so you won't be the first... but I don't think you should mention travelling the world at this stage.

Reply 5

Renal

17

I dunno. I hear people take years off for all sorts of reasons - one bloke I know is off because he got a record deal. (Serious) sport is another one.

Reply 6

Fluffy

15

Renal

I dunno. I hear people take years off for all sorts of reasons - one bloke I know is off because he got a record deal.

The band broke up (if it's the person I'm thinking of in our year), he's supposed to be starting back in Sept. If it's the other one, is he still making 'music'?

Reply 7

Renal

17

Fluffy

The band broke up (if it's the person I'm thinking of in our year), he's supposed to be starting back in Sept. If it's the other one, is he still making 'music'?

I think I'm thinking of the one you're thinking of, didn't hear anything about them breaking up. :confused:

Reply 8

Fluffy

15

Renal

I think I'm thinking of the one you're thinking of, didn't hear anything about them breaking up. :confused:

VP said so when we all went out after B&B2 exam...

Not VD?

Renal

Not VD?

Hockey name is VP - Little Britian...

Reply 11

Anathema

1

See this months student BMJ... whole section on taking a year out to go abroad for a year of medicine. It sounds brilliant, but sadly I dont think I'm up for it. Would be a great change and also help you a lot.

Reply 12

fairycakes

OP

12

hey
thanks for all the replies guys!

so today i finally went to see my personal tutor. i asked him if it was possible to take a gap year, and he was like it is possible, you'd have to write a letter to the head of the medical school to explain why etc. also he asked me to think of what i would do in my gap year, and come back and see him next week.

honestly, i don't care as long as i'm not studying! in this year i want to find out if i want to be a doctor, and to mature a bit (if that makes sense).

so far i've thought of going travelling and helping in like a hospital/orphanage type place with one of those gap travel companies. do you think that is a valid way to spend a year?

is there any other ideas anyone can think of that would help me?

thanku!!

xxxx

Reply 13

Thales

2

Of course it's a valid time to spend a year. I think you're being mature by realising you need to do this for yourself - good for you.

Gap year during medical school

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