Would I be wasting my potential if I didn’t study medicine?

I’m studying A-levels at the moment, and I’m at a bit of a loss on where to apply for uni and what course to do. I’ve always been academically capable, so I thought medicine would be the best route for me because I enjoy learning, it’s a stable and respected career, and I’d be making use of my academic skills.

I’ve also always been very creative, I love drawing, painting and practically anything else to do with art. I’ve had people say before that I should sell my art/it looks professionally made. The only reason I haven’t pursued it is because of the advice to never make a hobby into a career because you’ll ruin it for yourself. But I don’t want to pursue medicine because of the high levels of stress and complete loss of social life that I’ve heard countless stories from doctors about.

I’ve recently been looking into studying illustration, but I’m worried that if I don’t study medicine I’ll be wasting my academic potential. I’ve spoken to family about this, and my dad thinks I’ll be wasting my potential/my life on art (even though he’s encouraged me to sell my art before? idk lol), but I think I’ll be wasting my creative potential if I do nothing with it.

It’s also probably worth it to mention that I’m neurodivergent, which has resulted in me gaining intense interests for a few months (like medicine), and then completely losing interest after I’ve already committed to them. As interesting as the medical field is, I don’t want to risk losing interest and become thousands of pounds in debt because I thought this would be a good choice. I’ve literally never had a solid idea of what I want to do as a job, I’ve cycled through illustrator, navy member, psychiatrist, ecologist, doctor and then illustrator again, so honestly I think if I end up committing to anything I’ll lose interest, which is quite scary due to the cost of university and feeling as though I’ve failed or wasted a part of myself.

It’d be nice to get some insight from people who’ve studied/are studying either medicine or art/illustration/animation so I can fully understand both sides :smile:

Thanks for reading!!

Reply 1

Anonymous #1

I am a medical student, and I think you should do what you feel like doing and what you enjoy. Medicine is very academically challenging, and it's 30x harder than what you learn at a level. If you feel like this is what you would like, you should go for it but if you are choosing it just because you think you are capable, I think that will not be a wise choice as you will not enjoy it and it will be very stressful for you

Reply 2

ROTL 94

RE: title. No you're not. There's plenty of other things you could be doing that are more rewarding and equally challenging.There are so many jobs that are equally respectable and better paid too.

Reply 3

Anonymous #2

Original post by Marko_

I’m studying A-levels at the moment, and I’m at a bit of a loss on where to apply for uni and what course to do. I’ve always been academically capable, so I thought medicine would be the best route for me because I enjoy learning, it’s a stable and respected career, and I’d be making use of my academic skills.
I’ve also always been very creative, I love drawing, painting and practically anything else to do with art. I’ve had people say before that I should sell my art/it looks professionally made. The only reason I haven’t pursued it is because of the advice to never make a hobby into a career because you’ll ruin it for yourself. But I don’t want to pursue medicine because of the high levels of stress and complete loss of social life that I’ve heard countless stories from doctors about.
I’ve recently been looking into studying illustration, but I’m worried that if I don’t study medicine I’ll be wasting my academic potential. I’ve spoken to family about this, and my dad thinks I’ll be wasting my potential/my life on art (even though he’s encouraged me to sell my art before? idk lol), but I think I’ll be wasting my creative potential if I do nothing with it.
It’s also probably worth it to mention that I’m neurodivergent, which has resulted in me gaining intense interests for a few months (like medicine), and then completely losing interest after I’ve already committed to them. As interesting as the medical field is, I don’t want to risk losing interest and become thousands of pounds in debt because I thought this would be a good choice. I’ve literally never had a solid idea of what I want to do as a job, I’ve cycled through illustrator, navy member, psychiatrist, ecologist, doctor and then illustrator again, so honestly I think if I end up committing to anything I’ll lose interest, which is quite scary due to the cost of university and feeling as though I’ve failed or wasted a part of myself.
It’d be nice to get some insight from people who’ve studied/are studying either medicine or art/illustration/animation so I can fully understand both sides :smile:

Thanks for reading!!

Hey, you wouldn’t be wasting your potential by following the illustration route. If you are torn, there is a job titled ‘Medical Illustrator’ which you perhaps could enjoy as it’s both medicine and art!!