I’ve been reflecting a lot on my journey recently, and I wanted to share some thoughts. From the beginning, my heart was set on pursuing medicine. It was a dream that felt so aligned with who I am and what I want to contribute to the world. I did loads of volunteering, work experience and read around the subject every day (and continue to do so to this day).
However, life had other plans. When my nan fell ill with cancer, I took on the role of her carer. This meant missing a significant amount of school, which led to me struggling academically. I ended up with two Ds in my AS Levels( Biology and Chemistry) in Year 12, which was devastating. It felt like my dream of becoming a doctor had slipped through my fingers.
Following advice from my teachers, I switched to a new set of A Levels—Religious Studies, Criminology, and English Literature. I worked hard, earned my qualifications, and made it to the University of Birmingham, where I started studying Law. Despite the prestige of the university and the course, I felt no enthusiasm for it. My interest was always rooted in medicine and, to some extent, medical law, but my heart wasn’t in the legal field. I do have got 2As and an A* at A-level and all grades at GCSEs at grade 6 and above I have like 5 A*s).
After much contemplation, I’ve decided to leave my Law degree behind. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was necessary. I keep thinking about medicine and the possibility of becoming a doctor, wondering if there’s still a chance for me to pursue that path.
I know the road might be difficult, but I’m reaching out for advice and insight. Is there a way to reignite my dream of becoming a doctor? Can I find a pathway back to medicine, even after these setbacks?