SPM is over. Go be a doctor?

SPM results are here! Many secondary school graduates will soon be pondering on their choices to further their education.

There are a vast pool of courses to choose from and when I encountered this situation, medicine was what came to mind, since it had been my lifelong ambition one would say. Before one chooses to dive into the world of medical studies, there are a few things they should know beforehand.

I thought that now would be an opportune time to reflect back on a few things that I personally think would be handy to know before embracing the idea of medicine. To those who would like to have a brief idea, I will try to sum it up in a HUGE nutshell.

Five or six years of high school would certainly have had an impact on a person’s behaviour and style, especially when it comes to studying styles. Being accepted into medical school is an achievement in itself as the qualification requirements are relatively high, so if you are a medical student, chances are you did well in high school.

Nevertheless, the study methods that helped you to be a successful student in high school may not translate very well in med school. This is probably due to the volume and pace in which you are required to learn the seemingly never ending material.

There is so much to do and so little time. Hence, carefully recopying lecture notes in colourful Stabilo pens to help consolidate memory is perhaps not a good strategy when it comes to trying to learn or memorize as many lectures as possible right before an exam.

If one insists on doing so, it is best to get started on the first day of classes or to get it done right after the classes have ended. You cannot afford to waste precious time if you want to have a balanced life during med school.

It is very understandable that most medical students are competitive from the get-go. Medical school is often regarded as the Hunger Games; people think it is a game where only the fittest and smartest can survive.

To a certain extent, it may be true, but surely, the key to survival is to know how to keep your spiritual and emotional aspects in line with academics.

Get help if you are feeling down or if it gets overwhelming There are many people who are willing to listen and help. Just ask and you shall receive.

It would also be better if you do not compare yourselves to your colleagues in every single aspect. Many medical students have type A personalities and are, in one way or another, competitive.

Being competitive is not necessarily a negative trait as it is important to give you that extra motivational booster to do well.

However, this competitive nature may backfire when you begin comparing yourself to your colleagues a little too much.

You may not always be the top scorer in your class, and being upset because someone is scoring higher than you in exams will only make you unnecessarily miserable. It is important to focus on yourself and on learning the material instead of losing sleep, over worrying that others are doing better than you.

Learn for the knowledge, not for the exams. Equip yourself with life changing and lifesaving knowledge. Learn to be smart and safe doctors. We should be humbled by the knowledge that we acquire.

One of the most common misconceptions that many people have about medical school or medicine in general is that you will not have time for a life beyond your medical text books and clinics.

It is true that medical school is time consuming and taxing on the mind, body and soul, but it does not mean that you cannot do other things. It all comes down to time management which when it is done and executed properly, gives pleasantly surprising results.

It is important to prioritise and determine what activities are most important to you and you can actually find time for them. Most importantly, DO NOT PROCRASTINATE.

Being a medical student does not mean that you have to sacrifice your leisure time, give up your hobbies completely or even put your relationships on hold for the next four to six years.

You will be busy in medical school, but maintaining your life outside of school is still possible (and highly advisable). It probably will help a lot in maintaining your sanity.

Everyone needs a good pick–me-up from time to time. Although it may not feel like it, taking an hour to go work out or spending an evening hanging out with friends, or volunteering for community service will not put your grades in mortal jeopardy. In fact, relaxing a little may help to prevent you from burning out and may allow you to be more productive when you get back to the books.

SACRIFICES are a big part of medical school. It is both monetarily and emotionally expensive.

It can be a challenge or even a blow to your ego when you see your friends from other courses living it up while you are spending the majority of your time with your nose in books. You will miss out on some events that are extremely important to you.

Medical school is a lesson in delayed gratification. One has to make peace and learn to embrace the idea of sacrificing for the greater good.

However, it should also not be used as an excuse to constantly bail out on social commitments.

I do not deny, there will be times when you wonder why you went to medical school. Constantly regretting and doubting and questioning the decision to join medical school are very common feelings experienced throughout life as a medical student, especially during those hectic study weeks and might exaggerated more during exams.

During these times, one should have friends and family to support him. Undeniably, it is always nice to have someone to talk to and sharing your feelings and finding out that you are not alone, may help you cope.

For those who think that med school is a never ending nightmare, do not worry. It can actually goes by quickly. Before you know it, you will be striding across a stage to accept your medical degree.

Time may seem to fly by because with all the information to learn, skills to master and clinical rotations to adjust to, you are so focused on getting through the next challenge that you are barely aware of the time passing.

Quoting Winston Churchill, “The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you will see”. Learning from your seniors’ mistakes will help you develop yourselves into better students and physicians.

This, to me, is quite an important aspect, as you would be able to have an idea of what to expect beforehand and prepare accordingly. One should equip himself with at least a bulletproof vest if not a gun when entering a battlefield.

As for now, these are some points to ponder upon should one feel the urge to dive into the vast ocean of medicine. I wish you all the very best and may the odds be ever in your favour.

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* This article was first published on www.mmgazette.com

** The Malaysian Medical Gazette is an online hub under The Malaysian Integrated Medical Professionals Association (MIMPA) for medical professionals to share their knowledge and experience regarding current issues and common problems on healthcare with the community in an easily accessible and reliable platform.

*** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.