<p>I'd like to hear some advice from those who are either doctors (I've noticed some on CC) and those who are in medical school. How do you deal with the doubt and the stress that comes with your decision to be a doctor? I, a high school student, am extremely sure that I want to be a doctor. I love the complexities of the human body, how it functions, and how doctors can help and assist when it doesn't do those said functions correctly. My doubts, on the other hand, are mainly whether I'm "smart" or strong enough to deal with the thousand others who are in the same spot as me, wanting the same thing with the same passion and zeal?
Can anyone share stories of how they have dealt with doubts? Is there even any room for doubt when a person decides that the long and painful road to becoming a doctor is really, and truly, what they want?</p>
<p>Thank you</p>
<p>sure there's room for doubt...every single day of medical school is filled with it. (check the "you might be in med school if" group on facebook). Did I make the right decision? Is it always going to be this bad? What if I fail boards? What if I don't match? What's the right specialty for me?</p>
<p>Undergrad is similar, but with different questions. Doubt is ubiquitous, but there are really only two options:
1) you face the day, maybe not head on, but you muster your will and press on, OR
2) you pack up, go home, and decide to do something else. </p>
<p>Everybody does one of those two things. Doubt is one of the reasons why BDM, NCG and myself talk about admissions as being a game of attrition. We all have seen/met plenty of people who say "I was pre-med once" but ended up changing they're plans. It happens, it's natural, and many more choose (or are involuntarily forced) to do option 2 rather than continuing to do option 1 through med school and residency.</p>
<p>Thanks, Bigredmed! That was very helpful. </p>
<p>Anyone else have more advice?</p>