Emily W.
Photo provided by Emily W.
If you’re reading this, you were given the dream to pursue medicine for a reason.
“What’s your backup plan?”
It’s a question that has followed me through all stages of life. I heard it when I was applying to college, when I told people I wanted to go to medical school, and even now as I live that dream. For some reason, I haven’t been able to escape it. Why do people keep asking me this? Do they doubt me? Do they think I am not capable?
But over time, I have realized that I get to choose how I let this question affect me. Instead of letting it discourage me and remind me of my fear of failure, I have learned to let it fuel me. Because the truth is, countless physicians before me have been in my shoes, chasing the same dream. And if they could do it, why not me?
I am living the life I used to only imagine. Still, I would be lying if I said I never doubted myself. There are nights I go to bed replaying the day, wishing I had studied, mad at myself for taking an hour break to walk outside and catch up with my family on Facetime. Self-doubt is hard to escape, but it always has me asking the same thing: Will I be a good physician?
Instead of letting this question ruin my confidence, I have let it teach me and push me to grow in all aspects of my life. The doubts I experience make me human, and maybe that is what will make me a better physician. My future patients are inevitably going to face doubts of their own, but if I can learn to sit with uncertainty myself, maybe I will be better at comforting their own uncertainty.
So maybe my “backup plan” was never another career path or specialty. Maybe it’s a constant reminder to promise myself to hold on to the reason I started this journey into medicine, and that no matter how difficult this journey gets, I will strive to be both an excellent physician and a source of comfort when my patients need it most. Remember, there is a reason you were chosen to pursue a career in medicine, and that reason is worth holding onto.
Emily W., 2nd Year Medical Student
Q: How do you cope with the stressors of medical school?
A: While being a medical student takes up the majority of my life, I constantly remind myself that I’m also someone outside of school. Maintaining a sense of normalcy helps me stay grounded and ultimately leads to more success. I make sure to do something every day that I genuinely look forward to as part of my routine. Whether it’s bead embroidery, baking fresh chocolate chip cookies, or calling my sisters, these small things bring me happiness and help to recharge me in a way that keeps me resilient through the demands of medical school.
Q: What is your motivation when medical training/education gets hard?
A: When medical school gets hard, which is unfortunately inevitable, I remind myself that this is the life I once prayed for. The challenges that medical school brings are a privilege, even when they feel impossible. Burnout is something that most physicians will feel at some point in their education, so I use those moments to check in with myself mentally and physically. For example, I noticed my step count plummeted my first semester, so I made it a goal to walk for at least 30 minutes every day the next semester. That small shift changed everything – I felt healthier, more energized, and more capable of handling the demands of school. Little habits like this keep my life balanced and motivate me to be a better student!
Q: Is there a habit or practice that changed the game for you regarding your own mental health/coping?
A: Exams are the biggest stressor for me, and I’ve learned to manage that by building in something to look forward to after every exam. It could be dinner with friends the night after an exam, or finally buying the Anthropologie sweater I’ve been eyeing. Planning little rewards has transformed how I handle exam weeks, and it gives me hope in the middle of stress and a reason to celebrate afterward. In medical school, it’s important to mark every win, no matter how small.
Several studies have revealed that medical students, physicians, and healthcare professionals experience mental health symptoms at rates significantly higher than the general population. Stethos[Cope] is a chapter of IfYoureReadingThis designed to help medical students and professionals cope with the unique stressors of medical training and change the narrative of mental health in medicine.
To read more letters and interviews from students, and to learn more about mental health in the medical community, visit the Stethos[Cope] home page.