First of all, congratulations! Getting a seat in a medical college is no easy feat. But you did it and now here we are...
I’m sure by now you’ve been flooded with phone calls from relatives, giving their hearty congratulations and how they’re so happy to have a doctor in the family. I’m also sure they’ve started the “What’s next” questions, as well. You know, the “So, what doctor are you going to be?” and “So, will you be going off to London or USA?”, etc., etc.
And if you’re done with orientation, one or two professors might’ve mentioned that it’s a good idea to start your PG preparation from the first year itself, and how only those students who started early get PG seats, and that the competition increases every year, etc etc. They also must’ve dropped in names like USMLE, PG-NEET, and maybe even PLAB.
Overwhelming, right?
Trust me, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there. The road to becoming a doctor is a long and tough one. But, fret not, for here is a list of things I believe all freshmen should know (i.e. all the things I wish I had known when I started med school).
1. DON’T HESITATE!
First things first. Do everything you want to do! You want to participate in that dance fest? Do it. Want to take part in that singing competition? Do it. Want to try out for the volleyball team? DO IT.
There were so many things I wanted to participate in but kept hesitating and doubting myself. Ultimately, I ended up spending my third (and now half my fourth) year at home, and it’s a major regret of mine. So, is there’s anything you want to do? DO IT. After all, you only get the UG experience once.
2. Join student organizations
It’s always good to be in a student organization; it’s a great way to stay up-to-date with all the changes and advances in the medical field, both in India and abroad. It’s also a good way to build a network and your resume, find opportunities and other people with similar goals, who can give advice and guidance during your medical journey.
Student organizations also mean being able to participate in and organize events and campaigns, which are great ways to spread awareness among the general public and educate yourself, as well.
Some medical students organizations you can check out are:
3. Look into all the PG options
I’m not saying you need to decide in the first year itself, but try to explore all the options you have. Taking the USMLE or PLAB is a huge process, and there’s a lot of things to know and consider like time, finances, requirements, eligibility, etc. before deciding to sit for the exam. Getting a good idea of what each exam requires and understanding the entire process as early as possible can help you come to the right decision.
For more information about the options abroad, you can check out the following Instagram accounts:
For USMLE: @thatusmlegirl
For PLAB: @benevolent_doctor
For Germany: @journey.2.germany
I would also recommend joining Telegram; there are a lot of channels and groups for PG aspirants. You can also find materials, videos, and textbooks for PG preparation.
Other than the standard NEET, USMLE, and PLAB, there are a LOT of options for after MBBS. You could consider a career in medical journalism or medical administration, among others, which have been covered in the previous edition of Lexicon, “Beyond Medicine”.
4. Research!
Research is another thing I wish I’d pursued a lot earlier; I used to be under the impression that you need prior knowledge or training to do research, but that’s not true at all! You can be a complete novice and still be able to write a stellar article.
I would suggest consulting with seniors and finding out which professors in your college have research experience and are student-friendly. Or, you can find a friendly senior post-graduate, who’s working on a research article and ask if you can help, in exchange for being a co-author. You can also work with friends in different colleges; the possibilities are endless.
Researcher Academy is an initiative started by Elsevier and offers videos and tutorials about the entire process of research- from preparing a manuscript to getting your work published. And, it’s entirely free! I learnt a lot from it, and absolutely recommend anyone interested in research to go through the website.
5. Have patience!
Be patient with yourself. Don’t be disheartened if you can’t answer questions during class, or, if you score a bit less in exams. There’s a lot of studying to be done, but you can always ask your seniors and professors for tips. And, there are also multiple studygram accounts you can always look to for inspiration- find a pattern that works for you and stick with it. Remember, medical school is a completely new experience, not just for you, but for your peers as well!
Last but not least, enjoy the ride! These 5 years are going to be the most memorable years of your life, so make the most of them.
Becoming a doctor means a journey on a rocky road, but then again, the longest journeys are usually the most rewarding ones.
Congratulations, once again!
Disclaimer: All organizations mentioned here were not endorsed in any way, and were mentioned purely due to the author's interests.