The Journey of a Medical Student: Part 4
Andrew Reuter matched into diagnostic radiology at Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education in Arizona.
What are you most proud of?
I’m proud that I maintained my relationships with family and friends throughout medical school. Some periods were better than others, of course, but I’m overall quite happy with how I handled professional responsibilities while still prioritizing the people who are most important to me.
What was the most difficult part of this journey, and how did you overcome that challenge?
I think the most difficult part of this most recent portion of medical school is staying confident in yourself. The interview and match process is essentially months of being evaluated by residency programs with little feedback. It can be difficult to ward off thoughts of doubt regarding how you are performing and where you stand with residency selection committees.
What was your favorite thing about this phase of your medical training?
My favorite part about the final part of medical school was the freedom to explore any area of health care I desired, even topics outside of clinical medicine, like policy, leadership and advocacy. All the extra vacation time wasn’t bad, either.
What would you tell the younger version of yourself who is just starting medical school?
I’d tell my younger self to be patient and enjoy the process. It was tempting for me as a young medical student to look toward all the coming years of school and training and just hope it goes by as quickly as possible. I know now that it’s best to settle in and enjoy the experiences you have on a daily basis as a medical student. Try to enjoy the journey as much as you anticipate the destination.
Jerica Muzik matched into OB/GYN at Creighton University in Nebraska.
What are you most proud of?
Looking back on the last four years, I’m just so proud to be here. Every medical student will experience bouts of the most jarring imposter syndrome during their four years, and even after. In the thick of it all, it’s easy to forget how much we have accomplished, and how hard we have worked to be where we are.
What was the most difficult part of this journey, and how did you overcome that challenge?
The most difficult part of this journey was adapting to the new and ever-changing challenges of each pillar. I overcame this challenge by doing my best to be flexible and giving myself grace as change came and leaning heavily on my incredible support system.
What was your favorite thing about this phase of your medical training?
My favorite part of the last few years was going through both challenges and good times with classmates that have become my very best friends. It is a gift to see the amazing doctors they now get to be. I am thankful for the way we have supported and encouraged each other, and hope we will continue to do so throughout residency. I wouldn’t be who I am today without them.
What would you tell the younger version of yourself who is just starting medical school?
I would tell myself to relax. Just because you can’t recall the coagulation cascade when you wake up randomly at 3 a.m. doesn’t mean you don’t know anything. Don’t forget you are a person underneath the med student and take care of that person. Medical school will take whatever you are willing to give it, so establish good boundaries.
Bailey Pickering matched into family medicine at the Center for Family Medicine, Sioux Falls.
What are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of accomplishing what I set out to do at the beginning of medical school. Starting medical school, I was thinking I most likely wanted to pursue family medicine and for sure wanted to do the FARM program. Looking back at the last four years, the FARM program was one of the best things I could have done for my education and heavily influenced me to unquestionably want to do family medicine. I’m also proud to have matched in Sioux Falls at the Center for Family Medicine to continue my medical training close to home.
What was the most difficult part of this journey, and how did you overcome that challenge?
The most difficult part of medical school for me was Pillar 1. The time spent studying with minimal patient contact involved was difficult to keep the big picture in perspective. Especially early in medical school, it was tough to find the balance of studying for weekly quizzes while also finding time to enjoy my personal life. However, as Pillar 1 went on, it was easier to find that balance of studying and my personal life.
What was your favorite thing about this phase of your medical training?
I loved Pillar 3; it gave me time to do electives I was interested in and wrap up research projects. I also did a couple of away rotations during Pillar 3, so it was interesting to get to experience other hospital systems. Pillar 3 also gave plenty of flexibility, I got married during Pillar 3 and got to do plenty of traveling.
What would you tell the younger version of yourself who is just starting medical school?
Continue to work hard and everything will work out how it’s supposed to.
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