The Life of a Medical College Student

It is not easy being a medical student. In any part of the world, you may hear the same thing. Why do you want to be a doctor? Maybe things are different for you. Maybe you’ve always wanted to be a doctor, or your parents and relatives have wanted to see you in the classic white lab coat. But still, it is important to note, what truly makes a medical student? What do their lives actually look like? Well, as an aspiring medical student myself, here are the six phases that dictate the life of any medical college student. Keep reading to learn more of what the day-to-day looks like for a medical student, or if you are a medical student yourself to see how well you relate to the rest of the article!

1. Finally, I passed my MDCAT! I am going to be a doctor!

Yes! You did it! You passed a cumbersome exam that requires time, energy and dedication. You are finally on your way to becoming a medical student in Pakistan. Take a second. Take a deep breath and savor this moment. The journey here on out will depend on you: either it is an uphill, glorious journey, or a struggle to the pits below. Not just your future depends on you, but the health and well-being of Pakistani citizens depend on you. It is a big responsibility. You are now on your way to becoming a professional in the field of healthcare, and changing hundreds of lives. Appreciate the role you have decided to take to better society, and prepare yourself for your next five years of medical studentship. 

2. Affection from family, respect from relatives 

Well, it’s true. There is a reason why so many people end up doing medicine in Pakistan. It is a degree that is truly revered by family, friends, and relatives alike. You may notice that the fruits of your labor pay out in the form of newfound respect from your extended family and relatives. You may also notice increased affection from your family. I mean, who is complaining? We all deserve love, appreciation, and respect from those around us. This is a big occasion and truly warrants the appreciation of those around us. But do note, you can’t simply choose this degree for another person or the praise/approval of those around you. It may be an added bonus, but you need to do this for yourself and for the well-being of those in our society.

3. Learning and development opportunities

Many believe that the life of a medical student is all work and no play. Contrary to popular belief, that is actually false. A lot of medical schools now invest in extracurricular activities, societies, and various events that help a medical student grow, not just academically, but professionally and personally also. You can now join societies based on your passions, interests and also take part in activities that help groom you into becoming a better person, not just academically but personally. Times have changed, a medical student's life is not just studying now, especially if you make an effort to explore other realms and opportunities.

4. If you are passionate, Medicine is really not THAT difficult

A lot of rhetoric states that medicine is the most difficult field to study. That is actually not true. If you are genuinely interested and passionate about creating change in the field of medicine, clinical practice, healthcare, research, and development, then it might be the easiest study for you to do. Passion, motivation and rigor drives change. It helps us excel without putting in an extraordinary amount of work. That is not to say that if you are interested in a field, you won’t be working as much as others. It is actually the opposite. You will be working as per your ability. If that means spending all day in front of your books for you or spending three hours every two days, it depends on your personal ability. At the end of the day, we are all built differently and function in our individual capacities. You need to find your passion and you need to understand how you can reach your goals based on your interests. If you focus on yourself and your recipe for success, Medicine should be a piece of cake.

5. The mistake of neglecting your mental health

as with any other degree, it can get busy really fast. A lot of the time, we are caught up in a whirlwind of work, family, socializing and a ton of studying. This means that sometimes we ignore our body's needs. That can be quickly rectified by going to a doctor or eating and sleeping well. But what about our mental needs? Due to the stigma surrounding mental health in our society, we have a tendency to ignore any mental health issues that are arising, be it from our personal life, or the stressors surrounding medical school. It is very important to take time out for yourself and your mental space. This can be in the form of therapy, meditation, exercising, or going on a long walk. You need to find what your recharging method is, and run with it. You’ll thank yourself years down the line. Academics is not everything. Never prioritize anything above your physical and mental health.

6. Reconsider, is this the field for you?

Unfortunately in our society, we see a lot of familial pressures, conventional norms, and dispassionate career choices surrounding the world of medicine. These behaviors surrounding healthcare are a very dangerous precedent for what the future doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals will look like in Pakistan. If you feel that you are truly not passionate about your education or the degree that you are pursuing, there is always time for you to step back and reconsider. This does not mean you are a quitter, or that you are a failure in any way. It actually means that you are brave enough to know when something is not working out for you and be the change-maker in your own life. Succumbing to pressure is easy, but we always have a choice when it comes to making the right decisions about our lives and our futures. Future is not a toy to be played with, neither are other people's lives. You will be doing yourself and society a favor by truly thinking about if the medical profession is one for you, and if not, pursuing your truest passion in life. 

Conclusion

Pursuing Medicine is a brave choice, but one which is meaningful in the long run. We hope you benefited from this complete guide to the phases of life of a Medical College Student In Pakistan. Nearpeer is here to help you with all your MDCAT troubles with our high-quality, online MDCAT classes, along with other courses. Competitors can not match. Check out our courses for our reasonable prices and exciting discounts. Stay informed with future MDCAT updates through Nearpeer Blogs and our social media handles, including our official Facebook and Instagram. If you need any guidance regarding the MDCAT, MBBS, or BDS in general, please feel free to reach out to our dedicated team of Nearpeer counselors over WhatsApp at 0311-1444734. We know how to prepare for the MDCAT the RIGHT way. Good luck and happy learning!