Reflections on Third Year
The past year has been one of unexpected and broad personal discovery, involving aspects of heartbreaking disappointment and sheer, unsurpassable joy.
Since July of last year, when I started third year, I’ve met amazing people, learned incredible things (including learning how much I don’t know) and been afforded unique opportunities.
I can confidently say that the third year of medical school was one of the most life-changing years of my life. Not only did I (finally) figure out what I want to be when I grow up, but I experienced breathtaking highs, gut-wrenching lows, unexpected humor, and a back door glimpse into a mysterious side of life…and death…that many never see.
Overall, I feel like this year, both personally and professionally, I’ve truly experienced an overwhelming breadth of humanity…and honestly, I never saw it coming.
I just wanted to thank y’all for making this journey with me. I have received so much advice, support, encouragement, and love from Mind On Med readers and through Twitter. I am continually thankful that I choose to share my experiences here – not only to give others a glimpse into this life, but so I can look back someday and remember how pivotal these years were in helping me become the physician I will eventually be.
I’m expecting that the next year will be an adventure in itself – two new babies (!!) who will hopefully keep cooking until December (oh, did you miss that – yah we aren’t getting another dog – no my friend, we met our four-legged & furry quota long ago), residency applications and interviews, Match Day in March, and all kinds of fourth year fun (hopefully involving significantly more DIY projects than third year). Thanks for sticking with me through the craziness!
Ok, I do believe that is enough mushiness for one year.
Here’s a few of the most viewed posts on Mind On Med from the past year:
- Mind On Med Ultimate Guide to Studying for USMLE Step 1 & COMLEX
- Clinically, Who Should We Call Doctor…?
- Why Medicine?
- Married In Medical School
- 5 Reasons Mind On Med (and @daniellenjones) Won’t Disappear for Interviews
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net | Ambro