Introduction

Hi there, Welcome to my first blog! I'm a 28 year old female, currently a third year medical student at one of the U.S medical schools (will remain nameless for now). I've experienced my fair share of challenges, struggles, failures and hardships on my journey towards a career in medicine, have persevered, but recently decided that a clinical medical career is not right for me. My goal is to at least finish medical school, obtain my M.D. degree, and then chart my own path to success.

I decided to start blogging about my experiences because I realized that there are many medical students who have endured similar struggles and may be facing the same difficult decision as to whether or not to continue pursuing medicine as a career. Since the idea of quitting medicine is such a 'taboo' subject, many students are reluctant to seek help/support and discuss their problems/concerns with peers or medical school faculty/administration for fear of being judged negatively, looked down upon or considered 'weak'. In some cases where students are also dealing with depression/anxiety, there is a legitimate fear that disclosing this information could lead to bias, stigmatization, compromise their academic performance (e.g. third year clerkship evaluations) and future career (ability to get good letters of recommendation, dean's letter, and match to desired residency program). I want these students to know that they are not alone and should not continue to suffer in silence.

I'm hoping my blog will provide a healthy, safe and anonymous outlet for us to support each other, vent, and hopefully find effective solutions to our problems. Follow me as I tackle the numerous hurdles in my way, taking it one day, one clerkship, shelf & board exam at a time, hoping to make it to the finish line-- graduate from medical school on May 18, 2012! Thereafter, I'll pursue an alternative non-clinical career that I'm passionate about, that will be enjoyable, satisfying & rewarding, and afford me work-life balance/a healthy lifestyle. I also hope to have more time to focus on my personal life which is currently non-existent but very important to me-- find true love/my soul mate, get married, start a family and live happily ever after :)