I’m a sophomore at USC. Socially I love college and it’s a lot of fun, but ever since I arrived at college (including Notre Dame last year) I have really struggled. I’m a premed with only a B average (3.00 GPA). I’m really struggling with some of my sciences classes and writing classes and the only thing keeping me at a B average is math courses and other GE courses. I can’t decide on whether or not I should change my career path since it appears that science classes are too much for me. Additionally, I’m becoming increasingly down about my life since my whole life I’ve wanted to be a doctor and now that looks like it may not happen. What should I do and how can I shake off my constant feeling of sadness?
Does your school have a career guidance office? Often they can test you to get a feel for where you might be best suited, but you have to take the test with an open mind (I’ve seen a lot of kids go in thinking they want to be a doctor and the results are skewed to give them the answer they predetermined). I’d also look around at other types of related careers - Hospital Administration, Nurse Anesthetist, Perfusionist…the list is as long as the day and can vary widely depending on how much science you feel you can endure. I’d not get too down about it, though…Being a doctor can be great for some and maybe still you, but in the big scheme of things if it isn’t for you, isn’t it better to find out now than after 10 years of training and $250,000 of debt? (There are more than a few who end up hating the field after school, but are trapped)
IMO, a B average with intro classes means you’re either 1) not studying efficiently or 2) not cut out to be a doctor. If it’s 1, find a tutor and/or a study group. You need to be at a 3.5 or higher if you want to be competitive. If it’s 2, there’s nothing wrong with that. Pre-med is HARD. A lot of people realize after a semester or two that they either don’t have what it takes or just don’t want to put forth the amount of studying required to get into med school.
I thought I was going to be pre-med, but after a semester I realized I didn’t want to study the required amount. My best friend did pre-med (and will be an MD next month) and studied all… the… time. He had very little social life and it was a constant reminder to me that I didn’t want to go through that.
Perseverance is key. If you really like it stick with it. If not change. Pre-med is a long term commitment. It sucks in the short term, but sacrificing a few years of socializing is well worth an MD paycheck on the other end.