September 21, 2023
By Megan Boateng, Drexel University College of Medicine

As I wrap up the final days of my medical school journey, there are many things that I have been reflecting on. Along with all of the medical terminology, pathophysiology and pharmacology I’ve learned, I have also gained a lot of life lessons that I hope to carry into residency and beyond.

1. Remember where you started. Between TBLs, exams and labs, it's easy to forget where you started and how far you have come. For some of us, maybe we came straight out of college and remember how grueling general chemistry, biochem and orgo were, and we were unsure of how we were going to be in medical school if it was anything like those classes. For others we remember how we used to come home from work, put in a few hours on our applications and hope that this time would be it. Remembering where you started can help you to see how far you have come. None of us bought our way into medical school; we worked hard to be here. Remember that you are now where you have always been working to be.

2. Give yourself grace. This is a whole new journey and if you are anything like me, you don’t have another person who has walked this journey before you to offer you advice on how to be an excellent student and an excellent [insert role here]. You are not only learning academically, but you are learning that balance is not exactly possible at this point in time. Forgive yourself for the moments you miss, the people you can’t always call and the events you wish you could attend. You will learn in time how to navigate the challenges of life and medicine.

3. Life goes on. Medical school can feel all-engulfing and like its own little world. There may even be people who tell you that that is what it must be to be successful. But remember that there is a world outside of medicine. You may be faced with challenges that abruptly pull you back into the reality that life is happening while your career is happening. Keep in mind that it is okay to take time away from the demands of school and career to attend to life, because life will continue even while you advance in your career. Remember that life goes on, and even once school is over, you will reintegrate into life and continue to live it.

4. Even the most confident feel inadequate at times. Some of us may have thought that because the journey into medical school was so difficult, maybe we don't belong here. Especially as someone who is traditionally underrepresented in medicine, it is understandable to feel like you don't belong. But that classmate that is always eager to answer, never seems intimidated by a challenge or is involved in just about everything –even they feel inadequate at times. You are less alone in that feeling than you know, even if no one is willing to admit it.

Now these are just a few lessons I will carry with me, and I know I will learn even more as I progress in my career. I hope these can be reminders and encouragement to others who take this journey through medical school and beyond.