So here we go...
I think **one** of the reasons I didn't go to med school earlier, is because I was afraid I'd never get in. I'd never make it, so I might as well not try.
When I was a freshman in college, I was the TA for my chemistry class, and I got a C in one of the lab write ups. The teacher, an old German dude, came to me when I was working in his office and said "you think you can get into med school with C's? You can't. You'll never make it." Folks, it was a lab write up. I did NOT get a C in that class, but the damage was already done. His words stuck with me to this day, 15 years later.
I eventually changed my life and decided to pursue a career in something completely unrelated to medicine. It was not because of what that professor said, but I am *sure* I would not have given up so quickly, if I hadn't had his words echoing in my head and that horrible feeling that I just couldn't make the cut.
So I graduated, got a job in Germany, (one of those real, grown up jobs) and started to settle into "grown up" life. Until I realized I wasn't happy. That my job did not make me happy. That I was not making the world a better place, and if I wasn't there, at my job, nobody would even notice.
That realization came when I was 29 years old. Not an easy moment to face, even in the best circumstances...
So I had a mini life-crises, questioned everything, and realized that the only consistent dream I had ever had, was to become a doctor. And thought it was insane. Crazy. No way could I do it now!
Luckily, I have a couple of really good friends, who heard my rants, held me while I cried, and assured me that yes, I could do it. That if it was really what I wanted, not only *could* I do it, but I *should* do it!
That brings us to today. Getting into med school is not easy, and it actually took me a little while from when I made the decision to this day. I am in my first year of medical school. Until today, I wasn't really sure I could make it. Today that has changed. I belong here. I am not only going to be a doctor, I'm going to be a great doctor. Dr. F (the chem teacher)'s words may have done a lot of damage, but they weere not true. I'm here. I made it. And I'm not nearly done!
Watch out world! :)
There's a song that fits perfectly with this post: "Let it be" by Superchick -- check it out!
