In this blog you will read of my journey as a hapless student navigating through medical school and my rewarding yet futile quest of becoming the next William Osler. Here you will find stories describing challenges that encompass both blunders and achievements- from my descent into a miserable 8-month depression after the death of my Father and nearly dropping out of medical school to being published in two peer-reviewed journals and scoring in the 99th percentile of the USMLE. Life is darkness and light. I wish there was a way to briefly summarize this journey in a few sentences but all I can say is that... it was worth it.
I have a few words of advice:
1. As you gain knowledge, stay grounded
2. Learn and re-learn because you'll forget if you don't.
3. Grow some thick skin in the process
4. Remind yourself why you wanted to help people through medicine.
5. Don't pursue medicine for the $, the most important things in life aren't things.
I'll be graduating from UCLA in a couple months and will be specializing in Internal Medicine, perhaps sub-specializing in the future. I'm happy with my decision. The journey has been demanding and sometimes marked with doubts but this was the path I choose eight years ago while watching my Dad being wheeled to an OR... damn good decision.
Lastly, I want to motivate students out there who come from an underserved background-- perhaps a recent immigrant struggling with English or someone from "the hood" with little resources and an uphill battle to success.
My family (five of us) came to this country when I was 9 yrs old, our family's annual income was less than $22,000 living in a one bedroom apartment for several years. I'll admit without embarrassment that we grew up with government assistance. Nothing was easy... but nothing is impossible. I worked hard and never lost focus. There's countless stories of folks who through hardwork and sheer will have beaten the odds. We are all dealt with certain cards that we must play in life, but the difference between a successful grasshopper and others is not a lack of strength or knowledge, but rather in a lack of will. In this path you will experience failures (trust me!), but success consists of navigating from failure to failure without loosing enthusiasm, so don't give up. If you wish to read more about this topic, then I suggest this post from awhile back.
I started this blog 4 years ago with a post describing the humbling experience of starting medical school. The humbling process never stops but maybe i'll end this blog today. Peace!
Match Day: (3/16/12)) |
11 comments:
-It has always been a pleasure reading your posts. Wish you a happy journey in post-graduation persuasion of internal medicine.
Congratulations! Thank you for telling us about your journey, much appreciated.
Congrats!! Stumbled upon your blog and I am hooked! You are an inspiration.. thank you for sharing!
I read your article and loave it so much ,thank you so much.
Nail Starterset
Nice article!
USMLE step 1 tutoring
one of the content.Keep it up.
Event Medical Services london,Patient and Organ Transports Services,ambulance services festival medical,fire medical services
Hats off for you doc. It is really an honor to be able to read your blog. Thank you
congrats!
Our the purpose is to share the reviews about the latest Jackets,Coats and Vests also shre the related Movies,Gaming, Casual,Faux Leather and Leather materials available Cyberpunk 2077 Wolf School Jacket
Pretty good post. I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts.Any way Here I am Specialist in Manufacturing of Movies, Gaming, Casual, Faux Leather Jackets, Coats And Vests See Attack on Titan Jacket
Fantastic blog i have never ever read this type of amazing information. Loki Jacket
Post a Comment