Would I do it all again? MD/PhD, the whole nine yards??

The answer is a resounding yes, and here’s why.

1)I enjoyed the journey

So many students in medical school or other professions put their life on pause. I fiercely believe is the wrong approach. If you treat school as your profession and your job, you learn how to integrate life and school together more effectively. Do not strive for balance, but to find the joy in opportunities where you can live your life to the fullest. Book that next trip, plan in advance for a weekend to explore your city, adventure together, write, create new memories! Don't fall into the trap of dedicating every, single, moment to this or you will burnout, and fast.

2)Early on, I dropped perfectionism

In medical school, I recognized early on that being at the top of your class in college means next to nothing. Fortunately, you’re sitting in a lecture hall full of high school and college valedictorians. Holding yourself to unreasonable expectations of perfectionism is an easy way to guarantee burnout. They saying goes, you know what they call the person who graduates last in medical school? A doctor.That’s not to say you shouldn’t try – I busted my butt. But expecting 100% on every test is not realistic, and I think it can be a shock to new medical students who are used to perfection in college. Adjust expectations - learn together from those valedictorians sitting next to you - and do not compare yourself to others. You are good enough. Your effort is enough.

3)I love working with people

My colleagues and patients. I was able to train with people who became fast friends and lifetime colleagues. Every day I had the ability to work with new people. New attendings, new patients, new support staff, new nurses. I love that part of medicine.

4)I will never master medicine

I am a goal oriented person and I love to learn. I appreciate the fact that I will never master medicine. The knowledge and skills that fall under the large umbrella of medicine will never be mastered. I aspire to be an excellent clinician in my chosen specialty, but there is endless variety in medicine – I LOVE the wealth of opportunities and directions that medicine can take you.

The answer is YES. If I had to start medical school again tomorrow, I would.

For those who are going to have your White Coat Ceremony this year: