Today’s Post is all about what our competitors can teach us when applying to medicine. I think often, as aspiring medics we are poised against each other with statistics that say only the top 10% get in, or that medicine is for the best of the best only.
This leads to an enormous amount of rivalry and judgement between us which I think is useless!
Of course, medicine is competitive but there is so much we can all learn from each other that will help us to get into medicine. I promise, if you learn from others you will be in a much better place to get in than those who only see rivalry.
With that said, let’s get into it:
“10 things your competitors can teach you when applying to medicine!”
1. There is no ‘right’ type of doctor!
This is a huge one, we all know that there are specific criteria to gain a spot at medical school. Usually, we think that the applicants who are ‘right’ for the job have: A* grades, are super sciency, are prepared not to have any hobbies and so many other restricting stereotypes.
This first one is to say, there are so many different types of applicants to medicine. Everyone is completely different and you don’t have to be a specific type of person to apply to medicine.
2. Helping each other is not a bad thing… at all
Since deciding to study medicine in around year 10 I have learnt that so many aspiring medics are so unwilling to help and support each other! One thing I have learnt from these people is that being selfish with what you know is not beneficial to anyone.
It’s so important to share our own knowledge, tips and time to support each other.
Teaching others is one of the best ways of consolidating your learning. If you help someone out when they need it, you will probably find that they are really strong in an area that you need help with!
Things your competitors can teach you when applying to medicine:
3. Everyone has different work experience and volunteering.
I have met A LOT of aspiring medics over the last few years, and one thing that I have noticed is that no two people have exactly the same work experience/ volunteering combination.
There is often a lot of stress placed around getting hospital experience and volunteering in a clinical setting.
However, some of the most impressive candidates I have met have really unconventional work experience!
When sourcing your work experience, find it in an area you are passionate about! As long as it involves people, you can absolutely use it for your medical application!
Never be intimidated because you haven’t watched surgery or saved a life! If you are genuinely passionate about what you have done, that shines through.
Click below to see all my tips for work experience!
4. Doctors are just ordinary people with a driving force.
I used to think that people who were applying to medicine were literally a different breed. It became so intimidating until I noticed that a lot of my competitors were just kids students like me, with something that drives them.
For some that is a family experience with medicine, others want to apply scientific knowledge and so many other reasons!
As long as you are enthusiastic about your “why”, there is nothing that can stop you from becoming a doctor!
Things your competitors can teach you when applying to medicine:
5. Everyone takes a different route into medicine.
I know a load of aspiring medics who have decided to take a gap year and then go to medical school ( myself included!), Some have studied biomedical science, teaching or even Drama before going to medical school!
Finding your own route there is completely okay, there is no rush to become a doctor. It is your life and you can choose the experiences that will prepare you to become a better doctor.
Also to say that it is never too late to change your mind and decide you don’t want to be a doctor, people who do that are not weak or lacking but have actually really understood the profession. That allows them to make the decision that it isn’t for them!
Here is some guidance from the Medical schools’ council on alternate routes into medicine!
6. You are allowed to do other things!
Some of the most interesting conversations that I have had with aspiring medics have not been about medicine or science, but about what they love. Some of them have been actors, professional sportspeople, linguists, and bakers!
One of the things, your competitors can teach you when applying to medicine is that You don’t have to give up what you love to become a doctor! In fact, the best doctors have other passions that help them to deal with the stresses of being a medic!
You don’t have to be a factory-made medic, it’s okay to be individual and stand out!
P.s did you know Harry Hill was a doctor?? Yeah… point proven!
Things your competitors can teach you when applying to medicine:
7. Work really frickin’ hard
This is one that I couldn’t avoid. I have been so inspired by the work ethic, motivation and dedication that I have seen in other aspiring medics.
They are so driven to achieve their goal and will do whatever it takes. Working really hard at school gives you one of the best stars, even if you don’t achieve the AAA you need. Why?
Because doctors have the most incredible work ethic, discipline, continual learning and engagement are what will make you a brilliant doctor regardless of what you got in your A levels or GCSEs.
That said, the best aspiring medics, have really good balance and are not burned out. Work-hard-play-hard.
8. Being overly competitive gets you nowhere.
If you have been an aspiring medic more than 5 seconds you would have probably heard about the ‘multidisciplinary team’. Well, it’s true! Doctors form one big national, and global team!
The pandemic has shown us it is a pretty awesome team at that!
The aim of being a doctor is not to show otters up, or beat them at every task!
The best aspiring medics I have seen are gracious losers in sports and competition, handle failure well, and celebrate others successes!
These are your future colleagues, not enemies.
9. Confidence goes a REALLY long way.
Whew! Do some of these aspiring medics have confidence coming out their ears or what!!!?
As intimidating as it can be when someone is really confident in themselves, confidence is a huge part of applying to medicine.
You honestly have to back yourself, the work you have done and your potential when applying to medicine.
Every step of the application is designed to make you feel like you have to prove yourself, and there is no escaping that.
Confidence not only makes others believe you are capable and amazing, but tricks your mind into believing you are confident, even if you’re not!
Fake it ‘till you make it!
Things your competitors can teach you when applying to medicine:
10. It’s alright to have fun with it!
The most amazing medicine candidates I have met don’t take themselves too seriously!
This journey is not supposed to be all struggle, you are allowed to enjoy it!
If this is what you really love, just relax a bit and enjoy the journey. It makes the hard times much easier!
So, to wrap up!
I hope these lessons have given you a reason to look at the things your competitors can teach you when applying to medicine!
If you take these on board, I know you will make a fab medic!
Make sure you join the email list to keep updated with new posts, tips and tricks!
Lots of love
Zoe.