Being a pre-med is tough, it seems to be all about perfection. Reaching for the 4.0 GPA (honestly anything below 3.9 is considered a fail), having a lot of extracurriculars, having publications, having the perfect CV, being involved with sports, getting creative, pushing yourself to your limits... It's like you're expected to be a super human. I wish it didn't have to be this way, but it's crazy competitive.
It is highly stressful and it keeps me up at night. It kills my self esteem. There are day when I feel like I'm not smart enough, not strong enough, not pretty enough, not social enough, not motivated enough, or am just incompetent in anything I do. I feel like sleeping for 6 hours is too much and that one should work 24/7. Nothing special about me... It's just the PRE-MED SYNDROME.
Now where does this lead? Psychological disorders- trust me they're common. I now numerous people who have dealt with depression, anxiety disorders, alcoholism, eating disorders, sleep disorders, and so much more! I've heard of people taking ADD medications so that they could focus and study all night long for tests without being distracted. I know friends who life off of energy drinks and multiple cups of coffee to get themselves through the day. I talked to one my medical school friends from UK and she told me the same is true in med school. One of her roommates developed bulimia and dropped medicine (or at least took a year off). CRAZY!
Trying your best isn't going to get you anywhere unless you're just born smart. It feels like you have to sacrifice things to get somewhere. In many cases it is your health. Some people actually think that way. I have friends who are literally killing their health and actually admit that they'll probably die early. 0.0 I know CRAZY!
Trying your best isn't going to get you anywhere unless you're just born smart. It feels like you have to sacrifice things to get somewhere. In many cases it is your health. Some people actually think that way. I have friends who are literally killing their health and actually admit that they'll probably die early. 0.0 I know CRAZY!
It's really just something that I want to bring awareness off.
Nevertheless, something that does bug me are these stupid little quotes telling you that "you're perfect" or that "no one is perfect". I find these to be so de-motivational. Ok... No one's perfect but doesn't mean you've got to try. I'm really into Pink's Try song as you can tell :P But honestly, you've got to get up and try. Don't just sit on your *** and make excuses saying that no one is perfect! Just go and do your best without killing yourself in the process!!!
It's really about trying but not killing yourself over it. You need to find that balance. Remember if you aim for the stars at least you'll reach the moon ;) Just don't forget who you are and get up and try! It's one thing being perfect and another to be the best that you can be.
Are you a perfectionist or does your career choice require you to be one? How do you deal with it?
What an awesome post, and I love the end.
ReplyDeleteI'm no perfectionist I just do my best and that's that.
I wish you all the very best--may you reach for the stars and may all the stars reach for you!
Mwah!
Thanx Z <3
DeleteMay the stars reach for me- that would be nice ;)
Ah, don't get me started on the perfectionist issue I deal with all. the. time. I've become better though . . . making sure that I slow down and relax. There was a time when I didn't see that as an option, slowing down meant being lazy, and it was wrecking havoc on my health. So glad I'm in a better place now!
ReplyDeleteOh I feel the same way. Catching up on something like Grey's Anatomy makes me feel like I'm lazy :( That's what I shall do tonight with a nice cup of hot chocolate :P
DeleteDefinitely know what you mean! Have a great day:)
ReplyDeleteIt is crazy just how much pressure there is to be perfect even while in high school!
DeleteI definitely suffered though a perfectionism complex throughout junior high and high school and had disastrous self-esteem as a result. During my senior year, I more or less "snapped" (for lack of a better term) and have been pretty content to "do my best" ever since...hence, I'm not in a very competitive field.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that you're trying to find a balance between "doing your best" and "doing so much that your health suffers." It can be a really difficult thing to suss out.
I've tried my hardest to be a perfectionist all the way from senior high school till probably 1 year ago. It's really quite damaging to your health and you just stop enjoying life :(
DeleteI still feel like I'm lazy whenever I take time to watch TV (usually always doing my nails while watching as I feel to guilty to just be watching TV). Sigh I need to live life a little every so often. That's what my trip to Europe was all about ;)
I LOVE Pink!!! Maybe not all her tattoos and swearing, but I love how all her songs portray strong woman. She is so true to herself and I love her for that.
ReplyDeleteI am not a perfectionist. Good thing because my profession being a stay at home mom to 3 crazy kids is all about going with the flow. I've learned so much patience with them.
I agree that with some professions some people are just more naturally suited to them, it's not fair it's just how it is.
I wish you all the luck in the world with your goals, it seems you have a lot weighing on you.
Pink is the best right! She is very true to herself and breaks the typical Hollywood stereotypes. Got to love that about her :D
DeleteI think one would go crazy being a perfectionist and a stay home mom. This always go the opposite of what's planned and the house will never looked perfectly clean and what not.
Sometimes it is nice to just go with the flow :D I'm trying to do that more and more now instead of stressing all the time.
Oh, the irony that being in med-school leads to poor health...
ReplyDeletePerfectionism is tough, I have found when I get in that mindset I end up paralyzed and get nothing done for fear of doing the wrong thing. Definitely better to learn the whole balance thing!
It really is quite funny how unhealthy of a lifestyle some doctors lead. There're so many doctors and nurses who smoke outside of the hospital on my campus and there're so many doctors who are obese or alcoholics. It's actually quite sad :(
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