Last Updated on June 27, 2022 by Laura Turner
Are you ready to become a doctor? Making the transition from undergraduate to medical school student, and on to being a full time doctor can be exciting and intimidating at the same time. There are many challenges and obstacles you may face along your journey, but what is most important is that you face them with confidence. Read on for tips on how to make stepping outside your comfort zone a little more comfortable.
Build Strong Relationships With Your Professors
Start out in the classroom. When you are still studying, whether you are an undergraduate or already in medical school, classes should be much more than simply showing up and doing the work. Take time to get to know your professors, if the size of your university/class allows. They have vast amounts of knowledge and experience, and most likely they are more than happy to share that with you!
Find a Mentor
Maybe it’s a doctor you’ve known for a long time or someone you worked with at a previous job or internship. It could even be one of your professors! Whoever it is, having someone to mentor you during your path towards becoming a doctor can help you to reach your goals and make tough decisions. A mentor provides valuable guidance that comes from years of experience, and they provide a great way to stay on track and make the right career moves on your way to becoming a doctor.
Try Shadowing Doctors Internationally
Shadowing doctors at home is fantastic- but what’s even better is an shadowing abroad experience. Not only do you gain relevant job skills, but you challenge yourself by having to navigate a new culture, country, and possibly even having to communicate in another language! Although it may be more difficult than an internship or shadowing program in a familiar location, these challenges will push you to overcome barriers and make decisions that may have overwhelmed you in the past. You will also be able to experience another country’s healthcare system and compare the differences and similarities to your own country’s system. These are terrific factors to highlight in future interviews, showing your flexibility and ability to adapt to new and unfamiliar situations.
Volunteer Your Time and Skills
Giving back to any community in need is a positive way to help others and also shows that you are well rounded and have interests and passions outside of a work setting. Even small amounts of time can make a significant difference for those in need. If you are truly dedicated to being a doctor, you are likely motivated by being able to help others. Volunteering some of your free time to do this is a great way to build necessary people skills and show you really care!
Meet Other Friends and Colleagues in the Field
Always take the time to network. Often the best advice comes from others who are are in the same field and can offer tips and tools that will be useful along the long path to becoming a physician. Sharing ideas and having a community of people who understand your work can also encourage you to step out of your comfort zone.
Don’t Lose Your Sense of Humor
This may seem insignificant, but this is what’s going to pull you through when you start to feel overwhelmed or stressed from work or school. Being able to learn from your mistakes and stay light-hearted through stressful times will help you to accomplish tough tasks even when you feel frustrated.
Do Your Research
Want to get one step ahead of the game? Always come prepared with knowledge. Once you find out the names of the hospitals or clinics where you may be rotating, find out what procedures, research, or specialties they are is known for, their primary accomplishments, and the names and background of the leading physicians at that facility. Just being aware of current studies and events relevant to your field overall will prepare you to be able to make smarter career decisions and excel more quickly. Staying up-to-date with current events can make it easier to connect with patients and converse with your colleagues, meaning you will be even better at your job!
Ask for Feedback
Make it a point to look back on your accomplishments (and failures) to note what worked well and what did not. If possible, ask your supervisor for regular feedback so you can learn how to improve your work. Understanding lessons learned from academic, professional, and social situations, whether or not you succeeded, is what will make you an even better doctor.
Remember Why You’re Doing all of This
Above all, remember why you are investing time, money, and energy into becoming a physician. Just going through the motions every day will leave you trapped in your comfort zone or burnt out. Focus on what originally motivated you to become a doctor to re-energize and propel yourself forward on your journey towards becoming a doctor.
Do you feel prepared to step into the medical field? It may be a bumpy ride before you are officially an M.D., but once you feel ready to step outside of your comfort zone you will be able to take on the toughest challenges that come your way!
Marissa Sutera is the Admissions Coordinator at the Atlantis Project, a leading education abroad provider focused on European hospital internship programs for pre-health students. Atlantis Project participants (known as Atlantis Fellows) shadow doctors in local hospitals in the Azores Islands (Portugal) and the Canary Islands (Spain).