h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I have posted another message ("Becoming a doctor may not all be roses") which presents the counter-arguments for going to medical school and suggests that people should be very sure that they really want to be doctors. I have posted it in reply to the article on becoming a doctor in the USA but my own experience was of training at a British med school and then gradually realising that I was in the wrong career.

Hi,


I'm sorry you had such a difficult time. I have to admit it didn't occur to me I've just started the medicine part of my final year, and I have to say I'm loving every minute.

I've been on a busy take a teaching hospital, and I've had a wonderful time, because I was doing almost everything the juniors were doing apart from signing prescriptions. Do I find it emotionally draining? Well I did at first, but I realised I couldn't help patients unless I built up a temporary barrier. I know there's parts of it I'm good at, and that I'll be able to make a difference.

I know I'm blessed to be doing something I love doing, and my age, and have a vocation in life, I know it sounds pretenious. But I look at my friends who are graduating in other subjects and I'm so glad I'm not them.

Yes I know, I'm going to be disillusioned, but I really can't imagine doing anything else.