raesong

Medical school can do a number on you. I go to school in the Caribbean where all we do is study..no distractions..just study. I was one of those who sat and studied all day. I thought..I can do this forever. Until one semester, I just mentally broke down. I always felt anxious, under pressure, hurried, and have the mentality of “i don’t have enough time..for anything!”

I did not have any regular work out routine. Didn’t really believe in mental disorders. Didn’t believe in meditation…but when under stress…ANYTHING can happen..so it’s really important to take care of your mental health.

Instead of opting for anti-anxiety meds because of my panic attacks..I started doing yoga. I ran every other day for 45 minutes. I made sure to do deep breathing exercises (the right way)..and meditated..helped me get close to my Faith.

I realized that life is full of negative things. It’s up to you to change your perspective of it. I’m glad I have, and I couldn’t have done it without a proper support network..my friends. So this is for people who are depressed, anxious, and feel like they couldn’t get out of it. You can! You have to seek help though..and do everything in your power to pull yourself out of it.

Medicine have always been a passion for me. As a non-traditional student, my only wish was to get into medical school. Getting in was my only problem, getting through was the least.

Now that I am in medical school, I have to say, med school tests every bit of your being. I am going to one of the big 3 in the Carib..and to some people it’s like, oh, you go to a Carib school?

They think you are less than the medical students in the US. Come to think of it, we don’t get spoon fed here. Competition is tough, and it will make or break you. Life is hard because not only are you learning medicine (which is tough enough), you are also away from your family, your support network, and learning to live in a different culture. I’m writing this because even though I am a positive person, there are days when reality hits. I enjoy meeting people, experiencing different cultures, food, lifestyle and traveling in general. I have met a lot of wonderful friends over the past few months, but there is nothing like having your parents, siblings, or best friends around.

The only thing that keeps me going when times are tough, is the reason why I wanted to do this in the first place. There is nothing that can describe how I feel about medicine. Being able to help someone get through the toughest time, and being able to give them back their life is the greatest reward of medicine.

So good Luck to all of you who are, or would like to pursue this endeavor!

Cayman Islands with their roundabouts