Dear MS1,
Stop trying to be perfect. You’re not pre-med anymore. For (maybe) the first time in your life, your classes are pass/fail by default. This is for you. So, you can be happier. Take advantage of it. The amount of studying it takes to get that extra 5% in your exam is not worth it. After a certain point there are diminishing returns. Start getting comfortable with not getting the highest score possible every single time. The most important advice I can give you when it comes to studying is to be selective. Study what is high yield for you. If you’re struggling to memorize the names of tiny bones, obscure drugs, or oncogenes—let it go. Study something else or just stop studying. Start accepting that you cannot and should not know everything that is thrown at you. And, you’ll be happier.
Before I forget—congratulations! Not only did you make it to med school, but you made it into one of the best med schools in the world. You can stop doing the things that made you unhappy but you did them anyway because that’s what people do to get into med school. You’re a medical student at Penn now. You should feel free to just do what makes you happy in this incredibly rich career path—the possibilities are endless and there is something for everybody. I personally gave up student government. Never liked it. I did it because everyone says you need leadership to get into med school. Now, I focus on research I find interesting and volunteering at a clinic I learn so much from, even if it’s not consistent with how I’ve been branding myself as an applicant. And, I love it. I let go of all the things I was forcing myself to do. Do the same. And, you’ll be happier.
But, you don’t just have to do things that you’re passionate about within medicine. You don’t always have to do something productive with your non-study time. If it makes you happy, it’s not a waste of time. Invest in your happiness. You’ll be a better doctor because of it. You’ll be protected from burn-out and have more emotional energy to have compassion for your patients. I always used to tell myself that I’ll have fun when I make it. But, when is that? If not now, then when? The rat race never stops. There is always the next position to apply for or the next goal to work hard for. So, work in a little “unproductive” time every day and a big chunk of “unproductive” time during the weekend. Do whatever sparks joy for you—go for a run, explore Philly’s dope restaurant scene, make that TikTok recipe, watch Netflix, plan date night with your partner, do your nails. And, you’ll be happier.
Lastly, don’t forget human connection. Call your parents. Text that old college friend. Go to that party. Or, if you’re bad at making friends like I am, just treat your learning team as family. They may not be people you would choose to be friends with, but like family, you don’t choose them and you love them anyway. Even if you don’t always like them, lean on them because they’ve got your back. And you’ll be happier.
Remember: if you don’t have people to share the joy of success with, what’s the point of success?
Bushra Amin is an MS2 at the Perelman School of Medicine.
Image by Tracy Du, an MS2 at the Perelman School of Medicine.
