I really don't love med school, should I continue?

Question

I am going to an Ivy League med school. I'm doing really well (even though my school is pass/fail, I'm at the top of my class). It's just that I have no real interest in medical research (but I always have to pretend I do) and I hate saying that medicine is my passion & that I find it so rewarding & fascinating (as you always have to do in essays,etc) when it's not true.
I really love more artistic things like classical music and fine arts. It's just that I have always been afraid of not finding a job, (which would be hard in the art field) or winding up like my parents (with dead end jobs).

I also have a huge fear of "catching" AIDS, etc. and I know if sounds bad but when we have to do volunteer work in homeless shelters or drug clinics, I am going to be terrified to take blood,etc.
When I graduate, I could always work at a college of medicine, and not actually practice. Or something else that doesn't provoke my fear of blood/AIDS.
Should I continue or is my career doomed?

The main reason I love med school, besides the stability & respectability, is that I love to learn & would get very bored at say a desk job. I love the intellectual aspect (especially since it has always come easily for me), and I don't think I would find this in any other field (and I'm not interested in law).

Answer 1

Here's the thing, If you quit school in the middle of it, you can't go back. To me, if I were in your position, I would hate to leave it unfinished. Even if you decide not to be a Doctor after you graduate, that is ok, but I would concentrate on graduating med school-for a back up plan of sorts.

Answer 2

Medicine and Law are not the only intellectually stimulating subjects out there. It's absolutely ridiculous to even say that! Clearly, if you hate the idea of being a doctor, don't become a doctor! I don't understand why anyone would go into medical school if they are afraid of 'catching AIDs' or blood. That's just common sense! I too love learning, but would never want to become a doctor. I simply do not have a passion for medicine, the temperment or a willingness to get used to things like blood, guts and diseases.

If you love learning, then you need to find a subject field that you love as well. If medicine or a related science like biochemistry interests you enough, why not look into Phd programs and becoming a researcher instead of a medical doctor? You can use your creativity in all sorts of fields! If you are more pratical minded and career orientated, keep your interest in fine arts and music as a hobby or consider the social sciences.

Answer 3

You need to do what makes you happy, not what makes others happy. I don't understand why you went to this ivy league school or whatever if you have no interest in medine, better yet, before you go to med school you study premed, why did you study that and get this far if you never had any interest in it. Sorry but your question makes no sense.

I honestly find your question very hard to believe and it really disgusts me the way you worded things. If you where a med student at an Ivy League school you would know that you do not just "catch AIDS". People who are homeless are not the only people who have AIDS. You need to realize that. Your best friend could have it. Not to mention you get HIV before you get AIDS, but you would know that becuase your a Med Student.

No one FORCES you to volunteer at a homeless shelter or whatever in your mind a "drug clinic" is.

Doctors do not take the blood....but then again you would know that also, the Phlebotomist's do.

Your question is just the most common sense ever, espically for someone "going" to an "ivy league school". Yes you should switch your majior. But I know that you can not possibly be serious, becuase if you where so paranoid for the complete wrong reasons, you would have never made it to medical school and you would have droped out of Pre Med.

Answer 4

At the beginning of this question you say that you don't love med school but then you go on to say why you like it. I changed my major halfway through college and did not regret it, but I did a lot of thinking and planning before I went through with it. The best question to ask yourself is could you see yourself enjoying this career 20 years from now. If you really love the arts you could still find a way to participate without getting a degree but you need to decide what is more important to you. There are jobs in the art field that are very rewarding too.

Answer 5

I think you answered your own question. I think you should stick it out and continue in med school, your fear of needles or drawing blood will pass, you can catch aids from your partner if it was meant, maybe your going through something and your under a lot of pressure and stress and have been thinking crazy. If your the top of the class it's your calling. plenty of doctors would like to have been a musician but like you said it doesn't pay well. again you don't always have to practice through clinical /teaching may be your thing. you can always take music or fine arts afterwards as a double major (for the passion)

Answer 6

Who ever said that medicine can't be artistic? There's plenty of medical doctors who are disgusted by blood, and that's perfectly okay. Some of them are called dermatologists. Some of them do research. Some of them do radiology and medical imaging. Some of them are more artistic, and like to improve people's lives. Plastic surgeons come to mind. Psychiatrists deal with the complexities of the human mind without seeing blood. Personally, I love to do stuff with my hands, so being a surgeon is a perfect specialty for me...but it's not for everyone. There are still plenty of other specialties in medicine, and there will always be a great need for talented people! The key is to find out how to apply your talents to your chosen field.

Answer 7

Several years ago, I was pre-med and fully intended to earn a degree in biology and then go on to med school. I soon realized that it was really the prestige and lifestyle I wanted, and that neither of those would truly make me happy. I decided to pursue my real passion- literature- and today, I couldn't be happier. I'm currently finishing my bachelors degree, and next year will be attending graduate school. If you aren't spending your life doing what you love and what gives purpose to living, why bother?

Answer 8

It sounds to me hat your love is in the learning and you chose Medicine. Why don't you take a year off and pursue the art and music angle and then go back to medicine. Research is so important and we are in need of research scientist.

Answer 9

i might upload to the above comments something I actual have continuously been in contact approximately. Are you particularly doing any physique any favors by turning right into a doctor? What with regards to the sufferers which you would be referred to as upon to handle? in case you do not purely like the prepare of drugs, you would be a rotten wellbeing practitioner, purely in it for the money, and is purely not very sturdy at it in any respect, even in spite of the undeniable fact which you have the educational skill and interest. genuine human beings truly go through and actual desire worrying human beings to help them. So i might say you may desire to ditch this wellbeing practitioner element and decide for what you particularly have confidence in and can particularly desire. concern of poverty is not any reason to circulate into the assisting professions.

Answer 10

WEll, I didn't feel like reading all that you wrote, but I wouldn't do something you don't want to. You are going to get burned out and then it will show in your grades and that will be a waste of time and money.So go for something you are interested in doing...Hope this helps..