With 761,000 members, the subreddit r/MedicalSchool offers more than mere study tips. It's also packed with memes. And it doesn't matter if you're pursuing a degree in healthcare or simply want to learn about the lives of those who do, the content here is both insightful and relatable.
From meltdowns over brutal anatomy exams to awkward confessions of making fools of themselves in front of their first patients, and prayers for caffeine that keep them going, nobody's pretending it's easy.
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Yet We Are Always Told To Be As Conservative As Possible In This Whole Process
R/Wholesomemedschoolmemes When?
We got in touch with Iris Gorfinkel, M.D. who is a general practitioner, medical researcher, and the founder of PrimeHealth Family Practice and Clinical Research, and asked her to share memories of her own time in medical school.
"The thing I remember the most is having the perpetual feeling that no matter how much I studied, it would never be enough," she told Bored Panda.
"At the time, the exams at McGill Medical School, Canada, were essay questions and felt like they were hit or miss. And I really had no idea that a lot of the other students had the advantage of having copies of the old exam."
The University Hospital You Rotate At??
Nephro #6 Tho?
Welp
Gorfinkel herself didn't have such luck. "Unlike many fall students, I wasn't living at home like they were as well. Yet the stakes were super high because if a student failed more than two exams, they were thrown out of school."
"I actually did fail two exams and had to retake them knowing that if I failed even one of them the second time around, I'd be thrown out," the doctor said.
Wise Words From Dr. Drake Ramoray
Wear A Mask
Friendly Reminder
"Luckily, I passed, but for years I had recurrent nightmares about not passing," Gorfinkel recalled.
"In those dreams I'd come late to the exam, or I was already taking the exam and knew nothing ... Fortunately, these nightmares finally stopped, but it actually took about 10 years."
The Longest Con
Hello World!
Me: Why Not Both?
Echoing Gorfinkel's experience, one study involving students from nine geographically diverse medical schools in the UK found that 54% of them had symptoms of insomnia, 38% showed signs of anxiety and depression, and 19% exhibited symptoms of paranoia.
19% also said that they considered dropping out from medical school due to their mental health.
Take Him Away Boys
All Of Residency Captured, Circa 2001 (Colorized)
The First Two Years Of Medical School.. [shitpost]
Another survey by the British Medical Association (BMA) showed that 43% of local medical students have considered leaving or pausing their course due to financial pressures. The researchers also discovered that:
- 62% of respondents spent less on essentials, such as food or heating;
- Nearly three quarters asked their parents or family for additional financial support;
- Over two fifths used their overdraft to cover living costs;
- About 15% accessed hardship or emergency university funds.
- One in ten took out a credit card or loan to cover living costs.
First Day On A Paeds Rotation
Em Attendings Should Be The Ones Who Teach First Years
Nice
The study authors added that medical students leaving school had important implications for the health workforce, globally estimated to have a deficit of 6.4 million doctors.
In Europe, there have long been concerns about health worker shortages as the population ages.
Some estimates suggest that in EU countries and the UK, there could be a shortage of 4.1 million health workers including doctors, nurses, and other professionals by 2030.
My Frontal Lobe: I Don't Fell So Good
This Is The Last Pikachu [meme] I Promise
This Is Too Relatable For Words
Gorfinkel thinks the number one, two, and three rule for those med students who want to succeed is to not sell your soul. "Stay with a good diet, exercise regularly, and do not sacrifice sleep. A minimum of seven hours, hopefully non-negotiable, whenever possible."
She said, "Remember that memories — and that includes what we want to study and learn — require sleep in order to get consolidated."
"Another good suggestion is to try to maintain social connections and don't try to isolate yourself."
Make Sure To Ration Your Crying Time
From The Humblest Of Beginnings
The G**g's All Here
When it comes to learning itself, there aren't any quick fixes. "It's hard, so take notes, test yourself. Flashcards are helpful because that's active learning, not passive," the doctor said.
An idea worth considering is interleaving, which can also help with retention. It's a technique that involves mixing together different topics. For example, "instead of studying only biochemistry the whole night or in one sitting, it's better to mix it up. So, you might do some biochemistry, and then physiology, and later, anatomy," Gorfinkel said.
Every Old Guy In The Hospital
I'll Never Forget This One
I Will Never Forget This
"If you know you're struggling emotionally or academically, don't be afraid to ask for help," Gorfinkel added.
"Nothing is worth [more] than your mental well-being, which brings us back to the rule number one, two, and three: don't sell your soul."
Can Anybody Help Me Understand Why The Answer Isn’t E?
Online Lectures Ftw
This Chiropractic Student Cracks Me Up
Me Trying To Find The Ortho Resident I Worked With
First Day As An Intern Be Like
We’re Busted
Facts
How It Feels To Finally Graduate Medical School
Has Anyone Made This Yet?
Erryday In Family Medicine Clinic
P’s Get Md’s
I Am Interested
Anaesthetists Be Like
*Cries In General Surgery*
Good Times
I Graduated Today And My Phone Is Blowing Up
See It Everyday I Come Into Work, Teasing Me
Still Riding That High, 6 Months Later
Kinda Like Many Ortho Residents Chose Their Field Because They Personally Had Acl Surgery In Highschool
Seeing Numerous Reports Of This From You Guys. Please Stay Safe. Love, An Attending
When You've Finally Finished 6 Years Of Uni And 5 Years Of Specialisation
I’m Just A Dentist!
A Buddy Asked If I Had A Big Exam Coming Up, So I Made This
💰🦴💵
Thank God For Those $1 Long Island Iced Teas
Gotta Polish Up Those Redirection Skills, Son
Prestige Chasing Is Real
Stonks Falling
M3 Is Hard
"So....tell Me About Your Weaknesses..."
Ah Yes, This Will Help Us Immensely
Oof
Had To Be Said
*impostor Syndrome Intensifies*
Ob/Gyn Resident: "We Have A Medical Student In Clinic Today. Do You Mind If He Joins Us?" Me, 5 Mins Later, Outside The Exam Room:
Trying To Schedule An Appointment With A Physician And The Receptionist Keeps Saying Pas Are Physicians
Any Fever, Cough, Sob?
It Really Do Be Like That Rn
Me Irl
First Day Of 3rd Year
I Guess Professionalism Only Goes One Way. [meme]
Guess I'm A Vein
Modern Problems Required Modern Solutions
Bmi 30+ Gang
I’m Stuck On Can’t Remember
I'm Only In 20th Grade
All My Classmates
I Am Efficiency
Getting Into Medical School vs. Being In Medical School
Ruh Roh
Uw Date Night
Look At What You All Did!
I Hated To Hear It At The Time, But Here I Am Sounding The Same Warning
Learning Ekgs
Here's a conundrum. I graduated from Stanford and so went to school with A LOT of pre-med and pre-law students (I was pre-law.) As people the pre-med students were AHs while the pre-law students were great: smart, gregarious, fun to be around, the life of the party. Then they join their respective professions and a change takes place. The doctors are now nice people and the lawyers are AHs. What's happening in med and law schools to account for this?
Here's a conundrum. I graduated from Stanford and so went to school with A LOT of pre-med and pre-law students (I was pre-law.) As people the pre-med students were AHs while the pre-law students were great: smart, gregarious, fun to be around, the life of the party. Then they join their respective professions and a change takes place. The doctors are now nice people and the lawyers are AHs. What's happening in med and law schools to account for this?
