HOPs 3: Dr. Victoria Dimacali

What advice would you give to younger medical students/people starting their medical journey and to people who may be considering medical school?

Medicine is arguably one of the more popular professions to pursue. Those who aspire to become a doctor have various economic, social, and personal reasons which have to be carefully examined. First, be honest with yourself. Are you really interested in becoming a doctor, or are your parents or relatives just pushing it on you? Do you feel that it is the path to becoming financially well-off? Some reasons may be valid, but being a doctor isn’t as glamorous and probably not as financially rewarding as you may think. The most important reason for applying to medical school should be an interest in medicine itself. Halfhearted applicants may get into the program, but many end up quitting because of the grueling load they encounter. Your passion for the field will be what carries you through 48 to 72-hour calls, seemingly endless exams, and what is almost literally a lifetime of learning. Once you have made your decision, focus on preparing for it. Joining your local pre-medical society can help you meet people with similar interests and provide you with various opportunities such as attending healthcare lectures and doing medical volunteer work. You can also consider applying as a research assistant or conducting your thesis on a biomedical interest. These will help prepare you for medical school in addition to enhancing your application.

For those who are already in medical school, congratulations! It is not an easy road but the journey itself can be enjoyable with the proper mindset. Here are some things to keep in mind.

1. Realize that you get back what you put in. The more effort you give, the more rewarding your journey.
2. Learn to develop good study habits early on. Time is a precious resource and you need to manage your time wisely.
3. Be friends with your batchmates and blockmates. Learn how to be a team and work with each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
4. Treat your patients respectfully and with care, as if they were your relatives.
5. Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Eat well, exercise, rest when you can, and reach out to others during tough times.
6. Continue pursuing your hobbies or even learn new ones. Studying should not occupy 100% of your time. 
7. Make it a point to spend some of your free time with friends and family.
8. When you are feeling tired and discouraged, reflect back on your reasons for entering medical school and envision yourself five and ten years from now.
9. Take time to meditate and pray regularly for strength and guidance.
10. Learn to look for and to appreciate the small things that come your way. They may not be obvious but they are there. 

Making it through medical school may be the hardest thing you will ever do, but there are even times when consultants miss  and reflect fondly on student years when life was simpler. Enjoy your journey and good luck!

If you have any questions, feel free to message me at [email protected].
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Victoria Grace C. Dimacali, MD, DPBO