5 Signs Medicine is Right For You

You might have already studied an undergraduate course in Medicine, but is a Masters the next step for you? Or you might be looking to enter Medicine after a different undergraduate degree but are unsure if it’s the right choice . After all, a postgraduate course in Medicine is a commitment to long years of study and difficult course material.

You can be sure if you find yourself nodding along to these five signs that a Masters in Medicine is the right choice for you.

#1 You are not afraid to consult others

As a student of Medicine, you might, at times, find yourself at your wit’s end. If, in such circumstances, you are not afraid to admit you’re unsure and bring on board your peers and seniors, you are already on your way to become a good doctor. Giving a medical diagnosis is a complex process and you’ll need to rely not only on other people but also on lab test results and textbooks.

#2 You’re not just book-smart

Medicine is known for having more to study than most other postgraduate subjects, but aspiring doctors are constantly told not to stick to the script. Every ailment is different, and your study material might not always have the answer. A diagnosis can require you to think outside the box. You will inevitably also find yourself giving difficult news to patients and their families which is why you also need to have emotional intelligence to handle challenging situations.

#3 You enjoy long study hours

Undertaking a degree in Medicine can seem like a gruelling task. You will be putting in more study hours than your friends studying other subjects. A doctor’s pursuit of knowledge, however, does not end with gaining a degree. You will constantly be studying – whether for further qualifications or just to keep yourself up to date with the latest developments. Moreover, you might be juggling all of this with long shifts at work.

#4 You are a good listener

You can expect yourself to be constantly communicating with people including your peers, patients and their families. This makes listening one of the most desirable skills in a successful doctor. You’ll need to listen to your patients talk about their symptoms or your fellow doctors when they give you an opinion on your diagnosis. There are fields of study, like pathology, which are more technical however there is always a degree of human interaction in most areas of Medicine

#5 You have faith in yourself

This stands true for any field of study, but Medicine students should have faith in their abilities. Studying a Masters in Medicine is stressful, so it’s important that you have that extra faith to see it to the end. Whether in practice or in research, you will be met with disappointments, but you will need to revaluate and learn at every step without losing interest and motivation.