I don't know if medicine/healthcare is right for me anymore. I'm a second year podiatry student (23F) and I feel very burnout/unmotivated. I feel as though I'm forcing myself to do this because this is what I've been working towards my whole life. I don't feel like I'm staying for the right reasons anymore. Everyone is telling me that every med student goes through this and that it will get better 3rd year (not bc of the hours but because it'll be more gratifying). However, I'm not sure if that feeling of gratification outweighs all the work and sacrifice that gets put into this. I feel as though I'm hanging on by a thread every semester trying to do well in my classes. I'm always tired, my mental health is in shambles, I barely get to see family/friends, and I'm making all these sacrifices not knowing if this is something that I will dread every single day. I am conflicted though because I can't tell if I want to quit podiatry school because I'm blinded by being burntout/stressed or because I genuinely don't want this career. I do have to say, it's not a completely black/white situation because I do enjoy learning the material and there are parts that I like about it, but thinking about the stress of the next 5 years and the uncertainty of whether I'll be happy with this job afterwards makes me anxious.
I decided I wanted to be a physician in the 8th grade and stuck with it since. I thought I knew what I wanted, but after actually seeing this profession for what it is and learning more about myself and what I want in life, I'm not so sure anymore. Not only does the last 2 years of medical school and 3 years of residency scare me, but being an actual podiatrist is daunting to me. I don't know if I want the responsibility of being a physician anymore. I used to think that taking care of others would be rewarding, but now it just feels like a ton of pressure.
I haven't made any decisions yet because I've never been more confused in my life, but I'm leaning towards leaving and working a corporate job (biostatistician or something like that). Going this route is also very scary because I would be starting from scratch in an area I have never thought about before. I also have a science major, which does not have much value on its own. But as of now, I like the idea of working 9-5, mostly sticking to myself, having more flexibility, and having a better work/life balance. I dont think I care about the job itself being boring because I find the rewards in my life to be outside of work. However, I am coming from a naive perspective because I've never worked that kind of job full-time before. I never thought of this career path before, so I’m not sure what to expect.
I’m having a hard time finalizing a decision because I truly don’t know what’s best for me and I don’t want to have any regrets. I’m afraid that leaving will be harder than staying.
I decided I wanted to be a physician in the 8th grade and stuck with it since. I thought I knew what I wanted, but after actually seeing this profession for what it is and learning more about myself and what I want in life, I'm not so sure anymore. Not only does the last 2 years of medical school and 3 years of residency scare me, but being an actual podiatrist is daunting to me. I don't know if I want the responsibility of being a physician anymore. I used to think that taking care of others would be rewarding, but now it just feels like a ton of pressure.
I haven't made any decisions yet because I've never been more confused in my life, but I'm leaning towards leaving and working a corporate job (biostatistician or something like that). Going this route is also very scary because I would be starting from scratch in an area I have never thought about before. I also have a science major, which does not have much value on its own. But as of now, I like the idea of working 9-5, mostly sticking to myself, having more flexibility, and having a better work/life balance. I dont think I care about the job itself being boring because I find the rewards in my life to be outside of work. However, I am coming from a naive perspective because I've never worked that kind of job full-time before. I never thought of this career path before, so I’m not sure what to expect.
I’m having a hard time finalizing a decision because I truly don’t know what’s best for me and I don’t want to have any regrets. I’m afraid that leaving will be harder than staying.
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