My life after leaving medical school, one year later

I share my reflection on what it's been like one year after leaving medical school. I talk about how my life has changed personally and professionally.

[@sunriselotus]

Med school and residency are very much like prison. It is a tunnel. You don’t have a lot of freedoms. Residency is more traumatizing I feel than prison. Trust me. Been through 3 years of residency and I started to get mental health issues and not realize it, I didn’t finish and they wanted me to repeat 6 months, but I started having a panic attack and really had to step back and quit residency. I finall am breathing, peaceful and I don’t want to admit it but I can actually feel happy. ❤ don’t know where to go from here but I just feel so good now. 🌧️ ☔️ 🌈

[@Daughter777_]

Absolutely I am MS1 and it 100% feels like prison. No autonomy over my days or schedule.

[@MOAB-UT]

I hope you did not cave and take ironically, Doctors Psych meds. Just watch DR. Josef and PSSD and you will RUN from them.

[@noormuzahid9008]

What you up to now?

[@i_ezzzy]

As a 3rd year Medical Student, all my favorite doctor heroes I look up to left medicine for one reason or another. One wrote Jurassic Park, another created a cancer for breast cancer, and another shorted the housing market. I have a few personal heroes who left medical school too. one discovered the theory of evolution and the other has a medical school named after him in NYC. You'll be fine.

[@Monarch204]

Bro you actually confused me so much what?

[@MOAB-UT]

Do you do drugs?

[@samysrifi]

😂😂😂😂😂 literally what I was going to ask​@@MOAB-UT

[@Spencer_Thatcher]

I feel what youre saying, the caveat of this message is that if youre gonna leave, put youre whole heart and soul into what youre leaving medicine for. Darwin didn't take out 68K in loans at a 8% interest rate so leaving meant actually walking away free. Most miserable students don't have that freedom. The cost of medical school is BY FAR the most broken part of our society and a lot of it stems from over regulation by government and accreditating bodies and corporatizing education. Give med students affordable tution and see how many of them go into primary care or walk away with only a minor debt because it's not for them

[@talldarknindian3695]

I appreciate your video, as a medical student. You seem to be a very genuine and intelligent individual, wishing you the best bro, and following your journey.

[@jp-us5td]

Glad you're happy and doing well, Vincent!

[@sunriselotus]

And you majored and graduated from engineering. So you are very smart. Smarter than any doctor. Good luck with your career and I know you will do great, be great.

[@Earthling108]

Nice profile pic. Hare Krishna

[@noraaa8479]

I wish I never got into med school, reality of medicine is so much more different than the idea of it. I’m the same as you said I love other things but I’m realizing now that to be in medicine is limiting yourself to only medicine like I don’t have time to do anything else and having said that I’m in my last year so I don’t really have an option of doing anything else unfortunately

[@dentaladdict98]

So what are your plans now?

[@innafox5853]

You always have an option, if you want it bad enough. It’s up to you to weigh out the pros and cons

[@MaML_MN]

Really appreciate your honesty. Thanks for posting this Vincent

[@royamehr4801]

Thank you for sharing with us! we only hear about studying, taking MCAT and getting accepted but the reality starts after you get in! Thank you again

[@marting6015]

medical school is hard. for anyone out there, you are sacrificing the next 8 years of your life. This is what you need to understand. You are basically working a full time job and have a part time on the weekend. Do i like it? No, but I know this is for me. Schedule sucks but it is not forever just for a while.

[@elizabethangel4186]

I am one month into my first trimester of osteopathic medical school, and your video resonated with me so much. I have decided it isn’t a good fit and I am moving on with my life starting today. ❤

[@VincentStevenson]

Good luck in the next chapter of your journey! I wish you the best

[@ZPiiLe1]

I think when we were young and investing in ourselves to pursue medicine we thought you got all the time in the world which makes it easier to get in but tough to get out of when you're a med student. I know it wasn't an easy decision but it takes courage to know what you really want and what you want to do down the line. wish you all the best

[@Scriabin_fan]

I'm currently a senior Biochemistry major and a C.S. minor and my initial plan coming into college was to go to med school, but now, every time I think about going through med school, I just feel this sense of dread. It's a pity because I feel like I'd really enjoy the field of pathology (because it's closest to basic science research) but I don't really know if I can truly just sit through 4 years of brute memorization to become a pathologist. Especially given the fact that I've found lots of enjoyment in programming because it allows you room to be creative and the room to make mistakes and see what works and what doesn't work. One thing that excites me in the world of software engineering is embedded systems. The one issue I have is I don't feel like I'm competent enough to be a software engineer, I would want to at least get a master's degree in computer science before joining the field. And that in itself is a scary path to take because I feel like I'm missing lots of the base knowledge that I'd be getting from a BS CS degree. If I had the certainty that I could not fail in either path I took, I would definitely take the C.S. route.

[@VincentStevenson]

If you plan on pursuing the software engineer path I would recommend focusing on doing projects like building your own full stack web app and deploying it in AWS over graduate education. Academia doesn’t align too well with what employers want from my experience. Try to go as far as you can on your own and build a portfolio of work that you can speak to and I think that’s more valuable than a diploma.

[@DynAmisch69]

Yeah same here, I was just approaching my practical year (German med school) and then decided to not continue after I spent 6 years studying and working in medicine. It was the best decision of my life. I’m married now, I’m a stay at home mum of two wonderful little girls. I can be myself, have space and time to create pleasant memories and I don’t feel like I’m slaving my life away anymore. Working in medicine is true hell and it’s so hard to get out of it because you had to invest so much money, time and work. It’s tough to walk away from it after such a huge investment but it is absolutely worth it.

[@user-po3ii1tl9z]

Hey, I'm just wondering if the pandemic and staying at home while doing lectures online in your room may have contributed to your decision to leave. In other words, if you were able to go to lectures in person, hang out with your peers etc. in a "non-pandemic-like setting" do you believe that your experience would be different? I have a sibling in professional school during the pandemic and it was a very lonely time for them too; I don't know if this was your experience as well. I appreciate your honesty and it's interesting to hear other perspectives.

[@tedjohnson64]

That’s an excellent point.

[@micah1754]

I'm 32 and seriously considering entry to medicine as a second career. I wanted to do it years ago but couldn't for different reasons with my health. Watching your video has given me food for thought, but I don't think shifted my resolve to do it. We are all different aren't we. Sounds like you will do some awesome things on the path you're going. Go you making that call for yourself and trusting your gut. My gut has been clawing at me to give it a shot. I might not succeed but won't know unless I try.

[@VincentStevenson]

Good luck on your journey! I hope you find joy along the way, it’s definitely a challenging path but rewarding too.

[@mkhan8527]

Dude. If you have any chronic health issues, stay far from medicine. This field is not for the faint of hearts. And it is only getting worst and worst. In other words, only one allowed to get sick between you and patient is patient alone. Your life is irrelavent.

[@user-lu6yg3vk9z]

@@VincentStevensonsmart move dropping. Physicians are being replaced with mid-level providers and A.I.

[@MrLegendra]

I just looked through some of your videos and am happy that you are doing better. Like someone else said, I think your school and their curriculum had a lot to do with the way you felt, wish you would name & shame. The OSCE failure and prerecorded lectures is just completely wrong on the school's part and they definitely added unnecessary pressure. I am sorry that this experience somewhat tainted your medical education experience. Despite being happy with my curriculum and school, I was also a student that struggled to stay afloat during my first year until I learned how to study effectively. I have noticed some common patterns/mistakes between your and my approach to school. I think we are both very similar in that we want to analyze/problem solve etc...I figured out that sitting down and watching/going to lectures just did not work for me. I would never have time to watch all the lectures + learn + practice Qs/anki. It was difficult but decided to stop watching lectures and focus my attention on 3rd party resources. These companies are brilliant and have thought hard about how to synthesize information, and present the info better than the professors (dirty med, pathoma, osmosis). You eventually start to realize what is high yield. My quality of life just got so much better after I stopped watching lectures and learned how to study effectively. I think that it was a mistake to make your own anki cards, some people are efficient and able to do it but it just takes so much time. I would get the deck from someone else (who watched the lecture) and unsuspend anking alongside it with higher emphasis on anking. This way I got exposure to lecture material I may have missed and the high yield information for boards. I used to think that med school is all about roth memorization but I have realized that, besides the first 2 semesters, that is not the case at all. Understanding>>>memorization. I used to try to use anki as a way to learn the concept but that is not what anki is intended to do.. You're supposed to understand the material before you do anki otherwise you'll suffer. I used a online program which dumbed down the concept a lot. This way I would read and figure have a general background of info before diving in deeper with anki and questions.

[@mahnzyyy5106]

Hey hope you’re doing ok do you remember what dumbed down online program u used I’m in Physical therapy school

[@halleyscomment7694]

I'm the opposite. I love structure and routine in my life and love the idea that I can do a job simply by memorizing textbook info and applying it in the real world. But I loathe creativity and spontaneity and the idea of having to adapt or improvise as unexpected changes occur. Which is precisely why medicine is NOT for me. Everything in medicine is unexpected and the work-life balance is extremely unbalanced. You're always on call, or that treatment you prescribed doesn't work the way you learned it should (because humans are complicated and everyone's body responds differently to different things). You're constantly around suffering and death, grief and anxiety, bodily fluids. You're constantly worried of becoming infected by some contagious disease yourself. You WILL treat patients that are difficult to work with. You will work with their families. You will make a medical mistake, fatal or lifechanging. It's just too much pressure.

[@Jesus2theglory]

You will give up having a life if you want to become a MD bad enough. Some people don’t want it bad enough.Some people wanna become a MD just to have the title.. but again if you want it bad enough you will sacrifice and that’s with anything. Nothing else matters.

[@jakephelps4766]

Just sounds like medical school wasn’t for you and that’s ok. Everyone has to figure out what is meaningful to them in their life and medical school does a great job at really making you evaluate what you really want out of life. Most sane people decide they don’t want to sacrifice so much of their life. Med school is brutal and can really kick your ass.

[@lesediphalatse4422]

I understand you completely

[@Earthling108]

Prison!!!! Omgggg I was watching a prison related video on KZbin from Reddit and I’m like… I’m like: how is it any different from medical school??

[@AbdurahmanAlomrani]

How long did you study medicine before u quit?

[@lucaxtshotting2378]

ooh I see you are a cs major. Yeah I wouldn't be enrolling back either lol. What you say is true (I guess), college sucks, but it is also well known, what matters is not the absolute sucking but the realtive one, and if you miss the point that you have a career already... makes your point less valid if that makes sense, as in you quit only because you can, not because it sucks THIS hard. Wait you DONT have a cs degree? I'm so confused. Point still stands but how do you get into aws without one lol

[@lucaxtshotting2378]

wait a second, what's wrong with it's good you left because we don't want you. Isn't the world better if you are passionate and good at what you do? Besides the fact that you say this because you can, not because it is more true than people think it is, yeah, it is true xd software is much more fun than med school. I don't know what to say haha. it is hard to mind your experience when your experience is to quit med school to be a swe, not a homeless person.

[@mohammadrashdan4049]

20 year old going to make the decision and switch to computer science.

[@Shaymaamo]

Did you do it?

[@mohammadrashdan4049]

@@Shaymaamo nope

[@Shaymaamo]

@@mohammadrashdan4049 why?

[@mohammadrashdan4049]

@@Shaymaamo i decided to continue medicine

[@Shaymaamo]

@@mohammadrashdan4049 I asked because I'm also thinking about quitting and can't make a decision:(

[@edlee9432]

There is so much delayed gratification in medical school. I went through the process about 20 years ago, and don't regret it now, but looking back I don't know if I would do it again. Scanning through your videos, I honestly think you would have made a great doctor. Unfortunately, the pandemic caused your school to initiate the worst type of teaching methods. It does sound like jail. Normal medical school is NOT like that at all. There is no concrete path in medicine. I know I ended up in a totally different field than when I entered med school. You don't know until you've gone through the clinical rotations. And yes, there's always another test to pass, like with board certifications. But I"m glad for you now as you sound much happier than last year.

[@judahb3ar]

I just turned down a med school acceptance to move into software. It was a very difficult decision for me, your videos and perspective helped more than I can express. Thank you.

[@AfroMedic]

Great decision, the medical environment is just stupid, it’s just a bunch of learning, without no real thinking.

[@exposedthat]

what happen to you now

[@judahb3ar]

@@exposedthat working as software engineer now. I’m a lot happier but it was definitely initially a grind bc tech bubble popped right as I started. Had to apply almost 300 companies, but I got that dog in me & went for it. Excited to keep learning & growing in the field, considering graduate studies in AI.

[@asambre2406]

You lit up so much when talking about all the things your new life has afforded you. Happy you found happiness!

[@dsmith2046]

Unfortunately, I don't find your experience to be unusual or surprising at all. In my school, even after returning to in-person lectures, the university adopted a new 'blended' approach to teaching whereby more than 75% of our lessons rely on recycling old pre-recorded lectures, recorded during the lockdowns. I therefore completely empathise with your immediate reluctance to pay for what feels like a sub-standard medical education. Obviously I cannot speak on your behalf, but in my experience I feel that the term sub-standard is applicable because, even post-COVID, my cohort is frequently missing the opportunity to interact with one another in a professional setting, to explore doubts and questions with lecturers or advisors, and the balance between practical and theoretical experiences still feels inadequate. All this on top of long stints of time alone in my room and having no time to explore interests or take time for myself without falling behind leads to burnout and feels akin to imprisonment indeed. I applaud that you put yourself first, and I think that your decision was right for you. Good luck in your future endeavours, continuing to explore your creative interests!

[@wbrown9476]

Good for you! I changed careers at 28 and went and did my post bacc and took all the pre-reqs to even apply to med school. Now 4 years later and almost done with my smp/masters this semester and it is safe to say this was an epic mistake on my part. I don't even want to apply again or take the MCAT one more time. I wish I never started this journey, it has broken me and after my finals in December I have no clue what do

[@noraaa8479]

What are you doing now?

[@dmd2803]

Curious on what deters you from continuing? Asking for myself as I'm trying to do the same :)

[@Teekay_ZA]

So sad

[@chonghunyi]

I just pray to God you can overcome it and be brave with your journey....

[@mkhan8527]

Brother. Med school is not for everyone. Also, medicine as a career is not for everyone. The aura and prestige may get people into it but reality is far far from it.

[@felixkrause6437]

Appreciate this video! I just started medical school with 27 after I already got a degree in economics. I definitely feel what you're saying. Med school feels a bit like jail and I also do have so many other interests that make me think of dropping it again and going back into Business, which felt much more dynamic and full of possibilitites. One last request though: Since you're working for Zillow, can you please work harder? I lost some major money on that stonk. All the best from over the pond (Germany)

[@chronos401]

Sounds like you made the correct choice. Wishing you the best.

[@Daughter777_]

Thank you for your honesty. I know that decision was tough. I’m a mom in med school and I am misreable.

[@Emxvly.02]

Hi, did you still continue?

[@DynAmisch69]

Get out as quickly as possible

[@Music-jz9jw]

totally agree, I also fell into this pit hole and realizing I had no control over my down the line career path (apparently, the government and hospital decides it "for me"), after that point, I knew what I was doing, binding myself up and letting external forces chain me and control my life is absolute dogwater.

[@Richardwestwood-dp5wr]

You are happy with your life now and this is what matters, live your life and let them bark loud.

[@justhuman6032]

I just started my 3rd year (it is 6 years here) and I am thinking to quit because it was not my choice but peer pressure. I do 't feel like medicine is the best choice for me I am more into engineering and AI and this stuff...but I am thinking I can learn AI at home anf do something with it in medicine and work as a researcher ...

[@cleolux]

where are u now

[@justhuman6032]

@@cleolux Still in med school 🥲 i kinda love it more now

[@brady1123]

You seem much happier and more energized now compared to before you took your LoA. I have no doubt that you could have grinded it out and become a doctor but this new path seems like a much better fit for you.

[@haydenchristensen1404]

Where did you go to med school? I’m a current 1st year with a very different experience to this point fortunately, but your experience sounds truly rotten

[@ugiboogy1111]

an established DO school

[@T--T]

I can really relate. I felt the same exact way. I did end up sticking with it and so far third year has been much better. I no that is not for everyone so I'm glad you made the switch and are excited for the future. Was there a competitive specialty that you were looking to go into when you started?

[@nguyenrtv]

thank you for sharing your story!

[@Leelz247]

Medical school tuition should be a hell of a lot cheaper than it is if you're watching hours upon hours of pre-recorded lectures.

[@Doc_McStuffins]

You can go to class if you choose.

[@cleitonpereiraalves8579]

Interessante! Great video! Abraços do Brasil 🇧🇷🤜🤛👏😉

[@niqchen]

I really enjoyed listening to the entire video ❤️

[@MOAB-UT]

Ok. We are all so glad you are pleased.

[@AfroMedic]

How long can you stay out after leave of absence?

[@VincentStevenson]

I misspoke in the video, I am no longer on a leave of absence as I formally decided to leave the program so I cannot come back. If I wanted to return during my LOA, I could have done it within a year, but each program will be different.

[@AfroMedic]

@@VincentStevenson do you think one has to be a fast learning student to pass medical school. Because that level of learning and volume sounds intense for a normal student to handle.

[@DrProfX]

That volume is about right, but in many countries in Europe you can take a bit longer to finish it all - in the US it’s all condensed into 4 years…

[@Ziz9977]

I did not understand whether there is a translation of the video into Arabic?

[@Music-jz9jw]

yeah, medical school isn't a place for you to build which is why I also fucking hate it so much, I used to love playing legos and playing modded minecraft until I had to attend medical school, no more time for any of that anymore, all to learn for exams and bs.

[@user-ek6lg6fw9t]

This reminds me of how i like to draw and am always interested in anime and just attending artistic events and tho i love the idea of medicine i think it'll be truly depressing to be closed in one small box away from everything else

[@innafox5853]

Why did you quit Amazon?

[@mariaalhazmi1430]

Watching and crying

[@Daughter777_]

Why?

[@finesse3417]

Bro I'm seriously considering quitting I have to wake up in 2 hours and go for an inpatient rotation

[@mariaalhazmi1430]

@@finesse3417 Lol just keep going bro . Personally i'm too coward to quit and find a new life pathway lol . Just trying to move on ..

[@finesse3417]

@@mariaalhazmi1430 bro I can't I just had two back to back sleepless nights This is really eating me alive Both my physical and mental health I've drank more alcohol during med school than my entire life pre med school combined

[@Synn_visualz]

@@finesse3417 Im 17 rn i am considering medicine can you guys give me some advice? Are u guys in the uk?

[@Pdmc-vu5gj]

Thats part of getting any higher degree. Medicine is the toughest. You can either do it or you cant. The issue seemed to be your study strategy. There are online guides on how to approach medical school. Of course you will work weekends.

[@tomi_alao]

It has nothing to do with a study strategy, if you have nothing good to say then keep it to yourself

[@arbitrarylib]

I enjoy your videos.