Why I left medical school

I discuss my reasons for leaving my life as a medical student.

[@JT-tx2ns]

Bless you for this honesty. You leaving the field is a huge loss (for medicine, not for you!), though. I can tell you're an extremely empathetic and amazing person.

[@VincentStevenson]

Thank you for saying that, I appreciate it!

[@PO-cx2ej]

I'm doing a marathon of ''why I'm quitting med school'' video watching. And I can tell you this is a good one. Thanks for your precious insights you might have saved my life and many others poor souls that were about to attempt to become a doctor in this crazy modern world.

[@chi2om]

I had pretty similar feelings in my time in nursing school. Even though I knew before I even started that it wasn't for me. I had the grades, I put in all the money and time... I didn't want it all to be a waste. Eventually I put my foot down and left. I'm still searching for that thing that just fits and brings me purpose, but for now I just going with the flow. What are your next steps? I'm currently in grad school for MIS. Wishing you the best of luck. My brother is doing residency and I know it's not an easy thing to stop nor keep going.

[@musicenthusiast19]

Thank you for sharing your story! What is the MIS program?

[@andrewkellogg8366]

hi im a uc berkeleey chemical engineering senior. I always knew i would hate medical school, so i really emphasize with you and I'm glad u realized being a doctor sucks. I'm interested in data science too, i might move into software engineering

[@andrewkellogg8366]

i came from community college too

[@riaon]

I appreciate your honesty.

[@Kiingers]

I left and went into trades. Wish I did it earlier.

[@helen2158]

Throughout my studies and current PhD research in medical sciences, I have often been thinking about medical school (and still do) because I feel driven to the combination of language /empathy (intersubjectivity /being there for and with a patient) and my fascination for the human body as a complex system. I enjoy the haptic /practical aspects of it (examination, in particular internal medicine methods) as well. However, after having been in a hospital setting for most of my PhD (and experiencing or witnessing the hierarchies and abuse of power as well as a culture of silence and silencing when I tried to address these), I made the decision that I would not want to go through that system. I am wondering though whether it’s like that everywhere or whether there are countries (such as Scandinavian countries) with a different system. I’d be interested to know about these!

[@AfroMedic]

Good observation, I have a bachelors in biology, I love academic but I didn’t wanna do bio ms . I like to in academic in the future that is why I picked PA because I can teach and work with a stable income. I was also Premed. But now in PA school I’m glad I didn’t go that way.

[@onceuponanexploration6048]

@4:11 It is a real problem because it enables people to be abusive.

[@sonitclef8675]

I dont think universities should have virtualise their modules with PowerPoint and online exams. It takes the value of your achievements, and I think it's shady to charge students the same amount as before...

[@arbitrarylib]

I know brother, I fing hate memorizing so much stuff. I am more analytical, give me the facts and I'll apply it in different ways. And that lazy teaching pissed me off during COVID, where teachers prerecorded lectures from last year and stuff. Not worth the money. Stop being lazy and record new lectures or at least make a new study guide. And if they are training doctors, they should train you in person with hazmats on if that's what it takes. They are training DOCTORS not virtual doctors.

[@royamehr4937]

🙏🙏🙏

[@eduardo6638]

Hey man thanks for being so open and vulnerable about this. I’ve been debating on changing my major to engineering over biology because I’m not very happy with all of the memorization aspect of bio and enjoy physics and math more and seeing this shows me you can still help people and do engineering things

[@AimedQuickshot35]

I saw this recently, and deeply agree with you. There are many ways to help people outside of medicine. What is most important is being able to enjoy what you do WHILE helping people. Sure you can like medicine, but its different from liking medicine and forcing to like it because you are too deep into the process already, lol.

[@brady1123]

As a physics grad student who is currently trying to decide between becoming a software engineer or going to medical school, your videos on this topic could not have come at a better time. I have found your discussions on this topic to be incredibly helpful and clarifying. Many of the complaints that you have expressed about medical training and medicine are concerns that I have been mulling over myself. For instance, the "rote memorization over critical thinking" aspect of medical education is concerning to me since I have always been an "understanding over trivia" kind of guy (thus the physics). Your videos have helped me to come to the conclusion that medical school is probably not for me. If I am being honest with myself, I knew this was true after I did a bunch of shadowing but I think I needed some external validation of my feelings to help it click. So thank you for these videos that you've made. It sounds like you've arrived at a well-reasoned decision that is the best for you. Good luck with your career as a SWE.

[@AfroMedic]

I’m in PA school, medicine is all memorization. Anatomy and physiology makes sense but medicine classes like pharmacology you got study and cram

[@katemichelle]

I totally understand the feeling of you may not be the physician you originally wanted to be. I am so burnt out as an M3 and feel I am already so much less empathetic than I used to be. They took me from a deeply empathetic loving, happy pre-med student to a shell of a human being

[@noraaa8479]

Same I’m like a robot now

[@yunginjosh2139]

Appreciate your honesty Bro. Unless your Passion is in the medical field, DON'T DO IT for the love of God!

[@RE_Soundex]

This reminds me of the philosophy behind the anime called Monster. it’s not about if you can do it but will you and lose yourself in the process. If you are a current med student or lean towards the field I cannot recommend enough giving it a watch, hopefully it will help good luck.

[@MeganZ.]

So true! (Currently reading Monster👍)

[@samaritan29]

its funny cuz the protagonist was a doctor!

[@rabbi619]

tenma

[@mrgameshow9688]

Thanks, I will check it out

[@plutobaby9996]

you kinda solidified the thoughts I've had about laying my dream of becoming a physician to rest, I convinced myself I wanted to become a doctor because there exist a huge disparity of latino physicians in the US and maybe if I put myself through all the bullshit it would matter to my community at some point but your point of being just a "foot soldier" in a war that feels like its almost unwinable resonated with me so much because I had no desire in going into primary care and wanted to be a sub specialized physician with a higher earning potential so that I could pay off loans faster but that's not the area of medicine where I could've made the most impact so at that point id really only be in it for the lifestyle and prestige. great video man thanks🙏

[@adiawillemse]

I'm a 5th year med student in South Africa and I made the decision to quit med school. I relate to this video on so many levels

[@lesediphalatse4422]

Hey girl, I've got to say, I've so much respect for you, I'm a 4th year med student, took a break in 2019 in my second year, I was supposed to actually be in 5th year this year, I've been wanting to quit medicine ever since I've started, would you be interested in talking? Just about our experiences?

[@honiesjq]

were you paying your own tuition or were your parents paying? :( im a 5th yr dental student but i want to shift.

[@AfroMedic]

Fellow African here from Tanzania 🇹🇿, I decided to go to PA school instead.

[@SamuelGadagbui]

So how is your life going right now

[@richardkallio3868]

As far as I'm concerned, being a doctor would be a terrible life. You spend years denying yourself a social life and proper sleep to pass medical school, only to embark on a career which denies you a social life and proper sleep. The privations are so great that you really have to be passionate about it. Plenty of other careers are almost equally lucrative but allow you to have a life.

[@MrBjorn6]

You were sent to my feed, I didn't realize your dad was a doctor, the entire time. Your story is interesting from Community College to Berkeley to Medical school. Medical school has better outcomes than Law school, although Medical school is much tougher to get into.

[@shannonh2164]

you're hitting the nail on the head yes I agree the lack of effort in properly preparing us to feel competent to stand on our own and be efficient was lacking and I personally don't thrive and learn by being bullied, never going back and I feel a huge relief

[@andrewgonzales1359]

I’ve had similar issues, and I still think you should talk about the negative aspects. I’ve passed the first semester of organic chemistry, and I ended up working a nursing home. There were regulations that weren’t being followed, and unfortunately, some of the issues you have mentioned are apparent in the workforce.

[@karlaplascencia7998]

I think this is a huge loss for the medical field. I think you are the type of doctor we need and your program failed you. This is a travesty.

[@pizzamasterf5]

This video is so helpful thanks so much I don’t regret leaving I was having the same thoughts as you but couldn’t find anyone who shared the same thoughts

[@AmoreMiu]

I’m going through the same situation with surgical technology and I made the hard decision to step away from my program with a month away from finishing clinicals. It just was not the life I wanted to live nor the career I wanted to force myself into. I thought it was my passion but being there and actually doing it made me realize how draining it was and how much it was affecting my mental and physical health.

[@Emxvly.02]

Hi amore did you finish surgical tech? What did you do after? I’m facing the same issue

[@AmoreMiu]

@@Emxvly.02 It was a tough decision, I spoke with my professor/ director of the program and I’m currently not certified although, many surgical techs working in the field are not CST just ST, so if I wanted to go back there’s that option. I have a job alongside counselors and social workers that I’m enjoying. I’m still exploring and figuring out what career is best suited for me and I don’t regret my decision. I do think back at times what if I was working as a cst and it just makes me realize I made the right choice for myself. Sorry for a long response but I suggest you really think it through but also don’t be afraid to leave. Life is too short and there will always be opportunities out there if you’re open to them.

[@fenne5558]

Heyy, same here. I am currently in a program working with animals but I forced myself to get there. I was stubborn that I hated how draining working with animals was, and continued in my fantasies.

[@ckrgksdkrak]

I feel bad, because you may have gotten abused at an osteopathic school. I feel like if had gone allopathic, you would have thrived. Just my 2 cents, but count your blessings. I can see you happy whichever path you choose. The thing with medicine is most of it gets better. Pre med is the worst and then med school slightly better, residency a little better, fellow even better, then as an attending, pretty good. With the tech industry, you will experience the initial high but it will be hard to keep up. Anyway, you can always go back to medicine if you change your mind!

[@mc-kb9hj]

Most honest post ever. Also went to UC Berkeley, regret going to medical school-in my m2 year. Too far in. Partner is a software engineer who also graduated from Berkeley. I definitely took the wrong path, happy to see you aligning back with what’s genuine to who you are

[@georgejetson1754]

So, what's your plan? To be a team player, team leader, or to achieve more?

[@georgejetson1754]

Follow your interests, your intelect, what excited you about the world and it's potential.

[@Magicmat25]

Thanks for sharing man, I wish you all the best in your new career!

[@MDForTheCulture]

I am about to be MD1 and I kid you not, I have lost the motivation to go to medical school. I’m now interested in going in a different direction.

[@AfroMedic]

Did you go ? Med is a lot of cramming, I choose PA school, thinking it will be different from MD, but it’s all the same . Memorization and memorization

[@MDForTheCulture]

@AfroMedic I did go and I am MD2 now however I have thought about the PA route because of my age.

[@melissacadayona5552]

I am happy that you left.

[@innafox5853]

It does make a difference that you went during covid. But virtual should’ve definitely been cheaper than in person

[@מאמין-ג6נ]

the gist is that you're happy in your life . Nothing else matters . Moreover , you can go on whenever you like . Even if you don't have a medical license , it's sure that you learned interesting things for your own personnal culture . it is not as if you wasted your time . To me , a good secretary has more value than a lousy doctor . you're just expected to be competent and happy in what you do .

[@dmd2803]

It's cool to learn about your experience as I'm going the opposite way, from corporate to medicine :) Good luck with your journey !

[@hekarluzir7955]

Hi Vincent, I found out your KZbin page when I was looking for some chemical engineering topics. Then I went through your education experiences from junior college to UCB and to Med School. It was really a big change of field...indeed, for some, medicine is not for everyone and you did make a big decision to quit half way. I wish you the very best in your future undertakings. By the way, the way you explained chemical engineering topics is cool!

[@Cbabyperk]

How the hell did you go from being a med student straight to being a systems engineer at AWS lol

[@pizzamasterf5]

Same thing with podiatry school thanks for making this video

[@angelphalane399]

Thank you for sharing something like this. God bless you in all your future endeavours!

[@madalynmann7713]

I could never do medical school all virtually. That community of peers is so important.

[@lucaxtshotting2378]

I don't understand something, you said you dropped med school and started working for aws? how does that happen? it sounds like if you get a job at aws you can totally afford to quit your studies. Do you have a background on cs or something? I'm really missing very important context. Thx for sharing, but I feel like this is half of the story, or at least, I can't know for sure

[@lucaxtshotting2378]

oh wait the video is 2 years old haha woops, still

[@alexmay1754]

Good that you were able to be honest - it's a hard slog to be a Dr so no point if it's not for you. Good Luck for the future

[@jessewoodbury9769]

Have you thought about going into biotech?

[@nadimahmad2902]

good for you man . atleast you know what you just dont want to do.

[@AGreyAlien]

Everything you said seems like valid reasons tbh. You don't sound narcissistic like most medical or nursing staff. Tbh, to show that you know becoming a doctor isn't for you is commendable. I'm not in med school at all just my opinion. You kinda look like a scientist to me tbh.

[@khoiminhhoang]

Thank you brother… you may not realise it…. But you have INSPIRED me to get into med school!

[@khoiminhhoang]

What you said about those moments in helping people… I resonated with that DEEPLY. I love helping people in those little moments

[@bianka4590]

please make a video about what do you do now :)

[@nann755]

Medical school is shitty, REALLY shitty. Nothing fun about it, it’s like going to the army, but after you’re “free” (your not free ever) but I meant free from exams and actually working, it’s different, it becomes more fun, and it’s learning but not in the sucky medical school kind of way. Anyways it’s your choice

[@Pdmc-vu5gj]

Medical school is the hardest. But law school, MBA, etc., are a lot of work too. Anything in life worthwhile requires sacrifice ....

[@AfroMedic]

I was Premed , so I did more than what the PA required. When it came to applying, I was not in a good position to apply, I’m interested in academic medicine. I know I don’t like a lot of clinical work and therefore I do PA school part of it I’ll stay in Academia afterwards.

[@sharryoct.4770]

Thanks for your honesty in this video. I hope you find everything your looking for!

[@judahb3ar]

Appreciate your honesty here! I know you don’t want to slander the school, but maybe it is helpful for others to know. They only used pre-recorded zoom videos for lectures? That’s absolutely ridiculous and lazy. Med school is so expensive, this honestly in my eyes makes the school sound fraudulent. Of course I don’t know the whole picture, but would be interested to hear what school so I and others know to avoid it.

[@lizzy5437]

I left to immediate engineer no big deal😂 good job dude especially for truly listening to your true self despite all others

[@ryanprasad2090]

Thanks for the AWS videos! Those helped me get a job!

[@Bill-st1oi]

People say this is a passion for medicine issue. I think that’s just silly. You can care just as much as the next fool. Medicine doesn’t make sense in today’s tech driven society. We collaborate to solve deeper issues now. Learning random facts is silly.

[@literarylivi]

Thank you for keeping it real man!

[@fruityeva]

Great video!!!👏🏻👏🏻

[@123DOWNUNDER890]

Thank you for this.

[@enderlooper5581]

I’m a PA student in essentially the same exact boat as you. I’m set to return in 3 months and I’m horrified. Medical school absolutely sucks. I’m so happy for you that you freed yourself from this increasingly shitty field.

[@mariae4217]

Hi, I’m currently in PA school and thinking about leaving before my second semester starts.. I’m just not happy and I hate how it all makes me feel going through it all. Did you stay in? How do you feel about this now?

[@AfroMedic]

Im also a PA student, can we talk about how you are doing and how are you coping

[@chzhsea]

Left during M3 as well. Thanks for sharing.

[@pamelagileno5483]

Same here.

[@AfroMedic]

I’m in PA school, I was good at math and analysis thinking. I find Medical school mindless memorization. But pure biology is logical. I didn’t apply to medical university because I knew clinical work wasn’t me

[@_atloa]

well said i am kinda on the same boat as you! love that you said "'its not if I can do it it's if I want to do it"! love it! cheers to your future! your father is proud of you!

[@mkhan8527]

exceptionally explained. you made a right decision.