Getting the Most out of Medical School
Dr. Michel Shamy, MEDS 2006
It seems to me that there are three main goals of medical school: emerging as a good doctor, finding the residency position you want, and doing so while maintaining your sanity. To have gotten the most out of medical school is to have accomplished all three. Being a good doctor means having a sufficient quantity of medical knowledge at your disposal, possessing strong clinical skills, being able to relate to your patients and knowing how to work the broader medical system. Getting the residency you want is dependent on proving that you are capable (essentially, that you would make a good doctor), that you are committed to your career choice and that you would be fun to work with. As for staying sane, everyone has their own recipe: keep cooking and you’ll be fine. Here are a few specific tips on maximizing your years at Queen’s.
Develop your Clinical Skills. During the first five terms of medical school, you will likely spend the majority of your time in the basement of Botterell Hall (*remember that this was written before SMB existed*), being lectured at. Though Queen’s has some outstanding teachers, the school excels in its education of clinical skills. These afternoon sessions, which deepen in complexity as you move through the course, are what make the mornings spent in class worthwhile. Take Clinical Skills seriously and you will be well on your way to becoming a safe and capable physician.
Take Advantage of Non-Classroom Experiences. Queen’s offers a variety of out-of-classroom medical activities to complement your education. Observerships (in which you tag along with a doctor on his or her regular daily duties) are a great way to get exposed to the various fields of medicine, to get a taste of what real life is like and to pick up the practical tips that sometimes get glossed over in lecture.
Do Research Outside of Kingston. Queen’s has some brilliant researchers, but getting away can also be a great experience. I had the opportunity to do my Phase IID critical enquiry elective outside of Kingston, and I highly recommend taking the chance to travel, to learn how other medical schools operate and to figure out where you might want to do residency.
Plan for Residency Early. In most cases, getting the residency you want means jumping through a lot of hoops, but it’s easy enough to do if you plan ahead. Do observerships to help figure out what you want to do; try to find a mentor in your chosen field; do research in the field; do electives in or related to your field; and put together a professional application. But don’t lose yourself in all of this preparation: residency directors want fun and interesting colleagues just like anyone else.
Become a Member of the Queen’s Community. Queen’s is home to a vibrant academic and cultural community that extends well beyond Kingston General Hospital. Get involved in student government, extracurriculars or clubs; attend lectures in other fields; explore Kingston and the surroundings. These experiences can only help to de- stress after a long day, give you something other than medicine to talk about with your classmates and keep you out of the psych ward...at least until residency.