Have you ever doubted yourself?  You know, asked a few self-defeating questions.  Am I good enough?  Will I ever get accepted to medical school?  Most of us have been there at some point in the journey.    Chasing the med school dream isn’t easy.  What is easy however, is giving up.  How do you combat that urge to quit?  How do you fend off the doubting voice in your mind?  Here’s one suggestion; anytime you get that nasty feeling, take a moment to envision what it will be like when you get that message, “Congratulations, you have been ACCEPTED!”  So, what thoughts will run through your mind when that letter is in your hand?

1. 1. Is this real? Yep, you might have a moment of disbelief. Maybe your best friend is playing a real cruel joke on you.  You’ve waited for this moment for so long and it’s finally here.  Or is it? You’ll pinch yourself, slap yourself, and throw ice cold water on your face.  After all that, you’ll look down at the paper in your hand and see that it’s still there.
   2. THIS IS REAL! Naturally this thought will follow.  This is the moment when you realize you’ll likely become a doctor.   You’ll see an image of yourself in a white coat.  You’ll see yourself holding a patient’s hand.  You’ll see yourself teaching medical students.  Yep…THIS IS REAL!
   3. Am I ready? That nasty little guy named Mr. Doubt will try to sneak into your mind and steal your joy.  He’s going to try to lure you into the comparison game.  You’ll wonder what schools your classmates will come from.  What their MCAT scores will be.  Let me give you one piece of advice.  WHO CARES!!!  Forget about all that and just bask in the moment.
   4. When do I start? I get it, you’re excited.  After you’ve evicted Mr. Doubt from your brain, you’ll feel like you can take on the world and take it on now.  The excitement to be a doctor will be palpable and you’ll be skimming your letter and searching websites to find your start date.  Slow down buddy.  You’ll get plenty of medical school, just enjoy your last few weeks of freedom.
   5. Let’s celebrate! Now it’s time to start making those phone calls.  Call your mama, daddy, siblings, aunty, uncle, friends, teachers, pets….whoever you can reach and let them know.  Share the excitement with your loved ones.  Get a group of people together, and have a celebratory dinner.  You’ve done it!

Keep your eyes on the prize.  Being a premedical student is challenging, but when you get accepted, you’ll realize it was all worth it.  So, what thoughts do you think will (or did) go through your mind when you get your acceptance letter?

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