mrzhafar Posted April 14, 2008 Report Share Posted April 14, 2008 Hi! I am looking for advice in regards to what to do in the near future. I am not dead set on applying to med school, but I do want to widen my horizons, as considering the circumstances that I'm in, I feel like my future is continually getting dimmer until, I'm afraid, that it will be wiped away in pitch black. I am redoing my first two years of my undergrad because I have been depressed in a sense that I let my irrationality and emotions got the hold of me. I withdrew from all my first year classes, and during this academic year (my second year), I have stopped going to three of my five classes, and will undoubtedly get F's on my transcript. I am currently trying to petition to retroactively redo these aforementioned classes. I have wasted plenty of time, and plenty of money, and I have been oblivious to the severity of the situation that I've been. In addition to becoming depressed, I have been getting disillusioned with what I wanted to pursue: English and Philosophy. Prior to coming to university, I had the energy, enthusiasm, the intelligence and the skills to pursue what I was passionate about. But stress, personal issues, breakdown of familial and relationships have rather got in the way. I have been suffering from anxiety all my life, and since starting university, that anxiety have almost become an intrinsic nature of me, not as a condition that one ought to fight against. Among the reasons why I am getting disillusioned is because of the subjectivity of the classes, and the rather vain and trivial pursuit of all things that, at the end of the day, seem to be empty and nonsensical to the overall mankind. Nowadays, I am inclined to help other people, make a difference and do anything that does not involve around me. I have been thinking of switching to major in the Life Sciences. I go to UofT, and I am aware of the competitive and cut-throat nature in pursuing a degree in any Life Sciences programs. But my friends have said that the grass isn't definitely greener on the other side. But I am longing for concrete facts and figures, objectives that are easily applicable without the need to resort to meandering and erudite discourses, which can be dangerous, especially for me, who daydreams a lot. The only problem with the idea of switching to, let's say, Biology or Chemistry, is that I don't have any Grade 11 nor Grade 12 high school credits that will serve as prerequisites. So, I'm going to have to start from the scratch and might go back to high school (an idea that is shameful and terrifying in its self, considering that I'm almost in my mid 20s), but if it comes to that, I will go back and take them. So I guess here are some of my questions: 1.) Should I stick to what I'm studying right now, and concentrate on being the best that I can be? I am not completely disillusioned to a point that I am sick of what I'm studying (I will always love writing and reading), but I am terribly worried about how this is going to lead me in the near future. I cannot help but think about becoming a "starving artist", which used to sound romantic back then, but now reality is finally sinking in. How competitive is a B.A. in English and Philosophy be in applying to med school? There is a Specialist program that I'm interested in getting in (which is a double major in English and Philosophy but w/ more flexibility) at UofT, but that will lead to a lack of time in volunteering or participating in extracurricular activities. Should I just major in one program? Or, again, should I even major in the Humanities? I know it should not matter, but how likely is it to be successful in being accepted to med school? 2.) I am not limiting myself to med school since I'm so hopeless and lost nowadays in regards to what I want to do. The fact that I am depressed (at this moment, I am seeking other naturalistic alternatives as I am now staying away from any anti-depressants) hinders my chances at being a emotionally, mentally and physically able individual to help other people. I am also thinking about Nursing or going to Pharmacy school. I haven't talked to any academic advisor especially in terms of how to take any Science classes at university when one does not have any high school prerequisites. Any one who have been or are currently in the same position that I'm in who can give me advice in where to start, please kindly help? I would really appreciate it. I know I can make an appointment to see an advisor, but I don't want to make a fool of myself. 3.) Although one might say that my interest in going to med school, or going to any field in Medicine and Health, seems superficial and shallow in its arbitrary nature, and I don't take any offense, as I do admit, at this moment, my wanting to explore this possibility is rooted in the idea in wanting prove to other people that I can stick to something without easily giving up. Plus, I am guilty in not taking any opportunity to study in anything Science-related, which goes back to high school, because I have been selfish in wanting to pursue what I've thought I was born to pursue, which has been proven wrong to me in a way, as I cannot even cope to write a 4 page essay because I let my personal life get in a way. Nevertheless, whatever the reason, I think that I should try to pursue it, at least, because I am growing older and I haven't really accomplished anything substantial and meaningful. By virtue of trying and then failing at it, then I would be deserving of being called a dreamer or a child, but for now, I think that I should be given a chance, even though in the eyes of other people, I am taking another opportunity to screw up again. What do any of you think should I do? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for any responses! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaiva Posted April 14, 2008 Report Share Posted April 14, 2008 Hi, I can't really tell you what to do or not to do. But here are some other options hat you can consider if you really want to do medicine. Go to Europe!! A lot of Eastern Europe countries or even Middle Europe countries offers programs in english. It is easier to get in and you will do all your chem. physics, bio, math, and other sciences during your first year. I am also 23, and want to do medicine but have a terrible GPA. I will kill it these next to years since Queens and Western U looks at your best 2 years...I think you need to graduate though. (people correct me if I'm wrong). But there are SOOOO many other opportunities to do medicine and be a good doctor ( not only in North America doctors are good, and I remind you that almost 1/3 of doctors in the USA are foreigners). Countries like Croatia, Hungary, Latvia, offers english programs and people from ALL around the world goes there ( a lot from the croatian community of Canada). There is no prerequisites at all to be accepted in France....but only 20% goes to 2nd year....it's kind of a competition over there..you don't only need to pass the year ...you need to be better than teh other students. Also, it is FREE there.... It only problems are money and recognition and time. It will cost you money and financial institutions from there won't lend you the money.....Forget the loans from there...and it will be difficult to get one from here. But technically it is cheaper than universities here.... but ...no loans. Also, you will have problems if you want to come back as a doctor..... A lot of bureaucracy to do.....but it is possible. Also, there is still the option of staying there.... Let say you graduate in Latvia or Hungary or Czech Rep. for instance, you can go to england, Ireland, Scotland or any country of the EU after without almost any problems and work as a doctor (European Union)... The english program of the med school of Zagreb in croatia seems Very interesting since it's new and it prepares you to pass the exams for USA... Professors from Harvard started that program few years ago... Medicine there is 6 years, and 3 yers of residency for family medicine.... Good luck !!! ps: here is a page from a french forum about it: http://forums.remede.org/etudes_a_l_etranger_et_humanitaire/sujet_30982.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futuredoc Posted April 14, 2008 Report Share Posted April 14, 2008 Ok, the first thing to do is to take a deep breath and relax. Twenty-three is not too late by any means, so when it comes to time you are alright. The second thing to do is to consider your options. I'm not trying to discourage you from anything, but you need to sit down and figure out what you want in life. Take into consideration everything in life: relationships, academic ability/drive, resources and anything else you can think of. When you finish read the rest of this post: 1) No matter what you decide to do, you must be able to love it. I don't know your complete situation, but I would recommend taking a break before deciding that you want to change majors. Sometimes exhaustion can make people make poor judgments. 2) If after that rest you choose that now is the time to make changes in your life, make a plan on how to get there. Examine it thoroughly, and do research to make sure you don't have to take on any huge surprises on the way. Most of all, remember to accommodate "you time". It has saved me a few times this year alone, so make it a priority. 3)If your plan involves you returning to high school to upgrade courses, do not regard this as shameful. Returning to high school to achieve your dreams is honourable (you have my respect most definitely). It takes guts to take a step back and most people lack that courage. Use this time to the max (by your post I know you will). 4)If you do indeed change your program, start fresh. Do not go to a competitive, cut-throat school. Try a smaller school, like Dalhousie, MUN, Saskatchewan(?) that does not use scaled grades (= less stress). As I said in the third post, do not be afraid to take a step back. 5)Seek help when needed. Everybody needs it sometimes. That is all I can think of right now. Feel free to PM me (or post here) if you have anymore questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blinknoodle Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 Hey there, It sounds like you have a lot going on in your life. I would try not to make any huge decisions until you think you can assess the situation properly. You mentioned you might be depressed and anxious, so I recommend talking with a health care professional you trust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ftcnt Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 Take some time to think about your options and where you want to go with your life in terms of not only your career but your well-being. Talk to your family, friends and those that you trust and they can offer you insight and sound advice. I believe once you have a firm grounding and belief in yourself, you can start venturing down different career paths. I hope my 2 cents are helpful. good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7kkww Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 Hi there, I have gone through a time of depression in university myself and I know how frightening it can be to see your grades slip and not feel motivated enough to do anything about it. Please go and seek professional help--a family doctor should be able to get you a referral. There should also be a student counselling centre or some kind of student health centre where there are counsellors available to help you. It is not shameful to admit you need help. Secondly, about going back to high school. There are adult high schools (check out City Adult Learning Centre on 1 Danforth) where almost everyone is 25+ and working on either completing their high school diploma or else working on upgrading previous high school credits. The learning environment would probably be a mix between what you have at a university and a high school--people are motivated because they know they don't have time to fool around anymore and the classes are smaller (40+ people). The teachers are specifically trained in adult education and won't treat you like a teenager. I think if you are depressed and uncertain what to do, it may be best to take a break from university life for a semester. Perhaps you could speak to the admissions office and see if they can drop the failures from your transcript due to extraneous circumstances. Until you are pretty certain you want to head down the long road to med school, I would put that on hold until you get your life back together and feel confident that health sciences is what you want and are interested in. In terms of the competitiveness of life sci, I think that is a reality I faced too and I wasn't even directly in the program. I was a biology major but took many of the first year courses with life sci students who were often very anxious about marks...I didn't want to be in that kind of atmosphere and am happy that I graduated with my degree in biology and english. Perhaps a mix of both arts and science is what will suit you best...just a suggestion... Anyhow, feel free to PM me if you have any other questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Cave Posted April 16, 2008 Report Share Posted April 16, 2008 Well maybe this will lift your spirits. I started medicine at 35 so even if you took 10 years to get your sh1t together you'd still be ahead of me I found something that has helped me out if I ever feel low is perspective. Go volunteer with those less fortunate, homeless, addicts, third world poor etc., then if you ever start feeling sorry for yourself you can give your head a shake and realize what opportunities you have and how good you really have it. Still, it sounds like you still need medical help for your depression. As far as life science being cutthroat - my undergrad experience (Bio) could not have been further from this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FockI'mOld! Posted April 16, 2008 Report Share Posted April 16, 2008 Hang in there buddy. I'm also 23 and I went through a phase of depression/anxiety for about 3 years where I saw my CGPA plummet from 3.85 to 3.3. I'm afraid I don't have any wise advice for ya since I'm in a bit of a hole myself but feel free to PM me and we could probably talk more about this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kineluv Posted April 18, 2008 Report Share Posted April 18, 2008 Wow, some parts of your text make me feel like I wrote it myself. I should have read before I opened my thread, who knows maybe people will have different advice. Good Luck figuring it out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PuzzleMaster Posted May 29, 2008 Report Share Posted May 29, 2008 I'm in the same boat as maddiedoc. I started an undergrad naiively in Music immediately after high school, following the advice: "do what you love". I wasn't at the top of my class and couldn't help but feel a little worthless, not to mention lost in epistemology. Unfortunately, all those hours spent in a choir led to a severe case of mononucleosis and then depression and the atrophy of my craft. UGH I don't even want to think about it!! So now I am 23, my brother is in his residency and I'm going into Practical Nursing at a college. I'm getting a head start by looking at my brother's anatomy books and I have found that I greatly relish in studying and memorizing the details of the book. So, maybe I'll go back to University and get a second degree, become a neurosurgeon when I'm 50?... I can't help but feel like it's so bleak! I've been trying to stay out of debt because I'm from a University town. But the truth is that I find the study of Anatomy intrinsically appealing. - to RPN/LPN = 2 years - to RN = 3 years - to save money for undergrad = #? years - undergrad + residency = 8 years - specialization (brain surgery looks like fun) = #? years I'm so scared of debt... To add, I took Effexor XR, and I subsequently had a lucid dream! It's wonderful to consider how far medicine has progressed... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
123coco Posted June 23, 2008 Report Share Posted June 23, 2008 My advice if you choose to return to university in canada is: go to a small university...you'll get sooo much personal attention from your profs and most students out there are really young and aren't in school for out of their own will but as an expectation from society and their family-hence they're not competitive. You can do soooo well at a small univeristy...I transferred from U of T to lakehead (you don't have to go that far) became soo focused knowing that this was my second time around and sooo much $$$ and am doing exceptionally well. In terms of going back to hig-school to get the pre-req to do life sciences courses...honestly....just focus on getting bio and chemistry and in university just take the courses that you need to get into to medical school...no med school in ontario ask your for calculus or physics so no worries there but be aware that the MCAT has a physics section. But I think the most important thing you could do for yourself right now is get help....and resolve your issues...and then.... tackle school like your life depended on it ________ VOLVO B18 ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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