Failure does not equate to inadequacy. This is something we need to ingrain in every pre-med student’s head.
But it’s only a failure/mistake if you didn’t learn or obtain anything from the experience. Failure does not equate to inadequacy. This is something we need to ingrain in every pre-med student’s head. I try to refrain from using the words mistake or failure because in reality if you took the time to reflect on it afterward and then took the necessary measures to change the outcome for future events, mistakes turn into ‘learning opportunities.’
I looked at that 45% and admittedly came very close to abandoning my dream.
I kid you not, I specifically remember calling my mother afterward and telling her that her son, the first in his immediate family to go to college, may not be cut out to be a doctor and that hurt. However, with time I thankfully got motivated and took that 45 % and did everything I could to change my predetermined trajectory. To prepare for the next exam, I sought out free tutoring services on campus, I spent countless hours in my professor’s office, I joined study groups, stayed in on weekends and also reached out to upperclassmen who conquered the course prior to me. That 45% of subjective failure on my first exam turned into a 94% glimmer of hope on my second. I’m no genius at all, but rather just zealous, motivated and strong-willed. Here I am now, blessed to have the opportunity to represent one of the top 10 medical schools in the nation with my dreams closer in sight.
For more information on this medical student’s bright future, click here.