med·i·cine
/ˈmedəs(ə)n/

Medical school is like an all-you-can eat restaurant.

The idea struck me while in a daze after taking my final exam of first year. It's more relatable than the 'sipping-from-firehose' analogy - even if you've never worked in a kitchen before. 

Imagine training to be a Chef at a buffet worthy of Las Vegas, Nevada. One with a fancy hot butter dispenser at the seafood station when you walk in. Fresh bread galore. You've dreamed of this privilege for months after booking a non-refundable $1,000 deposit, but there's a caveat that makes you squirm. It's a standardized test on critical aspects of any dish every couple weeks. You'll even have to demonstrate how to make certain meals in under 4.5 minutes while the menu changes once a month for the next two years. That's when the real fun begins.

Okay, those last points seem personal but just remember - you want this!

I can only speak for myself and lived experience when offering anything that qualifies as advice. Put simply, stick to a strategy that works for you because everyone has different taste. I like to dodge the bread station at first and circle back to the salad when I'm about to burst from too much prime rib. Just remember that somehow there is always room for dessert no matter what. We could spend a lifetime looking for the perfect analogy, but I think you get the idea. Bon appétit and welcome to Medicine.

~mdc

May 26, '23