Hey there folks! I'm seriously considering going pre-med after graduation. Can any current or former pre-med students share their experiences? Like what does your day typically look like? What are the best and worst parts, and what kind of extracurricular activities are helpful for a pre-med student?
Hello! Navigating the pre-med track is definitely a demanding and fulfilling experience. To give you a sense of a day in the life, you'll typically have a mix of science lectures and labs: biology, chemistry, physics, and the like. Many pre-med students also take part in humanities or social science courses to meet prerequisite requirements and to gain more breadth in their education.
A typical day usually consists of attending classes, self-studying or working on lab reports in the library, participating in extracurricular activities directly related to health (such as volunteering at a nearby hospital or leading a health-related club on campus), and possibly working in a lab or participating in a research project. Evenings might be spent studying, participating in club meetings or events, or engaging in some much-needed relaxation and self-care - balance is key!
The best part? For many, it’s getting to learn so much about the human body and medical science. Also, the steps along the pre-med journey offer some unique opportunities; your involvement in relevant extracurriculars and lab work can provide priceless hands-on exposure to the medical field.
On the flip side, pre-med can be very stressful. The classes can be tough, there's a high level of competition among students, and the pressure to maintain a high GPA for medical school admissions can be intense.
As for extracurriculars, it's all about diving deep into what you are passionate about. In particular, activities that display leadership, teamwork, and dedication to the healthcare field are crucial. It might mean being a part of a research project, volunteering at a local hospital or clinic, joining or leading a pre-med or health-related club, or more. And remember, while healthcare-related activities are important, medical schools also want to see your interests outside of medicine, so continue pursuing hobbies you enjoy!
Overall, being a pre-med student demands a lot of work and dedication, but the reward of pursuing a career in medicine can certainly be worth it.
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