If you’re considering pursuing a career in medicine, you’ve probably spent some time envisioning what medical school and the life of a doctor are like. To help answer some questions you might have about the process of earning a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree and becoming a doctor, we asked a few physicians to share some of the surprises they experienced in medical school and beyond.

8 surprising aspects about the road to becoming a doctor

You already know that the path to launching a career in medicine is rigorous. But there are certain aspects about that journey that you just can’t understand until you experience them. Consider this a sneak peek at the road ahead as these medical school graduates reveal what surprised them most.

1. Being a medical student is as much work as a full-time job

While some pre-med students are accustomed to balancing a part-time job with their studies, it’s in your best interest to focus fully on your education as a medical student. “The fact that I was no longer able to maintain employment due to how rigorous medical school is was a total surprise to me,” says Dr. Jenya Kaminski, a St. George’s University (SGU) graduate and emergency medicine resident physician.

The good news for students who attend SGU is that they’re able to access various forms of support through regular features of the MD program’s curriculum, such as themed office hours and small group sessions. Other student support services are also available.

“Having the combination of those small groups outside of lectures as well as all the other resources that were available were the things I found most helpful during my time as a student,” Dr. Kaminski reflects.

2. You’ll gain perspective while pursuing a career in medicine

Effectively treating patients from all different backgrounds is an important part of pursuing a career in medicine. Med students who attend an institution that’s committed to promoting diversity in health care may have an advantage in this area.

Dr. Jeremiah Madedor, an internal medicine resident physician at Spectrum Health and SGU graduate, mentions that he met students from all over the world while attending medical school. “You meet these diverse people, and they change your outlook in life and how you see things,” he says. “And that’s really important for your patients.” In fact, research continues to show that a diverse health care workforce leads to better patient outcomes.

3. You have to weigh numerous factors when choosing a specialty

Pursuing a field you’re passionate about is essential, but you also need to think about where you see yourself as a physician, what type of schedule you prefer, and whether you have other responsibilities to take into account. Dr. Kaminski points out that pursuing a time-intensive surgical specialty, for instance, might not make sense for someone who has children.

“What lifestyle really suits you, and what’s important to you? Ultimately, it’s a very personal decision,” she points out. Dr. Kaminski also notes that contacting SGU graduates to hear their perspectives on what they like about their specialties was incredibly helpful as she was deciding whether emergency medicine was right for her.

4. You’ll grow and strengthen meaningful relationships

Even the most focused student is bound to make lifelong friends in medical school and during their residency. There’s something about the shared experience of studying for licensing exams, completing clinical rotations, and simply going through medical residency that encourages students to form meaningful connections.

“I matched with an awesome group of people,” Dr. Kaminski says. “They all come from very different places, but we all have the same goals and similar values.”

For SGU students, the Grenada campus experience in Caribbean helps deepen relationships among classmates. Dr. Madedor loved everything from the food to the culture on the island.

“I’m hoping to go back to Grenada sometime in the future with my friends because it’s an amazing place,” he reflects.

5. You’ll discover you’re capable of more than you thought possible

Nearly every pre-med student recognizes that medical school will be challenging. The surprising element, however, is realizing that you’re able to continue pushing yourself when it feels as though you can’t learn any more.

“It pushes you to limits that normally would cause other people to break or quit and then tells you after you reach those limits to keep going,” Dr. Madedor explains.

6. You’ll become an even better student after medical school

A career in medicine is a great choice for those who enjoy constantly learning new things. In fact, medical school is really just the beginning of what will be a lifelong education. “Looking back on my notes during third and fourth year, they can’t really even compare to my notes now,” Dr. Madedor says. This is significant because there’s more at stake once you’re a resident.

“Your responsibilities as a resident compared to your responsibilities as a student are tenfold,” Dr. Kaminski says. “And it’s tangible because you’re now signing orders and prescriptions. You’re under supervision, but nonetheless, you’re the one making those choices and clinical judgments.”

7. Friends and family might start to come to you for advice

One of the most noticeable shifts that occurs once you begin life as a doctor is that loved ones will likely come to you for medical advice. Family members who never before thought to ask your opinion on whether they should seek treatment for something could now find your perspective to be invaluable.

“You definitely take on more of an educator role in a way because they now view you as an expert in the field,” Dr. Kaminski notes.

8. Being a good person is as important as being a good doctor

Having excellent coordination, an eye for details, and impeccable time management abilities are all essential physician skills. Great technical abilities will only get you so far, though.

Ultimately, it’s the way that you’re able to empathize with and comfort patients that really matters. Some of the most effective medical practitioners are those who, in addition to possessing excellent technical abilities, are skilled at interpersonal communication, practice active listening, and advocate fiercely for their patients, addressing them with care and respect.

Launch your career in medicine with confidence

This behind-the-scenes look at pursuing a career in medicine can be valuable in helping you determine whether becoming a physician is the right path for you. While the journey is filled with challenges, those who make it through are able to experience the numerous rewards that come with practicing medicine.

Learn more about the inspiring reasons so many physicians pursue this career path in our article “Why Become a Doctor? MDs Share What They Love Most About Their Careers.”

*This article was originally published in December 2017. It has since been updated to reflect information relevant to 2023.