Rerouting

It’s always such a pain when the GPS voice says, “Rerouting”. I think to myself, “How did I miss my turn?” I’ve come to realize that the road to medicine is a lot like that. You put in your starting and ending destinations and hope for smooth sailing. However, the trip is rarely that easy for anyone. There is traffic and sometimes road closures. The road closures are the things that will have you believe your trip is completely over. I’m here to tell you it’s not.

I had a meeting a couple of months back with an advisor about the medical schools I’m interested in. We talked and he looked at my transcript and bluntly said, “Not this year, you don’t need to apply”. He told me I needed to look into formal post-bacc programs and it would be at least two years before I should realistically apply. I took it well and then a few days later, I really processed it. I sat at dinner with my husband and cried, thinking how my dream keeps slipping further away. My husband encouraged me and told me that if this is what the next steps are, I need to get to it. The unwavering support of my husband is my sounding board, even when I am stubborn.

I graduated with a degree in communications in 2011 and have been going back to school to take the prerequisite science courses. I thought I’d be ready to apply this cycle, so having to take an extra two years before applying truly seems like a setback. However, because I am growing in my faith daily I have been coming to terms. Some days are a struggle and others are breeze, but I have to remain focused. The thought of starting my career in my late 30s, when I would finish and actually start practicing, is not favorable, but so what? I can’t limit myself with time and society’s rules because I only have one life to live. I need to follow the directions of my own GPS, it will never lead me astray.

To keep me motivated, I have written out affirmations on sticky notes and they hang on my mirror in bathroom, so I read and recite them in times of need for self-affirmation. My favorite is a quote I found by Misty Copeland, “The path to your success isn’t as fixed and inflexible as you think”. Remembering that has helped me press on.

The biggest road block has been trying map out my whole trip, because if a semester doesn’t go as planned I get frustrated. What I have started doing now is taking it one semester at a time. Now I have to start with a new map that includes the Special Master’s Program because it’s the road to go down in order to remodel my academic record. It’s not how I planned for things to go, but I know in the end it will be a testimony for the next woman out there balancing being a mother, working, and taking classes so that she can come a doctor.

I say to students out there that needs a bit of encouragement, just keep following your GPS and if you happen to be rerouted, take it in stride and know the alternate route will still get you to your final destination.