Second thoughts and jitters

[gianefiasco]

I guess this is completely natural, but Im getting second thoughts about this whole Carribean medicine thing. the usual questions keep nagging me: should I reapply for canadian and american schools (im a canadian)? Should I apply to Ross and St. Geoprges because they are bigger and been around for longer?

I've already been through this so many times...and I feel confident in my choice of SABA. I am excited to get started and even writing this post I realize that my second thoughts are probably just nervousness about the unknown that medical school is right now. My flight leaves in a week...
AND ****** I am nervous.:shock:

[miasma]

don't be nervous. you must have full confidence in what you do. if you do feel saba is the right choice (like it is for myself), then just go for it and don't look back.

[gianefiasco]

don't be nervous. you must have full confidence in what you do. if you do feel saba is the right choice (like it is for myself), then just go for it and don't look back.

Yeah I agree. Its just someimes hard because there are so many nay sayers when it comes to studyin in the carribean. I guess a few bad schools have given all the schools a bad name etc.

I guess you are feeling/felt the same pressures I do as it realates to being a CAnadian graduate trying to get into an American system...or even trying to go back to Canada, ehich seems almost impossible.

[aframe]

I am a 3rd year med student who did my first two years at Saba. Knowing what I do now I probably would have tried one other choice before I went to Saba. I am also Canadian but the first choice of studying at home was slim since my GPA was 75%. However, I have found out that for applying for residency in Canada, people coming from Common wealth medical schools are allowed to apply for residency in the first round as opposed to IMGs outside of the common wealth countries which can enter the second round. As such I would have attempted to go to ie. Australia, New Zealand, England medical school among others. In addition UBC allows students from these schools to do 12 weeks of 4th year electives towards there Common wealth medical school education. So although Saba is not a bad choice in terms of education going to a foreign medical school outside of the common wealth schools presents with a few extra obstacles to overcome.

[bhs2a]

I have the same feelings about going to the Caribbean. I am in the States and sometimes I think that I should try harder to stay here but another part of me really thinks that I will be able to do anything from the caribbean that I would have if I went to school here in the states.
Except maybe the very hardest residencies. Which I probably couldn't get from a state school anyway.

just rambling.

[BTH]

Salutations:

Well, it's normal to be nervous when you are going to a new country and trying to become a physician. I was nervous before I came to Saba. Heck, I was nervous when I arrived ON Saba. I didn't know what to expect. However, after being here for 2 semesters already, I have more than become accustomed to the life here.

As far as education is concerned, we just had our shelf results for Physiology and our class scored above the national average! This simply means that we are definitely learning the correct material. Thus, I am confident that we will be prepared to take the USMLE when it comes time for it. Many students before us have taken the plunge and they have succeeded. We will to as long as we keep our goal in mind.

Relax, chill out, and congratulate yourself in making it this far. Ciao.

[gianefiasco]

Salutations:

Well, it's normal to be nervous when you are going to a new country and trying to become a physician. I was nervous before I came to Saba. Heck, I was nervous when I arrived ON Saba. I didn't know what to expect. However, after being here for 2 semesters already, I have more than become accustomed to the life here.

As far as education is concerned, we just had our shelf results for Physiology and our class scored above the national average! This simply means that we are definitely learning the correct material. Thus, I am confident that we will be prepared to take the USMLE when it comes time for it. Many students before us have taken the plunge and they have succeeded. We will to as long as we keep our goal in mind.

Relax, chill out, and congratulate yourself in making it this far. Ciao.

heh. great to hear and congrats on the physio scores!. I guess im just trying to vent a little of my nervousness and anxiety on this site. Im excited as hell but it seems like the more I try and relax by reading about residency, the USmle, visas etc. I just stress the hell outta myself LOL

[amyames]

heh. great to hear and congrats on the physio scores!. I guess im just trying to vent a little of my nervousness and anxiety on this site. Im excited as hell but it seems like the more I try and relax by reading about residency, the USmle, visas etc. I just stress the hell outta myself LOL


ha ha, I feel the same way, but after visiting Saba and talking to the students and the professors, I feel Saba provides a great eduation for being a Caribbean school. and in the end, getting a good education, even from the Caribbean, was my number one priority.


If going back to Canada is really what you desire then don't stress about finding the information that might let you do so. if you start the research now, you'll be in a much better position come your 5th semester. and lol, the research is there for you to be better educated, not for you to stress out about your decision, but you already know that...ha ha, you're just venting.


but hey, sometimes I think we need to take the plunge and just dive off that ledge, no matter what people think......and hey dont worry...all of us first termers are diving off the ledge with you, so you're not alone...we can do this and we can do it well to make our fellow Saba students and the school proud!

[psychMajor]

I think life without challenges would be not fun and not worth living!

I am also Canadian: I think Saba is a great choice, maybe even better in many ways:
-in both cases you are going away, but to a better weather
-you main education is the clinical years which is in hospitals with other u.s. medical schools
-remember, without caribbean school, you may never have become a doctor!

as I probably said before:

U.S/Canadian medical graduate ~ Caribbean medical graduate >> any other profession!

Keep your head-up, be proud of your decision, go in strong.....

Remember:
-many would die to be in your situation
-if you dont go in strong and confident, you are will have problems.

[miasma]

well said psychmajor.

[krust3]

i'm only nervous about getting my stuff (and my ****) down there and about getting sufficient loan money.

[McGillGrad]

The only thing you should be nervous about is crashing into the ocean on the flight there and being trapped in your chair because the seatbelt is locked in the closed position where you wonder what will get you first, the water, the smoke or the fire that is creeping ever so close to your sweaty brow.

[pinkdefish]

I am nervous about the loans, and money issues....other wise i am all good...looking forward to my long long last vacation

[gianefiasco]

The only thing you should be nervous about is crashing into the ocean on the flight there and being trapped in your chair because the seatbelt is locked in the closed position where you wonder what will get you first, the water, the smoke or the fire that is creeping ever so close to your sweaty brow.

lol thats awesome:p

[TheShriner]

I'm worried about puking on the ferry over on Saturday morning, and about how long it will take for the stuff that I'm getting shipped down to get there.
The other stuff, well that always manages to work itself out.

[aframe]

If you are getting stuff shipped down it can take up to a month. Better to bring it with you and if you are taking the ferry to the island they were not to stricted with luggage weight when I went to the island. Winair will charge you lots to bring ove 20kg over on the plan. Staff at the school set up a shipping service if you really must ship. Call the school to find out the company and rates. Items take about two weeks to come over via this route.

[hopeful786]

Hi,

I am a Canadian, Saban Student. Regarding your nervousness, its a good idea to vent your nervousness and cope with your fears. However, I would highly suggest you figure out what is really making you nervous, because don't expect to feel better once you have arrived on the island. What I mean by that is,
You will feel lonely, even if you are surrounded by all you classmates.
You will feel overwhelmed with the courseload.
You will feel like what have I gotten myself into.
You will see (hopefully not) your classmates change their mind and leave.
You will want to give up and go.
You will die to JUST finish the semester and go home for the breaks and have some real food. :)

So figure out right now what is really bothering you
(be it the Caribbean Medicine, What others will think, Doubt that you didn't try hard enough for Canada and US, Not enought money...etc)
and try to accept it. So by the time you leave you feel EXCITED. Because if you start out with a high energy perspective you will be able to survive all the mentioned above feelings. Mind you that was my experience, many are able to adapt well.
Most importantly don't loose focus on your ULTIMATE GOAL when you are studying, you want to TREAT YOUR PATIENT to the best of your abilities. Not so that you can ace your exams(that helps though), Not so that you can get in to the residency of your choice, Not so that you can outshine your classmates, Not so that you can go back to Canada, Not so that you can make 6 figures right away, Not so that you can become well renowned, Not so that you can marry a trophy wife, Not so that you can live it large after medschool(because it doesn't get easier)... you get the idea.

If you believe in a higher power, that will most likely be your greatest source of comfort.

Anyways, have a good trip over, and force yourself to breath when you get nervous, works for me all the time.

[miasma]

thanks for the great advice hopeful, it helps a lot. i start this sept, i'm not nervous yet...

[gianefiasco]

Hi,

I am a Canadian, Saban Student. Regarding your nervousness, its a good idea to vent your nervousness and cope with your fears. However, I would highly suggest you figure out what is really making you nervous, because don't expect to feel better once you have arrived on the island. What I mean by that is,
You will feel lonely, even if you are surrounded by all you classmates.
You will feel overwhelmed with the courseload.
You will feel like what have I gotten myself into.
You will see (hopefully not) your classmates change their mind and leave.
You will want to give up and go.
You will die to JUST finish the semester and go home for the breaks and have some real food. :)

So figure out right now what is really bothering you
(be it the Caribbean Medicine, What others will think, Doubt that you didn't try hard enough for Canada and US, Not enought money...etc)
and try to accept it. So by the time you leave you feel EXCITED. Because if you start out with a high energy perspective you will be able to survive all the mentioned above feelings. Mind you that was my experience, many are able to adapt well.
Most importantly don't loose focus on your ULTIMATE GOAL when you are studying, you want to TREAT YOUR PATIENT to the best of your abilities. Not so that you can ace your exams(that helps though), Not so that you can get in to the residency of your choice, Not so that you can outshine your classmates, Not so that you can go back to Canada, Not so that you can make 6 figures right away, Not so that you can become well renowned, Not so that you can marry a trophy wife, Not so that you can live it large after medschool(because it doesn't get easier)... you get the idea.

If you believe in a higher power, that will most likely be your greatest source of comfort.

Anyways, have a good trip over, and force yourself to breath when you get nervous, works for me all the time.

hey great advice and tips.

I really took the time and sat down and talked with 2 freinds about everything I was thinkin/feeling and it was awesome. NOW I am so excited to get started its unreal!! I think to anyone habing doubts second thoughts...just say them all out loud to a freind/family member and get it off your chest.....

what i realized was a lot of the stuff I was stressing about was unreasonable..The only real concern thats important is becoming the best doctor I can be for my patients. And nothing can stop me from becoming that but me!!!!:p