Why Students Across the World Chose to Study Medicine

Find out why a selection of medical students around the world, at various stages in their training decided to choose medicine. Through my instagram account I asked if anyone would like to share their response with me to be published on this blog. If you would like to feature your answer on this page then please send it to me by email.

Julia - Prospective First year Medical Student at The University of Warwick, UK

“I’ve known for a while that I wanted a career that is an important part of my life. I had basic criteria that it needs to involve working with people, make a difference to the world, allow me to always be studying, and have opportunities for research and education. With my music degree I considered becoming a performer, but with arts there is a big chance that, down to bad luck, your career can be unstimulating and unsatisfying. I realised medicine ticked all of the boxes - no matter what you do as a doctor, you can make your career an important factor in your life and it will always be challenging. I can make a difference while working with people and study interminably.”

Cara - First year Medical student at Cardiff University, UK

“I started to have an interest in medicine around the beginning of high school, so much so that my parents decided to send me to my local St. John Ambulance cadets. I really enjoyed learning first aid and it definitely started to confirm that medicine was what I wanted to do. In year 12 I started volunteering at a care home on a weekly basis, which gave me an insight into a caring role. I built up good relationships with some of the residents and really enjoyed visiting.

I enjoyed sciences throughout school and knew that I definitely wanted to pursue a scientific degree and career and potentially be involved in research in the future. It’s that mixture of being able to apply my scientific knowledge and care for people, as well as the variety of careers I could go into, that makes medicine so appealing to me, and so far medical school is even better than I could have anticipated.”

Yamamah - First year Medical student at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman

“When I was making my choices into which career path I should tackle , I looked at many options especially those that are science related which is what interested me. I found that in each degree, either the job would stagnate or there is lack of interaction. Then I looked at medicine which deemed the most appealing as it had both the people component and the field that wouldn’t stagnate . What’s more intriguing about medicine is that there is always something new to learn , exams to take (even once the degree is earned), new things to research and tasks to do!”

Teeba - Prospective First year Medical Student at Anglia Ruskin University, UK

“I know this may seem very cliché, but from a young age I did want to be a medic, to be a Doctor. This is not something I sought after myself but instead something that my Year One teacher had said to me. Obviously, at this young age I did not understand what it meant to be a Doctor but I understood that it is a role where you save people’s lives providing excellent care. This is something I loved the idea of, so from that age I always said “I want to be a Doctor when I am older”.

I started doing work experience to gain a further understanding when I was in Year 10. I started volunteering at a local medical practice, joined St John’s Ambulance and shadowed consultants at different hospitals. Little by little I was developing a genuine understanding to why being a Doctor really is the most rewarding career there is. Unfortunately, I underperformed in my A-Levels and led me to give up on the idea of getting into Medicine.

Unsure of what I wanted to do now as for such a long time I had thought Medicine was the only path for me, I chose to Biomedical Sciences at university. I had lost my passion during the first two years but then during my third year I studied and explored Blood Science and Cancers, both topics that made me appreciate the wonders of the human body.

During my second year of university, I was considering becoming a Physician’s Associate (PA). This is an incredibly new role in the UK but one with a lot of scope in the future. However, I was still unsure as I did not know if I could grow and take on the responsibility of my own patients over time.  During my course I was lucky to have some very well-established doctors lecturing us.

I was able to shadow them and one time I was even able to help produce part of a radiotherapy plan for a Prostate Cancer patient.  This sparked a passion in me to give Medicine another shot and with the support of my loved ones, I got through my third year.

I graduated from University, certain that Medicine is the only career I will truly be happy in, regardless of the additional time I would be in education for. It would be more than worth it.”

Sadhkia - First year Medical student at Queen’s University Belfast, UK

“"Why medicine?" It's a wonderful question that comes from interviewers and prospective students alike. Such a rewarding profession is equally (and sometimes even more so) demanding; so out of all the rewarding careers within someone's scope of interest why choose medicine? For me, I always knew that the field of science was my calling, but unlike many, I was unsure of what direction to take. While medicine was an option, it wasn't until I gained practical experience that it became my only option.

During the summer of grade 11, I travelled to Ghana to volunteer in hospitals, leprosy camps and within communities to learn and apply basic skills (blood pressure, dressing wounds, taking vitals).

While it was then that I understood the hard work, knowledge and grit that it took to become a doctor, it was also then when I realised how much I enjoyed it. I love learning and applying knowledge; I love every patient being different; and most importantly, I love making a difference and helping others.

Coming back from Ghana, I knew that I couldn't imagine myself doing anything else and I was excited to start my journey studying medicine. Unlike the other medical school applicants in my high school, I hadn't been preparing to apply for medicine for the past year(s). I was really scared that I wouldn't get in to any of my universities, but with a lot of hard work and dedication, I got in and am done with my first year.

So, to any medicine applicants reading this, you don't need to know what you want to study from the beginning, even with medicine, it's ok to figure it out later on as long as you work diligently and don't give up. I also encourage you to find work/volunteering experience where and when you can as it can give you a better idea as to what you may or may not be getting yourself into. Good luck to anyone applying for medicine!”

Marianne - Fourth year Medical student at Imperial College London, UK

“Throughout high school, I always found biology to be very interesting. Even quite young I loved science in general: working out things, discovering the world around you, understanding what things are made of and how they work… I was quite the dreamy type and wanted to be an astronomer, always looking at the stars. However, as I grew up I realised living things were really incredible and I became a lot more interesting in biology. The topics taught at school really helped and I had some amazing teachers! Including one who made us bake a cake in the shape of a cell to learn the organelles etc. The dream. 

However to be very honest apart from my love of science I didn’t really know where it would take me. In my family, there are many healthcare professionals, my mum and grandad are doctors, my grandmas nurses etc, so healthcare was an idea that was always there in the background. I didn’t want to rush into it because of my family, I wanted it to really come from me!

When I was 16 I chose to go on a volunteering trip to India with my school. This was focused on vision: an eye camp held for 4 days, where we saw more than a 1000 patients, screening for eye problems, giving out free prescription glasses. These could be life-changing for several of these people. For adults, losing their sight would mean losing their job, for children, having blurry vision meant never being able to go to school and staying in poverty. It was incredible how much a small thing could help them. I realised that helping people was something incredible and that’s when I had some sort of awakening. All my life I had to be helping others.

I realise writing this how naïve and idealised this whole seems. But that’s what goals are when you’re at that age, you want something incredible to work together and achieve and I had found my dream, my calling. Now that I am a 4th year, this flame hasn’t died. When I am tired of hours of lectures and studying, I remember those people in India, and all the others I will very hopefully be able to help one day, they are what I’m working for…”

Lydie, First year Medical student at Barts and the London, UK

“Studying child development in year 11 and learning more about babies got me thinking about a career in Paediatrics, however this wasn’t initially a serious desire and just something in the back of my head. I knew the first thing that would make me confirm the path I wanted to take was research and work experience.

I ensured that I checked eventbrite regularly for any events for aspiring medics that I could attend. Attending a National Medical Conference was the deal breaker that fuelled my desire to want to study Medicine further. Listening to doctors from different area’s of the medical field discuss their expertise was honestly fascinating paired with my passion and love for human biology. Working as a catering assistant and volunteering allowed me to discover about my self that I genuinely loved talking to people and meeting interesting people of all backgrounds. Knowing that this was something that i’d be able to continually experience as a Doctor kept promoting me towards Medicine. In addition to this participating in multiple work experience opportunities and the joy I had when imagining myself in the position of Doctors I was observing, confirmed for me that it is something that I’d lovingly do for the rest of my life confirmed for me that Medicine was a perfect career path for me.”

Hazal, First year Medical student at Barts and the London, UK

I always grew up saying I wanted to be a doctor but never really knew what this entailed. During my time at secondary school, I really enjoyed the science subjects, so knew I would go down that route, however, doing medicine is not just doing a science subject. It comes with so much more, which what was so appealing to me. The experiences I gained through doing work experience confirmed to me that I wanted to do medicine.

 One of my favourite experiences was when I was able to volunteer as a First Aid Cadet at the London Marathon. I was able to work alongside other cadets, doctors and physiotherapists to help athletes during their race. I felt as though I was a part of the team and was genuinely helping others - it was amazing! After following a friend’s advice, I was able to email a doctor that I met at a medical conference and gain some clinical work experience in a plastic surgery trauma clinic! I shadowed doctors for a whole week and learnt so much. The main thing I learnt was that being a doctor is not just fun and games, it is also really hard – long shifts, no breaks and hard work. However, this is something that never put me off; it almost motivated me. I wanted to get to a point where I could spend the whole day doing what I loved, no matter how tiring it was. Having a personal experience with healthcare and seeing how the multidisciplinary team came together to help me and my family inspired me so much. I aspire to provide the same care for others in the future, which is why I want to study medicine and be a doctor.

Charlotte, Fifth year Medical student at The University of Sheffield, UK

“Hi everyone. I’m Charlotte and i’m going into my 5th and final year of Medical School this September. When writing my Personal Statement and being asked by peers why I wanted to do Medicine I always found it tough to answer. Pretty much since a child I wanted to do it. But once I reflected on it and had some work experience in the field it made me realise that it’s not just a thought about wanting to do medicine but more of a passion.

I considered a career in optometry at one point. When I was 16 I was fortunate to volunteer at a Specialist Blind School in Pune, India. It was there where my interest in Public Health and Ophthalmology really started. I was shocked when I found out 80% of World Blindness was preventable, with causes such as trachoma and cataracts being leading causes of blindness in the school. It made me appreciate medicine is not just a job for curing people but also preventing disease. If healthcare was available to the children earlier then their sight loss could have been prevented. This allowed me to appreciate how rewarding a career in medicine could be and the positive impact I can have on my future patients but also the wider community through Public Health interventions.”

Arshad, Second year Medical student in Malaysia

“When I was kid, there were so many jobs that I thought about having and these ranged from policeman to paleontologist and even astronaut. It was like my head was spinning a roulette table full of options, but it finally stopped on medicine and this was with many factors going into this decision. I’m currently in my second year and I have probably been asked why I chose medicine over fifty times and yet I have never been able to give one consistent answer. If I had to boil it down to one single reason; as corny as it is, it would be the ability to help my patients. However, when I think of this, I don’t only think of this from a scientific aspect of treating people and their illnesses. As the late great Robin Williams so eloquently stated in Patch Adams: “You treat a disease, you win, you lose. You treat a person, I guarantee you, you’ll win, no matter what the outcome.” Helping patients and their family is ultimately a holistic task and is why medicine to me is equal parts art to it is science. There have been two instances of personal experience which greatly influenced my decision as well. The first tells the story of a doctor who trusted his own judgement and skills to make a decision that other doctors initially disagreed with. If he had not been able to convince my mother and other specialists of his findings, I would never have been born. My mother lost a baby a few years before my birth, and it looked like I was destined to go the same way, so experts suggested that my mother should not take that risk. Yet, this doctor developed a special interest in the case, and found positive signs that he could work with and he treated my mom with such warmth and care that she has never forgotten it even to this day. I am ever grateful to him and I wish to emulate him by being equipped with the expertise and calmness to make brave but informed choices under pressure like this doctor before me. The second instance happened to me when I was eleven when I lost my grandmother. This was the first time I had ever experienced a death of someone close to me. My grandmother was in the Intensive Care Unit for two weeks before her body had finally succumbed to all of the damage it had encountered. Those two weeks and the period of time shortly after her death were the most emotional time of my life and I wanted to dedicate the rest of my life to helping people so that they would not have to go through the pain of what I went through. I am about to finish my third semester and there has been a plethora of times when I would doubt myself and find myself prey to the infamous ‘Imposter Syndrome.’ I have had to deploy numerous strategies to try and always combat this feeling of being a fraud, and one that has always helped is to remember why I ultimately chose medicine and that has helped me push through no matter how bad I’m feeling.”

Chloe, Year 12 Aspiring Medical student

“Growing up, I’ve never thought about studying medicine at university until a couple of years ago where I ventured into looking at healthcare degrees. 

From childhood experiences, I’ve always been interested in the NHS and I have found learning about the human body an interest of mine. Medicine has attracted me in a different way to any other degree because it incorporates all the things which I love; human anatomy and communicating with people to only name two! Therefore, I would like to study medicine in the future because it’s a career which is so diverse and it covers an array of human anatomy. 

As an aspiring medic, I would love to study medicine because in the future, I would like to be able to prevent diseases in order to help people live healthier lives. I’ve seen for myself how medicine is evolving and it is an aspect of our lives which is unique to us all. I’m fascinated by how medicine is constantly changing so that we are able to prevent and cure the deadliest of diseases such as cancer and dementia. Prevention before cure always because if we prevent something from happening then we won’t need a cure to fix it. 

Putting the patient first is another passion of mine because the patient is key to medicine and everyone deserves an equal chance to gain access to treatment when needed. 

Medicine in my opinion is a way of life not a pay cheque.”

Vicky, Third year Medical student at The University of Leeds, UK

“One of the first small group teaching sessions I ever attended at Leeds focused on the question ‘Why Medicine’. It was an ice breaker exercise and I found it fascinating to listen to my peers talk about why they’d chosen the course; some told very personal and moving stories, whereas I felt my reason was seemingly mundane in comparison. I’ve learned to accept that everyone has their own motivations and it’s not a competition to have the deepest explanation as to why you want to be doctor. Now onto the reason why I am currently studying medicine a Leeds; I had always been interested in human biology at school and loved learning about how the body worked and consequently how it could go wrong. This interest spurred me on to pursue any opportunity related to human biology and I found myself doing a CREST project on antibiotic resistance and later on an EPQ on how bioinformatics and genetic sequencing could be used to develop treatments. Although I loved the research side of medicine, I couldn’t bear the thought of spending my university years and career in a lab or office. It was at the beginning of my A-levels, when I really started to consider medicine as the perfect way of combining my interest in medical research and a desire for patient interaction. Underlying all of the scientific reason and interest, I am motivated to make a difference to a patient’s life and want to be directly involved with their day-to-day care. It may not sound ground-breaking but I wanted to find a way to combine research with human contact.”

Justine - First year Dual Medicine and Law degree student at Southern Illinois University, US

“Since completing an internship at a coroner’s office, I’ve been fascinated by the intersection of medicine and law. Seeing how a medical diagnosis at autopsy could provide justice for someone no longer able to advocate for themselves was intensely rewarding. I am pursuing medicine in order to give a voice to those who do not have one, and to provide answers in the most confusing times. In addition, with a dual MD/JD degree, I hope to advocate for communities on a larger scale. Possessing both a medical and law degree means I can serve as a translator between the disciplines of medicine and law. With a law degree, I hope to inspire change at the policy level to lessen the number of preventable deaths.”

Kevin, Prospective First year Medical student at Barts and the London, UK

“Medicine is such a mind-blowing field to me. Often, when I sit down and think about it, I realize how incredible it is that humankind has come this far and is able to battle so many different diseases and conditions. At the same time there is still so much to discover and find out and I think the complexity of the human body just makes medicine so interesting to me.

Medicine allows me to become a scientist but also work with people and hopefully help others one day. I knew that I wanted something where I would work with people because I guess I am a pretty extroverted person. It probably sounds pretty clichéd when an aspiring medic says they love helping people but for me that is definitely true.

I grew up in an environment where certain people suffered from chronic illnesses and I guess that shaped me. Something that I did not mention in my personal statement is that I am a huge Grey's Anatomy fan. Yes, I know medical dramas are not what reality looks like but I think one thing they do portray quite accurately is the variety that comes with working in a medical field. There is so much to learn about and patients can present with so many different conditions and that makes no day like the other. That's why I've chosen medicine.”

Gwen, Second year Medical student at Cardiff University, UK

“I chose Medicine because I thought it was a perfect combination of my previous degree of Pharmacology, and personal family experiences of dementia and epilepsy! I’ve always wanted to make a difference to other people’s lives, be that through stem cell or blood donation, but also through projects in school and the community!  I also think we have a great opportunity to make a difference, and an insight into people’s lives and caring for them. I’ve always enjoyed team-working projects, especially hockey and really enjoyed my recent time at a kids’ camp! My mum and a few family friends are doctors and I’ve seen what benefits and drawbacks it has a career, so I have a realistic insight. I think Medicine is a great combination of all these things!”

Nirali, Second year Medical student at Plovdiv Medical University, Bulgaria

“I have always wanted to study Medicine from the age of 13. However it wasn’t until very recent where my decision was solidified. A close family member suffered a traumatic brain injury abroad in India. Once they discovered the brain bleed the patient was rushed into theatre for an operation. I remember sitting there in the waiting room and all I could feel was emotion; happiness, sadness, anger, grief and hope. I remember feeling overwhelmed as to whether this career choice was something I wanted and in that waiting room is where I decided yes, I want to be a doctor. What inspired me the most was knowing that somehow under all those emotions of sadness or happiness there was comfort that their loved ones would be taken care of. I want to be able to provide a sense of comfort to patients and their families.”

Inbar, Third year Medical student at King’s College London, UK

“There are lots of reasons to choose medicine as a career, and here are three of mine (though there are lots more!

As cheesy as it sounds, I really feel happy when I feel like I’m making a difference to patients. There is nothing quite like being able to tell a family good news - and of course, that naturally comes with the difficult times when you have to provide bad news, but you’re always able to be a source of hope and knowledge for your patients. Being able to comfort your patients in their time of need is the most incredible feeling and makes all the revision, stress and exams worth it tenfold.

You can entirely choose which direction your medicine journey will take - I know doctors who own record companies, work as firefighters and paramedics, partake in academic research, assist criminal investigations, travel with international sports teams, educate children and adults alike, lobby for political change and beyond! You don’t have to choose one role, and you can always gain experience in an entirely new area to which you can apply your skills. Truly a pick-and-mix approach is entirely an option - and I don’t think you can say that applies to every career!

Most importantly, medicine is a team sport - and being involved in our industry teaches you how to work in a team for a greater good. There’s nothing like it in the world - especially when your actions have collectively helped a patient. Medicine has this camaraderie affect - it’s a brotherhood, a sisterhood, and the friends you make at medical school you will have the rest of your life. Your senses of humour will turn darker and you’ll learn to cope with more than you imagined you could. It’s not a battle in the most literal sense of the word, but in metaphorical terms, medical school and being a doctor is a battle - and your team will always support you when you need them because they know how it feels to lose in those ways. Those celebrations and successes are so much sweeter when you’re together as a team in that achievement - and I love that aspect of being a doctor. It is integrity, and friendship, and science, and empathy. 

Am I too dramatic? Yes, but it’s all true - follow me at @imlearningmedicine to hear more of my dramatic musings, I’m sure they’ll be plenty of them!”

Avinindita, Fifth year Medical student at Bandung Islamic University, Indonesia

“Being a doctor is a respected profession and my family hasn’t had any doctors in our generations. My grandfather died from a heart attack in 1997, months before I was born. I grew up navigating that there are chronic health problems among my family: osteoarthritis, T2DM, and hypertension. I am well aware that my family needs a doctor. Besides, it’s a noble profession too. But is that the only answer? Can I make a change with that?

In 2015, when the time to really concentrate on the national exam came, I juggled between studying and preparing my group art exhibition. It was indeed, a time where I had doubts to choose medicine over art school resurfaced again and again. In the process of art-making, I stumbled upon a beautiful concept from Sigmund Freud about our subconsciousness and dreams manifestations. As I read and learned about it, I had a clarity that medicine comprises not only physical matters but also what is deep down someone’s heart.

As I went along until today, the fifth year of my training..what can I say is, although I had doubt at first and although I went through endless sleepless nights, sacrificing a portion of my youth, medicine is definitely for me. I am thankful for the science itself and it intersects with a lot of things in life: in art through medical illustration, in people’s skill and linguistics through communicating with patients, and in a spiritual way through a daily reminder to always be thankful in life and a reminder for an afterlife in hospital corridors. So I guess, answering the question on “Why Medicine?” or “Why do you choose to be a doctor?” seems like also an existential and spiritual journey for me.”

Chandni, Fourth year Medical student at Barts and the London, UK

“Medicine is a unique career. One of the best parts of medicine is being able to improve the quality of patient’s lives. This may not mean saving the patient but there is always something you can do to help, no matter how small that may seem. The role of a doctor is so diverse, and it is an amazing combination of lifelong learning and opportunities, whilst having a tangible impact on patients. Work experience and volunteering gives an invaluable insight into challenges experienced by healthcare professionals and key skills for doctors such as teamwork and communication. I would recommend having a look at the online work experiences offered by Observe GP and BSMS medical school and volunteering opportunities.”

Holly, Second year Medical student at The University of Birmingham

“Deciding to study medicine never really felt like a choice for me. I love science, the way the world and human body works fascinates me, and it was the only career I had ever seen myself having. Fast forward to Year 12 and I am very ill. I saw a lot of health care professionals, had inpatient stays, and most importantly saw a lot of awful doctors who were just horrible. They had no bedside manner and couldn’t explain things in a way that made sense to me, and just didn’t seem to understand how I was feeling at all.

When reflecting afterwards I realised I had found my motivation and drive to study medicine. I was going to be better; I was going to be the doctor I needed then. I know a lot about very niche illnesses because I don’t want to miss things, I want to help people reach diagnoses quicker than I reached mine. I want to make a positive difference to people’s lives when they are at their most vulnerable; and to do so I need to become the best doctor I can be.”

Celyn, Year 12 Aspiring Medical student

"To me, a career in medicine is the perfect combination of my love for science and my desire to truly make a difference in people’s lives. It offers an opportunity to develop compassionate care whilst working at the frontiers of scientific advances in a dynamic work environment. It is a great privilege to be responsible for someone’s health and wellbeing, and also humbling that a patient would put their trust in you.  

Although it is an incredibly challenging career, I don’t believe any other career provides quite as much fulfilment and satisfaction as you empower patients to make informed decisions regarding their health and wellbeing.

Gaining a place in medical school has been my aspiration for years, and will hopefully allow me to follow a prosperous career of lifelong learning, caring for others and contributing to one of our greatest assets, the NHS"

Chelsea, First year Medical student at Imperial College London, UK

“What were the odds that in my first year at university I’d be forced to study from home in order to help fight a virus that has caused so much havoc? Nobody would have guessed it. Whilst I am not on the front line helping my future colleagues (5 years away!), their bravery is a prominent reminder of the reason I chose to study medicine.

Being with a person in their most vulnerable moments is a privilege held by doctors and health care professionals alike. Being in a position to use science, knowledge and your own experience to make decisions that positively impact the lives of others – well, that’s one thing that makes doctors special. One day, I hope to use my position to be the difference in someone’s life. Until then, I’ll be studying and learning and preparing!”

Lorraine, First year Medical student at The University of Nottingham, UK

“I have been a patient many times and I’m in awe of the quick thinking and decision making under pressure that doctors have the ability to do. I wanted to have that level of responsibility, while combining my passion of science and education and using them to make a difference in people’s lives. I can’t think of a more rewarding job.”

Emilia, First year Medical student at The University of Leicester, UK

““Why medicine?” This is a question I still dread answering. A question I’ve ruminated upon with myself and other medics, their answers just as stilted as my own. Simply put, it is a bit like falling in love; “when you know, you know”. 
When discerning what to do with my life, there was no lightbulb moment for me. Starting from my early school years I loved science, solving problems and all things “gross”. Blood, guts and brains did not scare me like they did my friends or parents. In high school and in my first degree, it was affirmed that the lab life was not for me. I needed people. I needed chatter and deep conversations, and so naturally, medicine was a good fit.

The older I got the more I realised the world needs changing. For some time I thought I could contribute to that through the study of international relations (this being one half of my BSc) but medicine was still nagging at my heart. I wanted a job with technology, science, teamwork, focus, care, and a holistic approach to people- one where I could live my Christian faith every day. Ultimately, I wanted a vocation.”

Isabel, Third year Medical student at The University of Edinburgh, UK

I very nearly didn’t apply for medicine, almost opting for a career as a professional ballet dancer instead. I knew I wanted a career that was challenging, varied, and in which I would continue to learn indefinitely. Though both careers offered this, I soon realised that my interests and ambitions aligned more closely with medicine. 

 This realisation was greatly motivated by work experience in a local geriatric ward. I was humbled to see the immensely positive impact that the care team had on the patients; not just through their medical treatment, but also through their pastoral support and morale-boosting efforts. Importantly, the care team took time to learn from each patient, who, at their most vulnerable, placed their absolute trust in the team. I was attracted to this bidirectional relationship, by which all patients received expert, holistic care, but also by which doctors constantly learnt. From the placement alone, I greatly improved my medical knowledge, empathetic understanding and decision-making skills.

 I’m really excited to be able to work within the community, combining my love of biology and meeting people from all walks of life. Even if the differences I make are small, it’s wonderful to be a little cog in the grand scheme of running the NHS.

Zoe, Third year Medical student at St George’s, University of London, UK

I am one of those non-traditional medical students you hear about. I had no idea what I wanted my future to hold when choosing my A-levels or my degree. After changing my mind multiple times I chose to study maths which was something I was good at and enjoyed. While at university I went to a careers fair and several of the stands wanted to talk to me as a future maths graduate, but I wasn’t really interested in any of them. Except one. This one was advertising graduate entry medicine courses (amongst other grad study options) and the idea planted a seed. Medicine offered that wonderful compromise between studying science and working with people while at the same time not being an office job. The idea of using my (really quite fantastic) problem solving skills on solving peoples real life problems every day just seemed the perfect option.

By this point I had already met my husband-to-be so we decided to have our children first and then I could later study medicine without a break. There have been moments along that road where I have thought about doing other things, but nothing has lit a fire in me quite like graduate medicine did. Three kids and a few years of work in the NHS as an HCA later and here I am, one year away from working as a doctor. It’s a busy life, but I don’t regret it one bit.

Evie, First year Medical student at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, UK

I was your typical nerd-girl, I loved maths and sciences and excelled at both. So I always knew I wanted to go to university and pursue something science-y. When I was halfway through my A Levels at age 17 I started looking at Medicine because I love human anatomy and pathology. I think a small part of me just really wanted to be the British version of Elliott from Scrubs! I ended up not getting any offers and instead pursued a degree in Biomedical sciences. I graduated with Honours and started working in the charity sector, this is when I started wavering on whether to pursue Medicine at all. However, I still had that niggling feeling at the back of my brain, that feeling that this wasn’t quite for me, and I realised I still really wanted to do Medicine. I had developed some amazing skills which really helped me in my career to connect with people but, I missed the science element -  learning anatomy and seeing how body mechanisms work together. 

Ultimately, by choosing Medicine I was choosing a career I wanted which combined my love of communicating with people, sometimes in some of the worst and most difficult times of their life, with a commitment to lifelong learning and science. I have just finished my first year at Brighton and Sussex Medical School and I absolutely made the right decision.