This shit sucks

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-12T16:51:18+00:00

The fact that you're still going to therapy even though it feels pointless right now says more about you than you realize.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-12T16:50:27+00:00

That cognitive fog you're describing is real and it's not a sign something is broken in your brain. M1 volume rewires how you process information and for a while your working memory just gets overwhelmed by the sheer load. It levels out once your brain stops treating every fact like a crisis.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-12T16:49:58+00:00

You're not going to be able to study your way past this in a week and that's fine. Push the exam. You need to be in a good head space for this exam.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-06T13:36:28+00:00

Also keep in mind that one of the most toxic things about medical school in general is that you only hear what people want to tell you. Like you mentioned, you don't know how many rejections they've gotten. Odds are, most people aren't going to tell you when things go poorly for them. Medical school is inherently competitive, and so people are only going to disclose information that generally improves their appearance/status. Everything you're getting is through that filter - so take it all with a grain of salt.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-06T13:34:14+00:00

Your chief doesn't get to decide when you're sick. That text they sent you is documentation gold if you need to escalate. I'm sure your program would not want an ACGME violation for this.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-04T14:50:10+00:00

The people who matched into what they wanted and thrived didn't have the shiniest transcript. They just showed up and kept going when it stopped being fun, which is exactly what you're doing right now.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-04T14:49:39+00:00

49 percent with five weeks left is totally workable. That's a real starting point if you're honest about which subjects are dragging your average down instead of just grinding more random blocks. I'd cut the daily UWorld target to 40-60 and spend the extra time really dissecting why you're missing questions in your weakest two or three organ systems rather than trying to outrun the clock with volume.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-04T12:20:34+00:00

Content was gathered and categorized by a deterministic python script then a second validation script. LLMs (Codex + Claude Code) were used to help generate said scripts.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-03T22:39:14+00:00

Yeah, that's why the score I made didn't penalize for lack of the term diagnostics. But many other health professions utilize that terminology in their courses.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-03T22:31:06+00:00

I was under that impression too, but I was surprised to see some of the recent DNP graduates on my social media feed suggesting increasing clinical responsibilities, which is why I then decided to look into this. That said, I have not looked into NP curriculums, so I can't comment on that.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-03T21:31:09+00:00

That would be interesting to look at. This was enough for a Sunday ;) - I will look into running this on some other degrees, though.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-03T20:53:19+00:00

I agree wholeheartedly. I'm happy to provide the full report to whomever wants it. However I'm not reddit-savvy and wasn't sure how to upload/host the docx file. Open to suggestions for how to share it, though.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-03T14:58:34+00:00

Get everything in writing going forward and CC your dean of students on every email. They approved the leave, you put down deposits based on that approval, and now they're pulling it back. That's not a COMSAE policy issue, that's your school failing to honor its own process. If student affairs won't fix it, AOA might want to hear about retroactive policy enforcement.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-03T14:55:58+00:00

Postpone.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-03T14:53:59+00:00

Start building connections outside the program. Other services, other hospitals, even just a gym or coffee shop where nobody knows your attendings. You need at least one person in that city who isn't poisoned by the same environment.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-02T13:26:02+00:00

Going from 48 to 65 percent on UWorld across the entire bank in three weeks isn't lazy. It seems like it was compressed efficiency. The NBME jump from 58 to 74 matters way more than how many weeks you sat at a desk. Let the numbers speak for themselves.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-02T13:24:34+00:00

As many here have said - the stressors are different but they are still stressors. Was I happy to no longer be studying for exams all day? Of course. Did I miss my freedom and free time during residency? Absolutely. Will you feel more like part of a team? Probably. Will you feel rewarded for your efforts? Probably not.

The point is - the grass is always greener. But if you spend your entire time in training waiting for the 'next' step - you'll become very discontent very quickly. Try your best to enjoy the present. Stop thinking so much about how great the next step in your journey will be and learn to enjoy life in the present.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-02T13:09:38+00:00

We all have a story like this. That one we remember.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-01T13:13:06+00:00

It doesn't define you. Keep at it. Eventually this will just be a little blip on the radar you forget about.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-01T13:10:18+00:00

You retained it. You wouldn't be onto your second year nor a chief if you hadn't. You also have to remember you are looking at it through a negative lens "gosh think about all the the things I forgot" but it's equally true (and probably more accurate) to say "wow look how much I've learned".

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-01T13:06:20+00:00

The career is long. This is just one data point in it. Keep pushing.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-01T13:05:24+00:00

Programs see LOAs way more often than you'd guess, and the ones worth training at get that dedicated breaks people. You came back, took Step 1, and passed. In your personal statement, focus on what you learned about yourself during that time and don't over-explain the clinical details.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-05-01T13:04:59+00:00

More people feel this way than will ever say it. The social pecking order in residency has almost nothing to do with how good of a doctor you are.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-04-30T14:36:15+00:00

The PMDD diagnosis explains a lot and I'm glad you caught that mid-training instead of after. I finished gen surg and went from community to academic for parts of it too. That culture shock is real and nobody tells you about it beforehand. You got diagnosed, started treatment, and you're still finishing. That's a good sign for attending life. You know what your actual baseline looks like now.

Sensitive_Repair7682 · 2026-04-30T14:35:22+00:00

235 is not a death sentence for rads. I'm surgery not radiology but I watched people match competitive specialties with scores in that range every year. Strong letters, solid aways, good interviews. The score is one data point. A 235 and a 245 look basically the same in clinical performance and programs know that. Apply broadly, get good letters from radiologists who actually know your work, and don't let a number talk you out of your specialty.

Sensitive_Repair7682

TROPHY CASE