Laura's Guide to the clinical Years: how to get the golden "H"
Laura Snydman M'04Third year matters. Period. You’ve heard this for 2 years and it’s true. The problem is, how do you do well third year? Here’s my advice, take it or leave it.
1. Be yourself. That can be tricky if you’re weird, but I have faith that most of you are fairly normal and nice.
2. DO NOT LIE!!! An M’03 told me to lie to the attendings/residents
and tell them that I was interested in their field. I firmly believe that
this is not the way to go. If you actually know what you want to go into,
be honest (and if you are not sure, just say that you don’t know yet).
There are a few reasons for this:
a. More will be expected of you if you say you are interested in that field
(which will take a lot of extra energy, especially if you hate your current
rotation).
b. It shows you are honest and if you do show lots of effort and interest
you are more likely to get honors because you were enthusiastic in a field
in which you will not pursue further training.
c. Your fellow students will HATE you. Yes, you will be found out and talked
about behind your back.
3. Be outgoing. It’s easier to do well if you are
outgoing. I have witnessed this myself. There are some very bright people
in my class who are quiet. That can be your downfall in third year. Try
to overcome your shyness--start conversations with attendings/residents
and ask questions.
4. ASK QUESTIONS! Even if you are not interested, it is
always wise to ask questions. This is a very easy way to make it seem as
though you are interested and seeming interested is important in determining
your grade.
5. Be nice to the residents. I heard from an attending
that he knew a student who was super nice to the various attendings he came
across but showed a different side when with residents (bored, checked email,
wandered aimlessly). Residents, whether or not it is explicitly stated at
the outset, will have a BIG role in determining your grade. Residents and
attendings talk. They gossip too.
6. Stick around. You may want to go home, but it’s
always wise to stay and help your resident. Caveat: if you just can’t
stand being there anymore and don’t care about doing well, you can
do the old med student “can I help with anything” line and hope
they say “no” and you’ll use that as your exit. Or, you
could just say goodbye for the evening. Another caveat: if your resident
is really cool s/he will tell you to go home. Take it as a gift and GO!
7. Be on time. This was a problem for me sometimes…but,
there is nothing worse then being late. I can’t wait to be the resident
and saunter in 15 min late with coffee and call the shots. If you are late
for morning rounds, there is no excuse. If the intern and resident could
drag themselves out of bed, then you can too.
8. First impressions matter. So sad, but so true. Go all
out on your first few days. Be helpful, stay late, and ask questions. Once
you set the foundation you can start to test its limits.
9. Don’t wander off. It is not cool to go “missing”
for a few hours. Let your resident know you are going to the “library”
and tell them to page you if something comes up.
10. Don’t complain. Think about it. You are the least
tired person on the team with the least responsibility. That’s a fact.
Good luck and I’ll see some
of you on the wards!
I like my coffee black (Dunkin hazelnut with a chocolate glazed).