Why do I want to be a doctor?

"To be rich and successful, you must become a doctor." These were words I heard far too often while growing up. To the eyes of many, medicine can be seen as simply a path to significant monetary gain and a benchmark to indicate success, and this notion negatively affected my perception of the profession as a whole. I saw medicine and being a doctor as a way to avoid looking like a failure to everyone around me. My reasoning was shallow and driven by ego and monetary gain.

????????????? They say that even the most minor events can completely alter a person's perception of life, and for me, all it took was a picture and a story. It was a concise article and attached was a picture of a man in a white lab coat grieving under a dim light. The man was a doctor, and the photo was taken right after he lost a patient. It was a simple image, yet it could paint a clear picture of medical professionals' levels of humanity and compassion. It made me realize that medicine isn't a profession that one uses to inflate one's ego or to get rich. To be an actual medical professional, one must have both the heart and passion for the greater good of humanity. With this in mind and the support of my parents, I decided to direct my education towards the eventual goal of one day being a registered physician.

I would be lying if I said everything was smooth from the start. Sadly, being inspired isn't all that's required in medicine. I learned the hard way that it takes a monumental amount of effort and determination from the student. I finished my junior high school years under the Filipino curriculum. For my senior high (Years 11 and 12), I was moved to an international school where I studied under the British curriculum. I took up four science-based AS and A-levels in preparation for my premed. This switch in the curriculum could be considered one of the most significant academic challenges I faced in my entire life. I found it extremely difficult to keep up with my classes. In a mix of shattered ego, a hyper-competitive environment, and educational stress, I saw my grade plummet right before my eyes. This took a tremendous toll on my mental health, and I severely doubted whether or not I was cut out to have a career in medicine.

Looking back, I could've done better in handling my academic situation back then. I realized that keeping calm in stressful situations is a crucial ability that medical professionals must possess. After facing blow after blow of devastating academic results, I learned through sheer determination that this field isn't for the faint of heart. I spent many nights hunched over my textbooks, doing anything to improve constantly. My labors finally bore fruit when I could stand on stage as my university's valedictorian.

Throughout the years, my passion for pursuing medicine has only grown. Despite initially showing little interest in it, I realized that my personality and desires suited the profession ideally. The constant mental reward and stimulation are thrilling, and the thought of discoveries around the corner excites me. Additionally, after volunteering in some health-based campaigns conducted by my university, I was able to experience the joy that comes with being in the position to help people with their sickness.

The path to being a medical practitioner is filled with turmoil and difficulty. I have realized that it takes much more than intellect to excel in medicine. A good doctor is not just competent but must also possess the passion, humanity, and determination to save the lives of countless people in need.