dental school after-thoughts
I didn't expect people to be as supportive as they have been after telling them my decision to leave dentistry...especially my former dental school classmates. But it's nice to know that everyone so far has been understanding and some even commending me on my courage to come to such a decision. One friend even said, "You've inspired me to take more risks". I replied "I hope that doesn't mean you are leaving too...."
It is comforting though that a lot of other people understood and respected my choice...sharing with me their own doubts and fears because even though on the outside a lot of us appear as if we all knew where we were heading...the truth was, we are all just as scared about the future. And that's something that makes sense I think when you are going through professional school because the whole process of it is really quite challenging. After having a taste of it, I now better understand why the admissions process is as rigorous as it is. Dental school is something you have to know that you really want because otherwise, all the money and time you've invested into it won't be worth it in the end. I think a lot of people, including myself, have this misunderstanding that the job is really easy. But it's a lot harder than what you see at the surface. The job itself is both physically and mentally exhausting...and you have to have the passion for it to last long in the field.
The first couple of weeks after I left though were still hard...I missed it all more than I had expected. Although I didn't like what I was studying, I was just beginning to feel at home in London...getting used to my apartment, hanging out more with school friends and just finding my niche. I don't miss what I was learning but I do miss the people and the school environment.
Looking back though, I can't believe how much has changed in a month! Just a few weeks ago, I was sitting in class and practising drilling teeth on all these dummies with classmates that if I had stayed, I would've been with for the next four years of my life. Instead now, so much has changed and I have no idea where I will be heading next year...possibly working? possibly overseas? It's scary yet exciting...
It is comforting though that a lot of other people understood and respected my choice...sharing with me their own doubts and fears because even though on the outside a lot of us appear as if we all knew where we were heading...the truth was, we are all just as scared about the future. And that's something that makes sense I think when you are going through professional school because the whole process of it is really quite challenging. After having a taste of it, I now better understand why the admissions process is as rigorous as it is. Dental school is something you have to know that you really want because otherwise, all the money and time you've invested into it won't be worth it in the end. I think a lot of people, including myself, have this misunderstanding that the job is really easy. But it's a lot harder than what you see at the surface. The job itself is both physically and mentally exhausting...and you have to have the passion for it to last long in the field.
The first couple of weeks after I left though were still hard...I missed it all more than I had expected. Although I didn't like what I was studying, I was just beginning to feel at home in London...getting used to my apartment, hanging out more with school friends and just finding my niche. I don't miss what I was learning but I do miss the people and the school environment.
Looking back though, I can't believe how much has changed in a month! Just a few weeks ago, I was sitting in class and practising drilling teeth on all these dummies with classmates that if I had stayed, I would've been with for the next four years of my life. Instead now, so much has changed and I have no idea where I will be heading next year...possibly working? possibly overseas? It's scary yet exciting...