You wake up late and make yourself a nice bowl of cereal.
The scene: Sometime during winter break, possibly during spring break. You just got back home a few days ago from a grueling semester of your junior year and you decide to sleep in. It’s 11:15AM and you drag yourself sluggishly out of bed and get to the kitchen. Your pour yourself a bowl of cereal and heat up some coffee. As you’re eating, mom comes into the kitchen.
Mom: You’re up pretty late, did you not sleep last night?
You: No I did, I just decided to sleep in…
Mom: Oh (a slight frown, pursed lips). So I’ve been wanting to ask you (pause) What are you doing about med school? Aren’t you supposed to be applying this year?
You: (Bluffing) Yep! I’ve got it all figured out.
Mom: So tell me about it.
You: Ugh. To be honest, I really don’t feel like it right now, I just woke up.
Mom: (Frustrated) I knew it, you have no idea do you? When are you taking that placement test, what’s the name of it again?
You: The MCAT.
Mom: Yeah, that. Have you even started studying for it?
You: (Tense) Mom, I have it under control.
Mom: Did you friends start studying?
You: Yes, some of them are enrolled in MCAT prep. That’s about all.
Mom: You didn’t ask? Or do you just not care?
You: (Angry) It’s just very stressful, OK? I’ll ask them about it, I just need to get it together. I’ll get in the swing of things once I go back.
Mom: You say that now… what about your application?
You: I don’t know, I’m going to talk to my advisor when I get back.
Mom: You mean you still haven’t talked to them about it?
You: (Stubbornly) I still have time.
Mom: I asked you last time you were home and you said the same thing.
You: I just didn’t have a chance to yet.
Mom: You’ve been gone a whole semester, what do you mean you didn’t have a chance to?
You: (Honesty) I don’t know, I guess there’s no excuse. (pause) OK, I need to start seriously studying and preparing my application. I admit it. Can you leave me alone now? I just want to finish my cereal.
Mom: You’re going to regret not doing this earlier, I’m telling you, you always do this. Always waiting until the last minute.
You: You know what — I really have no idea what I’m doing. There’s just so much. I’ll look into it today, it’s not like I have anything else planned.
Mom: Good. See? You just need to put your mind to it.
You: … Sure. Yeah, thanks.
After all, Mom is right, although she can be a bit annoying about it — do you really know what you’re doing? If you’re in a similar boat as this student, you might just be stressed out and it’s preventing you from actually taking action.
I have a few articles for you to get started and find your footing.
And some roundups which give you a summary of helpful links and articles on my site on many different topics. Take a look!
- Don’s Roundups: What’s the Deal with Safety Schools?
- Don’s Roundups: All You Need to Know on Medical School Rankings
- Don’s Roundups: All You Could Possible Want to Ace the Secondary Application
- Don’s Roundups: The Medical School Interview Process
- Don’s Roundups: What You Need to Know About Letters of Recommendation
- Don’s Roundups: Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About the MCAT
If you have any other concerns, leave a comment down below. With this help, hopefully you’ll find yourself a little more prepared next time your parents hound you over medical school.
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