Comments on: Thriving versus only just surviving medical school – by Stephanie Pommerel – first year medical student

By: Lucy Dahill

Lucy Dahill — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 19:31:46 +0000

Thank you Stephanie, I know so many people who have not coped with medical school and really done whatever it took to get through. This set them up to start their careers exhausted and burnt out and to consider that as normal. I can tell from reading your blog that this approach is not what you intend to make normal! The fact that you appreciate how you need to support yourself to work that hard, suggests to me that you will be a doctor who can walk your talk when it comes to health and wellbeing. Good on you.

By: Marcia Owen

Marcia Owen — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 08:43:16 +0000

Stephanie, I really love the honesty of your sharing and how you are choosing to support yourself through medical school. In particular your ability to enjoy the career study path you have chosen as you have mentioned here – “By regularly reconnecting to the reasons I have chosen medicine, appreciating the qualities in myself that place me so well to practice it, I can reflect on each day’s course, seeing moments that I have truly enjoyed.” Now if they only taught this in medical school, but then again you are the living, walking example of this for others to see.

By: Rod Harvey

Rod Harvey — Tue, 04 Aug 2015 22:49:35 +0000

Just the word ‘discipline’ can create a tension in the body (I write from experience) so Stephanie, I appreciate how you have revealed a different approach to ‘commitment’ and ‘discipline’, particularly within such a ‘crazily’ intense uni course. These are wonderful lessons in the benefits of self-care, maintaining a support base and connecting with nature and people. Perhaps now we can now re-evaluate the word ‘discipline’ as a loving choice. Way to go!

By: Stephanie Pommerel

Stephanie Pommerel — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 08:06:15 +0000

In reply to Jemma.

Hi Jemma,
Thanks for your comment. I feel is it very important for us not just to exclusively talk about the challenges we have as medical students. There is always going to be more work, another something to learn, but all of that is not possible unless we support outselves to the utmost to allow all of this to occur. I look forward to your partner joining that conversation.
Regards,
Stephanie

By: Rebecca Poole

Rebecca Poole — Sun, 02 Aug 2015 01:06:56 +0000

I love the way you have approached studying medicine, not just studying at the expense of your body and enjoyment of life but with the focus and discipline of an alete athlete. I haven’t studied medicine but I can relate to what you write as it parallels my experience of working very hard in my own business while studying a masters. I would have to say that I did not engage my day with the same level of care and focus that you do, in fact I would have really benefited from reading this article at that time. Really this article speaks to many and even related to motherhood and other intense periods of time.

What if we all treated ourselves with care and support using the same focus and dedication as an alete athlete? Thank you Stephanie

By: Jemma

Jemma — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 23:44:15 +0000

HI Stephanie,
thank you for sharing this very important topic of supporting yourself through medical school. My partner is also in first year of medical school. Reading this blog sounds so familiar as his experience is very very similar to yours. It shows the importance of speaking about the challenges of completing such a program and ways to support oneself, and each other by sharing as you have done. Thank you

By: Kate Burns

Kate Burns — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 07:02:36 +0000

In reply to Anne Malatt. Agreed Anne, what a great article - totally inspiring and practical and supportive.

By: Anne Malatt

Anne Malatt — Fri, 31 Jul 2015 19:48:34 +0000

Hi Stephanie, what a great blog! Totally inspiring, and you make it sound so simple, which it can be! Not easy, a lot of hard work and dedication and commitment to your life and work are required, but if you make the commitment to care for yourself throughout the whole process, you will then be able to care for all others too. And that will make you a great doctor. Thank you for sharing your inspiring self with us.