13 Things I Wish I Knew Before Med School

From juggling adulting to surviving pressure and family expectations, here are lessons I learned the hard way.

If I could talk to my past self, I would’ve prepared myself better before entering medicine. To be honest, I came from a lower middle-income family. We didn’t have generational wealth — in fact, back then, we were one hospital admission away from poverty.

I didn’t notice it then, but I was in a very fragile spot. Thankfully, I was sponsored by a relative to finish med school. That was my ticket to possibilities. At the start, I thought: “Wow, I’m going to be rich after this. When I finish med school, I can skyrocket my family’s lifestyle.”

Well… let’s just say reality was different.

This post is for aspiring doctors, medical students, or anyone chasing postgraduate dreams. And if this could travel through time, I wish my younger self could read it, too.

Here’s what I learned:

1. It’s Not All Glory, Prestige, and Gold

From the outside, medical students look so shiny. Many have cars, branded bags, and the aura of prestige. Reality? A lot are children of established doctors or wealthy families — what we jokingly called “sons and daughters of Olympus.”

Me? I belonged to the minority: no car, limited allowance, sponsored by a relative. I was dropped into a jungle of rich kids and just had to man up. I was there to study, not to compete in appearances.

2. Medicine Isn’t a Golden Ticket

On my first week, a professor said: “After you pass the boards, you’ll have a car, food on the table, and you can buy whatever you want.”

Looking back, I laugh at that. Sure, you won’t starve, but don’t expect overnight wealth. Medicine shouldn’t be about money. If you enter with that mindset, you’ll burn out. Healing people has to be the purpose. The compensation comes later — but it’s not the jackpot you think it is.

3. Med School Is Longer Than You Think

People say it’s “only” five years. But let me break it down:

4 years pre-med (bachelor’s)
4 years med school
1 year internship
1 year board exam prep
3–5 years residency (if you specialize)

That’s 13–15 years after high school. And for some, even longer. I took 2 extra years myself. Med school is a marathon, not a sprint.

4. Being a Licensed Professional Won’t Save You

When I entered, most of us were already licensed professionals (medical technologists, nurses, etc.). We thought: “We’ve passed board exams before, we’ll survive this.”

Reality check: med school strips away your past titles. You’re back to zero. Nothing shields you from the grind.

5. Yes, Age Matters

While your peers are building careers, buying homes, and starting families, you’ll still be asking allowance and pulling 24-hour duties. It’s not a race, but you’ll definitely feel the gap.

6. Med School Doesn’t Require Geniuses — Just Grit

I wasn’t a star student. Honestly, I struggled. Some of my classmates seemed like human photocopiers, memorizing entire books. But even they failed exams.

Finishing med school isn’t about IQ. It’s about discipline and perseverance. Like my dad always told me: “Daig ng masipag ang matalino.” (Hard work beats intelligence.)

7. People Will Assume You’re Rich

The stereotype is strong: “Wow, you’re in medicine, your family must be rich.” Reality? Many families go through quiet financial struggles just to keep their kids in med school. The shiny cars don’t tell the whole story.

8. Your Social Life Will Shrink

Not disappear — but shrink. You’ll miss birthdays, reunions, even simple weekend dinners. The few friends who stick around through all the canceled plans? They’re the ones worth keeping.

And when med students finally get the chance to party? It feels like the season finale of Prison Break. We go all out — because freedom is rare.

9. Imposter Syndrome Is Real

You’ll feel like you don’t belong. Like everyone else is smarter, faster, better prepared. Truth is — almost everyone feels the same. You’re not alone.

10. Passing the Boards Doesn’t Mean Instant Cash

When I passed, someone told my mom, “Yayaman ka na, may doctor ka na!” (Wow, you’re rich now — your son is a doctor!)

Meanwhile a close colleague texted me: “Congrats! You are officially… jobless.”

Accurate. Unless you’ve got savings or family support, the next question is: What now? Specialty training costs time and money. You will scramble, like everyone else.

11. You’ll Need a Support System

Mental breakdowns are common. Pressure, finances and expectations all take their toll. You can’t do it alone.

For me, it was my parents and my then-girlfriend (now wife ❤️). She was also in med school, so she understood the parts my parents couldn’t. Without them, I don’t think I would’ve made it through.

12. Medicine Will Change How You See Life

Behind the white coat, you’ll witness suffering, loss, and resilience all crammed into a single 24-hour duty. You’ll learn to compartmentalize emotions, to value time and health differently.

The most priceless part? A patient whispering, “Thank you, doc.” That simple line carries weight no paycheck can match.

13. Despite Everything… It’s Worth It

Medicine isn’t about prestige, wealth, or status. It’s about finding meaning, serving others, and making an impact that lasts beyond you.

And when you finally earn that MD, remember this: people may rob you, they can take your wallet or every material thing you own — but they can never take away what you’ve learned through years of sacrifice, and what you’ve achieved, directly and indirectly, from this journey. That’s yours forever.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, I wish someone had told me these things before I started. If I could, I’d sit my younger self down over coffee and say:

School — whether it’s medicine, law, or any path that demands everything from you — isn’t just about exams and grades. It’s about patience, sacrifice, and perspective. It will test you, break you, and rebuild you. But remember this: every sleepless night, every tear, every small victory is shaping you into more than just a professional — it’s shaping you into someone who can serve, create, and make a difference.

It’s hard — brutally hard. But it’s worth it, if you know why you’re here. And when you finally earn that degree, no one can ever take away what you’ve become.

And if you’ve made it this far in my long blog, I know you’re seeking comfort. Let me just say: you’re not alone. Someone else has walked this road, struggled through it, and come out the other side. So, keep going. You’re not just chasing a degree — you’re becoming the person you were meant to be.