Letters to a Third Year Student
2021 Edition
Confused, frustrated, terrified, overworked and under-appreciated are some of the ways
graduating medical students remember their third year of school in their letters of advice
to incoming third-year students.
Honored, grateful, surprised, shocked and amazed are some others.
After spending two years primarily in a classroom setting, third-year students plunge into
the clinical realm, working with patients under the supervision of residents and attending
physicians. They cover all the medical blocks and often decide their
specialty area in
the third year.
To prepare incoming third-years, many graduating medical students take a moment
to write a letter imparting advice and wisdom to help ease the transition.
Read Letters to a Third Year Student >>
Some highlights:
- Don't sweat the small stuff.
- Don't worry about your evaluations because you have no control over them and it will drive you crazy.
- Catch yourself when you get negative.
- Don't be afraid to take charge.
- Assume you know nothing about everything.
- Do this (the whole medicine thing) because you love to help people.
- Be aware that third year is a roller coaster.
Past editions of Letters to a Third-Year Student: