Congratulations to everyone who had a successful match! I hope the celebration was enjoyable and that you were happy with the result😁.
As Match Week 2024 comes to a close, I wanted to share my personal Match Day experience and an important lesson I learned that I've kept with me ever since.
I participated in Match 2019. It is hard to believe that it's already been 5 years since that day, but time starts to fly once you're out of medical school😂.
I remember standing in my medical school's university center🏫, excited and anxious about the envelope I was holding in my hand✉️. My birthday had just been the day before, so this was the perfect icing on the cake.
The clock struck noon, I opened my envelope, and...I didn't get my first choice.
I remember standing there staring at the sheet of paper📃. My best friend was jumping down next to me, as he had matched into his first choice.
I felt conflicted. I was proud and grateful to have matched, but I was disappointed about not getting my first choice😞. I kept thinking about how the program director at my #1 program said how happy he would be to have me there.
Well then why didn't it happen?!😫
Before I could let these negative thoughts drag me down and keep me there, I had a realization. I had waited my entire life for this moment...and the moment was still here! Rather than staying disappointed about what could have been, I refocused on the fact that I did match, a residency program did want me, and I would be a doctor👨🏽⚕️.
I'm happy to say that my residency program ended up being a wonderful place to train and it molded me into the physician I am today, providing me with lifelong friends and experiences along the way🌟.
So what is the point of all of this?
Not everyone gets their first choice during the Match. Some of you reading this may have just experienced that firsthand, and here is my advice to you⬇️
That piece of paper doesn't define you, but what you do with it will.
If you choose to sulk or get angry about an algorithm you cannot even hope to understand, you undermine all the hard work you've put in for the past four years and limit your ability to succeed moving forward🛑.
On the other hand, if you choose to find joy and gratitude in getting the thing you have wanted so badly, you will finish medical school on a high note and start residency feeling refreshed and re-energized✅.
I know what I'm picking.
🧡 Something I love: My Logitech MX Master 3S wireless mouse. I've been using this mouse for a few months now and it is great. I love the premium look and feel, and there are so many helpful buttons and shortcuts you didn't know you needed on a mouse!
🗺️ Something I discovered: I recently started using Monarch Money to manage my finances after Mint shut down, and so far I'm loving it. Monarch Money is a fantastic tool for any medical student or resident looking to take better control of their finances. Click here to access a FREE 30-day trial!
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