The Understanding Partner

I think it's safe to say that one of the many components of being a pre-med/medical student include having an understanding significant other. It’s mandatory, in fact, if one wishes to preserve that relationship. This is perhaps one of the most important things for me, as I’m in a long-term relationship (seven years this September) and often talk about my medical school plans with my girlfriend.

At first, as I suspected, she did not like the idea because it meant that after four years of undergrad, I would continue on to the MD program for another four years. We always discuss marriage and having kids, and with medical school being a big part of my plans, the goals of marriage and children may have to come to a halt. If we’re married, we’d also be living together, and with me being a medical student I won’t have time for a job. This means she would be the only source of income. The problems continue to accumulate. This is why having an understanding partner is very important.

It is essential for your partner to completely understand everything about the medical school procedure. One must also consider the long hours of residency and even the career itself. Medicine isn’t known to be a great career for people who wish to be family-oriented. A lot of one’s time will be put into working long hours – this is inevitable. So your partner must be just as aware as you are about the rigorous studies that will lead you to such a demanding profession.

With understanding comes support, and support makes up a large portion of what a pre-med/medical student requires during the long haul of gaining entry into medicine.