The third year of medical school is a whirlwind of new experiences. It’s the year students move from the classroom to the hospital, putting years of foundational knowledge into practice. Marian “Maro” Khalil, a fourth-year student in the NEOMED College of Medicine shared her M3 journey, from the initial excitement to the unexpected challenges and small victories. Her story offers valuable insights for anyone navigating the demanding world of clinical rotations.
A Journey of Self-Discovery
Before starting her M3 year, she had her sights set on emergency medicine. While she ultimately stuck with her original choice, she emphasized how much her perspective broadened throughout the year. “I approached the year with a very open mind,” Khalil shared. “Surprisingly, I considered switching to OB/GYN at one point, which I never considered before as a specialty.”
This shift led her to discover a deeper passion. She now plans to pursue emergency medicine with a special interest in helping survivors of sexual assault, domestic abuse and obstetric emergencies, as well as focusing on medical education.
Navigating Challenges and Finding Support
M3 year is a marathon, not a sprint, and Khalil was very candid about how she managed the emotional toll. When asked about coping with difficult days, her list was refreshingly real: “Harlow’s pizza, Starbucks, crying, working out, and most importantly, yapping to friends/family.”
Despite the demanding schedule, she found that it was actually easier to maintain a social life than in the first two years of medical school, with the notable exception of their surgery rotation. She made a conscious effort to make time for friends, knowing that connection was key to staying balanced.
She also found motivation in celebrating “small victories.” Her first goal was simply to not cry during the first week of her first rotation, which she proudly accomplished. Other small wins included finishing daily practice questions, getting rapid-fire “pimping” questions right, or getting dismissed early from a rotation. These moments, no matter how small, helped keep her spirits high.
Finding Connections
A turning point in her year was finding a sense of belonging within a specific specialty. “I definitely felt like I was home when I was on my emergency medicine rotation,” she said. “The residents’ and attendings’ dynamic matched mine and I felt like I could truly be myself.” This feeling of camaraderie solidified her initial career choice and made the long hours feel worthwhile.
Ultimately, her M3 year affirmed her passion for medicine. Though some days were difficult, the challenges deepened her determination. “The challenging days made me realize that I still cannot see myself do anything else but medicine,” she shared. “The experience of finally being a part of a patient’s care team and seeing the tangible impact I could make on a person’s life is a powerful motivator.”
Maro’s Top 5 Tips for Future M3s
Maro Khalil’s journey offers invaluable advice for those just starting out. Here are her top five tips:
- Don’t take everything personally. Clinical evaluations can be subjective. Not everyone will appreciate your efforts, so don’t let every interaction or evaluation get to you.
- Make time for yourself. This year is draining. Prioritize activities that recharge you, whether that’s working out, spending time with friends or simply relaxing.
- Be a sponge. Absorb as much knowledge as you can, even in specialties you aren’t interested in. There is a lot of overlap between fields, and a broad knowledge base will help you become a better doctor.
- Reflect on your specialty choices. Challenge yourself to identify the real reasons you’re interested in a particular field. Are they the right reasons for you?
- Be kind to yourself. It’s okay if you don’t get through your practice questions after a long day or if you don’t get every question right. Remember, you are a student, and this year is a steep learning curve.