Fall is my favorite season out of the whole year. I love the warm colors, perfect weather, cinnamon spice, leaves, and everything else that entails the fall season, including one of my favorite holidays: Thanksgiving. To me, Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks. It’s the perfect time to reflect and acknowledge all of the blessings in our lives. This holiday helps us remember what’s important (even in the midst of all the studying), and be thankful for all of the people, opportunities, and experiences we’ve encountered.
So in the spirit of the holiday, here are some things that I am thankful for about being in medical school:
- Supportive, loving family and friends—they keep me sane and help me remember what a privilege it is to be a future physician.
- Good health—you want to be your best self inside and out.
- The privilege of becoming a future physician—the opportunity to serve is an honor; after all, in no other profession will strangers become so vulnerable.
- The opportunity to learn—you’re basically learning a whole new language in a whole new world called medicine. All of the gross anatomy, pathology, pharmacology—it means something, and you get to learn all of it.
- National conferences—I get to meet some of the kindest, smartest people around the US. Not only do I learn from these conferences, but I also get to make friends I hope to keep for a lifetime.
- Classmates—these are the people who understand and support you throughout this journey. Medical school is a marathon, not a sprint, and I’m glad to have such talented people running this marathon with me.
- Christmas break—with Thanksgiving here, it’s a small reminder that another break is around the corner. Just remember, there’s much to be thankful for—even the smallest of things.
What are you thankful for this year?
Avni
MS3 at University of Mississippi Medical Center School of Medicine
Avni Patel is a third-year medical student at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, MS. She received a Bachelor’s in Biomedical Sciences from Mississippi College. Avni’s lived in Mississippi her entire life, which is a testament to the joy she finds in being involved at her school and in her community.
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