Recently, I experienced Match Week 2020, and I wasn’t going to let COVID-19 take away the joy of how special this time is. I think this is such an unfortunate time for fourth-year medical students across the country. We have worked so hard for YEARS to enjoy these special moments.
I’m disappointed because not only was match cancelled, but my long coat ceremony and graduation have also been cancelled. This is the only time in a medical student’s life that he or she will get to vacation and travel before the start of residency. We have EARNED this time for ourselves, and most of us won’t get to do much with it. It’s frustrating and feels unfair. Even conferences and meetings I have been looking forward to are getting cancelled one by one. It’s as if there is nothing to look forward to.
Trust me, I understand how serious COVID-19 is, but it’s also frustrating that people could not stop talking about it for just ONE DAY to celebrate one of the greatest achievements—matching into residency. I’m disappointed, but I also understand that everyone is making sacrifices during this time.
On the bright side, if you missed my Match Day post, I matched my #1 and will be continuing my training in Psychiatry at the University of Mississippi Medical Center with the hopes of pursuing a Child & Adolescent Psychiatry fellowship in the future! Overall, I am really glad I got to share Match Monday and Match Day with my family. They were such personal and precious moments. I was happy to enjoy it in the comfort of my own home with the people I care about most. Everyone, please stay safe, be well, & stay at home!
