Footnotes - Summer 2022 - 24

PODIATRY PROFILES
Adjusting to Life as a First-Year Student
the energy industry. On her experience, she notes that
" It was an incredible time; I learned so much about my
family, especially about their time and experience
during The Vietnam War - even met relatives I never
knew existed. Vietnam is a beautiful country filled
with a rich culture, kind people, and delicious food! "
Upon moving back to Houston, Summer focused on her
career roles in which she " wore many hats, " including
development of research, business, management, and
infrastructure. Through the long but fun hours, she
notes that she learned " how to interact and learn from
people from all types of backgrounds [and] how to work
and focus under pressure, which I think will carry over
nicely in my pursuit to become a podiatric physician/
surgeon, " a career change that was inspired by a
personal visit to a podiatrist as a patient. Even with the
transition from a different field, Summer reflects very
similar motivations to Samantha's, adding that " no two
days are the same, you are with your patient through
the entire healing process, which was important for me.
I also liked the autonomy that came with the profession,
I can tailor my practice to my strengths and interests. "
And thus began Summer's move from Texas to Arizona.
SUMMER: " I HAD BEEN OUT OF SCHOOL FOR
FIVE YEARS, SO LEARNING HOW TO LEARN
AGAIN WAS THE BIGGEST ADJUSTMENT "
Both students were aware that the step up to graduate
school would require some adjusting from what they
were used to. Samantha notes that " In undergrad, I was
involved in various student organizations while being
a pre-med. I was used to having little time on my hands,
so I just had to adapt from an extracurricular/student
lifestyle to a full-time student lifestyle. " For Summer,
coming back to school after working in a different career
field meant " learning how to learn again was the biggest
adjustment. " All of us have felt similarly at one time
in our podiatric curriculum: that the way we are used
to learning and operating as a student might not work
anymore.
Of course, it can be unnerving as a new medical student
to discover that the way things may have once worked
need some fine-tuning. I asked Samantha and Summer
24 footnotes
continued
what advice they would give to someone finding
themselves in their respective situations leading up
to podiatry school before such an adjustment. Both
echoed the same enthusiasm for our field, noting
that " If podiatry is really your passion, go for it "
and to " work hard and your future will pay off. "
Summer also emphasizes being aware of the
need for " some drastic changes to the
life that you previously built and
you will make big sacrifices, "
while recognizing that in
coming from another career,
" you are starting over while
most of your classmates are
just crossing the finishing line.
" Despite the " fear of missing out "
that may come with the rigor of
school, they recognize that we
chose this path for a reason and
that " the dividends will pay out
in the long-term. "
That long-term may be difficult
to see for us first-year students
as we tackle the basic sciences.
I wondered how Samantha and
Summer stay motivated amidst
these courses. The relationships they
have both built are the main drivers of their success,
and they emphasize how classmates, mentors, and
family become inspiration and reminders of our
capabilities. In speaking on those we are working to
serve, Samantha remembers as well that " the time
I spend on studying today will help treat my patients
in the future. " Summer says " You have the potential
to help treat and improve the quality of life for
thousands of people " while also emphasizing how
volunteering and networking allow her to supplement
her education with useful and enriching ways to
spend her free time.
SAMANTHA: " EVERY DAY MY COURSES
REITERATE THE MULTIFACETED FIELD OF
PODIATRY, WHICH IS ONE OF THE REASONS
I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE FIELD "
Footnotes - Summer 2022

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