Summer Goals

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

When I was growing up, my karate school would have a challenge for each of us for the summer. If each day we would complete a set of exercises, practicing our techniques, we would be recognized at a fun ceremony at the end of the summer. I now see the genius behind this idea. It shows participants that, by setting small and attainable goals, you can reach your larger goals for improvement in whatever aspect of life you choose. This is a lesson that has stuck with me and can be applied to any situation.

Even in medical school we do this. We are asked to set goals for ourselves at the beginning of each rotation and reevaluate them at the halfway point to check our progress. This week, we have our mid-clerkship evaluations with our clerkship directors. It’s a chance to check in, see how things are going, and to hopefully receive some constructive feedback for moving forward. Over the years, I’ve begun to realize how much feedback is essential to reaching my goals. As a scribe, I often sought feedback on my notes and how I could adapt them so less editing would need to be done at the end of the day. Now, one of my goals is to become more confident and comfortable presenting my patients, so I make it a point to ask my attending physicians for feedback after I’ve had a chance to do so a few times. It can feel uncomfortable and sometimes it’s hard to find a time to bring up the subject, but no one can read minds. You can’t know how to improve if you don’t ask.

My medical school makes a point to ask us for feedback frequently. Our class was the second to go through our new curriculum, so changes are regularly being made to make things smoother for the future. I am continually impressed by how much our feedback is valued and the impact we have on our education. Our class each year elects student representatives who meet with faculty to discuss any concerns or feedback the class may have. When possible, that feedback is often acted on. Our clerkship representatives recently had our first meeting of the year and we were able to provide helpful information regarding our class’s experiences. When we next meet, we will have the chance to update our class on changes that have been made for the future. I appreciate the opportunity as a class to voice our concerns and feel that they are heard. It shows how much everyone here wants to see us succeed and that support is invaluable. As I look toward residency, that is certainly something that I will look for in a program I wish to match into.