Match Day

Match Day was today at the school.  For once I was glad that we had mandatory classes because otherwise I might not have made the commute to see this amazing ceremony.  The excitement is palpable. I stood on the upper level, peering over the railing, with a pretty good view of the stage.  Right before the ceremony, the fourth year students go pick up their envelope.  Such a light object that holds such a heavy decision.  At our school they are given the option to open the envelope before going onstage, or to open it onstage.  One by one, the nearly-doctors read off on stage where they would be spending the next several years training.  I was holding back tears the entire time.  Many of them were staying nearby, some going to amazing institutions such as Mayo or John Hopkins, all of them overwhelmed with emotion.  

Will I make it to this day in 3 years?  

Watching the ceremony gave me the serotonin boost I needed. I’ve been feeling so unsure of myself and if I made the right decision coming to medical school.  It gave me a renewed sense of purpose and excitement.  I want to bottle this moment and let it carry me through the rest of this year.  

Someday I WILL be walking across that stage opening my envelope, announcing to my friends, family, and fellow students where I will be going for residency and it will be surreal.  I can’t wait.