End of high school.

Graduation came faster than I expected. While most of my friends already knew what CEGEP they were heading to, I was stuck between two options: Ahuntsic or Bois-de-Boulogne. Both had pros and cons, but my dream of becoming a doctor was stronger than anything. The big question was as follows: which path should I take?

Choice 1 : Apply to Ahuntsic college.

Choice 2 : Apply to Bois-de-Boulogne.

Apply to Ahuntsic college.

I received my acceptance letter and felt excited, but also nervous. The atmosphere was lively, and I connected with people quickly. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the best grades. In some classes, I rushed through assignments. Still, I managed to pull of passing results thanks to my time management and sleepless nights.

Choice 1 : Continue in Health Sciences.

Choice 2 : Switch to Social Sciences.

Apply to Bois-de-Boulogne.

I also got accepted there, and everything felt serious from day one. Students were focused, and professors had high expectations. I performed well, but I often felt isolated and distant from my classmates, like I didn’t truly belong. A deep feeling of alienation started to grow.

Choice 1 : Stay and push through the program.

Choice 2 : Transfer to Ahuntsic for a better balance.

Continue in Health Sciences.

I Kept studying hard. But then, tragedy struck. My father got sick, and I had to work part-time at a pharmacy. Balancing everything was hard.

Choice 1 : Drop one class to work more.

Choice 2 : Keep all classes and risk burn-out.

Switch to Social Sciences.

I decided to switch programs and study psychology instead. At first, I was excited. The classes were interesting, and I thought I had found my true passion. But one day, during a project on abnormal psychology, a classmate became obsessed with me. He followed me around campus. I had to report him. He was suspended, but the experience shook me.

Choice 1 : Change CEGEP and start over.

Choice 2 : Stay in psychology.

Stay and push through the program.

I stayed and gave it everything I had. I studied late at night, gave up parties, and got top marks. My motivation? Medicine. But then, during midterms, I started getting anxiety attacks. The pressure was too much.

Choice 1 : Talk to a counselor and get help.

Choice 2 : Ignore it and keep pushing forward.

Transfer to Ahuntsic for a better balance.

Ahuntsic felt like a breath of fresh air. Professors were supportive, and I finally found a balance. But then, in one of my labs, students cheated and accused me of helping.

Choice 1 : Defend myself and file a complaint.

Choice 2 : Keep quiet to avoid drama.

Talk to a counselor and get help.

I started therapy and it helped. I got accommodations for exams and finally learned to manage stress. My grades remained high.

Choice 1 : Apply to Med school right after CEGEP.

Choice 2 : Do a university transition year.

Ignore it and keep pushing forward.

I ended up in the hospital with severe exhaustion. I missed my finals and failed the semester.

Choice 1 : Start again

Defend myself and file a complaint.

I brought proof to the teacher, and the other student was sanctioned. It was stressful, but I learned to speak up for myself.

Choice 1 : Focus on academics.

Choice 2 : Join the student science club.

Keep quiet to avoid drama.

The accusation stayed on my record. Even though I was innocent, it made it harder to get good references later.

Choice 1 : Start again.

Drop one class to work more.

That helped. I worked evenings and made money, but I was now behind in prerequisites for med school.

Choice 1 : Take summer classes

Choice 2 : Change career plans.

Keep all classes and risk burn-out.

I collapsed in the middle of a biology exam. They took me to the ER. My doctor said: ‘‘You either slow down or break down.’’.

Choice 1 : Start again.

Change CEGEP and start over.

I transferred to Bois-de-Boulogne. It was hard to adjust again, but this time I focused. I was more mature, and I worked harder. I eventually got into health sciences program and reapplied to medicine.

Choice 1 : Start again.

Choice 2 : Continue the medical path.

Stay in psychology.

I tried to move past it, but I couldn’t focus in class anymore. My anxiety got worse, and I started skipping lectures. Eventually, I failed the semester.

Choice 1 : Start again.

Apply to Med school right after CEGEP.

I got and interview! I was so nervous, but I prepared. When they asked why I wanted to be a doctor, I told them about my father’s illness and how I wanted to help others. They smiled.

Choice 1 : Celebrate and wait for results.

Choice 2 : Apply to backup programs too.

Do a university transition year.

I entered a program that helped students integrate into medicine program at university. I met mentors, did simulations, and even assisted with real patients during on-the-job training.

Choice 1 : Apply to Med school again.

Choice 2 : Try nursing instead.

Focus on academics.

I graduated with honors. My life was spotless. But the night before submitting my med school application, my laptop crashed. Everything was lost.

Choice 1 : Stay up all night and redo everything.

Choice 2 : Give up and take a gap year.

Join the student science club.

We competed in the regional health science challenge and won! That boosted my CV and my confidence.

Choice 1 : Asked the coach for a reference.

Choice 2 : Try to get a hospital internship.

Start again.

Go back and make another choice.

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Continue the medical path.

Keep going despite the challenges.

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Celebrate and wait for results.

I waited, then the email came: I didn’t get in. I cried for two dans straight. But the letter said, ‘‘You are on the waited list.’’.

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Apply to backup programs too.

I got accepted into biochemistry and pharmacology. Not medicine, but still interesting.

Choice 1 : Stay in research

Choice 2 : Try to Apply to medicine again later.

Apply to Med school again.

This Time, I nailed the interview. I had experienced, maturity, and real-world stories. A few weeks later, I opened an email that changed my Life: ‘‘Congratulations. Welcome to the Faculty of Medicine.’’.

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