Your attitude is one of the most important keys to success in your clinical years. In any rotation you do, no matter if it is your life’s calling or not, you need to have enthusiasm and at least act like you are interested. Feel free to go home and forget about everything that you did at the hospital that day, but appear to be eager to learn while you are there. If you are absolutely positive that you are heading toward a certain residency, you can try to glean information and tips that will be important to you as a specialist in that field from all of the other core rotations. In addition, always be prepared. If you are expected to see your patient and get their vitals before rounds then do it. Look up info on your patient the night before and be prepared to answer questions on that subject. BE ON TIME!! Demonstrate that you are reliable and dependable. This is the first impression the residents have of you each day and things can go much smoother if you show up on time. A reliable person is a great person to work with and you should strive towards this goal. At times, your third year can be intimidating. There are going to be moments when you WILL feel stupid or degraded. If someone says something horrible and offensive, that’s their problem not yours. It will make a good story some day. If it is assault, sexual assault or battery, do not hesitate to go to the deans. Action has been taken in the past and can be taken again to eliminate that behavior. Rush has a zero tolerance policy for any and all harassment and abuse. Beyond that, it will be to your advantage to use constructive criticism without questioning your integrity or ability. When you get knocked down, you just have to get back up and keep moving on. This will allow you to keep on learning and enjoying your chosen profession.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that they are called teams for a reason. You are supposed to work to help each other out, so offering to look up labs or articles for residents or other students on your team can take you a long way. You will look much better by helping out another student than spending all your time focusing on how to make yourself shine. Attendings will catch on very quickly as to who works as a team player (and who doesn’t).
Be proud of what you are doing. Make medicine a part of your life. Notice the words “a part” of your life. Keep your friends, families and hobbies a part of your life as well. A balanced life is one of the most important keys to success. This will be hard at times and you will have to force yourself to read a fun book or go to a movie, but do it. You will be a better physician if you are a whole and complete person. You will also be happier and learning will be fun instead of a chore.