Guest Director's Corner

Seven Friends

By Cassie Ferguson, MD

In this week’s Guest Director’s Corner, Dr. Ferguson discusses friendship and how embracing vulnerability requires starting with the belief that you belong here…

Every week at Minikani Day Camp in Hubertus, WI, the counselors send home a written report about how your camper did that week—the activities they chose, how they got along with the other campers, etc. Last year my youngest son, Nick went to four weeks of day camp. On his Session 1B report, under “Personal Goals of the Camper” it read: “Nick is very excited about building friendships! He would like to make eleven friends. Nick would also like to be brave around the chickens.”

Dear M1,

Welcome to Medical College of Wisconsin!

Now take a moment to breathe because by the time you read this you have probably been bombarded with all types of information from faculty, staff, tik toks, twitter posts, and a bunch of current medical students trying to give you every resource on their laptop. It’s me, I’m that medical student. It’s important to breathe and remember what got you here.

I could lie to you and say this is going to be a breeze. It’s not. It will be more like a hurricane. At least, personally, that was my experience. Yet within that chaos, I found shelter. That leads to my first advice: find shelter. Find it in your classmates that you study, cry, and laugh with. Find it with Molly, Cheryl, and Nalee. Find it with your tutors, the mentors you have, and those that you’ll make in your time here. Most importantly, don’t lose sight of those you care about. The shelter you find and the home you build here will be crucial to your survival.

Medical education is not easy; it took a lot out of me and my classmates. Many of us coming into medical school probably have never failed multiple exams so we don’t know how to take that well. So, here’s my second piece of advice: remember a failed exam doesn’t define you; a missed research opportunity doesn’t define you. Failure is nothing more than you finding a new direction. Remember this isn’t a place to compare yourself. Whatever you did to get yourself here worked! So now is time to refine that. Don’t worry about what others are doing because at the end of the day, all they get is a “pass” like you.

Finally, take the time to try to enjoy your first year. This is the most free time you will have in medical school – take advantage of it. School will eat up your free time if you don’t create boundaries (this word will be drilled in your head by the end of REACH!). It took me over a year to figure that out. Don’t let it rob you of your joys. If you want to go to the gym – do it. If you want to go to $5 Tuesdays at Marcus theaters – do it. If you want to brunch with friends – do it. Just make sure you have that balance. So, like I said, breathe and make this time something you enjoy.

Egal Warsame, M2

Medical College of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Campus

Dear M1 Student, 

Congratulations! You are about to embark on your journey into medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. Your previous hard work, determination, and passion for helping others have all culminated at this moment as you begin your M1 year. That is truly worth celebrating as you shift into the next phase of your life where you will grow both professionally and personally. As you start with your classes, I want to impart some advice to you that will help ease your transition into medical school and the rigors that come with it.  

First, take the time to meet your classmates. Medical school can be demanding, and it is even more difficult if you attempt to navigate through school alone. A support group that you can rely on when times are challenging can make all of the difference. Reach out, go to the group-organized events, join clubs, meet outside of class, and connect with the people you will be spending the majority of your time with for the next four years. You will meet some of your closest friends as you navigate through the trials of school together. Medical school is like a team sport. Everyone does better when working together.  

Second, your email is one of the most powerful tools you have. The “.mcw” at the end of your email allows you to reach out and connect to an extensive network of students, doctors, teachers, advisors, and counselors here at MCW. Do not be afraid to use it to ask questions, set up meetings, and connect to people that can assist you with your journey to becoming a doctor.  

Third, school will be tough. In order to become a capable physician, there is a wide-ranging and ever-expanding knowledge base about the world of medicine that must be understood in order to provide quality care to patients. Become fascinated with the material you are learning and it will become an enjoyable and rewarding experience. When studying material, develop sustainable habits that are suited to you. Classmates will be studying in their own unique ways, and you will feel tempted to replicate their habits. Just remember that you know yourself and what works best for you individually. Stick to your strengths, and you will find success.  

Lastly, through medical school you will experience so many amazing moments and learn fascinating concepts this year that will make you stop and say “wow”. It is truly a blessing and a privilege to receive the education and skillset necessary to become a doctor. Respect the opportunity and soak every moment in.  

Welcome to the MCW family! 

Jacob Welsch 

 Welcome to MCW! 

We’re so excited to have you here. You were hand selected to be part of this year’s class of incoming students. The admissions committee knew what they were doing when they admitted you. You belong here. This first year will be a whirlwind of mental, physical, and emotional adjustments. You will be asked to learn an immense amount of information in a seemingly short period of time – you’re capable of succeeding. All the work you’ve done up until this point has prepared you to be here. Ask for help when you need it; during my first semester, I had a tutor session scheduled every single week. Lean on your peers, your friends, and your family. They want to see you shine.  

School will always be here. Prioritize you. Get enough sleep – like, 8 hours’ worth of it. You will be so much more functional than if you pull all-nighters and run yourself on empty. Plus, memory consolidation happens during sleep, so most of what you learn will be even more engrained if you have a solid sleep schedule. Maintain a hobby and interests outside of school. Eat nourishing foods and try not to overdo it on the caffeine. Milwaukee is a beautiful city with so many places to explore. Remember that medicine is something you study, it is not who you are. You can always retake a test, a class, or even a year in school, but you can’t always retake important moments with friends and family.  

All of this being said, soak it all in. From the content of classes to the friendships you’ll forge, M1 year has the potential to be extraordinarily fun if you let it be. Your perspective shapes your reality.  

If you need anything—advice, encouragement, or a friend to share coffee with—I’m just an email away. 

Go crush it! 

Emmy 

Emily Lambert 

Dear M1,  

If you’re like me, you have probably been asking yourself: “am I good enough? Did I take the place of a more deserving person? Do I have what it takes to be a successful medical student and future physician?” Well, I wish I could tell you how well-deserving and capable you are and wash away your anxiety and doubts. But the truth, at least for me, is that these thoughts and feelings never truly go away. I think it is natural to always second guess and doubt oneself. I have not found any secret in the universe to turn off this side of our humanity, and if you have, please share it with the world.  

What I have learned is that every day you wake up and you fight to earn your place in life. It is a continuing battle. Every decision you make earns you more room to feel deserving. The way you treat and care for your patients, your colleagues, your teachers, your family and friends, the stranger on the street, and yourself is what determines the strength of your character and your piece in this grand puzzle. And there will be times you will falter, but you must have compassion for yourself just as it is important to show compassion to others. Always remain humble. In humility, there is kindness, forgiveness, open-mindedness, compassion, and grace. Our career will bring us prestige, knowledge, power, and maybe even wealth, but we must always remember that we are here to serve and not the other way around.  

As you start your M1 year, remember that you are not alone. I always jokingly share how my classmates are a source of therapy, but there is truth to that. Every time I speak to a classmate, I realize their struggles are mine and mine are theirs. Knowing I am not alone gives me the comfort I need to push through. I guess misery does love company (okay, I am joking).  Let me be clear, the value in our conversations is not about our shared challenges, but about how we always end up saying to each other: “we will get through this.” The road ahead is tough, but it is easier when traveling together.  

The community you build at MCW will give you hope, upliftment, and the strength to carry on. I am so proud of you and wish you the best in your journey.   

PS: I am also here if you need me :)  

Sincerely,  

Hamid George Bangura (M2)  

Dear M1, 

Wow, you did it! After years and years of hard work you finally made it to medical school! I’m sure right about now some of those excited feelings are turning to worries, and those big dreams that just a few weeks ago felt so much closer are feeling distant again. Orientation and week 1 are overwhelming, for literally everyone. At the beginning of last year, even the students I felt were the “smartest,” “most prepared” and “really knew what they were doing” voiced struggles, especially in the first few weeks. So these feelings are normal, you are normal, and you will come out the other side of this just fine.  

My best advice for the beginning of this journey is to embrace the struggle and, more importantly, be open about it. I made 2 of my best friends at the very beginning of last year simply by being vulnerable and sharing how overwhelmed I was. And don’t worry, pretty soon you will settle into a nice routine, find what works for you, and then it will be time for the first MtC quiz! Kidding, well kind of! But really, the chaos of the first weeks is part of what makes it feel so good when you finally figure it all out.  

Before and during the struggles, and especially after the successes, I always want you to remember just how many people you have rooting for you. Of course this includes your friends and family, but it also applies to everyone you will now meet at MCW. I can honestly say the support I have felt from the faculty, staff, and classmates at MCW has been one of the most special parts of this experience. Whether it’s someone at academic enhancement, your favorite professor or advisor, or an upperclassman you met some time throughout the year, there is ALWAYS someone eager to be in your corner when you need them. Please reach out when things get tough, because I promise you will be met with all the time, care, and support you could ever ask for.  

In the next few weeks, let yourself be proud, excited, and overwhelmed, laugh when something just doesn’t work out, and don’t forget to HAVE FUN! We all can’t wait to meet you and watch your successes over the next four years!  

All the best, 

Mali Jereczek  

Dear M1 Student, 

I wanted to write this letter because I am genuinely excited for you. Your medical journey has officially begun. While there will undoubtedly be “ups” and “downs” along this path, I want to give you some reminders that empowered me throughout my first year at MCW. 

First off, remember the difficulty of getting into medical school. Thousands of hopeful applicants apply to medical school each year with high hopes of matriculating, and unfortunately more than half did not have that opportunity this year. This fact alone highlights how unique your upcoming opportunity really is. During the most difficult moments of last year, I found this fact to be a strong reminder to seize every opportunity as you are not ordinary. 

Next, remember that you did not get here alone. While you are here because you were chosen based on your own talents and efforts, there were many people that helped you get to where you are now. These people may be friends or family that have made sacrifices to help get you to this point. These people may also be mentors that believed in you throughout your journey. Regardless of who they may be, you now have gained the support of your new MCW Family that is ready to guide your journey to wherever your goals may take you. Remembering the sacrifices others have made for me, the belief others had in me, and the newfound support my MCW Family has given me, reassured me that I am not alone through both my hardships and successes. 

Lastly, remember where you came from. Some of us have wanted to be doctors as long as we remember. For me, I wanted to become a doctor as soon as I realized that I would never become an NFL football player. You have likely looked forward to moments like this for a long time. I recall looking up to the medical students when I was in undergrad, but now you are those students. You will have many great opportunities to positively impact so many lives. Ultimately, I hope this letter serves as a reminder to be grateful for the little things this year and to take advantage of every moment. Congratulations again on starting your medical journey and your MCW Family is excited to welcome you.  

Sincerely, 

Nate Verhagen (M2) 

I’ve spent most of my life waiting for a moment; when things finally become too difficult. When I would realize that all this time, I’m not actually that smart. I would hit a wall, and that would be it. My hard work wouldn’t be able to propel me any further, and the talent of my classmates would leave me in the dust. 

I was positive this was going to happen my M1 year. I was going to be miserable. I was going to drown.

With the start of every block, or semester, I had the same thoughts. 

“All right. That first block was ok, second block is gonna get me.”

“All right, first semester was manageable. Now this second semester is really where it’s gonna fall apart."

I am not, emphasis, not, a super-crazy smart person. I have to work to understand things. I have to go over things multiple times. I took each Brightspace quiz three different times for every single class throughout the year. I thought with the way that I had to learn there was no way I was going to be able to be a successful medical student.

And I did fine.

The reason why I wanted to write this letter is because I know there are similar students that feel this way, and I wanted to let you know that everything is going to be ok.

That is only thing I’ve ever wanted to hear in my life, is that it will be ok.

So now I’m telling you; everything will be ok.

With one small stipulation, you gotta put the work in. It will not consume you, it will not drown you. It will just always be there. It’s an adjustment period. Allow yourself grace, and forgiveness. Ask for help when it is needed.

I chose three things that I was unwilling to sacrifice: sleep, time with my family, and my relationship with my significant other.

I was able to pass the classes, get a summer research fellowship, get leadership opportunities on boards, and be engaged in my community without having to sacrifice these things to a reasonable degree.

What are your three things? What are the three things that you want to be able to maintain? 

You know what my thoughts are this year?

“All right. M2 is gonna be it. It’s gonna be too much, and Step 1 is going to destroy me.”

Even now, even telling other people not to think like this; I still do! I think it’s hilarious. I’m nervous, and I’m scared. Every year brings its own challenges and we grow and change so much.

But I have my three things.

And everything will be ok; as long as I put the work in.

Dear MCW Class of 2026 Student,

Welcome! Among the dozens and dozens of other MCW family members who have welcomed you here, I want to add my name to the list. Choosing this route, sticking to it, and showing up is one of the most rigorous and challenging professional endeavors that you can take on. But you have. For reasons that are key to your identity, your experiences, and your future you have joined your classmates and future colleagues in the dedication of improving the lives of your future patients one day at a time. So beyond just welcome to the family, I want to extend my gratitude for all your hard work and the inevitable future impact that you will have on others.

I challenge you in your daily pursuits to reflect on three critically important ideas: 1) what kind of person do you want to be, 2) what kind of classmate/friend/peer/partner do you want to be, and of course, 3) what kind of future doctor do you want to be? You might find it strange to have encouragement through the lens of reflection… but on days where you feel like you’re struggling or those where you can’t be stopped, taking a brief pause and centering yourself on these things can help remind you of the journey that got you here. They can help retain the context of your compassion for your studies and the community you want to build around yourself. Perhaps, most importantly, they can remind you that you are a combination of every moment that has brought you here. So, for hard days, easy days, long lectures and exam weeks do your best to remember that it is not one moment that will define you but the whole that you create.

You are going to do amazing things at MCW. You will form relationships that will extend beyond study groups, night shifts, and graduation. These people will be whatever you need them to be. Some of you may find love (you never know who you will meet in the chilly front row of Bolger or Kerrigan) some of you may be reunited with high school or college friends, and all of you will meet someone new who changes your life. Let me tell you, there is nothing like being a medical student today and no one understands better than those who walk beside you.

I could go on forever about the incredible things to look forward to, the lives you will change, and the memories you will make… Instead, I will say this, I am so incredibly proud of you for starting and continuing this journey. There is nothing quite like it.

If you ever find that you need something the best thing you can do is, ask.

With compassion and conviction,

A friend, peer, and colleague from the class of 2023.