Aspire Premed

Ep. 35: How to Premed with Intention

Have you ever experienced a "premed slump?" This may involve a feeling of going through the motions, or approaching certain premed tasks in "autopilot mode." When it comes to working to achieve our goals, it's not uncommon for excitement to wax and wane. In today's episode, Dr. V introduces a mindset shift to awaken that excitement once more. She provides concrete examples that allow us to get more out of our volunteering, shadowing, and academic experiences, creating a more meaningful and intentional journey to med school. Check it out! 
If you're interested in more premed content, follow on Instagram: @aspire.premed.podcast. Also, if you'd like to schedule a one-on-one support session to work on powerful mindset shifts for premed students (and more), email AspirePremed@gmail.com to inquire!

Ep. 34: 3 PAID Ways to Gain Clinical Exposure

Are you a premed student looking for amazing clinical experiences? An ideal clinical experience can help nurture your interest in medicine while enabling you to develop skills that are important to future physicians. In today's episode, Dr. V focuses on three great examples. Some people choose to balance these activities with their school schedule, while others dedicate time to one or more of these over the course of their gap year(s). Tune in to today's episode to see how many of these interest you! 
Check out @aspire.premed.podcast on Instagram for more helpful content. Also, if you could benefit from a one-on-one premed support session, reach out via email (AspirePremed@gmail.com) to schedule a free consultation call!

Ep. 33: What is Sign-Out?

This week's episode of Aspire Premed provides another glimpse into the future! Effective communication is critical in medicine. Dr. V reviews a practice that is used by med students, residents, and attendings: sign-out. Sign-out is an important part of patient care, and involves the transfer of information from one team to the next. In this episode, Dr. V provides one example of how sign-out is performed; it's never too early to gain exposure to this skill, and practicing it in your mind can even help you get more out of your shadowing experiences. Tune in to today's episode to learn more!
 
Enjoying the podcast? Follow Aspire Premed on Instagram @aspire.premed.podcast for more great content!

Ep. 32: What Will ”Future You” Want?

"Some of the things we discussed today are not often spoken about in the early stages of a career in medicine, so I'm glad to bring them to your attention today." In this week's episode of Aspire Premed, Dr. V invites us to think about our future selves. Who will we be in twenty years? She reviews three important considerations to think about on the journey to medicine; some of these ideas are often not introduced at this stage of the premed path, but early exposure to them could be immensely helpful! Tune in to learn what they are, and how being mindful of them could empower us make more informed decisions as we navigate this exciting road to becoming a physician.
If you're interested in learning more about one-on-one premed support sessions, reach out: AspirePremed@gmail.com

Ep 31: Overcoming Bumps in the Road (to Med School) REVISITED

“The most important thing is not to be defined by our mistakes or shortcomings, but to use them as a springboard for growth.” Today’s episode offers inspiration and insight into overcoming bumps in the road to medical school, with a focus on academics. If you’ve ever received a grade that’s not reflective of your potential, tune in to learn more about some things that could prove helpful in your premed journey. Remember, you can’t control what happened in the past, but if you have a passion for medicine, check out this "Revisited" episode of Aspire Premed to learn how to lean on that, and use those challenges to show improvement.
If you're enjoying Aspire Premed, follow @aspire.premed.podcast on Instagram for more inspiration and insights!

Ep. 30: Getting the Most Out of Shadowing

Shadowing is invaluable. If you've ever wondered about the day-to-day life of a physician, shadowing opportunities can provide a glimpse into this world. Ultimately, these experiences exist to help nurture your interest in medicine, and inform your decision to pursue a career as a physician. Tune in to this week's episode for insights into getting the most out of your shadowing sessions!
If you're enjoying Aspire Premed, follow @aspire.premed.podcast on Instagram for even more premed inspiration!

Ep. 29: ”But I’m Not a Research Person!”

What does "research" mean to you? Early in her premed journey, Dr. V was convinced that research was not her cup of tea; however, years later, she found herself embracing an academic research year. In today's episode, she examines some of her preconceived notions, and how these were challenged over the years. Learn more about how multifaceted the world of research can be, and how exploring it can help you nurture your passion for medicine in your unique way.
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Ep. 28: Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome? Learn more about this in today’s episode of Aspire Premed, in which Dr. V explores the practice and potential consequences of comparing ourselves to others in our premed journey. Importantly, she reviews some strategies to help redirect our focus to create space for our own growth and progress. Tune in for practical insights and inspiration on the road to med school (and beyond).
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Ep. 27: Your Path, Your Story REVISITED

This is an important one. In today's episode, Dr. V discusses the significance of knowing your story: what brought you to your path to med school? We invest so much energy - and rightfully so - in optimizing the "objective" parts of our application, like our grades and MCAT score. Dr. V reviews why being able to communicate your narrative is critical, and how it could potentially influence many important parts of your application that are more subjective (e.g., your personal statement, interview, etc.).  Knowing your story may also serve as an anchor as you navigate your career beyond med school. Tune in for important insights, inspiration, and an exercise to get you started.
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Ep. 26: The Medical Specialty Series 2

Are you seeking out interesting clinical or shadowing experiences? In today’s episode, the second installment of Aspire Premed’s “Medical Specialty Series,” Dr. V reviews three more fascinating medical fields: neuroradiology, palliative care medicine, and rheumatology. How many of these have you explored? If you enjoy today’s show, check out the first episode of this specialty series (Ep. 20) to learn about more unique medical fields.
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