I have always wanted to be a doctor. Always. The kind of doctor has changed throughout the years. I originally wanted to be a neurosurgeon, that is until sixth grade when I became interested in autopsies and wanting to become a medical examiner. All throughout grade school I struggled with math, and it was not a secret. I had to go to tutoring, and I didn’t make the best grades. I didn’t graduate top of my class; I graduated in the second quartile. I was ranked number 52 out of approximately 200 upon the time of graduation. I was busy in high school-- I was a student athletic trainer, I was on the competitive dance team, and I worked. I could have definitely made better grades if I would have put in a better effort and made more time for my grades, thus I would have been ranked a lot higher.

Now, in college, I am a biomedical science major with a pre-professional concentration and a minor in chemistry. All of those fancy words make a pretty title that means pre-medical. Over the years, I’ve had my fair share of classmates, teachers, and other people doubt what I want to do with my life. I’ve had my fair share of those who would say, “pre-med? Really? Why don’t you consider something like English or history?” Now, do not get me wrong, English, history, math, a degree is a degree, but do not tell me I am not smart enough to be a doctor.

First, it is never okay to belittle someone based on their intelligence. Ignorance is another subject. Second, I personally believe that every single person who has ever doubted my ability to achieve becoming a doctor has served as fuel to make me want to prove every single one of them wrong.

So thank you for believing that I’m not smart enough to go to medical school.

Thank you for not believing in me.

Thank you for giving me so much more reason to complete medical school, aside from the fact that it is a goal of mine.

Thank you, because one day, you’ll be calling me Doctor. One day, it’ll taste like crow when you see me graduate medical school. One day, you will say “I’m so proud of you,” and I won’t give a single fuck about what you have to say because I know my worth and I knew that I could do it all along.

I know I’m not the smartest in the world. That would be pretty boring, wouldn’t it? I do know however that I am smart enough, and I am driven enough to accomplish anything and everything I set my mind to.

I will become a doctor, and I will accomplish anything I want to.

So thank you for giving me that extra push by not believing in me, because one day, you’ll be eating crow.