Thinking ahead and embracing change
As we progress into 2016, new courses and rotations are certainly in full swing and change is in the air. We welcomed back the Medicine Class of 2016 in January, and can feel the energy, excitement and anticipation that surround all the activities leading up to CaRMS Match Day.
Our Clerks are reflecting on the type of physician they want to be, and the career they envision as they busily research and apply to electives.
Meanwhile, the Medicine Class of 2019 survived their first week of end-of-semester exams and are thinking ahead to a well anticipated summer break that can mean exciting experiences in research and beyond. The Medicine Class of 2018, will start preparing for life in clerkship as their pre-clinical years come to an end.
Progression, especially in education, is exciting and signals growth and achievement. It can also be met with the natural anxiety related to change. As medical students, it’s very common to disregard these feelings and view them as weaknesses – rest assured, almost everyone shares in this experience and it’s much better to acknowledge it than to hide it.
Virginia Satir’s Change Model highlights five stages that many individuals go through (to some degree) when incorporating change into their current routine:
Status Quo – a familiar place where you know what to expect, how to react and how to behave. Resistance, the impending change threatens the stability of familiar structures. One might need help adjusting and overcoming the reaction to what caused the change.
Chaos – one enters the unknown. Old expectations and rules may no longer be valid and old behaviours may not be possible.
Integration – excitement builds. An idea is forming that the change can be beneficial and opportunities available. Performance typically improves steadily at this stage.
New Status Quo – once assimilated to the environment, individuals not only stabilize, but often perform at a higher level than in the status quo stage. There is a sense of accomplishment and possibility.
So how can we cope with change?
There’s no question that some move through the above stages much more quickly than others, but there are common things one can do to process change more smoothly:
- Think ahead – knowing what’s ahead and educating yourself on what to expect eases fear of the unknown and allows you to be prepared for what’s to come. It helps you to move into new territory with minimal surprises making it easier to focus on the task at hand. Being prepared is one of the best ways to ease anxiety.
- Talking to peers – as learners you are part of a cohort who are going through the same change. While everyone may adjust differently and in their own time, talking to one another about any concerns or fears can help you feel reassured and at ease.
- Staying healthy - Eating right, exercising and maintaining balance are key to building resilience during stressful times. A healthy body supports a healthy mind and allows you to face new challenges with more strength. Incorporate clean, fresh foods into your diet and remember that even a short walk every day can help boost your spirits.
Please remember the Learner Equity & Wellness Office offers a great deal of support and has a number of resources to help you cope with change and any other personal challenges you may have. Whether you are adjusting to a new school and/or city, trying to set goals and plan your career, or dealing with personal crisis, the door is always open.
Stephanie Coccimiglio
Learner, Equity & Wellness Coordinator – Windsor Program
