• Gryphon Login
  • MyCourses
  • Alumni
  • UCLA Health
  • Contact Us
Prospective Students

Prospective Students

Prospective Students
  • Admissions
    Procedure & Timelines
    • Admissions Timeline
    • Admissions Procedure
    • Basis of Selection
    • COVID-19 Impacts on Admissions
    • Housing Information
    • Interview Process
    • Prerequisites
    General Information
    • Statement of Diversity
    • Mission Statement
    • Curriculum Resdesign
    • Honor Code
    • FAQs
    • Admissions Brochure
    • Admissions Timeline
    • Admission Procedure
    • Basis of Selection
    • Competencies
    • COVID-19 Impact on Admissions
    • DACA Applicants
    • DGSOM Mission Statement
    • FAQs
    • Honor Code
    • Housing Information
    • Interview Process
    • Statement of Diversity
    • Virtual Events
  • Outreach & Pipeline Programs
    Summer Pre-Health and Postbaccaluareate Programs
    • UCLA SHPEP
    • UCLA PREP
    • UCLA RAP
    Outreach and Recruitment
    • Conferences and Events
    • Stay Connected!
    • Contact Us
    • Conferences & Outreach Events
    • Summer Pre-Health and Postbaccalaureate Programs
    • Contact Us
    • Stay Connected
  • Financial Aid & Scholarships
  • Degrees & Programs
  • Curriculum
  • Student Life
    Why Choose UCLA
    • Research
    • Clinical Work
    • Service Opportunities
    • Global Health Impact
    • Why You'll Love LA
    Campus Life
    • Student Organizations
    • Annual Events
    • Day in the Life
    • Around Campus
    • Photo Galleries
    • Medical and Research News
    • Medical Student Council
    • Geffy Guide
    • Search Campus and Health News
    • Service Opportunities
    • Global Health Impact
    • Why You'll Love LA
    • Photo Galleries
    • Day in the Life
    • Around Campus
    • Medical and Research News
    • Search Campus and Health News
  • How to Apply
  • Gryphon Login
  • MyCourses
  • Alumni
  • UCLA Health
  • Contact Us

Prospective Students

Search Campus and Health News

Search Campus and Health News

Search Campus and Health News

  • Health News
  • A Day in the Life
  • Around Campus
  • Medical and Research News
  • Health News
  • A Day in the Life
  • Around Campus
  • Medical and Research News
  1. Home
  2. Prospective Students
  3. Student Life
  4. Search Campus and Health News

Search Campus and Health News

Share this

Day in the Life

Title

Advice for First-Year Medical Students

Day in the Life

Date
07/27/2018
Article

Dr. Erica Davenport

Dr. Erica Davenpoirt, an OB/GYN, reflects on her experience as a first-year student in the Charles R. Drew/UCLA Medical Education Program at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (DGSOM).

Here’s her advice for first-year medical students.

Balance work and play

"It's important to find a balance between medicine and school, volunteering and work," Dr. Davenport says. "As a type-A personality, we're used to having tunnel vision with one goal in mind. We focus on school, because it's all our hard work and persistence that helped us achieve that goal. However, it's important to enjoy life outside of school, and find the balance that works for you during those early years. The goal should be to have at least one social event in a week to reward yourself for all that hard work."

Surround yourself with positive people

Dr. Davenport considers cultivating relationships with fellow students essential for first-year medical students. "One of the best things about this experience are the people at your side," she says. "You invest so many hours, and there are times [when] it is difficult. But in the end, if you have really positive people in your life, the challenges are surmountable."

Many of Dr. Davenport's closest friends came out of her medical school career, and they continue to support one another despite being spread across the country.

Ask for career advice early on

Dr. Davenport always knew she wanted to enter into the field of OB/GYN, but when the time came to apply for residency, she sought unbiased advice to guide her in the next steps of her career.

"My advice for first-year medical students is [to seek out] mentorship and [shadow] professionals in many fields early on if you're unsure about specialty. For me," she recalls, "I wish I had cultivated a stronger relationship with my mentors to specifically help me with advice about choosing residency programs. Someone [with whom] I could openly share how I feel ... ask the tough questions regarding what I should look for in a program and the importance of location. UCLA helps students find mentors through interest groups and preceptorships; however, my focus was on extracurricular activities."

Strive to be your best self

"Never settle for mediocrity," Dr. Davenport says, encouraging students to embrace self-reflection and solicit feedback whenever possible.  

"At the same time, however, "[don't allow] negative people to make you question your ability to succeed. I was lucky to surround myself with positive people who helped me be the best person I could be. They supported me and challenged me to be better by reminding me who I am and how far I have come."

Dr. Davenport takes the time to be kind to everyone and maintains meaningful relationships with family and friends.

“Part of being your best self is understanding that your success isn't defined by just the way others perceive you, but also by personal challenges that you overcome," she says.

By Kyleigh Roessner

Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Subscribe to Our Videos on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Connect with Us on LinkedIn Follow us on Pinterest Follow us on Flickr Follow us on Sharecare
Top 10 U.S. Medical Schools
  • Giving
  • Publications
  • Newsroom
  • Weekly Digest
  • Directory
  • Contact Us
  • Diversity
  • Emergency
  • Maps & Directions
  • UC Regents
  • Abuse Free
  • Volunteer
  • Biomed Library
  • Disability Resources
  • UCLA Health
  • Smoke-Free
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Use
Top 10 U.S. Medical Schools
Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Twitter Subscribe to Our Videos on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Connect with Us on LinkedIn Follow us on Pinterest Follow us on Flickr Follow us on Sharecare