Index IntroductionExperiencing Medicine FirsthandImportance of Hobbies in a Career in MedicineConclusionReferencesIntroductionWhen all the prospective medical students I knew mostly talked about their lifelong interest in serving people , I was secretly ashamed that in comparison, my reason for pursuing medicine was neither noble nor altruistic. My fear of the unknown is what primarily drove me to pursue medicine. The idea of ​​not knowing what was going on in my body was something that didn't sit well with me. However, my interest in human anatomy grew further during my biology classes, where I often found myself marveling at the complexities of the human body and the synergistic interactions between organ systems. Reflecting on my journey, I now realize that my curiosity about the human body, combined with the desire to understand it deeply, is what motivates me to pursue a career in medicine. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Experiencing Medicine Firsthand To deepen my understanding of the realities of the profession, I volunteered for two months in a government hospital, where I had the privilege of assisting patients in their daily activities. I mainly visited the pediatric oncology departments where I spent time creating artwork and reading books with the children. As I worked alongside nurses to help patients forget about pain for a while, I learned the importance of patients' mental and emotional health, even if they are primarily suffering from a physical ailment. Additionally, I learned how great an impact empathy and compassion have on strengthening the doctor-patient relationship and providing a caring environment for patients to heal. I also worked with the outpatient service team to communicate with patients about their appointments, which greatly improved my communication skills and my ability to work effectively in a time-constrained team. Throughout my time as a volunteer, the mentally challenging aspect of each case, the diversity of specialties and the absence of monotony in this profession strengthened my decision to pursue it. The months I spent as a volunteer also highlighted the importance of basic practices such as patient confidentiality and hospital hygiene protocols, but one issue that piqued my interest most was the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in the hospital environment and the global concern regarding the emergence of superbugs. This inspired me to write my extensive essay on the antimicrobial efficacy of Indian herbal medicines on Staphylococcus epidermidis. The goal was to test whether Ayurvedic medicinal plants possess antimicrobial properties that can potentially be used to combat antibiotic resistance. Conducting numerous studies, many of which failed, taught me the importance of diligence in research and helped me appreciate the commitment and effort put into an academic study. It also helped me develop research and analytical skills and understand the different processes associated with conducting small-scale research. Despite the obstacles I faced, it was undoubtedly one of the most challenging yet intellectually satisfying experiences as a student. Importance of Hobbies in Medical Career Furthermore, after speaking with doctors about the grueling nature of this profession, I have become well aware of the importance of having hobbies to cope with the, 12(4), 201-215.