M I N D S E T
Mindset is everything. Credits: Lark & Ives
In my first semester, I struggled with negative self-talk. Medical school was harder than I could've ever imagined. I was overwhelmed and the workload felt like “drinking from a fire hydrant” as the upperclassmen at orientation had said. Most of all, I was afraid of failing and having to repeat the semester.
As the content got harder and the number of things memorise increased, the louder and more frequent the negative thoughts in my head became. I was constantly thinking negative thoughts, fueled by the fear that I was not cut out for medical school and that I wouldn’t make it past my first semester.
The core issue was that the medical school experience I envisioned going into medical school did not match my current reality. Maybe that’s the same for you too?
If that is you right now, let me assure you that you are not alone! You and I and so many other medical students deal with the same thing. I know this for a fact my friends and classmates told me so. From the friend getting all A’s to me who felt like I was barely passing, we all at times felt not good enough and that we had to try harder to get better grades or to maintain them.
So you’re probably asking, how do I quiet the negative thoughts and voices in my head? When do I feel more settled and confident in this journey?
Well, truth be told, I too am still learning but what I can say is, it is a daily and intentional effort. Addressing it looks different for everyone and it may also require outside help. Me, I knew that I needed help so I started to see one of the school counsellors. This gave me an outlet to get out my thoughts so they didn’t stay bottled up in my head. I also started going to peer-tutoring and seeing one of the learning specialists who helped me find learning techniques that work best for me.
Each day I challenged every negative thought and changed my mindset from wanting to just survive or “ pass” to wanting to thrive. This meant focusing on winning in the little things each day and letting the future take care of itself.
Through doing these things learned something that may be helpful for you too. They are:
Challenge each negative thought. Is this true? What evidence is there to support it? — usually, the answer is No.
Each day, focus on the present and the task at hand — not on the future or upcoming assessments.
Daily positive affirmations/ prayer — say and surround yourself (e.g. room, screensaver, notepad) with them
Seek help EARLY
Therapy & Counselling — even if it’s just to vent. Utilise your school’s counselling services.
Peers — surround yourself with positive people and people you can be vulnerable and real with.
📩❓What do you do to maintain a positive mindset? Do/Did you struggle with negative self-talk? How do you address it?
Share your experience or an encouraging word in the comments.