Ever get the feeling that everyone else is better than you

[rolliespring]

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Just finished up my sophomore year. Maybe this is just me because I'm a naturally competitive person, but don't you guys ever get the "wow these people are just so freakin smart there's no way I'm gonna be able to do what they do" feeling?

It seems like there are always these crazy premeds around me that always do stuff that are way more outstanding than what I do. I sometimes get a little jealous about their ability but then what they do is definitely not something I would choose to do. Do you guys ever get a feeling that you're out-competed because you're not doing what they're doing? For example X won a super prestigious scholarship due to his research about Y. Wow that's awesome but I'm more interested in Z and it's unlikely I'll win an award in the field of Z.

I know this might be a stupid question but how should I be more confident in myself?

 

[Aerus]

Don't compare yourself to others. Rather, compare yourself with yourself. Keep setting the bar higher for yourself and the rest will follow.

 

[Got Heem]

This is not uncommon. You're not the only one that feels that way, and therefore you should not feel that way... if that makes any sense.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/imposter-syndrome-in-medical-school.1058878/

 

[Psai]

Happens all the time. It will get worse in medical school. I think I'm somewhere in the top half of my class and I still feel like almost everyone is smarter than me.

 

[xnfs93hy]

All the time. I just accept the fact that there are other people out there who will always be smarter than I.

 

[James1992]

Yeah I get the feeling every now and then. It's all about your frame of mind, however. Just focus on your own personal growth. Instead look at the success of others as a positive. I would much rather be around people that are more successful than me as opposed to being the smartest/most successful in the room. This way I can LEARN from my peers.

 

[Ismet]

Start training yourself NOW to stop comparing yourself to others. It only gets worse in med school.

 

[Mad Jack]

I never felt this way, because I never compared myself to others academically. In fact I actively avoided other premeds entirely- they weren't bad people, just too obsessive for my taste. Do your own thing, focus on your grades, and be the best applicant you can be.

 

[Person0715]

There will always be someone better. Just focus on improving yourself.

 

[rolliespring]

This is not uncommon. You're not the only one that feels that way, and therefore you should not feel that way... if that makes any sense.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/imposter-syndrome-in-medical-school.1058878/

This is very interesting, good to know I'm not alone here.

I never felt this way, because I never compared myself to others academically. In fact I actively avoided other premeds entirely- they weren't bad people, just too obsessive for my taste. Do your own thing, focus on your grades, and be the best applicant you can be.

I've been avoiding other premeds to reduce those feelings as well. Never went to premed societies, nope.

Technically I know I am doing better than the majority of my peer undergrads. But when it comes to med school admission I always think why would the adcoms pick me instead of him/her? Even though I've been doing the best I can s/he seems like a much better candidate than me with the stuff s/he has done.

Start training yourself NOW to stop comparing yourself to others. It only gets worse in med school.

Good point. I really should start doing that.

Thanks for the feedback, really appreciate it guys.

 

[EMDO2018]

"Ever get the feeling that everyone else is better than you"

No.

 

[Mad Jack]

This is very interesting, good to know I'm not alone here.



I've been avoiding other premeds to reduce those feelings as well. Never went to premed societies, nope.

Technically I know I am doing better than the majority of my peer undergrads. But when it comes to med school admission I always think why would the adcoms pick me instead of him/her? Even though I've been doing the best I can s/he seems like a much better candidate than me with the stuff s/he has done.



Good point. I really should start doing that.

Thanks for the feedback, really appreciate it guys.

There's enough seats for most of the truly competitive applicants out there. Just be competitive. They can take that person and you. It isn't an either/or situation. Stop thinking "it's either them or me."

 

[Lucca]

Yah I feel this way at least once a week. I feel constantly behind and feel I'm not doing enough and that my resumé is lackluster or mediocre.

But in the words of Kendrick Lamar:

"Live your life, live it right. Be different, do different things. Don't do it like he did because he ain't what you is."

 

[deleted407021]

I never really feel that everyone else is better than myself. I guess I have the capacity to feel like some others are "better", but after this semester, I'm too burned out to care.
I like to put myself in environments where I am one of the best. I'm one of the best clarinetists at my UG. I wipe the floor with my classmates in writing classes. However, I try not to compare myself to other people. I try to be the best for myself, and that often leads to being better at something than those around you who may not be putting in as much energy.