Feelings of Inferiority among classmates

[IonClaws]

Hi everyone...

So lately I've noticed that a lot of my classmates (1st year of medical school) seem to understand things a lot more quickly than I do, at least from lectures, and that I often have a hard time understanding their explanations and have to dissect the material on my own to truly get an understanding...it also seems like some of my classmates think that I'm a slower medical student and need more help than most (i.e. suggesting to get a tutor)...I know their intentions for helping me are good, but has anyone else had these feelings of inferiority, intimidation, and/or insecurity about one's own abilities and intelligence? I mean, I'm sure that some have had these feelings, but would you mind sharing? I've had considerable self-doubt even while only in undergrad and it's obviously getting worse in medical school. Sigh. Aside from sharing similar feelings, does anyone have any advice on how to deal with this sort of thing? :/

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[link2swim06]

If you are getting the grades you want....don't worry about what anybody else is doing.

End of story.

 

[Frazier]

A lot of my classmates are smarter than me. I'm smarter than some of my classmates. The geniuses could recommend to me that I get tutored and I could recommend those below me that they get tutored. None of this really matters in the big scheme of things. Who cares.

The sooner than you accept the fact that you're statistically most likely to be average (*GASP*) among your peers, the better -- and the happier you'll be.

Like the guy above me said, if you are happy with your grades -- that's all that matters.

 

[xffan624]

If you are getting the grades you want....don't worry about what anybody else is doing.

End of story.

This. Everyone has their own process to learn the material, some slower, some faster. Speed or ease of learning the material is irrelevant because the only thing that matters is what happens on the test.

 

[coffeesnob]

it could be that other people have more background than you. for instance, i am learning embryology right now. i definitely need to put in 5X more effort compared to someone who has taken embryology in undergrad. same thing for biochem, cell bio, immunology -- basically all the basic sciences. but i think we will all reach a point where everyone is on the same page -- where the previous coursework does not help (maybe MS2 stuff?)

oh yeah. i also stopped studying with other people. i learn thing very differently from others, and other people's explanations stress me out. I like to learn at my own pace -- sometimes it means i need to watch a lecture 3 times (just parts i don't get). as long as I am learning and doing okay on tests, i don't see any problem with that.

i also know i am definitely not as smart as other people. so i work harder to get better grades. it's okay. i like learning in general. actually the fact that I am not the smartest anymore has been motivating me and humbling me at the same time. but don't stop believing in yourself, and don't share grades with others. Don't worry about how others are studying or doing, unless you are willing to ask for help. good luck!

PS there is no shame in seeking tutors. I see a tutor once a week. i don't know why that's a problem...

 

[sazerac]

Med school is hella intimidating, until you realize that your peers are irrelevant to achieving your career goals. Once you accept this, you can admire your peers, pass your classes, and become a doctor.

 

[alpinism]

eh no med school class will ever be on the same level.

You'll have classmates who were PAs, ICU RNs for 10yrs, or who have a PhD in Microbiology.

For most of the class fresh out of undergrad, yeah the non-science majors usually catch up to the science majors by M2.

Life isn't fair. Do the best you can and don't worry about everyone else.

 

[studocplsignore]

Some people are just smarter than you, especially in med school which is filled (mostly) with the cream of the crop. 50% of people are going to be below average, even though they've always been at the top before.

It can take a lot of introspection to get used to, but you need to realize that there will always be people better than you, smarter than you, work harder than you. Feeling jealous or insecure next to them will benefit you in no way. Use it instead to make yourself competitive, to try harder. No one is 'too good' for tutoring. If it helps push your grade up, then by all means do it. But in the end, you have to be satisfied with where you are and what you are doing.

 

[organdonor]

50% of people are going to be below average, even though they've always been at the top before.

This didn't really hit home til I started but it is true. Everyone in med school was at the top of their graduating college class (or else they wouldn't have made it into med school!) but not everyone in M1 can be above average.

As said above, if you are happy with your grades there is no problem. Do you know what they call the guy who graduates last in his medical school class??
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Doctor

 

[NickNaylor]

This didn't really hit home til I started but it is true. Everyone in med school was at the top of their graduating college class (or else they wouldn't have made it into med school!) but not everyone in M1 can be above average.

As said above, if you are happy with your grades there is no problem. Do you know what they call the guy who graduates last in his medical school class??
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Doctor

Exactly.

OP I think most people have this experience, myself included. It definitely sucks at first, but the quicker you move on and focus on your own learning rather than your performance on exams, the better off you'll be.

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[Longhorn16]

I think pretty much everyone feels like this at some point, especially in the first semester of M1. Don't worry about it and just focus on yourself, even though it takes a while to stop comparing yourself to others

 

[Chrissisissi]

Just try not to compare yourself. I know I learn at a different pace than people but all that matters is how much you know on the day of the test. Just be confident in what you and ask questions about what you don't. Try a study group. That way other ppl can fill in holes in your thinking.

 

[epsilonprodigy]

OP, I notice you say that you don't pick up on things as well as others from lectures, and that you need time to digest the material. Maybe this means that class isn't particularly high-yield for you.

I can't learn jack squat from a lecture unless I've read the material at length beforehand. I used to be amazed at classmates who could pick up things from lecture too, and then I realized that I can pick up on things faster than most people from reading. Maybe it's not an issue of fast vs. slow learning, but instead just a minor difference in learning style. Unless you feel that class really saves on study time, or it's mandatory, I'd recommend skipping a few lectures and seeing how you grasp the material on your own.