Bhavi P.
Photo provided by Bhavi P.
If you’re reading this, be kind to yourself and let your resilience lead the way.
Life doesn’t always follow a smooth path. For me, navigating a family loss while continuing my studies revealed a quiet strength I hadn’t fully recognized before. Even on the hardest days, I kept going, listening to the inner voice that told me I could do this, to take breaks when I needed them, and to be gentle with myself.
Medical school can make it easy to feel behind or question whether you’re doing enough, even when you’re giving everything you have. In those moments, rest, staying connected with friends and family, and making room for what brings you joy matter just as much as perseverance. Life brings challenges, but strength comes from choosing yourself again and again. You belong here exactly as you are, and even on the toughest days, your resilience will carry you forward.
Bhavi P., Second Year Medical School
Q: How do you cope with the stressors of medical school?
A: The way I handle stress in medical school really depends on the day. Some days I can push through, and other days I know I need to pause and reset. I try to be intentional about taking breaks to do small things that help me decompress, such as going to the gym, grabbing a coffee, or watching an episode of a show. Those moments help me feel more grounded. I also lean on my support system, including friends, family, and classmates who understand the demands of medical school and remind me that I am not going through it alone. I have learned that paying attention to what I need in the moment and giving myself grace is just as important as staying disciplined.
Q: What is your motivation when medical training or education gets hard?
A: When medical school feels overwhelming, I remind myself why I chose this path. Reconnecting with that purpose helps me keep difficult days in perspective. Even when things feel especially challenging, I try to remember that this phase is part of the process and not the end point. Each step forward, even small ones, brings me closer to becoming the physician I hope to be and to caring for patients in a meaningful way.
Q: What advice do you have for incoming medical students regarding mental wellness?
A: I would tell incoming medical students that there is no single right way to get through medical school. Everyone learns and adapts differently, and constant comparison can be more harmful than helpful. It is okay not to have everything figured out right away. Focus on finding what works for you, make space for yourself alongside your responsibilities, and keep showing up even when things feel uncertain. With time and consistency, things begin to fall into place.
Several studies have revealed that medical students, physicians, and healthcare professionals experience mental health symptoms at rates significantly higher than the general population. Stethos[Cope] is a chapter of IfYoureReadingThis designed to help medical students and professionals cope with the unique stressors of medical training and change the narrative of mental health in medicine.
To read more letters and interviews from students, and to learn more about mental health in the medical community, visit the Stethos[Cope] home page.