If there’s one thing I can say about my first year of medical school, it’s this: it was a rollercoaster of emotions, growth, and lessons I never saw coming. From the outside, it might look like just a lot of studying, but the reality is so much deeper. Med school isn’t just about learning how to care for others—it’s also about learning how to care for yourself.

Here are some of the biggest lessons I learned during this wild, humbling, and rewarding first year:

1. Comparison is the thief of joy

Starting medical school, I quickly realized how easy it was to compare myself to my classmates. Everyone seemed so smart, so confident, so put together. Meanwhile, I was just trying to survive my first anatomy lab without fainting.

What I’ve learned is that comparison doesn’t serve you. Everyone’s journey is different, and your success isn’t defined by how you measure up to others. It’s about how much you grow, how hard you work, and how kind you are to yourself along the way.

2. Imposter syndrome is real (but it doesn’t define you)

There were so many days I wondered, Did the admissions committee make a mistake? I’d feel like I didn’t belong, like I wasn’t smart enough to be here.

But here’s the thing: if you’re in med school, you’ve earned your spot. You worked hard to get here, and you deserve to be here just as much as anyone else. I’ve started reminding myself that it’s okay to feel uncertain or overwhelmed—that’s part of growing. The key is to focus on progress, not perfection.

3. Balance is a myth (but self-care is non-negotiable)

Trying to balance school, relationships, hobbies, and downtime sometimes felt impossible. Spoiler alert: it is. There will be weeks when school takes over, and that’s okay.

What I’ve learned, though, is that self-care isn’t optional. Whether it’s walking my dogs, calling my family, or binge-watching a show guilt-free, I’ve learned to carve out time to recharge. Even 30 minutes can make a huge difference.

4. Celebrate the small wins

Med school is full of milestones—passing your first exam, finishing a tough lab, or even just making it through a long day of lectures. I’ve learned to celebrate those moments because they add up and remind me why I started this journey in the first place.

5. It’s okay to ask for help

This was a hard one for me. I’ve always prided myself on being independent, but med school taught me that asking for help doesn’t mean you’re weak—it means you’re human. Whether it’s reaching out to a professor, seeking mental health support, or leaning on your friends, it’s okay to say, I can’t do this alone.