Feeling Like You Don’t Belong in MBBS? Here’s what you should know.

You’ve finally cracked NEET and secured a seat in MBBS. Still, when you sit in the class listening to your professor talk about the details of anatomy, there’s a voice in the back of your head that says, “I don’t belong here.” You look around at the people in your class. They all seem much more confident and smarter than you. And, you sit there and wonder if clearing NEET was a chance factor after all. 

If you can relate to this incident, I’m sorry to inform you – you are suffering from the ‘Imposter Syndrome.’ It is this constant fear of feeling like a fraud, a person who has achieved everything based on pure luck or by mistake. Additionally, it comes with the idea that everyone else is somehow better than you. 

Trust me on this, you’re not alone. I have felt the same way throughout the first and second year. In fact, most MBBS students feel this way at some point of their 5.5 year journey.

Let’s try to understand these feelings: what is imposter syndrome, why does it hit so hard in MBBS, and most importantly, how can you overcome it?

What Is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is the overwhelming feeling that you do not deserve your success, that you just got lucky, and that it’s only a matter of time before someone figures out you’re not as capable as they think. Even though you’ve earned your place in MBBS through very hard work, your brain keeps whispering, “You’re a fraud.”

In MBBS the expectations are so high, and you’re surrounded by very talented people. It can lead to an increase in this feeling. It’s easy to feel like you don’t deserve your opportunities.

Why MBBS Students Feel It More

MBBS colleges have a very stressful environment which can make imposter syndrome more common among medical students. 

From day one, there’s pressure to perform well, keep up with the huge syllabus, and live up to the “doctor in the making” image. The ‘Netter’s Atlas of Anatomy’ itself has more content than all the NCERTs combined, and that’s just one subject.

In medical college, you are surrounded by the country’s brightest minds. It’s easy to start comparing yourself to them. When you see your classmates answering questions confidently or performing well in exams, you might feel like you’re falling behind.

The MBBS selection rate is only 1%, among the 20+ lakh students that appear for NEET. When you think about the students who did not make it, when you see their posts and stories on instagram, you might start feeling like they deserve it more than you.

On top of that, most of us are perfectionists. The hectic NEET prep makes you one. We want to get everything right, but the reality is, no one can know it all. Still, not knowing something can make you feel like you don’t belong in this field.

How Imposter Syndrome Shows Up

Imposter syndrome can manifest in a lot of a ways, here are a few common ones:

1. Constantly questioning your knowledge and everything you do. Thinking ‘maybe I am not doing this right’
2. Avoiding answering questions in class or participating in any discussion because you’re afraid of being wrong. You feel like a mistake will expose you as “incompetent.” or an “imposter”. The fear of being wrong is paralyzing. 
3. Studying the entire time. Obsessing over the smallest details to “prove” that you belong. It is like being in a constant battle even though others seem to be more relaxed.
4. Feeling like you’re the only one who doesn’t “get it”. As a result, you start to stay alone and distance yourself from your batchmates. Avoiding asking for help as it might be extremely embarrassing. 

How to Deal With these feelings

I am not a therapist, and would strongly advise seeing a therapist if that’s possible. I can only help you with some tips that help me overcome my Imposter syndrome. Here they are:

Accept the Feelings

The first step is to name your feelings. With some research you can understand what ‘Imposter Syndrome’ is. You can also check the stats to see that you’re not the only one feeling this way. 80% of people experience this syndrome at some point of their lives. Your professors, your friends, even that super confident stranger has felt this way. 

Talking about it with other people will thus help you lighten the burden. Knowing that someone else relates is always a good feeling. 

If talking is too scary, start with journaling. Try to write down your feelings to lighten the burden.

Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

Comparing yourself to others is one of the biggest drivers of imposter syndrome. MBBS is not school, MBBS is one of the most difficult courses for a reason. You are not going to be okay with it in a day or even a month. 

Also, everyone has their own pace of learning. Just because someone adjusted quickly or answered a question doesn’t mean they know everything better than you. Focus on your own growth and progress. Focus on yourself.

Celebrate Yourself

We are quick to bash ourselves about something we did not do but we fail to acknowledge things that we do. One of the main reasons imposter syndrome persists is because we don’t take the time to thank ourselves. 

You got into MBBS because you worked hard. You’ve passed exams, you’ve completed useless assignments, and you have learned so so much already. Start giving yourself credit for the things you’ve achieved.

Understand That It’s Okay to Not Know Everything

Here’s a reality check: No one knows everything. No one knows every small detail about bony landmarks, not even an orthopedic can give you the exact postero-medial-inferior detail.

The top-ranked students or even the professors might not have all the answers. Medicine is a lifelong learning process, and it’s okay to not know something. What matters is that you’re willing to learn and grow.

Have smaller, realistic targets. F perfectionism.

Perfectionism is the food for imposter syndrome. Instead of trying to be perfect, focus on improving a little each day. In some time you will be able to see yourself as the hardworking person you are.

The Truth: You Deserve to Be Here

The truth is absolute, and it does not change based on what you think. And the truth is that you have worked hard to get into MBBS. You’ve earned your place, and you belong just as much as anyone else in your class. The fact that you’re questioning yourself doesn’t mean you’re not worth it – it means that you care. And caring is a very good quality to have in a doctor.

The next time you doubt yourself, sit down and remind yourself that you are exactly where you’re supposed to be. You got selected for a reason.

Take a deep breath, and trust that you will be a great doctor.

You belong here.