Don’t Self-Select: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and Learning to Ride the Wave

If I could go back and give myself one piece of advice before starting medical school, it would be simple: Don’t self-select.

The journey to medical school requires years of preparation including late nights of studying, volunteering, shadowing, completing applications, and wondering whether all the effort will be enough. When you finally arrive on campus, you may feel excitement, pride, and relief. But somewhere during that first year, those feelings might be replaced by self-doubt.

You may compare yourself with classmates who seem more confident, more prepared, or who are quicker to understand the material. During one of our early pathology labs, I listened as a classmate flawlessly recited from memory detailed pathophysiological mechanisms that I had never even heard of, making me think I had read a completely different textbook. You may struggle academically for the first time. I experienced this during a Cardio-Pulmonary-Renal exam, I watched classmates calmly and coolly finish with over 45 minutes to spare while I was only halfway through. When we got our grades back, I was honestly shocked that I passed. Experiences like these can make you wonder whether the admissions committee made a mistake. That is imposter syndrome talking.

An M4 (4^th year medical student) reminded me during my first week that each medical school may review thousands of applications before selecting a class. The admissions committee chose you knowing your academic record, experiences, strengths, limitations, and potential. They believed you possessed the combination of ability, resilience, character, and motivation necessary to succeed. Don’t remove yourself from an opportunity when others have already determined you have what it takes.

That does not mean the journey will be easy, or that you will always succeed on the first attempt. You may fail an exam or need more time than your peers to understand a concept. Those moments do not define the physician you will become. They are opportunities to ask: What worked? What didn’t? What will I do differently next time?

As someone who loves to surf, when I think of medical school, it often feels like when I’m paddling through a heavy set of waves. My shoulders burn, my lungs are tired, and another wave is already building in front of me after I might’ve just been held down on the ocean floor. I can see the second, monstrous wave barreling towards me, and I’m left with few options: bail the board and dive down hoping that I won’t get tossed over; do nothing and accept the freight train of a wave that’s barreling towards me, or dig deep and paddle as hard as I can to ride the wave until it breaks. In life, and on my journey, I’m always going to paddle as hard as I can. It doesn’t matter whether I make it over the wave or not; what matters is my willingness to remain uncomfortable, keep moving, and trust that the struggle will eventually place me beyond the break.

Each time I’ve reached calmer water, I’ve noticed something important: the surfers beside me were paddling just as hard as I was.

I’m grateful for the many people who have supported me throughout my journey, including Dr. Rebekah Cole, PhD, MEd, assistant dean for academic success at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. As one of my steadfast mentors, she is someone I can always turn to for perspective and guidance. Her support has reinforced an important lesson: one way to counteract imposter syndrome is to build a strong support system and seek out mentors. Be willing to lean on them and, in time, become that source of support for someone else.

Lastly, remember, why you chose medicine. Remember that you belong in the lineup, and your wave will come. Keep paddling.

The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences or the Department of War.