The Art of Failing Gracefully
Rahul Mody, 3rd year student
Manila Central University, Philippines
Starting medical school felt like entering a superhero movie where I was the star. I had breezed through high school and pre-med courses with flying colors, convinced med school would be a breeze. But soon, reality hit hard. The transition from being a top student to struggling with a new and challenging curriculum was like jumping from a sunny beach into the middle of a stormy ocean. Or the same beach, but a group of uncles wearing Rupa Innerwear just came into my visual radius.
The Downfall of Perfection
In high school, I was the epitome of academic success, a valedictorian with an almost superhero-like grasp of every subject. Med school, however, is a different beast. I remember my first major exam like it was yesterday. However, I did not remember much IN the exam, as it turned out. I walked in with the confidence of a Bollywood hero, only to leave feeling like I’d just starred in a tragic film. My grades were a shock to my system—like finding out the hero’s sidekick was actually the villain or the comic relief. This fall from SRK to Rajpal Yadav was a tough pill to swallow, much like the spicy food my grandmother swears will cure everything.
Expectations vs. Reality
The days of expecting straight A’s were long gone. In med school, my goal shifted to simply passing. My new mantra became, “Just pass, just pass.” I recall one week when I missed several lectures due to a combination of a dreadful cold and an overwhelming sense of doom. My study schedule turned into a chaotic mess of last-minute cramming sessions, fueled by an unhealthy amount of coffee. If my study routine were a movie, it would have put Golmaal to shame. Frantically highlighted notes while my friends posted pictures of their peaceful holidays and/or wild parties on Instagram.
From Extracurriculars to Extra Sleep
Gone were the days of juggling every possible extracurricular activity. Now, if I managed to stay awake through a lecture, I considered it a major victory. I used to attend every campus event and volunteer like a champion. Now, my greatest achievement was finding the nearest nap spot between classes. Once, I showed up to a study group in pyjamas, only to find out I had wandered into the wrong room. My classmates’ bewildered expressions were a testament to how out of touch I had become with normalcy. Should I have been embarrassed? Perhaps. Regardless, it was all forgotten when the next sleepless night was met with yet another failing grade.
The Reality of Failing
Failing an exam in med school is like being hit by a reality check so hard that it feels like a cosmic joke. I had to reassess my study methods, my expectations, and even my sense of self-worth. It was like attending a therapy session where I was both the patient and the therapist. Each failure felt like a plot twist in my personal drama, forcing me to confront my vulnerabilities. The experience was a humbling reminder that even in the world of medicine, not everything goes according to plan.
Celebrating Small Victories
Amid all the chaos, it became crucial to celebrate small victories. Completing a lecture without falling asleep or managing a practice test without a meltdown were significant achievements. I learned that progress isn’t always about grades but about survival and perseverance. I remember celebrating passing an anatomy quiz by treating myself to a day without textbooks. It felt like a mini-vacation in an academic desert.
Taking It One Step at a Time
Med school is a marathon, not a sprint (repeat after me). The key to navigating this journey is taking it one step at a time. Embracing failures, learning from them, and moving forward are essential parts of the process. Finding a rhythm that works personally and understanding that everyone is in the same boat helps. We’re all paddling through the stormy sea of stress and uncertainty. The storm will eventually pass, and we’ll see the shore—or at least a hopeful glimpse of it.
Embracing the Journey
Failing gracefully isn’t about avoiding failure but about how one handles it when it happens. Embracing the challenges, laughing at the absurdities, and celebrating small victories are key to navigating med school. Every setback is a stepping stone toward becoming the doctor one aspires to be. The journey may be filled with bumps, but it is undeniably worth the ride.
