This question was originally posted on Quora.com and was answered by Arpit Sharma, studies at Armed Forces Medical College, Pune (2020) Oh Amazing! This question brings me back my memories from my early first year. Before I begin, I would like to tell that I have always believed that the first step to achieve any goal is to pretend in your mind that you are already there. Live a life as someone with the goal would, reach the place in your mind before your body reaches there. Thus, this answer deals not just with the MBBS students, but all of the pre medical aspirants who wish to be one, some day soon, as they have a significant amount of stress too! Here’s a story. I was in the first year of my MBBS and my preliminary exams were about to come. The whole syllabus of the first prof was complete and The exams were after 4 days. For those of you who don’t know, Preliminary exams are internals that comprise of all the syllabus and since they happen before university, the internal professors fail you so that you study more. I was anxious and in stress. Seemed like pre medical was a kid and now a giant stands in front of me. My face was pale and my food was getting withdrawn. Amidst these things, We were called to the pHysiology department for some small work. As I went there, I met my Physiology tutor, a Major, Who was doing his PG . Before coming for his PG, he had served as RMO during 4 years of his captaincy. Since he had taught us a lot of skills, he meant a lot to me. He looked at my face and asked me what was wrong. I Told him,”sir, I know nothing. The whole syllabus is in front of me. I’ll fail” He said these words:” Now you are in a profession that keeps you in stress even when you’re asleep. Learn this one thing before you learn anything else: Learn to keep calm. No matter what the problem is, Learn to forget the problem and get on to the solution as soon as possible.. I’ll tell you this story: I was working as the RMO when I was captain, and One night I was on my night duty. It was about 1 in the morning and I was the alone doctor there. A soldier of about 28 years age came to my MI room, totally unconscious, and his family members were carrying him. He was showing no movement, and by his side was his wife, Who was newly wed and was crying loudly in fear of something bad. His family members climbed on me before anything and started asking questions and crying. During this scene, all your clinical knowledge and acumen takes secondary priority,and calmness becomes primary. I know you cannot imagine it, but keeping calm at that time is the most difficult thing. You’re alone, and a whole family is crying on your face. That not only means that Keeping calm is all; This primary step ensures correct decision, as a decision or a procedure during anxious state of mind cannot be perfect. After the Basic examination, I Keep my hand on the shoulder of his father, and calmly say, “He will be alright. Calm down. We need support and calm right now.” And then I went for the Infusion line and everything else that was required. Exams are very small things: you aspire to be a doctor. There are lives waiting for you,more than pieces of paper. Learn to be calm at them, Learn to seek the solution out of them. Life is going to throw you a lot of exams everyday now. You do not need preparation for all of them, You need an attitude that can tackle them with the most of accuracy. Now go and study happily. When You’re bored, Go out and party. This exam will come and go,and You’ll pass. Indeed I passed.All of them. I learnt a great lesson from what he said. Exams, Or for that matter, Any stress, doesn’t really matter much to me now, Especially when I recall his words! We, Who aspire to treat people some day, Should Learn this ability to look for solutions and not on the problem. When it comes to practicing medicine, there is more knowledge than in books, that is required out there! Wish you a great day! Source
