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Khushi
Student
Salem, Virginia
1
Question
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What has been the most challenging this to adapt to in college as a pre-med student?
I want to go pre-med and want to genuinely know what the roughest part can be.
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2 answers
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
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Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hey Khushi! đź‘‹
Ah, lemme say to the brave soul stepping into pre-med! That’s a big dream, and even thinking about what it’ll take already puts you ahead of the curve. So let me tell you some truths I hope helps clear things out.
Now, The roughest part of pre-med?
Oh well, Hands down, it's balancing everything without losing yourself in the chaos. Here's why:
1. There is the pressure to becoming Perfect (close, no ones perfect, we all are). From day one, it feels like you're building the resume of a future superhero, shadowing hours, research, clinical volunteering, leadership, straight As, MCAT prep, all while being a good human? well. It’s a lot. You’ll sometimes feel like you're juggling knives on a unicycle… during a thunderstorm tbh.
2. Everyone is smart. Like, scary smart. And it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing your journey to theirs. Someone will always seem more prepared, more impressive, more confident, but trust me, they're also internally wondering if you have it more together than them.
3. College science courses are a whole new beast. In high school, you might’ve gotten by with a quick cram session. Not anymore. In pre-med, consistency wins. You're not just studying for exams, you’re building the foundation of your medical future. Know that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Try to make Learning towards how to learn it Fast not just memorize it tho that can help with some parts but don't get used to memorizing rather tru understanding, the concept sticks better.
4. You’ll probably deal with imposter syndrome, burnout, existential crises ("Do I really want this life?") , and the occasional “I just cried in the anatomy lab storage closet” kind of day. It’s normal. And you're not alone, this is a route, an experience we all have to take to learn.
Now to navigate, you honestly will get it along the way but here is what I can give you to take into action.
Schedule joy like it’s a class. A dance break, a coffee time, a nap, anything that keeps you grounded in who you are outside of medicine.
Find your people. Not just pre-meds friends who remind you to laugh, who celebrate wins and failures with you.
Talk to upperclassmen. When I used to be in my first year and in high school most my peers where upper classmen, this helped me to prepare an build experiences I needed along the way and I really did get great advice and life lessons as well not just educational. Learn from their successes and their mess-ups. They'll tell you which profs are chill, what clubs are worth your time, and when to drop orgo like a hot potato.
Ask for help early, from tutors, advisors, or even just classmates. You’re not expected to know it all, yet anyways, and asking helps you not only build your curiosity and knowledge but also to make connections easily.
You’ve got this, Khushi. The road is intense, but it also builds you into someone resilient, thoughtful, and deeply impactful. Keep your heart in it and don’t be afraid to ask for help (from us too!). Cheering you on like crazy bud.
Join your school’s pre-med society or AMSA chapter, you’ll get resources and find your tribe.
Shadow early, even once or twice, so you start building clarity about what kind of doctor *you* want to be.
Start a journal if it helps, write down your “why” now. You’ll thank yourself when you need motivation later. Many medical students find this helpful as well.
Try volunteering in non-medical spaces too, medicine is about humanity, not just biology.
Take breaks without guilt. Being a well-rounded, compassionate future doctor means being human first.
Ah, lemme say to the brave soul stepping into pre-med! That’s a big dream, and even thinking about what it’ll take already puts you ahead of the curve. So let me tell you some truths I hope helps clear things out.
Now, The roughest part of pre-med?
Oh well, Hands down, it's balancing everything without losing yourself in the chaos. Here's why:
1. There is the pressure to becoming Perfect (close, no ones perfect, we all are). From day one, it feels like you're building the resume of a future superhero, shadowing hours, research, clinical volunteering, leadership, straight As, MCAT prep, all while being a good human? well. It’s a lot. You’ll sometimes feel like you're juggling knives on a unicycle… during a thunderstorm tbh.
2. Everyone is smart. Like, scary smart. And it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparing your journey to theirs. Someone will always seem more prepared, more impressive, more confident, but trust me, they're also internally wondering if you have it more together than them.
3. College science courses are a whole new beast. In high school, you might’ve gotten by with a quick cram session. Not anymore. In pre-med, consistency wins. You're not just studying for exams, you’re building the foundation of your medical future. Know that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Try to make Learning towards how to learn it Fast not just memorize it tho that can help with some parts but don't get used to memorizing rather tru understanding, the concept sticks better.
4. You’ll probably deal with imposter syndrome, burnout, existential crises ("Do I really want this life?") , and the occasional “I just cried in the anatomy lab storage closet” kind of day. It’s normal. And you're not alone, this is a route, an experience we all have to take to learn.
Now to navigate, you honestly will get it along the way but here is what I can give you to take into action.
Schedule joy like it’s a class. A dance break, a coffee time, a nap, anything that keeps you grounded in who you are outside of medicine.
Find your people. Not just pre-meds friends who remind you to laugh, who celebrate wins and failures with you.
Talk to upperclassmen. When I used to be in my first year and in high school most my peers where upper classmen, this helped me to prepare an build experiences I needed along the way and I really did get great advice and life lessons as well not just educational. Learn from their successes and their mess-ups. They'll tell you which profs are chill, what clubs are worth your time, and when to drop orgo like a hot potato.
Ask for help early, from tutors, advisors, or even just classmates. You’re not expected to know it all, yet anyways, and asking helps you not only build your curiosity and knowledge but also to make connections easily.
You’ve got this, Khushi. The road is intense, but it also builds you into someone resilient, thoughtful, and deeply impactful. Keep your heart in it and don’t be afraid to ask for help (from us too!). Cheering you on like crazy bud.
Dr recommends the following next steps:
Charlotte Geiger
Public Health Science Student at the University of Maryland
151
Answers
Sykesville, Maryland
Updated
Charlotte’s Answer
Hi,
One of the toughest parts of being a pre-med student in college is adapting to the intense academic pressure—especially when it comes to chemistry courses. For a lot of students, chemistry is a real wake-up call. In high school, you might have been used to being at the top of your class, but in college—especially at a rigorous school—you’re surrounded by other high-achieving students who are just as driven and talented as you are. It can feel overwhelming when you’re putting in hours of studying, only to see grades that don’t reflect the effort you’re used to putting in.
Chemistry, in particular, is a huge hurdle for many pre-meds. The material itself is dense and conceptual, and it’s often the first time students encounter truly challenging STEM coursework. Balancing equations, understanding molecular interactions, and grasping thermodynamics concepts can feel like a completely different world compared to high school chemistry. On top of that, professors often expect you to learn at a faster pace and grasp abstract concepts quickly, which makes keeping up tough—especially when everyone around you seems to be excelling.
Another challenge is resisting the urge to compare yourself to others. It’s hard not to feel like you’re falling behind when you hear classmates discussing how well they did on an exam or how effortlessly they seem to grasp difficult topics. You start questioning whether you’re cut out for medicine or if you’re just not smart enough. The reality is, though, that most of your peers are feeling the same pressure but just aren’t vocal about their struggles.
The key to overcoming this is to focus on your own progress rather than constantly comparing yourself to others. Find study methods that work for you, build a support system with friends who understand what you’re going through, and remind yourself that struggling with a tough subject doesn’t mean you’re not capable. Adjusting to the academic rigor takes time, but once you find your groove, it becomes more manageable. Just remember, it’s okay to ask for help—whether that’s from tutors, professors, or peers who have been through it before.
One of the toughest parts of being a pre-med student in college is adapting to the intense academic pressure—especially when it comes to chemistry courses. For a lot of students, chemistry is a real wake-up call. In high school, you might have been used to being at the top of your class, but in college—especially at a rigorous school—you’re surrounded by other high-achieving students who are just as driven and talented as you are. It can feel overwhelming when you’re putting in hours of studying, only to see grades that don’t reflect the effort you’re used to putting in.
Chemistry, in particular, is a huge hurdle for many pre-meds. The material itself is dense and conceptual, and it’s often the first time students encounter truly challenging STEM coursework. Balancing equations, understanding molecular interactions, and grasping thermodynamics concepts can feel like a completely different world compared to high school chemistry. On top of that, professors often expect you to learn at a faster pace and grasp abstract concepts quickly, which makes keeping up tough—especially when everyone around you seems to be excelling.
Another challenge is resisting the urge to compare yourself to others. It’s hard not to feel like you’re falling behind when you hear classmates discussing how well they did on an exam or how effortlessly they seem to grasp difficult topics. You start questioning whether you’re cut out for medicine or if you’re just not smart enough. The reality is, though, that most of your peers are feeling the same pressure but just aren’t vocal about their struggles.
The key to overcoming this is to focus on your own progress rather than constantly comparing yourself to others. Find study methods that work for you, build a support system with friends who understand what you’re going through, and remind yourself that struggling with a tough subject doesn’t mean you’re not capable. Adjusting to the academic rigor takes time, but once you find your groove, it becomes more manageable. Just remember, it’s okay to ask for help—whether that’s from tutors, professors, or peers who have been through it before.