Life, learning, and medicine: advice to new medical students from a junior doctor.

Starting out at medical school is challenging. It isn’t just the work: it’s the prospect of meeting new people, adapting to a different place, and managing your independence. It’s normal to feel apprehensive. I could reel off some practical things you should do to prepare for medical school, but that’s been done many times before. Instead, I want to offer you some of my reflections. Call it what you will—wisdom, hindsight, or nostalgia from a seasoned medical school graduate—but perhaps you can take away something useful for your own journey. You’re committing several years of your life to medical school, and it’s natural that you will oscillate between times that are good, great, and difficult. Being at medical school will be one of the most formative experiences of your life, so embrace it. Your friendship group—medics and non-medics alike—will become your rock. Friends will be with you to enjoy the highs and to help you stay resilient during …