Avoid comparisons: 3 reasons why in medical school

Whether in undergrad, med school or the workplace, it’s easy to get caught up in comparisons. To look at others and think they know it all or have it all together. In reality, no one knows it all and often times, we’re all struggling in one way or another. Some people are just better at seeming like they’re not. Here are 3 reasons to avoid comparisons and ultimately feel happier in medical school.

1. Avoid comparisons since you don’t know their background

One of the biggest reasons to avoid comparisons is that we don’t truly know our classmates. Especially early on. We don’t know what background they do or don’t have.

Some classmates have multiple degrees. Some have worked in healthcare. Others have family members who are doctors. Actually, I was shocked to learn how many classmates do. (Some have entire families working as physicians.) And in other instances, some students heave learned some of the material on their own. Like me.

And any of these experiences can provide an advantage.

For example, one classmate who worked in a cardiologist’s office already knew about the heart sounds and various pathologies. This came in handy during the cardio block. Someone who was unaware of this classmate’s background might compare themselves and feel insecure for not knowing the material right away.

But this comparison would be meaningless. The prior experience made it an unlevel playing field, with one person having a bit of a head start.

2. Take everything with a grain of salt

Another reason I learned this term to avoid comparisons is that you can’t believe everything you hear. It’s important to take things with a grain of salt.

For example, don’t listen to how many hours other classmates say they’re studying. Some classmates can unintentionally mislead you. They might be self conscious about studying too much or too little. They’re also caught up in the comparison game and worry about how they stack up against classmates. So when asked, they might under- or over-report their study hours.

There are also some rare classmates who intentionally try to mislead. They’ll tell you they barely study while it’s not the case. Why? These are the people who want to “get ahead” by pushing others down. They try to give classmates a false sense of relaxation so they don’t study as hard. So on exams, they score higher and standout.

Another point to keep in mind is the element of subjectivity. Someone might study 6 hours and think they’re studying too much. Another person might study 10 hours and think they’re not studying enough. Which is why it’s meaningless to compare.

*Side note: You may need to re-assess your study techniques if you’re studying for many hours and feeling burnt out and/or behind. It’s an indication that something isn’t quite working. And often times, switching to a more effective study technique can help create free time so you can relax and avoid burnout. This is one of the early videos I watched about evidence-based study techniques. Give them a try but ultimately do what works for you.

3. Don’t get too caught up in the group chats

Groups chats can be very helpful. But they’re very distracting and yet another place to get caught up in comparisons.

You might feel the need to always be active in order to fit in or make friends. Yes, it’s important to contribute to your groups, and help others when you can. If someone asks for advice and you can offer meaningful insight, then do so. If there’s a funny chat going on, chip in when you can. But don’t feel the need to jump in every time because you’re worried about missing out.

The reality is that most chats die off. Some faster than others. Even when certain classmates seem to really click, most times these “friendships” are limited to that chat and it’s just talk. I remember early in the term, 15-20 people would be active in the Canadian group chat. There were about 50 people total. Do you know how many people showed up for lunch at the end of the term? A grand total of 8 lol.

So don’t get too caught up in these chats. They usually don’t yield meaningful relationships. And yet, they can really eat up your time, which is your greatest asset. That’s valuable time you can spend towards studying and investing in more meaningful friendships.

Takeaways

Learn to tune out the chatter around you. Avoid comparisons because they’re usually baseless and they don’t provide anything meaningful that we can use. There’s a reason for the saying that comparison is the thief of joy. Instead, focus on how to improve your studying and learning and become a better version of yourself. You’ll feel so much happier and at peace.

What do you do to avoid comparisons?

-M

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