Leo W.
Photo provided by Leo W.
If you’re reading this, you’re likely navigating one of the most challenging, transformative chapters of your life.
It’s okay to feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or even lost at times. This journey isn’t just about mastering medical facts or perfecting procedural skills—it’s about becoming someone stronger, someone who can weather the storms and still show up. Growth is hard. It often feels messy and raw, and it forces you to confront parts of yourself you’d rather avoid. But it’s in those moments that you begin to discover who you truly are.
For me, resilience wasn’t something I was born with, it was something I had to learn the hard way. When I moved to the U.S. from China at the age of 15, I had to learn a new language, navigate a completely foreign world, and build an identity from scratch. It wasn’t easy. I felt lost, invisible, and unsure of where I fit in. During my early college years, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, and as a result, I didn’t prioritize school and dug myself into an academic hole. But everything changed when I realized I wanted to pursue medicine, and once I found my purpose, I worked tirelessly to climb out of that hole and ultimately earned my place in medical school.That journey was a reflection of years of perseverance, growth, and the belief that I could achieve something greater.
Once I got to medical school, it was a completely different beast with a new set of challenges. The pressure was relentless, and I wasn’t always the top student. When I underperformed on exams, it felt like I was failing not just at medicine, but at myself. Sometimes, I questioned if I was good enough, if I belonged in this field. But medicine, like life, has a way of teaching you that setbacks don’t define your worth—they refine it. They push you to dig deeper, find courage you didn’t know you had, and keep moving forward, even when the path feels impossibly steep.
Medicine demands so much of us, but it also gives us the chance to discover who we are beyond the challenges. Along the way, I realized how important it is to have outlets that allow you to recharge and process the weight of it all. For me, photography was that outlet, it helped me find beauty in moments I might have otherwise overlooked, and it gave me a way to step back and reflect. Whatever grounds you, whether it’s a passion, a habit, or a moment of stillness, hold onto it.
This isn’t just a journey to becoming a physician. It’s a journey to becoming someone who can endure, who can bend without breaking, and who can see the humanity in themselves and others. It’s okay to feel everything—the fear, the exhaustion, the uncertainty. Let it wash over you, but don’t let it drown you. Take it one step at a time, and remember, the person you’re becoming on the other side of this will be someone extraordinary.
Leo W., Fourth Year Medical Student
Q: What advice do you have for incoming medical students regarding mental wellness?
A: Medical school can feel all-encompassing, but it’s important to prioritize your mental wellness. Start by building a support system and carving out time for hobbies or activities that keep you grounded and remind you of who you are beyond medicine. Whether it’s spending time with friends, exploring a creative outlet, or simply unwinding, these moments are essential. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it—whether it’s academic support from peers or emotional guidance from mentors or professionals. Asking for help is not a weakness; it’s a strength that can carry you through the toughest moments. Most importantly, remember you’re not alone. Many of your peers share the same struggles, even if they don’t show it. By leaning on your community and sharing experiences, you’ll realize that you’re part of a collective journey, and together, you can overcome the challenges ahead.
Q: How do you recognize the signs of burnout in yourself or your peers, and what steps do you take to address it?
A: Recognizing burnout starts with noticing changes in behavior, energy, and emotional well-being. For me, burnout often shows up as difficulty focusing, feeling unmotivated, or losing interest in things I usually enjoy, like photography or fitness. In peers, I’ve noticed signs like withdrawal, persistent fatigue, or expressing feelings of being overwhelmed.
To address burnout, I’ve found that taking regular breaks is crucial. During the preclinical years, I made it a habit to take at least half a day off each week to recharge, and after big exams, I’d give myself a full day to relax and reflect. These moments helped me regain energy and focus. For peers, I try to foster a supportive environment by checking in and encouraging them to take breaks. I remind them that even a short pause can help reduce stress and bring clarity. If someone is struggling, I encourage them to reach out to mentors, friends, or mental health resources. Burnout is a real challenge, but prioritizing mental health and normalizing breaks allows us to build resilience and maintain well-being in this demanding journey.
Q: What do you wish other people knew about the stressors of medical school/medical training?
A: I wish people understood the constant pressure and uncertainty that come with medical school and training. It is not just about managing the academic demands or long hours. It is the relentless feeling that everything needs to go perfectly to stay on track. There is little room for error, and the journey often feels nonstop, with no clear endpoint in sight. Adding to this is the uncertainty of where the path will ultimately lead, whether you will match into the specialty you have worked so hard for or where you will end up geographically, which makes the process even more overwhelming.
On top of that, you miss out on time with friends and family. The sacrifices you make to keep up with the pace of training often mean missing birthdays, weddings, or even simple moments of connection. It can feel isolating, knowing that while you are focused on this demanding journey, life outside of medicine keeps moving forward without you. I think if more people understood these stressors, the pressure, the uncertainty, and the sacrifices, they would have a deeper appreciation for what it takes to pursue this path.
Several studies have revealed that medical students, physicians, and healthcare professionals experience mental health symptoms at rates significantly higher than the general population. Stethos[Cope] is a chapter of IfYoureReadingThis designed to help medical students and professionals cope with the unique stressors of medical training and change the narrative of mental health in medicine.
To read more letters and interviews from students, and to learn more about mental health in the medical community, visit the Stethos[Cope] home page.