WHEN I got into medical school, I was full of excitement and dreams just like many others around me. But it did not take long to realise how emotionally draining this journey was. At every step of the way, we are told to stay strong and focussed, but no one has ever actually shown us how to deal with the physical and psychological stress.

Tough schedules, fear of failure, and constant academic demands leave many students feeling overwhelmed. I have personally noticed that many of my batchmates have started feeling lonely because of the heavy academic burden and the pressure to always perform well. Sadly, most of us keep such struggles to ourselves, thinking it is just part of the process.

I truly believe emotional resilience should be taught alongside anatomy and physiology. Medical colleges should create space for mental health support through workshops, open discussions, and access to counselling. It is not a weakness to talk about burnout or anxiety; it is a strength, especially in a profession where we will be taking care of others.

Medical schools should help us grow into caring doctors, not drain us to the point where we lose touch with our own well-being. A student who is mentally healthy is more likely to become a good doctor who may serve patients with compassion and competence. Let us start this conver- sation and encourage our institutions to make emotional support a part of our training, not just an afterthought.

Malaika Shams
Nowshera

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2025