A third-year medical student at King’s College London reflects on the realities of training, wellbeing, and building an identity in medicine.

Introduction

Hi, I’m Aadi - a third-year medical student at King’s College London. Like many people who choose a career in healthcare, my journey into medicine hasn’t been driven by a single defining moment or a sudden certainty that this was “the one.”

Instead, it’s been shaped gradually: through curiosity, challenge, discipline, doubt, and a growing appreciation of what it truly means to care for others - and, just as importantly, to care for yourself.

Medicine is often described as demanding, and that description is accurate. But it’s also deeply human, humbling, and transformative. As a medical student, you aren’t just learning anatomy, physiology, or pathology. You’re learning how to manage responsibility, pressure, uncertainty, and growth - often all at the same time. It’s a process that shapes not only how you think, but who you become.

What led me to choose medicine

My interest in medicine began with a fascination for how science can be applied meaningfully. I was drawn to the idea that what you learn isn’t abstract or theoretical - it can directly improve someone’s quality of life. Whether that’s helping a patient understand their condition, easing anxiety during uncertainty, or simply being present during moments that feel overwhelming, medicine felt like a career where knowledge and empathy genuinely intersect.

Watching someone you love navigate illness also changes the way you see healthcare. You notice the weight of uncertainty, the relief that comes with clarity, and the quiet power of reassurance offered by clinicians who take the time to listen. That experience planted a seed for me. It made medicine feel less like an abstract career choice and more like a responsibility - one rooted in empathy, understanding, and presence.

As I’ve progressed through medical school, that initial motivation has evolved. Being in clinical environments has shown me that medicine isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about communication, teamwork, adaptability, and humility. You quickly realise that medicine is rarely black and white. It requires comfort with uncertainty and the ability to make thoughtful decisions even when the full picture isn’t clear.

Training realities

Third year, in particular, has been a turning point. Even though we start clinical placements in second year here at King’s, third year is the stage where learning shifts and responsibility starts to feel real. Seeing patients, engaging with healthcare teams, and understanding the realities of the NHS has been both grounding and eye-opening. It reinforces why the work matters - even on days when it feels exhausting.

The reality behind medical training

From the outside, medicine can appear very linear: lectures, exams, placements, progression. From the inside, it’s far more complex. Each year brings new expectations, new pressures, and new ways of being challenged - not just academically, but emotionally and mentally as well.

There’s a constant balancing act between learning efficiently, performing well, and maintaining your wellbeing. Medicine doesn’t pause when you feel tired or overwhelmed. The workload continues and learning how to navigate that reality is one of the biggest challenges of training.

Early on, I believed that being a good medical student meant always doing more - revising longer, saying yes to everything, and pushing through exhaustion. Over time, I’ve learned that this approach isn’t sustainable. Medicine is a long journey, and how you pace yourself matters just as much as how hard you work.

Managing time without burning out

Time management is one of the most valuable skills medicine forces you to develop. There is always more content to revise, more skills to practise, and more expectations to meet. The challenge isn’t just fitting everything in - it’s doing so in a way that’s sustainable.

I’ve learned to prioritise consistency over intensity. Instead of aiming for perfection every day, I focus on building steady habits. I plan my weeks, break tasks into manageable goals, and work in focused blocks - but I also allow room for flexibility.

Some days are highly productive; others are slower and require patience. Learning to accept that variation has been essential. One of the biggest mindset shifts for me has been redefining rest. Rest isn’t something you earn after burnout - it’s something you intentionally build into your routine to protect your energy, focus, and motivation. Medicine is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. Pacing yourself isn’t a weakness - it’s a skill.

How content creation fits into my journey

Content creation has become an important part of how I learn, reflect, and stay grounded throughout medical school. I create a wide range of content, including educational and medicine-related posts, productivity and lifestyle content, and music- which has always been a personal passion of mine. Together, these different forms of content reflect the balance I try to maintain alongside my medical training.

Resilience and identity

One of the biggest ways content creation has supported my journey is through discipline and consistency. Committing to posting regularly has pushed me to stay organised, manage my time intentionally, and show up even on days when motivation is low. Knowing that people are following along - whether for study tips, routines, or simply relatable moments - creates a sense of accountability that extends beyond content itself.

In many ways, content creation mirrors medicine: progress comes from consistency rather than intensity. Balancing posting with studying, placements, and other responsibilities has forced me to be realistic with my time and priorities. It’s encouraged me to build systems that are sustainable, rather than relying on short bursts of motivation.

Sharing content has also helped me feel more connected. Medical training can feel isolating at times, and being reminded that many of the challenges are shared - even if they’re not always spoken about openly - has been incredibly grounding. Content creation has never been about portraying perfection. For me, it’s about honesty, consistency, and growth, both online and offline.

The mental and emotional load of medicine

Beyond the workload, one of the most challenging aspects of medicine is the mental load. Comparison is almost unavoidable, imposter syndrome can creep in quietly, and there’s often a lingering sense that you should always be doing more.

Being surrounded by driven, capable peers can be inspiring, but it can also make it difficult to recognise your own progress. There are days where confidence dips, motivation fades, and self-doubt takes over. Medicine doesn’t always leave much space to slow down and process those feelings.

Resilience, I’ve learned, isn’t about never struggling. It’s about recognising when things feel difficult and responding with awareness rather than self-criticism.

Burnout rarely arrives suddenly - it builds gradually when rest is postponed, expectations become unrealistic, and boundaries blur. Learning to recognise early signs of burnout, ask for support, and reset without guilt has been one of the most important lessons of my medical training so far.

What I love most about being in medicine

Despite the challenges, what I love most about medicine is its sense of purpose. Even as a student, being trusted to engage with patients, contribute to care, and learn from real experiences is incredibly grounding. Medicine constantly reminds you that behind every condition, investigation, or treatment plan is a person with their own fears, hopes, and story.

There’s something deeply meaningful about being present in moments that matter to people - moments of vulnerability, relief, uncertainty, and trust. It puts everything else into perspective and reinforces why the long hours and effort are worthwhile. Medicine also teaches patience - with systems, with people, and with yourself.

Looking ahead and advice

Progress isn’t always obvious day to day, but it’s happening quietly in the background: improved confidence, clearer communication, and a deeper understanding of responsibility and compassion.

While I’m still early in my medical career, I’m excited by the breadth of opportunities medicine offers. Beyond clinical practice, I’m particularly interested in how medicine intersects with education, productivity, and innovation. I’m curious about how we can improve learning experiences for students and make medical education more accessible, efficient, and supportive.

That curiosity keeps me motivated and open-minded. Medicine doesn’t require you to fit into one narrow path, and that flexibility is something I value deeply. For me, growth in medicine isn’t just about becoming a competent clinician - it’s about becoming a thoughtful, balanced, and reflective professional.

Advice for students considering medicine

For students or young people considering medicine, my biggest piece of advice is to approach it with honesty. Don’t romanticise it - but don’t let fear stop you either. Medicine is demanding, but it’s also deeply rewarding if you enter it with realistic expectations.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start. Focus on building good habits early, learning how to manage your time, and protecting your wellbeing alongside your ambition. Consistency will always take you further than perfection.

Most importantly, remember that you’re allowed to be human while pursuing medicine. Your interests, creativity, relationships, and experiences outside of healthcare will shape the kind of doctor you become.

Medicine is a part of your life -not the entirety of it.

Written by: Aadi Sreekanth (3 rd Year MBBS – King’s College London)