Ten Things I Didn’t Expect to Learn in Medical School

By Nektaria Riso

What’s your biggest dream? It’s a loaded question, isn’t it?
 
Most of us would need a moment to think, but a few years ago, I wouldn’t have hesitated. My answer was unshakable: getting into medical school.
 
You can call me cliché if you want, but I was so certain of this dream that I spent years chasing it. In fact, I became so focused on the getting in part that I almost forgot to think about what getting through medical school would look like.
 
When I first started, I expected the experience to be all about diseases, drugs, and diagnoses. And yes, I’ve learned more science than I ever imagined. But two years in, I’m surprised to admit that the lessons that most stuck with me go way beyond textbooks. Some are hilarious, some are heartwarming, and all of them have shaped the way I see medicine, life, and myself.
 
So, here are 10 unexpected things I learned in medical school.

Photo by Robina Weermeijer on Unsplash

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1. I questioned my ability to be a doctor and honestly, every life decision that brought me here.

​Watching friends travel, buy houses, and earn real paychecks while I pushed through 12-hour shifts for free (seriously, who decided that medical students don’t get paid?) often made me wonder if my life would be easier if I had just chosen another path. This feeling also grew when I was thrown into hospital rotations with minimal training; you go from textbooks to real patients overnight. It’s terrifying. Every awkward physical exam and every time I had to tell the patient “I’ll check with my staff” felt like proof that maybe I wasn’t cut out for this.
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But you know what? When I look back at all those scary moments, I’m proud of myself. I learned to appreciate my small wins, and this quickly reminds me why I chose medicine in the first place.

2. When in doubt, I just say…I don’t know. 

At first, I thought this was a failure on my part, but oddly enough, supervisors love it. Saying “I don’t know, but I can find out” shows humility and willingness to learn.

​However, be cautious of how you might tell patients that you’re not familiar with their issues . Patients want to feel reassured, not alarmed, so instead of blurting out “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” it’s often better to say, “That’s a great question, let me check with my team and get back to you.” This brings me to my next lesson… 

3. Learning takes time and practice and time and more practice. And sometimes… I fake it till I make it! 

No, not in a dishonest way! But in a way that projects that I am cool, calm and collected while I process what’s happening. No matter how much I study medical theory or case studies before a new rotation, real life and real people have a way of catching me off guard. I often internalize my feelings of panic, while outwardly, I show that I am engaged, trustworthy, and competent.

4. The days are long, but the years are short. Live in the moment. 

This is what I was told my first ever day of medical school and it’s true. I am constantly amazed by how much I’ve experienced over the last two years. From touching a real human brain during anatomy lab to removing a metal rod from someone’s arm and suturing it back together, these moments are surreal and unforgettable. It’s easy to get caught up with evaluations and deadlines, but when I pause and reflect, I realize how rare these opportunities really are.

5. Everyone kind of understands I’m busy…but no one truly gets it. 

And that won’t stop friends, family, or even strangers from asking about their ailments during my “off time”. Yes, I can get tired of always talking about medicine, and I used to believe it meant I didn’t love what I do. However, I have now learned that it just means that I am human, trying to set boundaries, and survive medical school while still caring about people.

6. Your fellow medical students will inevitably, weirdly, become your best friends. 

Yes, even if you’re an introvert like me. Medical school can be an isolating experience (quick call back to lesson 1), and there are many things non-medical students just won’t understand. When I first started medical school, I was open to making a friend or two, but I also didn’t see it as much of a priority because I had solid friends outside of school.

​However, two years in, I don’t think I would have survived without all the friendships I have made! There’s something about getting through endless lectures, grueling exams, awkward clinical encounters, and terrifying attendings that creates a bond unlike any other. The friends I made are truly friends for life. 

7. My health anxiety got worse. I guess ignorance really is bliss… 

Medical school has a way of making you hyper-aware of every unusual feeling in your body. I’ll develop a headache and immediately convince myself it’s something rare and deadly. The more you learn about diseases, the more your mind jumps to worst-case scenarios. Recently, I convinced myself I had pancreatitis, only to find out it was just indigestion. But hey, at least I get to practice my diagnostic skills on myself!

8. Self-care is the key to maintaining my mental health. 

Self-care isn’t just sleeping eight hours a night—that’s the bare minimum. Real self-care means intentionally carving out time for myself, whether it’s a proper meal, a short walk, or just a moment to breathe. It happens both inside and outside the hospital. Attendings often forget things like lunch, so if I want to eat, I make it a point to say so—yes, I may even have to ask my staff for a break!

​Little things like this aren’t selfish, and they don’t make you look weak; they’re what keep you sane and allow you to show up fully for your patients.

9. Mastering small talk will get you far! And a little laughter gets you a long way with patients and staff alike. 

Share a funny observation or a lighthearted story, and you’ll be surprised how much it can break the ice. And if that doesn’t work? I’ve found that simply smiling, nodding, and genuinely listening is often good enough.

10. There is no better high than coming home after a long day and feeling like I had a real, tangible impact on someone’s life.

It doesn’t have to be a big thing. I remember on a surgery rotation, I was just passing by the waiting room to check in on a patient’s family before heading out. They were anxious and exhausted, and taking a few minutes to chat, answer questions, and just be present made such a difference. Even small gestures can mean the world to a patient and their loved ones. 

Photo by Luis Melendez on Unsplash

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​Medical school taught me far more than what I could have learned just in the classroom. I gained a deeper understanding of people and, most surprisingly, of myself. I have learned a lot in the last two years, but it’s the human moments, the connections, and even the challenges that I’ll carry with me the longest.
 
And yes, if you asked me today what my biggest dream is, my answer has slightly changed: being a doctor and finally knowing why I’ve always wanted to be one.

Nektaria Riso

Nektaria Riso is a current medical student at McGill University with prior degrees in physiology and in child studies. Associate editor at Scientista, she is passionate about highlighting the exploits of women in STEM, whose work often goes unnoticed, through her articles. In her free time, she can be found in a bookstore or in child's pose at her favourite yoga studio.