by Raaga Rambhatla, RWJMS Class of 2024
This cold, snowy winter continues to persist for what seems like forever, strangely reminding me of the icy and toxic competitive culture we endured throughout our education. Whether in high school or college, there was always a drive to be better than our classmates, peers, and even friends: to outsmart them, to earn more accolades, to have a more impressive LinkedIn profile…the list goes on. And why wouldn’t we be that way? The system is built in such a way that places value on competition, individual merit, and the survival of the fittest. We may have different destinations, but getting there requires securing a seat on a train that’s coveted by many, but limited to a few.
Take getting into college/grad/med school, for instance. We are forced to compete with one another in hopes and dreams of earning that acceptance letter one day. Don’t get me wrong—there’s nothing wrong with a healthy amount of competition, but these days, it usually takes a turn for the worse. Increasing rates of depression and stress combined with a lack of mutual support and encouragement are destructive in the long run.
You know it’s a problem when other people’s successes make you feel insecure, less than, and unhappy. And future physicians need to feel just the opposite: empathetic, compassionate, and confident.
After two decades of running this race, I expected this toxic culture to continue into medical school, but I was pleasantly surprised! For the first time, it felt like I was in an environment where I was supported and finally inspired rather than unfulfilled. Medical school is already stress-inducing and difficult as it is, but I feel like the pressure to outcompete everyone is now gone. Instead, we look out for one another. We share study notes and strategies. We collaborate on ideas and projects. We feel no hesitation in sharing opportunities. We feel excited for each other’s highs and pull through the lows together. We have gotten off that train. We’re now on a journey to reach our own destinations, but that doesn’t mean we have to walk it alone.
Arbor Vitae 