Surviving First Year MBBS: What I Wish I Knew
What Makes First Year MBBS So Different?
The biggest shift in first year is anatomy. For many students, it feels like an ocean of information. Bones, muscles, nerves, and vessels look alike at first. But over time, patterns appear. The secret is not to memorize blindly but to connect structures with their function.
Physiology gives you the “how” behind the body’s processes. It feels logical, like solving a puzzle. Biochemistry often has a bad reputation, but when you realize it explains why diseases happen and how medicines work, it becomes much easier to appreciate.
Common Struggles in First Year MBBS
Feeling like everyone else is smarter (trust me, they feel the same).
Adjusting to hostel life and living away from home.
Managing time between classes, practicals, and self-study.
Stress before exams when the syllabus looks impossible.
The truth is, first year is not about knowing everything. It’s about building a foundation for the rest of medicine.
How to Survive First Year MBBS
Study a little every day instead of cramming before exams.
Ask seniors for notes and mnemonics—they’ve been in your shoes.
Don’t isolate yourself. Tea breaks, hostel chats, and friends keep you balanced.
Respect the cadaver in anatomy lab—it’s your first real teacher.
Remember that medicine is not a race. It’s a marathon.
What You Will Take Away From First Year
Years later, you won’t remember every enzyme of glycolysis or every nerve branch of the brachial plexus. What you will remember is the first time you touched a cadaver, the friends who helped you survive exams, and the feeling of finally belonging in the world of medicine.
If you are a first-year MBBS student, breathe. You worked hard to get here. You belong here. And step by step, you will learn to think like a doctor.