Robert Sithole, student doctor, shares his experiences of mutual rivalries in school - and how they can be a positive driver of progress.

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As a third-year medical student, competition is a constant presence. It’s easy to view it as a source of stress, but I’ve found that embracing healthy competition can be an incredible tool for growth and success.

An opportunity to grow

First, let’s acknowledge the reality: medical school is demanding. With endless tests, practicals, and the ever-looming exams, there’s a lot at stake. Everyone around me is striving for the same thing ‘excellence’. This can create a sense of rivalry, but when channelled correctly, it turns into healthy competition that drives me to be the best version of myself.

Healthy competition is about using the presence of my peers to push myself to do better, not as a way to bring others down. Instead of seeing my classmates as rivals, I see them as colleagues who share the same goal. When I see someone excelling, I take it as a cue to step up my game. I ask myself, “What can I learn from them? How can I improve?” This mindset helps me focus on growth rather than comparison.

Pushing yourself and others

One way I’ve used healthy competition to my advantage is through study groups. Working with peers who are equally driven allows us to challenge each other in constructive ways. For instance, when preparing for an upcoming exam, we often quiz each other, pushing one another to think critically and deeply about the material. This process exposes gaps in my knowledge, but instead of feeling discouraged, I’m motivated to fill those gaps. The feedback I get from my peers is invaluable and often highlights areas I might not have considered on my own.

Another aspect of healthy competition is that it keeps me accountable. Knowing that my peers are working hard motivates me to stay disciplined. On days when I’m tempted to slack off, I remind myself that the people I’ll be working alongside in the future are putting in the effort now. This mindset helps me maintain consistency in my studies and ensures that I’m continually pushing my limits.

Knowing your limits

However, it’s crucial to maintain balance. The goal is to improve myself, not to measure my worth against others. If I find myself getting too caught up in comparisons, I take a step back and remind myself of my own progress. It’s important to celebrate personal achievements, no matter how small, and to recognise that everyone’s journey in medical school is unique.

Healthy competition also extends beyond academics. It’s about striving to become a well-rounded physician. I look at my peers who are involved in research, volunteering, or leadership roles and feel inspired to engage in similar activities. By participating in these opportunities, I’m not only enhancing my resume but also developing skills that will make me a better doctor in the future.

In conclusion

In the end, healthy competition in medical school isn’t about winning or losing; it’s about mutual growth. By leveraging the strengths of those around me, I’m able to push myself further than I would have on my own. This approach not only prepares me for the challenges of medical school but also for the collaborative nature of healthcare, where working together and learning from each other is key to providing the best patient care.

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