Student doctor Robert Sithole offers insights into his routine, and celebrating progress over perfection in his studies.

______

As a third-year medical student, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of focusing on what really matters. Medical school can feel overwhelming at times, with the constant flow of new information, tasks, and responsibilities. It’s easy to get caught up in trying to do everything perfectly or stressing over the small details. However, I’ve come to realise that when I focus on the main thing taking care of patients it becomes easier to manage everything else.

Priorities

At the core of medicine is the patient, and when I remind myself that my primary goal is to help them, I feel more grounded. It simplifies everything. No matter how much information I need to learn or how many tasks I have, I always come back to asking, “How can I use this to improve patient care?”

Keeping this focus has helped me prioritise my time and energy. Instead of stressing over every small detail, I concentrate on understanding the bigger picture. What will make me a better doctor for my patients? This question guides me when I’m studying, during my clinical rotations, and even when I’m exhausted. It’s easy to lose track of the main thing with so much happening, but staying centred on patient care brings me back to the heart of why I’m doing this.

Don't chase perfection

Another significant lesson I’ve picked up along the way is the importance of valuing progress, not just immediate success. When I started medical school, I had a habit of wanting to get everything right the first time. If I didn’t understand a topic right away or struggled with a clinical skill, I would feel like I was falling behind. Over time, I’ve realised that becoming a good doctor isn’t about perfecting everything in one go. It’s about making steady progress. Each day, I learn a little more, improve a little more, and gain more confidence. This small, continuous progress adds up over time.

Now, instead of getting frustrated with myself for not mastering something immediately, I try to appreciate the growth. For example, during my first clinical rotation, I struggled with patient interactions and felt nervous during physical exams. But I kept practicing, and over time, I became more comfortable and competent. This progress didn’t happen overnight, but it was still valuable. Understanding that success doesn’t have to be instant has made my journey through medical school much more manageable and less stressful.

Learning to adapt

The third key lesson I’ve embraced is maintaining a flexible routine. In the beginning, I was very rigid with my study schedule, trying to plan everything down to the minute. I thought that having a strict routine would help me stay on top of things. However, I quickly learned that in medicine, things rarely go as planned. A patient might need more time, a procedure might take longer than expected, or a sudden shift change might throw off my schedule. Rather than getting frustrated by these changes, I’ve learned to adapt. Flexibility has become an important part of how I handle my workload.

Having a flexible routine doesn’t mean I’m not disciplined. It just means that I’ve learned to adjust when life throws something unexpected my way. By allowing myself to be adaptable, I feel less pressure and can handle changes more calmly. This flexibility helps me stay focused on my main goal, patient care, keeps me moving forward, even when things don’t go as planned.

In summary, focusing on what’s important, celebrating progress over perfection, and maintaining a flexible routine has been a valuable part of my journey as a medical student. These principles not only make me a better student but also help me prepare for the future as a compassionate and competent doctor.

______

To read more student articles like this visit our student hub.