Arpita P.
Photo provided by Arpita P.
If you’re reading this, you once prayed for where you are right now.
I often forget that my younger self once dreamed of being where I am today. In high school, all I wanted was to get into college. In college, I worked tirelessly to earn a spot in medical school. Now that I’m here, my focus has shifted to matching into the specialty I aspire to. Reaching this point is nothing short of a dream come true. I used to tell myself, “It only takes one school or person to believe in you and give you a chance.” And now that I’m here, I find myself wanting more.
In medical school, I am surrounded by peers from all walks of life. As a first-generation student, I didn’t fully grasp the weight of that identity until I got here. My parents came to this country with nothing—no knowledge of the language, the culture, or the people. They worked tirelessly to support my siblings and me, enabling us to pursue our dreams.
It wasn’t just my prayers that brought me to this point—it was the sacrifices of my parents, their unwavering determination, and the support of everyone who believed in me. I’ve realized that my journey isn’t mine alone; it’s the culmination of the hopes, dreams, and prayers of an entire village that stands behind me. They prayed for me to be here, and I carry their love and sacrifices with me every step of the way.
As humans, we’re often quick to fall into the trap of chasing the next milestone, thinking, “Once I achieve this, I’ll finally be happy.” But this mindset is deceptive. The constant pursuit of more can leave us feeling unfulfilled and inadequate, especially when life doesn’t go as planned. I often catch myself believing that reaching the next big goal will bring happiness, but the truth is, it rarely does. If we live with this mindset, we risk becoming perpetually dissatisfied and unable to appreciate what we’ve already achieved.
When I feel overwhelmed by the uncertainties of the future, I take a moment to remind myself how much I once longed to be in this position. This reflection brings me a sense of calm, allows me to extend grace to myself, and fills me with gratitude for the journey I’m on. Even the stress of medical school is a privilege—there are people out there praying for the opportunities I’ve been given. In America’s culture of relentless hustle, it’s easy to lose sight of our blessings. But true fulfillment comes from learning to live in the present.
So today, I challenge you to pause and reflect on how far you’ve come and the obstacles you’ve overcome to get here. Show gratitude for the life you’re living right now. Celebrate the victories, big and small, that you’ve achieved along the way. Those are the moments that truly make life meaningful.
Arpita P., Third Year Medical Student
Several studies have revealed that medical students, physicians, and healthcare professionals experience mental health symptoms at rates significantly higher than the general population. Stethos[Cope] is a chapter of IfYoureReadingThis designed to help medical students and professionals cope with the unique stressors of medical training and change the narrative of mental health in medicine.
To read more letters and interviews from students, and to learn more about mental health in the medical community, visit the Stethos[Cope] home page.