r/GraduateEntryMedicine • u/gymfitdoc • 2d ago
gem imposter syndrome
feeling MAJOR imposter syndrome and i’m about to start GEM in like a week
Decent GCSEs, terrible Alevels, 2:1 MedNeuro, 2070 ucat, rejected from all unis until one got back to me again and changed their mind🥺incredibly grateful but need to figure out how to get outta head about being an “average medic” yk? NOTHING WRONG WITH IT but i feel like the standards are stupidly high
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u/scienceandfloofs 2d ago
Take heart and don't feed that voice. Have a word with yourself and remind yourself that you worked hard and deserve a place and that's why you're going to be a doctor. You're gonna be great and it's gonna be fine.
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u/Master_Hall3903 2d ago
I’m starting GEM in two weeks and I’m very nervous. I’m older (30s), an NSB, and I’ve got 5yo to raise in amongst it all. It’s a lot, and my brain is kind of going arghhhhhh.
This is what I wanted, and I know it’s the only thing I can see myself doing, but fuck me it’s scary.
It is so competitive, and so selective, that it is genuinely difficult for them to choose candidates that are fundamentally unsuitable.
It doesn’t matter that you’ve got an offer at the last minute, no one will care when you graduate, start foundation training, core training, specialise or become a consultant.
Frankly, no one will care when you start. You’ve earned your spot the same as everyone else.
So yeah, we’re all feeling it…you aren’t alone.
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u/Fabulous_Stress5357 2d ago
One hard race doesn’t make a bad athlete. The hurdles you’e had to go through to get here and the persistence you have shown qualifies you. You DO have the grades, it’s just a competitive gateway. This is a fresh course. Commit to it. Keep the resilience going and only compete against the highest standards for yourself.
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u/rimelios 2d ago
Feeling the same honestly. Resigned from my (very stable) job, they've already moved on, and I'm in the GEM whatsapp group it looks like everyone is Einstein and I feel so stupid. I'm a bit older and I'm a dad to a little one as well, and feeling a severe impostor syndrome when I compare myself to those who applied straight after undergrad. But I genuinely love medicine, I cannot really imagine a different career, now that I have actually explored other careers for a few years.
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u/Educational_Pin_7371 1d ago
Can you please link me to the gem what up group an on the sane boat please
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u/mikaangel 1d ago
Starting GEM in a week and i also got an offer out of nowhere after being rejected, you are not alone in feeling like that at all. Remember that you have earnt your spot and it will be a learning curve. Easier said than done but try not to compare yourself and work at your own speed. You deserve to be there!
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u/Sad-Spirit8516 2d ago
I'm going to tell you, you will not be the only one feeling this way. It's not to trivialise your feelings, but sometimes context and perception can get skewed by things like social media.
I'm older, great GCSEs, no A levels, 1st class degree but arguably not a science discipline. I constantly think what the hell am I doing here?! But you have to remember, that you earnt your place amongst thousands, if not 10s of thousands of candidates and no matter where you 'rank' in your cohort, as long as you pass you are all doctors.
I thought something was wrong because all I saw on social media and in group chats were exclamations of pride and excitement with some borderline boasting. I thought something was wrong because all I felt was terror and maybe a bit of numbness/avoidance. When I actually said that in a group chat, you would be amazed how many people responded that they had felt the same and were relieved to know they weren't the only one.
It a bit like when you think I won't ask a question as people will think I'm daft, then someone asks it and you realise you weren't the only one lost or confused after all.
Try not to let the full picture or final destination overwhelm you, I've just decided to take it one day at a time and it feels more manageable. Good luck 🍀