“Everyone’s Ahead of Me” Syndrome
(The silent burnout — especially in students preparing for exams like USMLE & PLAB)
It starts quietly.
Someone posts their INICET rank.
Another one’s topping university finals.
And you? You’re preparing for USMLE… still in 3rd year… still far from Step 1…
…and slowly, the voice creeps in:
“I’m going to fall behind in my college subjects.”
“Will I score less in prof exams?”
“Everyone’s way ahead of me — maybe I made the wrong choice?”
This happens more often than we talk about – especially among students aiming for foreign exams like: USMLE, PLAB, AMC Who start early, usually in 3rd or 4th year, Juggling between pathways, subjects, and timelines that don’t sync with regular MBBS exams.
You feel like you’re studying a lot, yet still falling behind in what your college expects.
You see batchmates preparing for PG entrances and wonder if you’re missing out.
And worst of all, you start to doubt your entire decision.
But here’s what no one says loud enough:
You’re not behind — you’re just on a different track.
Every path has its own timing, its own rhythm, its own milestones.
You’re not doing “less.” You’re just doing something different — and that’s okay.
A USMLE/PLAB prep journey takes time.
It’s not meant to sync perfectly with MBBS finals.
Yes, the system may make you feel “out of place,”
But long-term vision always looks different from short-term rush.
Some students finish MBBS and still feel lost.
You’re investing in something that will bloom later.
You’re not “behind” — you’re just building something beyond.
So next time you feel like asking:
“Why is everyone ahead of me?”
Ask instead:
“Am I growing in the direction I’ve chosen — even if it looks different today?”
Because when you walk a different road, it’s normal not to look like the crowd.