MBBS in India – The Indian Medical Student

We have with us today Akarsh Agrawal sharing with us some of the things he learned after joining Medical School in India. These are first had life experiences and problems every medical student in India faces.

1. Choosing the right medical college

After my NEET-UG result, I did an extensive research before selecting the right college for me, by consulting seniors and visiting the shortlisted colleges with my dad.

Based on my experience, if you have are confused in selecting a college then following points must be kept in mind while choosing one:

Reputation

Don’t go for the rankings published online, they are highly misleading, rather seek for personal recommendations from students and teachers. Analysis of previous year trends gives good insights.

Academics and extra co-corriculars

Ask the students of that college to know more about the same. Do try visiting the colleges before you select one.

MONEY

Yes you read it right money! It is infact one of the prime factors to keep in mind. Look out for college fees and don’t forget to compare the rural service bond.

Distance from home and location

Choose a place close to home. You’ll soon realize what it feels like to go home after the “MBBS Hostel Life”

Advantages in Post Graduation

Yes that sounds a little too far, but it’s the post graduation that matters the most. Know about stuff like the domicile and availability of a pg coaching etc.

2. You don’t have to be perfect in Medical School!

I have realized that the biggest myth about getting into a medical college is the idea that you have to be perfect.

You need to do well but you don’t have to be the best. Don’t be intimidated being surrounded by a lot of smart people. Don’t compare yourself with others.

Remember that your only competition is with your own self.

Be persistent in your studies, but it is okay sometimes to miss your studying hours and enjoy a movie or hang out with your friends. ” Don’t just sacrifice anything because you don’t have time for it”

3. Pursuing hobbies

I think it’s necessary to look forward pursuing your hobbies, be it playing a sport, an instrument or photography and painting etc.

My recreation has been playing badminton and outings with friends. Medical college is a lot more than simply studying and gaining a degree, so I try to learn about myself and other people and hopefully build myself into someone who is capable of being a good doctor.

4. Trying Different Study Methods

My old studying methods seemed no longer serving me in med school. So I tried different study habits and asked around to see what other people are doing.

Know yourself and how you study the best. Be willing to adjust as necessary. Find a study buddy or a study group to keep yourself going.

5. How to Stay Motivated

With long college hours, specially in the first year, frequent and arduous exams and of course competition, such is the life of an MBBS student that it does brings you down to knees.

At such times I find it fine to take a break and put your mind off to doing something else. I also remind myself how and why did I begin.

I think it in this way that there are still lakhs of students competing to be where we are today. At the end, a quote which I read about medical profession which I find to be very true.

“Yes it’s tough, it’s meant to be tough, if it wasn’t so then everybody could be able to do it, tough is what it makes it great”

Akarsh Agrawal is a second year medical student at BJ Medical College, Ahmedabad. Apart from being great at studies, he can be seeing playing badminton on college campus. He also enjoys reading and writing. To interact with the author, use the comments section below!

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What is MBBS in India like? How is the life of a medical student in India? What books should I read? What about the hostel? What….? Wait, Hold it right there! We have answers to most of your questions.

What does MBBS stand for / What is MBBS?

MBBS which stands for Medicinae Baccalaureus (Bachelor of Medicine), Baccalaureus Surgery is the basic undergraduate degree needed to practice allopathic medicine in India.

9 semesters, 1 year of internship, 5.5 years and 19 subjects!

MBBS in India is divided into 9 teaching semesters or 4.5 years, followed by a compulsory rotatory internship of 1 year, making it a total of 5.5 years. In these 5.5 years, you’re expected to know 19, yes 19 subjects! So, onto the next question.

Subjects covered in MBBS in India.

MBBS in India requires you to master 19 subjects, as mentioned before. (Well, I guess mastery over here means “atleast know the important stuff”)

Anatomy
Physiology
Biochemistry
Pathology
Pharmacology
Microbiology
Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
Community Medicine
Ophthalmology
ENT or Otorhinolaryngology
General Medicine
Dermatology
Psychiatry
Surgery
Anesthesia
Radiology
Orthopedics
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Pediatrics

Exhausting list, isn’t it? It is a long and arduous journey and one that requires tremendous patience and positivity. But the good thing is that these subjects are divided over four and a half long years.

What is the distribution of subjects in MBBS in India?

Year 1 (1 year long/2 semesters): Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry

Year 2 (1.5 years long/3 semesters): Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology, Forensic Medicine.

Year 3 (1 year long/2 semesters): Community Medicine, Ophthalmology, ENT

Year 4 (1 year long/2 semesters): Medicine and allied (Dermatology, Psychiatry), Surgery and allied (Anesthesia, Radiology, Orthopedics), Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics.

Where to study from?

Each of these subjects have multiple ‘standard’ textbooks to read from. As long as 5.5 years seem right now, when you have to read these subjects, you’ll wish you had double the time.

Though it is very difficult for us to tell you what to study from where, here are a few guidelines.

Reference book

This is a book intended to be consulted for information on specific matters.

These books generally have a lot of in depth information about topics and even if they’re great for understanding, it may not always be possible to completely or even necessary read the subject from these books.

For example: Gray’s Anatomy for Anatomy, Guyton for Physiology, Harrison for Medicine, Love and Bailey for Surgery.

That being said, there are a few students who stick to these books and are even able to formulate answers based off information in these.

We recommend you give it a shot, see how much time it takes you to read it and if you’re able to retain it well enough to write long answers during exams.

However, these are the books you should definitely turn to if you have any doubts regarding basic concepts. They are relatively expensive and can be used from the college library.

Go-To Textbook

As the name suggests, these are the books students generally rely on for exams and a concise overview of the subject. They are not very detailed, but have most points that help you understand the basic of the topic.

Also, it is easier to formulate answers from these books. We suggest you right down important points from reference books into these go-to textbooks so that every time you revise, you are only referring your go-to book

Apart from these, different subjects will have supplementary books, like an atlas for anatomy or various clinical textbooks for the clinical subjects.

How is the hostel life in Indian Medical Colleges?

For many of you this is going to be a new experience. But, something you should definitely try. Think of it like being on the sets of 3 idiots. Got an idea? If not, check out our article on MBBS Hostel Life to get a clearer picture.

When will I start seeing patients?

That’s why you want to become a doctor right? Seeing patients? You’ll see plenty of patients ( think of them as your greatest teachers) through this long journey.

Besides the classroom teaching, you will be expected to attend clinical postings daily, from 3rd semester onward (that is, start of 2nd year) in the hospital associated with your medical school.

Here, you will interact with patients and learn the practical aspects of medicine like history taking and physical examination. Bedside medicine as a concept is slowly becoming extinct, but any good doctor will be able to tell you that the patient and his physical examination can give you clues to the diagnosis about 80-90% of the time.

Use this time wisely and try to interact with as many patients as possible.

Present cases to your senior residents and teachers and get their feedback about how you could do better. It is great practice and the more you do it, the better you’ll be at it. Learn the vernacular language and remember to introduce yourself and what you are going to do. Always follow basic ethics.

Remember, the patient and their comfort is paramount. Even if it is for the sake of ‘learning’ it is unacceptable to make the patient feel uncomfortable at any point.

Most of these postings will have some sort of an exam at the end of the posting the marks of which contributes towards your internal assessment.

And how about Internship?

If you thought the difficult part was over, think again. Internship is a compulsory 1 year period where you are required to rotate in the various clinical departments and work as part of the treating team.

As interns, you are expected to examine patients independently and perform procedures like blood draws, insertion of catheters and prescription of basic medications (Under a guide).

It is truly an enriching experience and if performed sincerely can help you experience first-hand the nuances of the various fields of medicine and thus help you make an informed choice if you do decide to pursue a postgraduate course.

Okay this is too much info. Is this grind worth it?

Well, we’re gonna be honest with you.

If you don’t curse yourself for doing MBBS in India and dream about alternate careers every few weeks, you’re probably not doing MBBS right.

It is frustrating, especially when you see all your other friends graduate, start jobs, go abroad and do fancy things and just lead happier lives in general.

You will miss out on a lot of friend hang outs, family functions, important birthdays and anniversaries. Your friends will call you boring and you will lose touch with a lot of your non medico friends.

You will hear and maybe even witness doctors getting beaten up and question why you’re even putting in all this hard work. Guess what? This is just the beginning. (Want to know how to safeguard yourself? Check out our article The [Ultimate] Survival Guide for Violence against Doctors)

After completing MBBS in India you’ve to get into a post graduate course (which is an altogether different battle) and then maybe pursue a superspeciality. That’s at least another 6 years more.

Is it worth it? We say – absolutely!

All said and done, being a doctor is one of the most noble professions and the respect that you garner in the society with that two letter prefix of Dr. is beyond comparable.

“The stethoscope is the most expensive jewelry, for it costs you your youth.”

This is one of the few jobs in the world that can give you a sense of fulfillment, that you’re actually doing something to alleviate human suffering and make this world a better place. It is long, but it teaches you that we are meant to be students for life.

After all this, you still won’t know everything, and that is perfectly okay! What matters is your will to keep learning from your mistakes and be open to new information.

You may lose a few friends, but you will make new and long lasting friendships. (Want a little sneak peek into what your F.I.R.E.N.D.S will be like? Find out in the MBBS version of FRIENDS) It is going to be a fun journey, good luck and welcome aboard.

As new medical students, we welcome you to The Indian Medical Student Family.

This website is made by medical students, for medical students. You will find everything related to MBBS in India and much more here.

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