3/10: 10 Things I Wish I Knew/Did Better in Medical School

Thing 3: Ask the "silly" question

No one wants to seem unintelligent. We all want to look knowledgeable, composed, and in control.

But the reality is that we don’t know everything, and we can’t be everywhere at once. So we must be willing to ask questions, even if it means risking the appearance of not having it all together.

As a student, I missed out on many learning moments simply because I was “too shy” to ask. Looking back, I call it what it was: pride. I didn’t want to appear lost. The veneer of self-composure only lasted as long as the seconds I held it.

When a lecturer said something unclear, I would quietly note the question for later, and I had poor follow-through. I'd then waste so much time looking for resources to answer questions I'd have taken minutes to resolve (if I just asked while the teacher was with us!). I'd wade through fairly well until the exam period, and there it was: the very concept I hadn’t understood, now worth 20 marks. 🤦🏾‍♀️

Every time you ask a “silly” question, you probably help several others who were silently confused too. You show up for yourself. You make room for growth. You build courage. One day, you will need this courage to advocate for your patients and lead boldly in complex health systems.

So, dear medical student: when that question pops up, ask it. Ignore the shame. Ask.

What’s the worst that could happen (and will it really matter in 10 years)?