Travis Crook, MD, vividly recalls the day during his third year of medical school when he was on Neurology rounds. There was a patient with a urinary tract infection, and the attending neurologist was unsure which antibiotic to prescribe. The attending doctor decided to call for an infectious disease consult. Medical Students Show Up Speak Up and Grow Challenging.

Despite knowing the right antibiotic, Crook stayed silent. He wasn’t sure of his place. Now, as a pediatrician, Crook regrets not speaking up. He realizes he could have helped the patient faster. He also knows he could have saved the cost of an unnecessary consult.
For Crook, patient care must always come first. He believes medical students should put their anxiety aside. They should trust their knowledge. They must speak up whenever they can help.
Good patient outcomes depend on it.
Medical students must show up, speak up, and grow—even when it’s challenging.

For many medical students, the clinical years can feel overwhelming. These final two years involve real patient interactions. The shift from classroom learning to patient care demands balance. Students must show confidence, humility, and a willingness to grow.
Crook, now an associate dean at Dell Medical School, shares his experience. He once supervised students during clerkships at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. Crook believes medical school is more than just gaining knowledge. It is also about learning from mistakes and growing professionally.

Annelise Silva, MD, offers a slightly different perspective, recognizing that there are many subjective aspects to the evaluation of medical students. “Different preceptors may have different definitions of professionalism and the qualities they prioritize,” said Silva, a recent graduate and the current president of the American Medical Student Association. Medical Students Show Up Speak Up and Grow Challenging

I believe qualities like resourcefulness, initiative, eagerness to learn, receptivity to feedback, and general engagement in the material are universally valued among healthcare teams,” she continued. “However, one of the challenges of clinical years is that subjective grading often comes into play, and what one preceptor values in a student’s professionalism might not be the same as another’s. We spoke with medical professionals and students about how to maximize the educational experience while also leaving a strong impression on supervisors. Here are some of their insights.

Are You Engaged?

Supervising doctors pay close attention to how engaged medical students are, Crook said. “The first thing I look for is, are you paying attention? Are you present mentally? Are you actively participating?

Silva also stresses the importance of questioning established practices. “If something doesn’t feel right, don’t assume it’s always been done that way for a reason. Ask why, and explore the rationale behind decisions,” she advised.

Lindsay Kohan, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, highlighted that attendings appreciate students who are enthusiastic and actively engaged, even if they don’t always have the right answer. “You don’t have to be right, but you need to have a reason for why you’re doing something,” she explained Medical Students Show Up Speak Up and Grow Challenging

In conclusion, the clinical years of medical school can be intimidating, but they also represent a unique opportunity for growth. Students should embrace their ability to contribute, speak up when they have valuable insights, and stay engaged, regardless of the challenges they may face. Through this mindset, medical students can cultivate the skills and confidence necessary to thrive in their careers.

Jump In: The Importance of Proactive Learning in Medical School

Silva, a respected medical professional, shared the most impactful piece of advice she received during her medical school years: “Success in medicine is truly defined by the education you seek, not the one that simply happens to you.” She emphasized that medical education doesn’t just unfold by itself; it is something that you must actively pursue and shape. Medical Students Show Up Speak Up and Grow Challenging

In clinical settings, it may be tempting to take a backseat and avoid drawing attention to oneself, but as Dr. Nidhi Goel, MD, advises, it is essential to resist this temptation. “It’s not what doctors want. We want medical students to be proactive and take charge of their learning process,” she said. Medical Students Show Up Grow  Even When It’s Challenging

Goel recalled her early experiences in a surgery clerkship when she felt a strong sense of fear about making a mistake in the operating room. The attending surgeon took the time to speak with her and the other students, offering crucial advice. Medical Students Show Up Speak Up and Grow Challenging

He said, ‘Your job here is not to be invisible. It’s to be fully involved and shape your own learning experience. If you don’t take the initiative, we won’t come find you and beg you to learn. This is your journey,’” Goel remembered.

This conversation had a profound impact on her, freeing her to accept the possibility of making mistakes and learning from them—a realization that she carried with her throughout her career. Today, Goel serves as the director of the Medicine Clerkship for third-year students at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

Embracing Mistakes as Part of the Learning Process

Making mistakes is inevitable. It’s also an important part of learning, says Dr. Crook, a seasoned medical educator.
“Medical school is the time to make mistakes,” he explained. “That’s how you learn and avoid repeating them later.”

Crook further emphasized that medical students must recognize their duty to patients and the field of medicine. “When doctors care for their patients, they need to give their fullest attention,” Crook stated. “Patients deserve all of us. We should be fully present, sharing in the unique and special bond that comes with patient care.

He recalled a heartwarming story from a third-year medical student’s pediatric rotation. A student spent over an hour with an adolescent patient who was reluctant to talk about her recurrent cannabis use. The student’s willingness to patiently sit with the patient allowed her to open up, ultimately leading to more effective engagement with her care plan. “It’s moments like these that truly highlight the importance of softer skills in medicine,” Goel said, underscoring how such interpersonal interactions can sometimes matter more than the clinical knowledge imparted.

The Importance of Asking for Help

The clinical years in medical school can be incredibly challenging, even for the most dedicated students. Dr. Crook encourages those who may be struggling despite their efforts to ask for help. “If you’re putting in the effort, showing up, working hard, and still not making the connection, don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance,” he advised. Medical Students Show Up Speak Up and Grow Challenging

Crook explained that some students may struggle with organizing the vast amount of information they need to process while still keeping the big picture in mind. Developing a personal organizational system may help them manage the overwhelming details. In some cases, students may uncover deeper challenges. “I can’t tell you how many times students have been diagnosed with learning disorders like dyslexia that they never knew they had,” Crook noted. Recognizing these challenges early is crucial to their success.

“It’s the students who are honest with themselves and recognize when things are harder than they should be who will ultimately thrive,” Crook said. “The students who soldier on without seeking help will often be the ones who struggle the most.”

In conclusion, medical students should take a proactive approach to their education. They must embrace the fact that mistakes are inevitable. They should never hesitate to ask for help when needed.
These habits will shape their academic success. They will also strengthen their ability to serve future patients with compassion and competence.

Med Students: Show Up and Speak Up, Even When It’s Difficult

third-year medical student during Neurology rounds. There was a patient suffering from a urinary tract infection, and the attending neurologist wasn’t sure which antibiotic to prescribe. To manage this uncertainty, the doctor decided to consult an infectious disease specialist. Crook, however, knew exactly which antibiotic to use, but at that moment, he hesitated to speak up.

In his mind, Crook questioned, “Who am I to tell my attending neurologist that I think I know the right treatment?” He remained silent, allowing the unnecessary consult to go through. Reflecting back on this situation, Crook now admits that not speaking up was a decision he regrets. He realizes that by sharing his knowledge, he could have potentially spared the patient both a delay in care and the unnecessary expense of the consult. His advice to medical students now is clear: if you have knowledge that could improve patient care, don’t be afraid to voice it, even if it feels intimidating. As Crook emphasized, “Patients always come first, and it’s crucial to contribute to their well-being wherever you can. Medical Students Show Up Speak Up and Grow Challenging

For many medical students, particularly those entering their clinical years, the transition from classroom learning to real-world patient interaction can feel daunting. These are the final two years of medical school, where students are expected to begin regularly seeing patients and applying what they’ve learned in a hands-on setting. It is a time of immense growth, learning, and, inevitably, making mistakes—a reality that Crook, who is also the associate dean of Student Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, knows well.

The Early Struggles and the Importance of Showing Up

As Crook shared, his first advice to students embarking on clerkships is simple: “Show up and smile.” He went on to explain that being present and demonstrating enthusiasm can carry a student much further than they might realize. “Honestly, that’s about 90% of success in the early days,” he added. While this may sound like a joke, it holds truth. By showing up and being engaged, the more complex elements of learning will naturally begin to fall into place. Medical Students Show Up Speak Up and Grow Challenging

However, other experts have different perspectives on what makes a “good” medical student. Dr. Annelise Silva, president of the American Medical Student Association, points out that medical schools and healthcare institutions place significant value on certain qualities like resourcefulness, initiative, eagerness to learn, receptiveness to feedback, and engagement with the material. But Silva notes that the challenge of the clinical years lies in the subjectivity of grading. Different preceptors might have vastly different expectations regarding professionalism and other core qualities, making it difficult to fully understand how to navigate the clinical experience.

The Importance of Engagement and Initiative

One crucial factor that supervising doctors notice is the level of engagement from medical students. Crook emphasized that he often looks for students who are asking questions and actively processing information. “Are you really paying attention? Are you switched on?” he asked. “When it comes to patient care, there’s no such thing as a ignorant question. If you see something wrong, don’t assume it’s right just because it’s been that way for a long time.”

Dr. Lindsay Kohan, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Maryland, echoed this sentiment, saying that attending doctors value students who show enthusiasm and a willingness to be involved in patient care. “You don’t always need to have the right answer, but you do need to show that you’re thinking critically and have reasoning for your actions.” Medical Students Show Up Speak Up and Grow Challenging

Medical students should also strive to be proactive in their learning, says Dr. Nidhi Goel. She shared an experience from her surgery clerkship, where she initially felt hesitant to make mistakes in the operating room. However, the attending surgeon’s words had a profound impact on her perspective: “Your job here is not to be invisible. It’s to take initiative and shape your learning experience.” This advice helped Goel realize that making mistakes was part of the process, and that she should take every opportunity to engage fully with her education. Medical Students Show Up Grow  Even When It’s Challenging

Learning from Mistakes and Seeking Help When Needed

It’s important to remember that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. Crook encouraged students to embrace these moments as opportunities for growth: “You should be making mistakes now, so you don’t make them later when it really matters. Medical Students Show Up Speak Up and Grow Challenging

But sometimes, the challenges students face go beyond typical mistakes. Crook stressed the importance of seeking help when students feel stuck. If students are putting in effort but struggling to meet expectations, they should not hesitate to reach out for support. In some cases, this may involve developing organizational systems or even addressing underlying issues such as learning disorders like dyslexia. Crook shared that some students discover these conditions for the first time during their medical education. Students who openly acknowledge their difficulties and seek guidance are often the ones who ultimately succeed.

One of the core principles that medical students should internalize is the duty to provide full, attentive care to patients. Crook explained that when doctors are only going through the motions or simply trying to get through their shift, patients can sense it, and it is not acceptable. Medical care should be patient-centered, with doctors giving their utmost attention and compassion. He emphasized, “When we’re caring for patients, they deserve our full attention. I want medical students to be present in the moment and truly connect with the patient.”

A powerful example of this comes from Goel’s recent experience during a pediatric rotation, where a third-year student spent over an hour with a reluctant adolescent patient. The student’s genuine presence and willingness to listen helped the patient open up about her struggles with cannabis use, ultimately leading to a more effective treatment plan. This interaction underscores. Medical Students Show Up Speak Up and Grow Challenging

Becoming the Physician You Aspire to Be

Becoming the doctor you want to be involves not only learning medical knowledge but also shaping your character. Crook shared a piece of advice that helped him personally during his medical education: keep two notebooks. In one, write down the qualities of supervisors you admire and want to emulate. In the other, note down behaviors that you want to avoid. After a few months, review these notes. You may be surprised to find that you both replicate the qualities you admire and occasionally fall into the traps you wish to avoid.

This exercise can be a powerful tool for self-reflection and personal growth. Crook pointed to his own experience with a senior resident who had an exceptional understanding of patient care. This experience shaped how Crook approached his own relationships with patients.

In the end, Crook emphasized that there is no single path to becoming a great physician. Medical students need to find their own direction and moral compass—what defines them as a doctor and what kind of care they want to provide. He challenged students to ask themselves, “What does being a physician mean to you?”

Conclusion

Becoming a successful medical student is not just about mastering textbooks and clinical skills; it’s about resilience, communication, and personal growth. The journey can often feel overwhelming, but showing up and speaking up are critical to your development both as a student and as a future healthcare professional.

Challenges will come, but overcoming them is part of the process. When you show up, you embrace opportunities to learn, grow, and push through difficult moments. Speaking up ensures that your voice is heard—whether it’s advocating for yourself, seeking help when needed, or contributing your insights in discussions. Growth happens when you embrace both the ups and downs, understanding that each experience contributes to your evolving expertise and emotional intelligence.

FAQs

Why is it important for medical students to “show up” even during tough times? Showing

 up, even when it’s difficult, helps build resilience and ensures consistent progress in both academics and personal growth, essential in the medical field.

How can medical students effectively “speak up” in challenging situations? Medical 

students should voice concerns or ask questions confidently, fostering clear communication with peers, faculty, and patients, which contributes to learning and professional development.

What does “grow” mean in the context of a medical student’s journey? Growth 

 context refers to continuous learning, developing clinical skills, and evolving emotionally and mentally to handle the pressures of the medical profession.

How can medical students maintain their motivation during difficult moments? Staying 

connected with supportive peers, seeking mentorship, and reminding oneself of long-term goals can help maintain motivation during challenging periods.

What role does resilience play in a medical student’s success? Resilience enables medical

 students to overcome setbacks, adapt to challenges, and stay focused on their goals, ultimately shaping them into successful professionals.