Younis Abdulla

Advice I wish I had believed earlier.

If I could sit down with my younger self—or with anyone standing at the start line of pharmacy, medicine, or any intense academic journey—I’d say this:

“Don’t worry so much about being clever.

Worry about being curious.

And consistent.

The rest will come.”

It’s easy to think that success in medicine or academia is all about raw intelligence. I used to think the same. That there were two types of people: those born with it and those who just weren’t.

But that thinking nearly stopped me from even applying to medical school.

“Am I smart enough?”

That question haunted me when I was writing my application to medicine. I was already a pharmacist. Already in my career. But I found myself constantly comparing. I was so confused and lost as to what I could bring to the table, could I measure up to people who dedicated their whole life in pursuit of this?

“These kids have wanted this since they were 15.”

“They just finished A-levels—of course, they’ll remember the science better.”

“Maybe I’m too late.”

But then I thought: if I didn’t at least try, I’d regret it for the rest of my life. So I applied.... And I got in.

Not because I was a genius, but because I believed I could grow.

That’s when I realised that the mindset you bring to the journey matters more than your starting point.

"It's not about the destination but the journey”

What is a growth mindset, anyway

A growth mindset is the belief that your abilities aren’t fixed. You’re not “bad at maths” or “not a science person.” You’re just in progress. Always.

"It's a video game, you're just getting to the next level”

People with a growth mindset:

Treat challenges like opportunities. If you succeed, you get something; if you fail and pick yourself up, you learn something. Win-win
Take criticism as feedback, not an insult. Learn to put your hand up and admit when you're wrong.
Understand that failure is part of the process. You can fail 99 times it's temporary unless you give up.
Keep showing up. Consistency is key! Even if you turn up and do nothing, be there.

I didn’t always think like that. In pharmacy school, when I didn’t understand something, I took it personally. I assumed I just didn’t have the “brains” for it. I didn’t realise the issue wasn’t my capability—it was my strategy.

You’re not supposed to be amazing right away

When I started med school, I struggled to keep up. It wasn’t just the volume of content—it was the pace, the pressure, the constant feeling of being “behind.” Working as a locum (trust me, pharmacy is no walk in the park), studying and trying to juggle family life along with this was not an easy task.

But something changed this time. Instead of giving up or hiding from it, I told myself:

“I’ve done hard things before. I can do this too. I just need a better system.”

So I did what I always tell my students now:

Break things into manageable pieces. (check the article on the eisenhower matrix)
Use active recall and spaced repetition. (Maybe check to see what works for you: Anki, Quesmed, Passmed, etc.)
Practice what you find hardest more, not less. (It's demotivating I know getting it wrong again and again, better now than later with no safety net)
Track your progress, not your perfection. (Any movement and change is a positive)

Growth isn’t glamorous. But it works.

From pharmacy dispensary to medical student: What changed?

Let me tell you a quick story.

A few years back, I was standing in a pharmacy dispensary on a Friday afternoon. Tired. On edge. I was only two years into the job. But a job advert landed in my inbox—for a Clinical Lead Pharmacist role.

I remember laughing. Me? A lead? Surely not.

But then I paused.

I didn’t have decades of experience, but I had ideas. I knew where we could improve efficiencies. I had worked across hospital, community and GP settings. I had seen systems that worked and those that didn’t. I had variety, energy, ideas, passion and motivation.

So I applied.

At the interview, I told them what I’d do differently. I didn’t pretend to be the most experienced. But I was the most ready to adapt, to lead, and to grow. I got the job.

That was one of the earliest lessons that your current title doesn’t reflect your potential.

Studying smarter, not harder

Let’s bring this back to studying, because I know many of you reading this are deep in lectures, flashcards, and MCQs.

Here’s what a growth mindset looks like for students:

Didn’t do well on a practice question? Figure out why and how to fix it.
Someone else is ahead of you? Ask them how they study—don’t just assume they’re more intelligent. Learn from others.
You keep forgetting content? Try a different method. Active recall. Whiteboards. Diagrams. Teach it back.

You’re not behind. You’re just in the middle of your journey. And that’s exactly where you should be. Everyone is at different points in their journeys.

Think and Grow (Smarter)

In Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill says that everything begins with belief and clarity of purpose. I couldn’t agree more.

When I finally believed I could get into med school, my preparation changed. I stopped doubting and started planning. I stopped wishing and started working.

But here’s what I’ll add:

A clear purpose + consistent effort + willingness to grow = unstoppable progress.

Final Advice: Keep Planting Seeds

Growth is never instant.

You study hard for weeks before the grades reflect it.

You apply to ten things before one comes through.

You practise a hundred questions before they start to click.

But it’s happening. Quietly. Underground. Until one day, it blooms—and you’ll be grateful you didn’t stop. Do you know what this reminds me of? Bamboo: it can take FOUR YEARS to establish roots, but once it is established, it shoots up at a rate of 1.5m annually.

So keep showing up.

Whether you’re in sixth form, finishing your degree, or like me—starting over after building an entire career—you’ve got time.

You’re not too late. You’re not too old. You’re not “not smart enough.”

You’re just in the process of becoming.

And that’s exactly where you need to be.

The Importance of a Growth Mindset in Medicine and Beyond