I'm 20, just got into med school, and watching everyone around me make money while I'm years away from earning is seriously affecting me.
I'm a 20-year-old guy from a developing country, and I honestly don't know if I'm overthinking everything or if my worries are valid.
After high school, I spent a year at home. Then I got into BDS degree (Bachelor of Dental Surgery), stayed there for a year, and finally got into medicine, which was always my goal. My medical degree has just started and it'll take another 6 years to finish.
The thing is, after getting into med school, I don't even feel as happy as I thought I would.
I've started realizing that medicine isn't as financially rewarding in my country as people make it seem. On top of that, my father has about 7 years left until retirement, so by the time I actually start earning, he'll probably already be retired. That thought keeps bothering me.
What makes it worse is seeing the people around me moving ahead financially.
Even my immediate seniors from my own town have already graduated and found ways to earn. My town isn't very developed—it's a small, isolated place—but a lot of students from here are really good academically and end up studying at some of the best universities in the country.
Then there's my old best friend group. We don't really hang out anymore because I mostly stay at home, but we're still friends.
There are five of them. Four of them are making money by buying and selling PUBG accounts. Sometimes they also sell accounts for other people and take a commission. One of those four has even started an online clothing brand and also sells small digital products to the audience he's built on TikTok and Instagram.
The fifth guy got into trading, and he's earning from that too.
Then I look at myself.
I'm just starting a degree that's going to take six more years, and I feel like everyone around me is already building something while I'm still waiting for my career to begin.
I know comparison is unhealthy, but it's honestly getting to me. Some nights I can't even sleep because I keep thinking that I'm falling behind while everyone else is moving forward.
Right now I'm on a two-month summer break from med school, and I really don't want to waste it. I want to start earning somehow, even if it's just a few hundred dollars or something small at first. I'm willing to learn new skills and put in the work—I just don't know what direction makes the most sense.
If you were 20 again and in my position, what would you do? What skills would you focus on that could realistically start making money while studying medicine?
I'd genuinely appreciate any advice.