u/Firm_Ad3191

I genuinely feel demotivated by premeds sometimes. Both on Reddit and irl, so many normal conversations turn unnecessarily aggressive or competitive and it’s exhausting. I feel like I’m always walking on eggshells because I don’t know what comments are gonna get a nasty or condescending response. The idea of doing this throughout my whole career, especially one that’s already so stressful for other reasons, is getting really intimidating.

I understand having thick skin is important. I’ll admit I’m on the sensitive side, but it’s also just tiring. Every time I talk to certain premeds irl I have to think “well I can’t say this because they’ll think I’m competing,” or “I can’t say that because they’re gonna start lecturing me about it.” Like with MCAT scores, some people keep bringing it up to me, but I know them and I know if mine is higher they’ll act like I’m bragging and if it’s lower they’ll be condescending about it 😭 and whenever someone does get unreasonably weird I have to be the one to diffuse the tension by talking down about myself. It’s so exhausting.

I have trouble with social cues sometimes, especially when it comes to flirting or anything flirting-adjacent.

The other day I had a weird interaction with my pharmacist (never interacted with him before). He said “nice shirt” or something because I was wearing my college T shirt and he went to the same school. Then he said “you wear it nicely” and I was a little taken aback, but imo I acted normally and said thanks. Then he asked me questions about my birthday because he had my license, then he said something like “I’m just trying to ease you up a little” and I was really confused because I thought everything was fine. I answered his questions nicely, I just didn’t really make an effort to extend the conversation because there were people in line behind me.

It’s not a big deal, I’m just confused. He’s like twice my age so idk if that phrase is more normal for him.