Fears of not keeping up and fears of failure are a source of stress and anxiety. Everyone must come to the realization that the amount of material is so vast that there is no way to learn it all. Medical school may be the first time you will need to set limits for yourself on the amount of material you try to learn. All of you are accustomed to being at the top of the class, so a roomful of classmates who have similar abilities can be unnerving. This competition, in addition to the complexity and volume of the material to be learned, may challenge your sense of your own competence.
Some people put on a facade of never studying and become closeted studiers.
It is important to deal with your competitive feelings and find others with whom it is safe to share your feelings. Studying together, dividing up work and teaching each other can be powerful ways of overcoming isolation. Cooperation rather than competition will help you manage the daunting tasks ahead. The immense demands on your time can make it difficult to reestablish social connections. Making academics your highest priority can leave you feeling lonely and alienated.