Vishali, you belong to the so-called medfluencers - what does this and this term mean to you?

I'm divided on that.

On the one hand, I somehow belong there, on the other hand, I understand medfluencers to be people who romanticize medical studies, and I don't see myself that way.

It's important to me to show how the course is going - failing and hurdles are part of it.

My account @medstudent.dream is a hobby for me, I'm a full-time student.

So sometimes I take a lot of time for it and answer a lot of messages, and sometimes, during exam phases for example, I unsubscribe completely.

You share learning tips, give away medical books and post motivating quotes - how did you come up with the idea of ​​starting and building up an account like this?

I started the account in 2019.

At that time I had completed my Abitur, and because I couldn't get a place on a medical course, I started a voluntary social year (FSJ).

At the time I thought it would be cool to record the time in some kind of digital diary to look back on in a few years.

It then became a sure-fire success.

Later I shared how to take the medical degree test and posted study tips and application and the followers kept growing.

I never had the ulterior motive of becoming known.

When did you realize that your content and your experiences are of interest to many people?

I still haven't really realized it - maybe when I realized that 500 people were following me.

When followers started asking me questions that are aimed at me personally, like "What was your Abitur grade?

How do you learn for the TMS?” I noticed then that people were interested in me and were looking for advice and tips from me.

And can you help them?

If I'm asked where I would go when choosing between two universities, it's difficult for me.

I don't want other students to hold me responsible for their life decisions.

I do my best to communicate clearly that I can only answer what I would do in their place and of course I cannot give a clear opinion on it.

But I think it helps a lot to even hear afterwards: "I understand you and your decision, maybe I would have done it the same way."

You started your studies in 2020 in the middle of the pandemic.

What did the account mean to you during this time?

The account helped me a lot during this time because I was able to exchange ideas.

I ran the account anonymously for a long time and only made it known who I am very late.

I was afraid of the reactions of other students, that they would make fun of me, like it happens with other medfluencers.

When I then showed my face and told where I was studying, fellow students actually got in touch and we were able to exchange ideas and zoom in.

I wasn't that alone.

It is striking that there are so many of these study-related influencers, especially in medical studies.

Do you have the impression that there is a greater need for such an exchange during your studies?

In any case.

It's really exciting to see how the others learn, how they prepare for exams.

I find this exchange helpful and also important.

It makes me feel like if I'm having troubles, I'm not alone.

When I was studying medicine, I often got the impression that failing an exam is something totally crass.

But when I then hear from others that they sometimes had to repeat the exam that I didn't pass, and today they're writing their doctoral thesis, that pushes me a lot.

So I know it goes on and uphill again.