Unconscious Bias: Why it Happens and How to Unlearn It

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Before you finish reading this paragraph, your brain has already made a judgment about someone.  Their accent , their appearance , their profession, or the way they expressed an idea.  You did not consciously choose to judge — and that is exactly how unconscious bias works. Unconscious bias refers to the automatic assumptions and mental shortcuts our brains use to process the world quickly. These biases are shaped by culture, media, upbringing, education, and personal experiences. They exist everywhere — across countries, professions, and social systems . The uncomfortable truth is this: even kind, educated, well-intentioned people have unconscious bias. What matters is not pretending we don’t have it, but learning how to recognize and unlearn it. “We don’t see things as they are; we see them as we are.” This article explores common examples of unconscious bias seen globally and practical ways anyone can overcome them. What Is Unconscious Bias?  Unconscious bias is not ...
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After MBBS House Job: A Reminder While Preparing for the Next Step

When the Journey Feels Heavy, After MBBS House Job/Internship : A Reminder for Every Doctor Preparing for the Next Step

There comes a point in every doctor’s journey when the exhaustion becomes louder than ambition.

You finish MBBS, survive the house job, go through extensions, spend months buried in books for FCPS, and just when you think the hardest part is over… another mountain appears:

- Residency.

- Competition.

- Oversaturation of the field.

- Expectations — from family, from society, from yourself.


And suddenly your mind says, “I can’t study anymore.”


Your heart whispers, “I’m tired.”


And your soul quietly sighs, “Allah will take care of it.”


If you’re in this phase right now — feeling stuck, drained, unproductive yet still holding on to a small flame of hope — this blog is for you.

Because the truth is: 

every in process doctor goes through this silent battle, but very few talk about it.

Maybe your heart is tired today, but tomorrow it will beat with purpose again.

Maybe your mind is foggy now, but soon it will find clarity.

Maybe your steps are slow, but slow steps in the right direction still take you forward.

You are not failing.

You are transitioning.

And transitions always feel uncomfortable.


Hold on.

Breathe.

Trust the process.

Trust your journey.

And most of all — trust the One guiding you through it.


When Allah writes your path, even delays become hidden blessings. The opportunities meant for you cannot pass you. The doors meant for you will open exactly at the right moment.

Your place will come.

Your time will come.


And when it does, you will look back and softly say:

“This was exactly how it was meant to be.”


Here are 9 powerful tips to cope with Post-MBBS / House-Job anxiety

1. Accept that this phase is confusing

You don’t have to “figure it all out” immediately after house job. 

Life after internship feels like stepping out of a moving train — the noise suddenly stops, and you’re left wondering what to do next.

 It’s okay to feel lost. Give yourself time to breathe, realign your thoughts, and understand your options calmly.

“Confusion isn’t failure. It’s just the mind searching for clarity.”



2. Stop comparing your timeline

In medicine, everyone’s journey looks perfect from the outside but feels overwhelming from the inside. 

You might think your batch mates are ahead, but the truth is: everyone is struggling with something — results, jobs, rotations, family pressure.

What’s meant for you will reach you exactly on time, never early, never late.

“Your timing is not late. It’s simply yours.”



3. Create a small daily structure

Anxiety grows in chaos. 

Even a simple routine can bring peace and direction. 

You don’t have to follow extreme schedules — small, consistent habits are enough.

Study — walk — dua — journal — rest.

You can even create a refreshing routine: a new café, a short trip, a creative hobby — anything that reminds you that life is more than exams.

“A calm mind grows from a gentle routine.”


4. Let yourself feel tired without guilt

You are allowed to be exhausted after everything you survived. From FSC to MCAT, from MBBS to profs, from endless nights of study to intense house-job calls… you’ve lived in survival mode for years. It is natural to feel drained.

Your tiredness does not mean weakness — it means you have given too much without pausing.

“Rest is not weakness. It’s a form of strength.”



5. Talk to someone safe

Don’t let your fears grow in silence. Talk about it.

Whether it’s a friend, sibling, senior, or mentor — your heart lightens when your words escape the weight of your mind.

“Healing often begins when words finally leave the heart.”



6. Focus on direction, not perfection

You don’t need a flawless plan. You just need the next correct step. 

One topic, One page, One hour, Perfection isn’t the goal — progress is.

“You don’t need the whole staircase — just the next step.”


7. Give your fears a spiritual place

Turn your anxiety into dua. Tell Allah what scares you, what confuses you, what hurts you. 

Surrender is not giving up — it’s trusting the One who knows more than you, sees farther than you, and loves you deeper than you realize.

“When the heart feels heavy, let faith carry it.”



8. Limit negative voices

Distance yourself from people or content that increases fear, doubt, or comparison. 

Protecting your peace is part of your professionalism — because a stable doctor becomes a better doctor.

“Protect your peace like it’s part of your profession.”



9. Remember you are not behind

You’ve achieved what many only dream of — MBBS, internship, experience, resilience. 

Even if you don’t feel successful yet, you are still ahead of who you were yesterday.

“You are farther than you think, stronger than you feel.”


If you’re surviving panic attacks, silent breakdowns, loneliness, or unspoken dreams — this space is for you. Stay connected, stay hopeful, and most importantly…

Stay kind to yourself.


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