Starting life as a junior doctor is both exciting and overwhelming. The transition from medical school to housemanship or MOship is a big leap. Beyond medical knowledge, what truly shapes our growth — and how others perceive us — is our attitude.

Be humble

No matter how well you did in medical school, housemanship is a different ballgame. Be willing to learn, ask questions, and accept feedback — even if it feels uncomfortable at times. Humility allows you to grow faster and gain the respect of your seniors and colleagues.

Be responsible and reliable

Patients’ lives depend on us. As junior doctors, it’s crucial to take responsibility for your tasks — from updating case notes to following up on laboratory results. If you’re unsure, seek help early. Reliability builds trust, not just with your team but also with patients.

Be punctual

Time is important in medicine — not just for you, but for your whole team and your patients. Being punctual shows respect for others and responsibility for your role. Arriving on time for ward rounds, clinics, or on-call handovers allows work to run smoothly and prevents unnecessary delays in patient care

Respect and empathy for everyone

Good attitude isn’t only about how you treat seniors, but also how you treat nurses, allied health staff, cleaners, and patients’ families. Respect is universal — and empathy reminds us that medicine is not only science, but also humanity.

Be adaptable and willing to grow

You’ll rotate through multiple departments, sometimes far from your comfort zone, or sometimes being rotated to the department(s) that you are not interested at all. Instead of resisting, embrace the change. Every posting, every environment, teaches you something different — from clinical skills to teamwork and resilience.

With the right attitude — humble, responsible, positive, respectful, and adaptable — you will not only survive, but also grow into the kind of doctors that patients trust and colleagues respect.