Otago HSFY — Managing Academic Pressure and Mental Health

Hidden so they don't bias your answer. Score yourself first, then reveal them to compare.

• Interviewers are not looking for a list of stress-management techniques — they are assessing whether you have genuine self-awareness about your own patterns under pressure. Speak from experience: 'During my Year 13 exams I noticed I was skipping lunch to study, which made me more anxious and less productive — I learned to protect mealtimes as non-negotiable.' Specific, personal, and honest answers outperform generic 'I exercise and meditate' answers.
• Healthy motivation: driven by curiosity, growth, and meaningful goals. Unhealthy perfectionism: driven by fear of failure, shame, or proving self-worth through grades. The distinction matters because perfectionism in medicine predicts burnout, moral injury, and impaired practitioner wellbeing later. Showing you understand this distinction signals professional maturity.
• Otago student support: University Health and Counselling, Otago University Students' Association wellbeing resources, peer support networks, academic advisory systems, and campus chaplains/pastoral staff. Strong answers also note that asking for help is a professional competency in medicine — practitioner wellbeing is explicitly addressed in MCNZ's Good Medical Practice. You cannot give patients quality care from an empty tank.