Tanika's story

Tanika is a Medicine student.

Ambitious. Enthusiastic. Determined. 

"Coming from a Punjabi family that has worked tirelessly in the UK for generations, I was raised with the belief that education is the key to success. My great-grandmother dreamed of my grandfather becoming a doctor, and my grandfather passed that hope to his son. Now, I’m proud to be the first in my family to study medicine, turning their dreams into reality.

Growing up in a working-class household, the path to becoming a doctor wasn’t straightforward. Without access to the same resources as some of my peers, I had to navigate the medical school application process largely on my own. It often felt overwhelming, but my family’s resilience kept me determined, and I achieved a place in medical school on my first attempt.

Since starting my degree in 2020, the University of Liverpool has been a place of incredible growth. While I initially struggled with imposter syndrome, the supportive community here has helped me thrive. A defining moment for me was achieving a distinction in a master’s degree between my third and fourth years—an achievement that once felt unattainable. My work as a Liverpool Advocate has also been pivotal, giving me opportunities to grow professionally through public speaking and networking.

Though I didn’t have a head start in medicine, the University has propelled me forward. I now aim to inspire others from similar backgrounds and am determined to pursue a career in surgery after medical school."