Introduction: First-year MBBS students encounter a wide array of academic, social, and personal challenges during their transition into medical school. These challenges can cause a significant impact on their well-being and academic performance. This study aimed to identify the key issues faced by first-year MBBS students and explore the coping mechanisms they employ to manage stress during their initial year of medical education.

Materials and Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among 256 first-year MBBS students using Google Forms. The survey included questions about demographic information, the primary challenges students faced, their motivations for pursuing medicine, and the coping mechanisms they used. Data were analyzed descriptively to calculate the prevalence of different challenges and coping strategies. The study population consisted of 166 females, 89 males, and 1 other student from various medical colleges in India.

Results: The most commonly reportedchallenge was balancing studies with personal life (22.27%), followed closely by academic pressure and workload (21.88%). Other significant challenges included time management (11.72%), adapting to a new environment (11.72%), and difficulty in understanding course material (7.03%). Students commonly relied on social support (16.20%), exercise (12.50%), and taking breaks (14.81%) as coping mechanisms.

Conclusions: First-year MBBS students face significant academic and personal challenges. The results suggest a need for enhanced institutional support, personalized interventions, and structured programs to help students navigate this critical period in their medical education more effectively.

Keywords: First-year MBBS students, Challenges, Coping mechanism, Stress