22/M; Medical student- Conflicted about confessing feelings. Need help.

Background

I’m a 22/M, final year student at a reputed GMC. For the past few months, I've had a HUGE crush on a girl in my batch, but I'm completely conflicted on how to proceed.

To give some context, my past relationship track record hasn't been the best. In my 1st year, I dated a girl for a few months but got dumped. Honestly, I didn't know how to be a good partner back then—I was too consumed by academics and didn't take the time to understand her feelings. In my 2nd year, I dated someone else for about a month but ended up breaking it off. My parents disapproved as she was older to me, it was mentally draining, and I realised I just wasn't ready for a relationship.

The Turnaround

Those experiences took a massive emotional toll on me, but they also pushed me to work on myself. Over the last two years, I hit the gym, studied hard, and built a really solid support system with my family and friends. Today, I’m in a completely different space mentally and physically. Academically, things are going great—I’m one of the batch toppers and I’m gunning for a good rank in my first PG attempt.

The Current Situation

Recently, my crush started sitting in the front rows near me. Her old friend group broke up, and since she's best friends with my close friend's GF, we end up talking and hanging out together as a group.

She is an incredibly sweet and simple person. We frequently end up sitting together and cracking jokes. During lectures, we often unknowingly end up exchange glances and smiles. Since I answer questions frequently in class, I’ve caught her looking at me intently quite a few times.

My Dilemmas

I really want to let her know how I feel, but the following things are holding me back:

1. Fear of Rejection: She has rejected a few guys in the past, and I’m not sure how she would react to me.
2. My Past: I'm worried she judges me on my two failed relationships.
3. Academic Focus: If she does share my feelings and we enter a relationship, will I lose my academic momentum and sidetrack my PG prep just when I need it most?
4. Talking to Mom: I am extremely open with my mom, and she knows about my exes. Should I discuss this situation with her first before making a move?

Any advice would be highly appreciated!