Finally, I am a doctor!

Assalamualaikum and warm greetings to everyone.

Alhamdulillah for all the blessings that Allah has given us. This will be my final writing for the Life as a Medical Student segment.

Five long years. I began this journey at the age of 19 and now I am already 24. We’ve gone through hundreds of notes, dozens of textbooks and countless clinical practice guidelines (CPGs).

From relying on seniors’ notes, we eventually reached a point where we produced our own notes to share with others. 

Medical school did not just teach me medicine. It shaped the way I think, the way I respond to challenges and the way I see people around me.

I still remember I used to take 1-2 weeks just to produce a single case write up when I'm in Year 3 but when I'm already a senior (Year 5) sometimes it only took several hours.

I can confidently say that the journey my friends and I went through was far from easy. Many people assume that all we do is memorize notes and sit for the exam.

But what about the physical examination steps? The clinical reasoning behind every abnormal finding? The long hours staying back in the ward just to get a good case for the next morning’s presentation? We sacrificed so much just to become doctors.

Looking back we barely have any sleep during exam weeks. Waking up at 3–4 a.m. to continue whatever we left unfinished the night before.

However, the journey itself is what matters the most. The friends I made along the way. The experience that I gained throughout my learning. The inevitable medical school drama which bound to happen regardless. 

Go to the ward feeling anxious if we have a class with fierce doctors or going back happy because the angelic doctors gave us nice teaching session. 

The long hours of commiting from one hospital to one hospital and went to get good food in between. Unplanned trip with friends to escape just a little bit from hectic life.

To all the doctors, lecturers, specialists, MOs and HOs who guided us, thank you for your patience and for reminding us that learning never stops. Some lessons were tough but they were the ones that shaped us the most.

My lecturers always reminded us that patients are our real textbooks. To all the patients who allowed us to learn from their stories, conditions and struggles, thank you. Every encounter taught me something no textbook ever could.

As this chapter closes, a new one begins. I pray that whatever lies ahead, we will continue to serve with kindness, humility and sincerity.

May Allah ease our journey ahead, bless our intentions and allow us to become doctors who bring benefit to others.

If you ask me whether I would go through medical school again, I’d say no but if I could do it again with the same friends by my side then my answer would be yes.