CHRONICLES_OF_A_MEDICAL_STUDENT
(PART 5 OF 5)
... Before year 3 began, I decided to forfeit my holidays to stay back in school to study... Having four of my year 2 first semester courses to upgrade and a tough year 3 ahead, it was a decision & a sacrifice I had to make. So I called my parents & explained why I wouldn't be home for the holidays & even for the end of year celebration.
We had about two months plus before year 3 commenced (I think UNIPORT hosted Games that year or something like that, can't really remember why it took that long before resumption)... But all join, I had ample time to prepare and I ensured I didn't waste that opportunity.
With my Lecture video handy and having a foreknowledge of what we were to do in year 3, I started preparations in earnest... I covered all my Physiology and Biochemistry courses for year 3 and all the courses I needed to upgrade back to back. The only ones I didn't touch in details during the hols were Neuroscience and Head & Neck Anatomy.
Understanding Physiology and Biochemistry to the depth I had was the genesis of my love for Medicine. When I saw that I could give reasons for everything, I said to myself "Medicine is so so simple"... I started studying more (now not just for exams) but to appreciate the Basic concepts in Medicine for how interesting it was. And because I had videos for my year 4 courses, I started watching Pathology and Pharmacology videos along side.. You won't blame me na, it's called hyperginger syndrome.
So before year 3 lectures finally commenced, I was already oozing with stuff to the marvel of some of my friends. But since year 2 second semester results were yet to be released, some simply regarded me as a noise maker... I didn't care how intimidated anybody felt, they didn't know what I actually went through, I kept moving my stuff for those that were open hearted to listen to me (cos I loved teaching right from Basic days).
Year 2 second semester results started coming out one after the other... The first three I saw were high 'C's (higher than the best I had in year 2 first semester), I was contented and grateful to God. The next one came out & it was a B. And when I heard that the final one was out, which was the Biochemistry I knew I did so well. I went to the board to check my score, and when I saw what I had, I screamed at Ofrima. You know that kind of scream that makes you say to yourself in American tongue "that's what I'm talking about, you know what I'm saying?". I had an 83% (I think the highest) alongside my good friend Ijeoma Chile Dienye-Isaac .
Wow! How that result so boosted my confidence, and I said to myself no Tom, Dick or Harry would discourage me from watching my videos...
My academic improvement became evident not just to my classmates but also to those in Nursing, Physiology, Anatomy and Biochemistry, cos I took them on tutorials... The crowning of it was seen when I come to the front of my class to teach Pharmacology to my classmates in the absence of the Lecturer even to the marvel of my Junior colleagues then... I was teaching my classmates one of those days, and a lecturer walked in and asked if I was a Junior lecturer (obviously he was so impressed).
My exploits were so admirable, that alot started calling me Kaplan and some Mr. Stuff, after being voted as PUMSA most intelligent (Mr. Stuff) in Preclinical class. Before I knew what was happening, almost everyone started buying Lecture videos & that was how the use of Lecture videos became popularized in UNIPORT College of Health Sciences.
Year 3 first semester results came out, I had just one C, the rest were 'B's and A. When it was now time to sit for the Part 1 MBBS exams, I wrote the exams with good courage and to God be all the glory I came out successful, passing in one sitting. (A story for another day) Success can never come to those who merely wish for it. It is meant for those who go all out to get it even when all else says it can't be gotten. We unconsciously embrace failure when we faint at tough situations.