To That Preclinical Student

Hello there, welcome here!  

Before you dive into my world of thoughts as expressed in this writing, let me describe you. 

You are a brilliant student who has been given the golden opportunity to study medicine; an opportunity many out there are dying to have. I’ve met folks who have applied countless times to study medicine, some up to seven times, yet they keep pressing forward, refusing to give up. For them, it’s medicine or nothing!  

But here you are! You’ve gotten what you wanted, you’re a medical student. Perhaps this has been your passion all along, or maybe your parents nudged you in this direction. Perhaps you chose medicine on a whim. Whatever the case, you are here. Most likely and sadly, there’s no going back for you. No going back. Yeah.  

I’m a medical student just like you. I’m currently in my 400-level days, battling the dreaded pathology and pharmacology with other clinical postings. But I’ve developed a desire to speak to medical students who may not be getting it right.  

A few days ago, I had a conversation with a colleague, and I reiterated this very cry.  Somehow, it bites me that I didn’t know certain things earlier in medical school.

I’m not Obasanjo, Ebora Owu, so I’m not here to castigate or criticize you. I’m writing to you as a fellow soldier on this journey. I've also ensured that this letter is easy to read. Let’s go!  

My preclinical years were quite eventful. I had always known I wasn’t going to be the “regular” medical student. Right from my 100-level days when I sold cakes and chin-chin, people doubted if I was really cut out for medicine. To be honest, there were times I doubted myself too. I often thought I would fit better in disciplines like economics, marketing, or political science. Those felt like my strengths.  

I was a young spiricoco brother who loved Jesus. Always in my baggy trousers and ancient shirts, I must have looked like John the Baptist. I loved apologetics and made it my duty to engage atheists and Muslims in debates about the Christian faith. I was outspoken and bold. 

I had an entrepreneurial spirit and was running up to five businesses simultaneously. How I managed that is still a mystery to me. I ran a logistics service, a night-time kitchen, sold gaari, and even operated a dummy POS business. Call me the jack of all trades, and I’ll gladly wear that badge.  

Toward the end of my preclinical years, I ventured into social impact, which has become a core part of my activities today. I started an NGO during this time, and I’m still running it till date. Volunteering, traveling for events, and building capacity were the highlights of my preclinical years.  

As you can see, I’m a multifaceted individual, even though my nerdy appearance might have deceived you.  

Now, let’s talk about academics. Believe me, I see myself as a genius! I never really liked medicine initially and dreaded the long hours of reading that medics often talk about. I remember one night in 100 level when I saw a senior reading Keith Moore's anatomy in the night class. My heart quaked. I was only a young naive 100L student.

But here I am today, I’ve gone past that stage and more! Isn’t that good news?  

Despite my busy schedule, my academics were doing all right. Out of all the results of incourses released, I only failed two exams narrowly. That’s a huge achievement for someone who read for just two hours daily (except during exam weeks and MB periods). Now you know why I see myself as a genius. Lol!

Beware, don’t copy me! I had many scores in the 50s and didn’t meet my target of distinctions.  

Looking back, preclinical years seemed easy compared to the challenges of pathology and pharmacology. My reading hours per day have gone way beyond 2 hours.

Even as you read in between these lines, know that the mental models I have highlighted here are not fad. They are applicable in many medical schools across the country.

The Core Lessons  

I know it feels like medicine takes up all your time and leaves you no room for other things, but that’s not entirely true. You have time. Medicine is a jealous wife, but you must learn to put her in her place.  

Don’t believe the notion that medicine won’t allow you to pursue other interests. The only limit you have is you. You can achieve anything you want by setting your priorities right and maintaining disciplined time management. You don’t know your limits until you stretch yourself.  You have that time, don't deceive yourself that you are always busy.

This sounds contradictory to m my first point, right? But hear me out. Time in medical school is a scarce commodity. You don’t have as much of it as you’d like. You’re always busy with one thing or another, so you can’t afford to waste time.  

As you climb higher, the journey becomes tougher. Medicine will take a large chunk of your time. You might get lost in reading medicine and you completely forget that there is a future after medical school. Before you know it, you're out of medical school.

 Medical school will soon be over, so focus on things that matter. Stay away from activities that won’t benefit you in the long run. Avoid unnecessary distractions, there’s no time! 

I have two basic tests to eliminate unnecessary distractions in my journey in medical school. First, I make sure I justify every activity that I'm going to participate in outside of medical school with three strong reasons, if I don't find those reasons, then that activity will not see me. Second is long-term thinking. I ask myself this important question; of what benefit is this activity for me in the next 10 years?

What I've just shared above is not absolute so find your own basic tests or adopt mine at your own risk.

Medicine will make you a doctor, but that alone won’t guarantee success. The best doctors aren’t always the richest or the most visible. Why? Because life demands more than medical knowledge to excel beyond your peers.

You need to build capacity to succeed. Volunteer to gain relevant experience. Develop soft skills. Build a strong network of people who can help your career. Take on leadership roles. If you have other interests, take courses related to them. Start building your future now.  Remember, medical school will soon be over.

Medicine comes with prestige, but don’t let it get to your head. Be humble. Honor your seniors and respect them, even if you feel you know more or are older than them. Humility pays in medical school. The humble ones enjoy privileges others don’t. Don’t let familiarity rob you of opportunities. Stay humble.  

Relationships are key in medical school. Here’s my recommendation:  

- Build strong relationships with your classmates.  

- Have at least one close senior friend in each level.(I get most textbooks from seniors) 

- Maintain good relationships with your juniors.  

- Build rapport with your teachers.  

This way, you’ll always have the information and support you need. How do you build relationships? SERVICE. Service unlocks the hearts of people. Learn to serve others and do good always.  

Your brain must have told you that I just lied. Well, that's not true. Excelling in academics medical school is not rocket science. It's not that hard.

Although, I'm not where I want to be yet, I'm still pressing forward. 

So here is the thing, I've taken my time to study best students in my class. I found out that they have some core attributes. They may not read for long hours but they take due diligence in reading, paying attention to every significant detail, and they are very consistent.

To add to this point on academics, I think what has really helped me medical school is that l ask a lot of questions especially from seniors. I don't write any exam in medical school without consulting an immediate senior asking all possible questions. For me it has always worked. Info ni eeyan fi n fo. Get information.

Honestly, I wonder how atheists survive in medical school.

 But as for me, God is my surest anchor. I love Jesus, I talk about him unapologetically, and I've seen God show up in difficult situations at different times in medical school, up till this very moment. Hold on to your Creator, love and serve HIM.

I’ll stop here for now, but take these lessons to heart. They’re not just for medical school, they’re life lessons you can use anywhere. Keep pushing forward, and remember: you are not alone on this journey! Keep fighting!

Before you go, ensure you join the conversation, drop a comment. I would be glad to read them all.

In case you would love to reach me, send me a mail at abegundepeter2019@gmail.com.