Source: morethanarealtor.me
Time seems to pass so quickly when you’re studying. It is day-8 and I’m just a week away from Pathology examination. Almost everyone is back in Malaysia now except for a few of us who are still here, by choice and also because of examinations. There were times when I wanted to just give up and break down. Crying in the middle of the night while studying.
Sometimes, I wish I was born with a silver spoon in in my mouth so that life would be a bed of roses. It is a shallow thought that comes once in a while especially when life gets a bit hard. All this studying makes me wonder if my family and friends really understand what I’m going through. Maybe for them it all sounds too easy for a smart brain like me. But when you’re gathered with some of the best students from the country, everyone with their own strength, failure is probably inevitable.
Yesterday a miracle happened to me. I was on my way home after spending a good 6 hours studying in the faculty when I saw the most beautiful sunset ever. So, with all the heavy bag, files and food that I was carrying, I decided to take a stroll along the jogging trail. I was listening to songs and immersing myself as much as I can in the moment. By the time I got back, it felt like a burden has been lifted from my shoulder. Mother Nature is truly one of God’s greatest gift to mankind.
Each one of us has our own story of failure and success. We would probably be telling our story of success countless time compare to our story of failure. For me personally, I would be more likely to tell my story of failure compare to the successes. Without failure, I wouldn’t be the person I am today and I wouldn’t be here studying medicine. In my opinion, there are just more things that we can learn and experience from failing. But that probably wouldn’t be the case for some of the friends that I’ve witnessed who did their very best but in the end failed to achieve their goals. No worry, they’re doing well now. They didn’t give up and they keep going on, pursuing their dreams.
Be realistic. Many students would like to study as much as they can in a day, in 24 hours, especially when they’re studying for an examination. We set goals such as try to finish this many chapters in one day or try to finish this many questions in 24 hours without really considering our ability to actually fulfil the goal. The same goes when we are preparing for an examination. If you need more time to prepare compare to the rest of your peers, then take your time, nothing wrong with finishing a bit later than the rest of your friends.
Even though it’s hard to wait and finish, be patient. A good grasp of knowledge can come in a few minutes and also maybe hours. What’s the point of flipping through the pages like you’re racing against time when you actually don’t understand it?
Be confident and fearless. You study so long for this, the answer is somewhere in your mind but just because of the overwhelming anxiety and fear, you cannot produce the answer. Ignorance to the probability of failure maybe is a bliss in this case.
All of this is just a part of a bigger adventure. Many friends sympathize with me when I told them I’m not going back this summer and that I still have three examinations to go but hey, don’t feel that way for me! Instead, encourage and pray for me. Whatever the challenges you’re facing now, always remember that they are also part of the adventure that life has to offer. Be in the moment and try to learn as much as you can while keeping yourself together.
Cry if you feel like crying. It’s okay to feel down and cry once in a while, girls and boys too. Some people say that tears are a sign of weakness, I say no to that. It’s a way of comforting yourself and channelling your emotions.
Never give up. It’s a common saying that probably is not the first thought that comes to mind when one is experiencing a difficult time. Nevertheless, you have a goal and in order to achieve it, you have to be strong and keep going on. Have faith in yourself.
We don’t know what the future will hold for us but one thing for sure, we have to try our best and make every moment counts. Even if we fail and feel depressed, with hopes, we can always find our strength to rise again for there is no way to go but up when you’re at your lowest point. All the best!
Farahliza Grace is a 3rd year medical student studying in the Faculty of Medicine, Palacky University, Czech Republic. Learn more about her and other students at the Young Columnists tab under The Team.