One thing about medical school is the hectic professional exams. In 2021, I wrote one of the most hectic and draining exams of my life. I was in my third year in the university, and it was my first professional exam as a medical student.
I heard stories about this exam right from my first year. The stories were scary. It was an exam that could decide if one would continue to the next level or repeat a whole year or even get withdrawn.
Towards the end of my second year, the realization came that the exam was upon us. Some of my classmates stepped down a class because they felt they weren't ready for such an exam. I knew I couldn't afford to do that. I could not afford to fail. I didn't want to disappoint my parents. I saw the sacrifice they made regularly for my sake, and I was determined to make them proud.
Preparing for that exam was the hardest thing. I threw everything at it. I stayed awake every night studying. My days were also filled with studying. I barely slept. Even when I slept a little, I would feel guilty because I felt I should have studied instead.
The thing about medical school is that the things to study seem endless. The syllabus is so big, it's almost impossible to exhaust it. Despite spending weeks studying, I couldn't finish the syllabus. I was mentally and physically drained.
The exam eventually came. I felt I wasn't fully prepared, but I accepted the fact that one can never be fully prepared for such an exam. The professional exam lasted for a period of about one month. On the last day, after writing the exam for that day, I was eager to go home and all I wanted to do was sleep. I and my classmate, John, walked home from the exam venue. We were both so happy that we were finally done with such an exam.
"How are you going to unwind tonight John?" I asked.
"Oh, I'm definitely going clubbing". John replied.
"Seriously? Well, have all the fun you can. I'm going to sleep for as long as I can, and when I wake up, I'll drown myself in movies", I said.
John got to his destination while I continued the journey. When I got home, I realized that the result would be released the next day. That was the beginning of an anxious period for me. I was very nervous. I tried to sleep but I couldn't.
I kept wondering if I wrote enough to pass. I just didn't want to fail. I didn't want to disappoint my parents and everyone else. I received a lot of support from family and friends during the exam period, and they were all rooting for me to pass. I tried watching movies, but my mind was too troubled. I couldn't think straight. I decided that it was better to spend the night with my friends than being all alone. I went to my friends' place in an attempt to keep myself engaged. They were also nervous. We all stayed in the same room, playing video games, in an attempt to keep our minds off the result coming out the next day.
Eventually, the next day came. We waited for the result, but it didn't come out early. My friends and I decided to take a walk into school and hang around where the result would be pasted. Just as we arrived , the results were being pasted. I went to check mine. My hands were shaking. My heart was beating with so much speed and force. I searched for my serial number. As soon as I located it, I shouted for joy.
"I passed!"
"Congratulations brother", John said as he came to give me a handshake.
John passed as well. All of my friends passed. Immediately, we could hear shouts of joy all over the school. Photos of the result were taken and posted online. The noise was deafening. The joy was palpable. I couldn't contain mine as I jumped.
While people celebrated, there were those who failed. They looked so sad. I instantly felt sorry for them. They looked like their world fell apart. I could only imagine what they were going through.
I called my dad to tell him that I passed. He was so happy and proud. I could tell from his voice. He also informed my mum while on call with me. She screamed for joy.
I was finally relieved. It was as if a huge weight was off my chest.
Congratulations man
Professional Exams are quite hectic especially that 2nd MBBS, that's what we call it in my school.
Which school are you training in?
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Wait, don’t tell me this is fiction 😦
It felt as if you are narrating a real life event.
Not to brag but I never felt that anxiety anytime I had to check my results 😎
You're in med school?
I'm asking because if you're in one, you'll know it's a place where the best of brains even fail... It's not entirely about being smart, there's an atom of luck especially when it comes with clinical exams😢
No I’m not , just kidding 😂
Hehe... It's fine 😊
You're right, we have had the best brains fall out. Some people became mentally challenged as a result of the trauma, torture and fate of medical school. Luck, grace and hard work maybe but in all, hope and pray to be among those that make it to the finish line
No cap...
Making it to the finish line changes the whole story and narrative
It's not fiction. It actually happened.
I always knew you were one of the smart ones.
Wait what?
You didn’t tell meee???
Your face looks very familiar though 🤔
Medical examinations are difficult and I was a victim of repeat. Cutting off distractions and other engagements helps one to focus better.
You're right, the syllabus looks exhausting. I remember reading mountains of documents only to have a question from a single sheet of handouts.
Relaxing with social activities do help also.
Funny, we used to have results of previous exams pasted on the board while writing another examination. We were mentally tortured.
At some point, failing became habitual for some of us, I just never accepted that I was a failure.
Congrats and I wish you grace and favour in sojourn within and beyond medical school.
Thank you for sharing. Nice to meet you.
Wow, I could feel your nervousness here, professional exams aren't no joke. I wish you the best.
What an intense experience. Congratulations on passing. That must have been hard to see the faces of those who didn't pass. Thank you for sharing your story in The Ink Well and for reading and commenting on the work of other community members.
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