I'm DHANIYAL AGEEL and this is My Medical Student Life
Nabeel Ibrahim
Published on: 10/02/2019
First Year China Naval Medical University Mohamed Dhaniyal Ageel
University
Naval Medical University (formerly called Second Military Medical University)
Current Year
First
Medical Specialty Interested in
Neurosurgery/Emergency Medicine
One Word that Describes You
Dedicated
Single quality that defines a great doctor
Humility
What was your path to Medical School like?
Ever since I was a toddler, I always ended up telling my parents that I would become a doctor. Therefore, after 7 years of primary and middle school education at Iskandhar School, I chose to continue my secondary education there as a Science stream student. I ended up serving as Deputy Captain, Activities Captain and School Captain respectively, after serving as Isdhoo House Deputy Captain in grade 7.
After completing my O’ Level examinations, I worked at Pearl Medical Center for five months as a dental assistant, as I wanted some insight into the Maldivian healthcare industry before starting higher secondary education. I fondly remember a voluntary 16-hour work day, from 8:00AM-12:00AM, with only a break for lunch, due to all of the other dental assistants becoming ill. I was extremely happy to find out that I had earned 1st Place in the National Top 10 (alhamdhulillah) and Top in Maldives/3rd Place in the World in O’ Level Biology (again, alhamdhulillah), and ended up becoming the inaugural Best All-Around Student of Iskandhar School.
I completed my higher secondary education at CHSE, continuing to study Science with Statistics as an optional subject. Those two years were a true reality check, that I should not live in the bliss of O’ level success. Despite being actively involved in extracurricular activities and serving as Ranmuiy House Deputy Captain, I learnt some of the most important lessons (both literally and metaphorically) too late. As a result, I ended up earning 6th Place in the National Top 10 after my A’ level examinations, which surprised a lot of people.
While looking for higher education opportunities, I knew that I could not give up or waste my time, thus I joined ADK Hospital as a clinical assistant. The one year which I spent working there greatly shaped my outlook on Medical school. I was fortunate enough to work alongside renowned doctors, such as neurosurgeon Dr. Ali Niyaf, ophthalmologist Dr. Abdulla Junaid, and pediatrician Dr. Abdulla Niyaf, who offered me invaluable guidance and insight to the medical world, alongside other amazing doctors.
I was also provided opportunities by the management of ADK Hospital to serve as host of multiple functions, including the Quality & Safety Symposium, Employee Performance Awards, and the Maldives Spine Conference 2017, the first of its kind in the nation. I was also in the operation theatre to photograph the first-ever brain surgery carried out in the Maldives for the operating team (I am afraid I cannot share the details due to patient confidentiality, aside from it being an excision of a BIG tumor). I also aided in the creation of a register of Neurological Surgeries being carried out in ADK Hospital. Alhamdhulillah indeed. After a whirlwind year of invaluable experiences and exposure to the private health sector, I resigned from my job as a clinical assistant to join the military, and accepted a military medical scholarship to the Naval Medical University in Shanghai, China.
As our university is a Chinese-medium university, us international students’ first year was mainly focused on teaching us simplified Mandarin Chinese, to the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi Level 4 (Chinese Proficiency Test Level 4). Whatever rumors which you may have heard about learning Chinese are true, it was grueling, but once I got the gist of it, it was not that bad. We were also taught some basics in higher secondary Mathematics, Chemistry, Human Anatomy and Medical Chinese as well, in order to prepare us for classes with and independent of Chinese military students.
Our final hurdle before officially commencing medical studies was the 7-week New Students’ Training, ending with the 1-week 200km Trek on Chongming Island. I was never really known as a fit person when I was younger, and I had a left knee injury during my third day at university, which made me decide to focus on my fitness before training. If you were to tell me I would lose 21 kilograms, start distance running (not on a professional level yet), earn the medal for Exemplary Training, win both Medical Chinese Powerpoint Presentation Competitions held for my batch so far, and be selected to serve as the Head Commander of my batch, I would not have believed you.
A lot has changed, and I am finally here in Medical school, alhamdhulillah, in my second year as an international student, and first as a Medical student.
When did you first realize you wanted to study Medicine?
My parents tell me that I used to call myself Dr. Dhaniyal as a toddler. Back when Dr. Eleena (my aunt, a pediatric cardiologist) was studying MBBS in Nepal, she sent me a game CD with medical questions and answers for children. I used to spend so much time playing that in preschool. Whenever I became ill and was taken to the hospital, even at a young age, I would end up explaining my symptoms to the doctors and making them laugh, saying things such as “I have a femur fracture” due to leg pain.
Above all, I believe it was that my childhood wish to help people as much as possible, that made me realize that I wanted to study medicine, which my parents have supported so much to this day. I honestly cannot picture myself with a different career choice.
What was the biggest difference between your expectations of entering Med School when you were doing A'level, and the actual experience of being there?
To be frank, it was that I underestimated how possibly overwhelmed I would initially be. If A’ Levels are a completely different world compared to O’ Levels, I would consider Medical school an entirely different galaxy at worst. That is how sharp the difficulty curve is.
I pictured myself studying in an English-medium university without much problems, but my current position is far from that. Medicine is one of the most difficult arts and sciences, and compounded with having to learn it in one of the toughest languages known to mankind, alongside the military aspect, it is truly something else. Sacrifices have to be made, however, I always have to remind myself to not burn out in the process.
I am afraid I took Medical school a bit lightly at first, after spending one year of learning Chinese language and some basics of science and Human Anatomy. Not to mention juggling studies, responsibilities, physical and mental health, relationships and leisure.
The importance of balance has never been more clear to me until I started Medical school, and I am slowly learning to manage that, especially how to listen to my body and my own mental needs. As an army Captain from Sierra Leone often tells me and my batch-mates, “If you cannot fly, run. If you cannot run, walk. If you cannot walk, crawl. But keep moving forward.”
How is your daily routine like?
At our university, we spend our first year studying Chinese language and basics in Science and Anatomy. From second year to sixth year, we would be studying Medicine. Therefore, I am a first-year medical student, but a second-year student at university. I just wanted to clear this up, since it may be confusing when reading about the daily routine.
I wake up at 4:30 AM to pray and recite Quran. Then I would wear my uniform and revise lessons until 6:20 AM, when the wake-up whistle is blown. All of us international students from first year to fourth year will assemble for a morning jog or military training, followed by breakfast. We return to our rooms and have 15 minutes to tidy up and prepare for class, before falling in at 7:25 AM to go to class.
Morning classes are generally held from 8:00 AM - 11:20 AM, though there are some days where they extend up to 12:00 PM. If we are lucky, we may have classes from 9:30 AM on wards, or maybe not even have classes at all. Depending on when we finish, we may end up having lunch between 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM, either at the dormitory dining hall or the main campus dining hall. After lunch, unlike a majority of students, I am not fond of having a siesta after lunch, so I might do homework, study, or go for a walk, depending on what is required, though I may be called to the office as I am a Head Commander. If I am fairly tired though, I will take a nap. Therefore, I have to always be on alert.
Everybody has to wake up again at 1:45 PM, and fall in to attend afternoon/evening classes at 2:00 PM. Afternoon classes are held from 2:30 PM - 5:40 PM. After our afternoon/evening classes end, we may have dinner between 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM at either dining hall. Following dinner, if we do not have any elective classes between 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, we are free to continue studying or attend to our own needs. I usually get some more studying done, and then go to observe the first-year students’ self-study at their classroom or training at the basketball courts or running track.
We will fall in for the nightly roll call at 9:30 PM to check attendance, after which I would head to the running track for an hour or so of exercise. After a nightly run, I would take a shower, catch up on prayers I have missed (if I have not done so already), and go to bed between 11:30 PM and 12:00 AM.
Are there any medical non-fiction books that you would recommend?
The Med School Survival Kit – Wendell Cole
When Breath Becomes Air – Paul Kalanithi
My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey – Jill Bolte Taylor
Do No Harm: Henry Marsh
When the Air Hits Your Brain: Tales from Neurosurgery – Frank Vertosick Jr.
Final Exam: A Surgeon’s Reflections on Mortality – Pauline W. Chen
What is the best thing about living abroad?
Honestly speaking, it showed me how much I used to take my motherland for granted. The sea-salt breeze and the warm air, the palm and magoo growth, white, sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. Sometimes, simplicity is key, and it is hard to part from it whenever a new semester is about to begin.
This my second time in China, and Shanghai is an economic hub with interesting historical connections. I love spending my Saturday mornings exploring the city, discovering new places to enjoy walking around and relax in. To say that the walk from the end of the main campus to the subway station closest to our dormitory is more or less the length of Majeedhee Magu is a statement in itself.
The international students all live their own lives, but we all have influenced each other so much. We have our own little groups, and yes, we do test each other a lot. Being able to have a mutual respect, greater understanding and acceptance of diverse religions and cultures is one of the greatest perks of living abroad, and I am really glad to have met them. In the end, they will surely be the part of university life that I will miss the most.
Name your favorite medical text book.
First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 – Tao Le, Vikas Bhushan, Matthew Sochat
What is the most effective way to study in Medical School?
There is no one good method to study in Medical school. Every university is different, and so is every Medical student. We all have our own learning methods, so what works for me may not work for you.
One of the biggest hurdles I have to overcome is learning Medicine in Chinese. I believe that just learning it in one language will not do, so for students studying in foreign-medium universities, I feel that it is worthwhile to try and learn Medicine both in English and the language being taught. It will be difficult and it will consume time, but at least you do go through the content more thoroughly and gain understanding. It truly helped to be able to explain diseases such as lumbar disc disease (LDD) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in Chinese to the officers, teachers, judges and fellow students during the PowerPoint competitions held.
You have 100-slide presentations and textbooks with pages numbered in the hundreds or even thousands, yet your professors and lecturers will only explain what is important in class. How are you to remember everything? I would like to share an excerpt from one of my favorite books; The Med School Survival Kit, by Wendell Cole:
“At some point, you will most likely hear that studying in Medical school is like drinking water from a fire hydrant, and it is. One of my professors, Dr. Patrickson, also told us that. “It is like drinking water from a fire hydrant, but with time, you learn how to drink very quickly.” You will learn to understand how to process all of the information that’s getting thrown at you…..
….The good news is that the information itself will not be hard, it is just a matter of learning to process the pure volume. There are going to be classes that will challenge you. There are going to be obstacles that you are going to have to overcome. All of this is part of the process. You are only facing what other successful men/women have met, meaning you’re only doing what other students have done before you. Your Medical school would not have accepted you if they thought that you could not handle the information.”
One habit which completely changed my study life is watching YouTube videos on twice the speed. You can save so much time and revise more by doing so. Some which I would recommend (again, credits to the aforementioned book for introducing these to me) are WashingtonDeceit, AnatomyZone, Aclands Anatomy, Dr. Najeeb and SketchyMedical.
Find out your preferred learning style; visual, auditory, reading/writing, kinesthetic, or a combination of them all. Draw charts and diagrams, take your own notes, practice questions, find good study materials (and partners, if you prefer group studies), make mnemonics, and most importantly, take breaks. You are not a machine. There is only so much which you can do.
What do you think needs to change in the Health industry of the Maldives today?
I believe what is most important is to provide an equal standard of healthcare and resources across the country. It is not uncommon for Maldivians to go abroad to seek treatment at times. I understand that the biggest hospitals in the country are in Male’ and Hulhumale’, but there are people from other atolls who cannot afford to travel that far in order to seek treatment.
In their atolls, there is a lack of qualified healthcare practitioners and inadequate investigative resources, therefore treatment in other islands is sadly not as good as we would hope. Investigative machines and resources should be carefully maintained and attended to, and introduction of new resources should be carried out, to provide a better healthcare service in the Maldives.
It is not surprising that we have Maldivian Medical students and doctors studying abroad, and after studying, there is a tendency to work abroad in pursuit of a better life. However, this contributes to the brain drain that our country is facing. If this continues, who will be there to serve the remaining Maldivians when the time comes?
I can understand the feelings of the Maldivian doctors abroad, but we must remember that we are Maldivians, whether we like it or not, and we should give back and leave our mark. The job we do is not just for us, but for others, which is why being a doctor is one of the most rewarding professions, if done right.
More opportunities should be provided for Maldivian doctors to work here and give back to the country, and make them feel wanted and important. We are not sacrificing years of our lives, learning one of the toughest sciences and arts, for nothing.
Public awareness programs should also be increased for the general public with respect to how the healthcare sector works. Having been a patient and having worked in both a clinic and a hospital, I can understand the frustrations patients feel when having to wait their turn for a consultation or to perform an investigation.
However, emergencies can and will occur. A “patient first” mindset is often found in doctors, but in the case of emergency, they will have to attend to the more severe cases first, leaving other patients waiting. Doctors are human, and they will end up having bad days as well.
Surely the patient would not want a doctor half-heartedly attending to them, not knowing what could have happened to ruin the doctor’s mood before the consultation begins. How many of us patients even acknowledge or thank the doctors and other healthcare professionals involved in our treatment? Their work is what can save lives and improve others.
Finally, what is the one tip/advice you want to give to our readers?
I do not believe just one tip would be enough. So I would like to share a good amount of advice.
First and foremost, for those considering a career in the Medical field, I urge you to think this through. Are you doing this because you wholeheartedly want to be a doctor? Or have you been “inspired” by watching series such as House and Grey’s Anatomy, and films such as Doctor Strange? Do you have any family members or relatives pushing you to become a doctor? Does your passion truly lie there? I have heard of doctors who regret studying Medicine, saying that there is no joy in their profession, and that they have wasted a large portion of their lives, wishing that they could turn back time. If you want to study Medicine, you must truly commit to it.
If you are serious about working in the Medical field, it would be a good idea to earn some exposure into the healthcare sector. As the Asian proverb goes, “Better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times.” I believe that involvement is actually better than just being a bystander and reading online about medicine. Search for job opportunities, even if it is just reception work. Ask for guidance from people who work in the healthcare sector. Talk to other Medical students about how their university life is. Have contacts whom you can turn to.
Once in university, do not forget that you are a Muslim and that you are representing the Maldives. Remember that you play a role in other people’s perception of our country, especially if you happen to be the first Maldivian international student studying at your university. Respect your fellow students and be kind and courteous to them. Not everyone is fortunate abroad to go abroad and chase their dreams, while forging new connections across the world in the process.
Do not forget those who brought you up and made you who you are today, especially your parents. Thank them. Love them. Show them your appreciation, and do your best to make them proud. I recently met with my former Principal Mr. Hussain Saeed, who also reminded me to not forget my teachers. Our teachers have also played such a vital role in educating us thus far. If you have a teacher whom you are in touch with after graduation, maintain that connection. When you meet your teachers, show them the respect that they deserve, regardless of how you may feel towards them.
Listen to your body and mind. You are the person who knows yourself best. Like any machine, you need sustenance in order to run. Eat healthy food. It is no crime to indulge once in a while, but you must know your limits, and remember your roots. Set time aside to exercise and pray, and make sure you have time to yourself, doing things you love. Have a support group at university, and keep in touch with loved ones, perhaps even set aside a specific time for them each day or week, regardless of schedule. It could give you and them something to look forward to.
Do not overwork, but do not slack off either. You cannot learn Medicine through competition, but you must do your best to stay ahead of the learning curve. It is okay to not score the highest marks possible in your exam, but you must do your best. Failure is the mother of success, but if you repeatedly fail, then there is an unresolved issue at hand. Take a proper history, examine, investigate, diagnose, and follow through with proper treatment, even in the case of studies.
If you are going through anxiety, depression, or are suicidal (a real problem in Medical schools due to the pressure and stress of student life), please reach out to someone you can trust.
Finally, be your own biggest supporter. No matter who believes in you and supports you, if you are at war with yourself, then Medical school will be a terribly uphill struggle. You should be able to pick yourself up when you feel blue, and be tough enough to keep going when the going gets tough. No one else is going to live your life or achieve your dreams for you, and while you are alive, you may as well make the most of it!
I wish you all nothing but grander success in life, and pray that the Maldivian healthcare sector has a brighter future ahead.
The My Medical Student Life series was created for the sole purpose of helping medical students and aspiring doctors on their journey to become a successful Maldivian Healthcare Professional. Have a suggestion, idea or question? Email us.
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29/09/2019 10:45