University 
Kursk State Medical University

Current Year 
First

Medical Specialty Interested in 
Oncology

One Word that Describes You 
Человек

Most Intriguing subject in Medical School 
Anatomy

What was your path to Medical School like?

I started aiming for Medicine way back in Majeediyya school where I did my secondaries. I did great in my O'levels. When I graduated I worked at a diving center in a resort before I started higher secondaries in CHSE. However, I fell a bit short when it came to results in A'levels so I decided to cut my losses and go the Pre-medicine route. 

I searched around for good universities and heard of this group called Eduink. They were recruiting students for universities in Russia and Belarus. I decided to go to the Russian university and here I am.

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?

Believe it or not, I expected a lot less actual human bodies (cadavers) here. 

Everyone was saying, "Those European universities always use dummies to study and that's why they're not so good". Well, that's not the case over here. On the first class here I had to grope some poor bloke's mummified foot. It was great!

How is your daily routine like?

I usually wake up at 7 am in the morning and go to university at 8 am. Classes go on until 4.30 pm and then I head home. I would do homework, kill some time and go sleep at 10 pm. Then start all over again the next day.

What kind of Medical Schools did you apply to and why?

Russia was not my first choice actually. I was in the final stages of application into a Medical university in Donesk, Ukraine. However, the whole area got destabilized and it wouldn't have been a good idea to study there. 

Then I was planning on going to a university in Manila, Philippines, but I thought better of it in the end.

Medicine requires a good deal of independent study. How have you managed this approach to learning in the past?

This may sound silly but there's a method that has worked for me for quite some time. And it involves candles. 

Yes, actual candles! More specifically, vanilla scented candles (I just like vanilla). Anyways, what you do is light a candle up and start learning your material. Not just skimming but totally in depth. Don't do it for long; 3 hours maximum. 

Once you're done, give it a day or so and then light another candle up again. Try to remember the things you learnt. Lighting the candle always seems to help me remember exactly what I learnt and then I don't forget that material at all after this. I guess this method is supposed to work due to memory by association. I know, it's weird, but it worked for me so I'm sticking with it.

Name your favorite medical text book.  

Clinically Oriented Anatomy by Keith I. Moore.

When you visit hospitals, do you get the chance to do more practical work, or is it more observation?

At first it is more observation. But a lot of practical work does come later on.

What is the most effective way to study in Medical School?

Easy, don't miss classes. The rest falls into place quite easily. 

As for studying itself, you got this far, do whatever worked for you before.

Do you need High grades to become a decent doctor?

Definitely not. Grades are all well and good but, being a good doctor requires a certain skills of observation and outlook to come to a proper diagnosis/conclusion. These are skills that cannot be graded on paper. 

Finally, what is the one tip/advice you want to give to our readers?

Latin is like English, pronounced by someone who doesn't know English.

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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