University
Fatima Jinnah Medical University

Current Year 
Second

Medical Specialty Interested in
Psychiatry/Surgery

Most Inspiring Person
Michelle Obama and Ellen DeGeneres

Single Quality that defines a great Doctor
Empathy

First of all, walk us through the step-by-step processes that you went through to get to where you are today?

I joined Aminiya School for my Secondary year and later joined and graduated from Hiriya School. I then joined CHSE for my High school education. It was a big blur. I had a lot of fun but I did not pay much attention towards studies. Hence, I passed A'Levels with all C's. 

Afterwards, I got my first job as a Clinical Assistant at IGMH in March of 2015 and worked there for 3 years. During this time I applied for every single opportunity to study abroad provided by the Department of Higher Education (DHE). I would either tie in last spot and lose on the lucky draw or place 21st or 22nd out of 20 students being selected. 

In September of 2017, there was a scholarship to Malaysia for MBBS. I applied, got nominated and even sent all by documents to the university. Right afterwards I got a call from DHE saying that my grades do not reach the university standards. That was the point I gave up on Medicine, since I've wasted a lot of time hoping for an opportunity. I applied for Psychology in the Maldives National University and was supposed to start my classes on the 28th of January 2018. 

While I was waiting for classes to start, a new announcement was made by DHE; it was the PTAP scholarship to study Medicine in Pakistan. There was just one spot available. I initially did not want to apply since I had already given up on Medicine, but a lot of friends and family members encouraged me to go for it. 

A couple of days after I applied, I got to meet the Pakistan ambassador in the Maldives, and it was then I knew that everything was confirmed. They wanted me to leave as soon as possible since classes had already started but I had to wait for some time since I was in a job and had to prepare everything before leaving. Within two weeks I left for Pakistan to pursue my dream. 

When I arrived, I realized that I had already lost 2 months of classes. I was travelling alone and I was told that a placement from the hostel might not be available. Hence, I was very scared. Everything turned out well in the end with the help of Maldivian students already studying in Lahore. Classes were more difficult to adjust to. I had to get used to a new language, and recover all missed notes and exams. 

I urge all students coming through the PTAP scholarship to contact the authorities and arrive to the University before classes start in Mid-November.

When did you first realize you wanted to study medicine?

I can't give a specific point since I've always wanted to become doctor. The moment I knew I definitely wanted to become one was when my mom got sick. I wanted to help her and other people some day. 

Going to IGMH made me realize that it's not all glory and nice. It take a lot of work to become a doctor, and you have to maintain that for the rest of your life.

Take us through a typical study day.

Classes start at 8 am and our apartment is 15 minutes away from the university. Me and my friends leave together in a rickshaw. We have practices and tutorials for 2 hours and lectures for an additional 2 hours. Afterwards we go to the dissection hall from 12 pm to 2 pm. That is the end of classes for the day. 

Depending on whether I have an exam or not, I might spend the whole day studying or make it light reading for the day. Initially, I took each day very lightly because we didn't know how to study in Medical school. There was no one in the university to guide us. Hence, I would follow what everyone else is doing; go to classes, study a bit and repeat. 

How do you keep track of what you need to do in a day?

We have a WhatsApp group for our college, and they would send everything there. Also, a basic outline of the syllabus is released before the year starts. The exam schedule is also given. 

Normally, I keep what I have to do on day-to-day basis in my mind. We don't have much homework, rather we prepare for each lecture beforehand. We also have to prepare for a weekly tutorial, which is a discussion of the entire week's lectures in Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry.

What do you listen to while studying? Any reasons?

Right now, four of us are living together, and three of us go to the same university. Hence, we study together everyday, since we have the same schedule and same lectures to prepare for.  

At the same time, their are moments when one of us would prefer to study alone, for example when I was recently preparing for my Physiology VIVA (oral exam). While studying alone, I like both ways; listening to music and complete silence. 

Name your favorite medical text book.

Review of Physiology by Muhammad Firdaus. 

I would suggest you to use this book for a review only and not study from it, since the book contains some small mistakes.

Best advice for handling criticism?

Personally, I am not someone who listens to what everyone has to say about me. At the same time, I would not want to completely dismiss what they say. 

I like to think about it a little bit and decide whether it was said out of hatred and spite, or whether it was constructive criticism. If it's the later, I would make sense out of it and use it to improve myself.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you first started medical school?

Since I worked in IGMH I got a lot of input from the doctors. Yet there were some things that surprised me in Medical school. 

Firstly, I knew Medicine was hard, but take it a notch higher and that's how hard it actually was. Secondly, I learnt that the way I've always studied is the best study method for me. It worked for me back then and it works for me now. You cannot change how you are as a learner. Thirdly, last minute learning does not work.

What do you think needs to change in the health industry of the Maldives today?

When I worked in IGMH, what I noticed was that everyone was interested in doing what they were supposed to do and just that. For example, if I am a doctor or a surgeon my job is to fulfill my duty from this time to that time. However, in projects involving the community such as awareness programs, some people take a step back. 

In my opinion, people working in this industry should take it one step further and do more than they are supposed to do. If every single person does this, I don't think one person would have to take all the responsibility and do all the work. 

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

First of all, do not to join Medical school if you have an ideology that you should probably pursue Medicine because you have no other plans or goals. Becoming a doctor is a life choice, and you should be prepared before you choose it. This career should be the one and only thing you can imagine yourself doing (even if it means waiting 3 years). 

Secondly, whatever idea you have about Medical school, leave them out. It is not going to be what you think. 

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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