University
Emilio Aguinaldo College

Current Year
Second

Medical Specialty Interested in
Oncology, because I believe in hope. I have seen my mother beat cancer and that inspires me to help people fighting cancer everyday. Although, I would like to keep my options open until I get a hands-on experience during the clerkship rotations.

One Word that Describes You
Honest

Most Intriguing subject in Medical School
Pathology, is hands down the most difficult subject for me. It is about how basically every disease progresses. It is definitely interesting but the amount of material to be digested is encyclopedic.

What was your path to Medical School like?

In 2013, I completed A’levels in Q.A.E.C back in my island, G.Dh.Thinadhoo. I didn't get grades ‘good enough’ to join any Medical college at first. So I took a year off and started working at UCMAS and in ELC as a teacher/instructor before joining Dhiraagu in 2014. 

I realized that I didn't want to do anything else other than studying Medicine. So, I resigned from Dhiraagu and moved to Male’ to resit the A’level examinations. This time I did better, but still not good enough to join Medicine. 

Until one day, my current roommate, (to whom I will forever be grateful) told me about an intake in Philippines for Pre-Medicine. So I decided to apply to the college and Alhamdhullilah, we got the opportunity to purse our dream of studying Medicine.

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?

I found A’levels tough and then I joined Medicine. Can not even begin to compare. It is overwhelming, exciting and exhausting at the same time.

How is your daily routine like?

I wake up at 6 AM to go to college at 8 AM. Classes are continuous from 8 AM till 6 PM with a lunch break of 12-1 PM. 

I come home after classes and get the assignments done and prepare for any quizzes the next day. I make sure study until I feel like I have learnt something. At the end of the day, I try to get 6 hours of sleep so I go to bed by 12 AM.

How do you balance school with your personal life?

I don't really get free time especially if it is the exam week when we have 2-3 exams per day. However, I make sure I call my family at least once daily. I would not survive Med school without that call.

Why did you decide to choose Medicine and not some other field where you can help others?

I had a surgery done when I was a little girl. My surgeon gave me a doctor kit for kids and that was what I used to play when I was a kid. I remember treating my pets when they got sick. And ever since, I never wanted to be anything but a doctor. 

As I grew, I saw some of the very important people to me lose their battles fighting fatal diseases and I wished I could have helped them. I would love nothing more than to help someone else going through the same.

Name your favorite medical text book.  

Atlas of Human Anatomy by Frank H. Netter.

What is the greatest challenge facing the Maldives Medical System today?

The number of local doctors in the Maldives is very low. The jobs are mostly filled by expatriates. This is mainly because the students who study Medicine abroad either on a Government scholarship, or private funding do not return back to Maldives for various reasons. 

I think students don't come back to the Maldives because the hospitals don't have enough facilities that are needed for diagnosis and procedures to be done patients in order to treat them.

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

The first rule would be to never procrastinate. Study before-hand and revise twice before the exams and it will stay in the memory longer. It is never healthy or effective to stay up all night with zero sleep and no food. Stay hydrated. 

When studying for quizzes, I use the reference textbooks and also watch videos. I then make my own notes which I later use to review. I keep the notes for the grand finals so that I don't have to repeat the whole process again.

Do you need High grades to become a decent doctor?

Yes and No. To enter a good Medical college with high competition high grades are obviously needed. But low grades also does not mean you can never be a doctor.

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

Don't just study for an exam. Study for the day a patient’s life is in your hands.

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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