Once enrolled, I will be a second year student this August! It’s been a year since I got accepted in a medical school, and it was a busy year that I couldn’t update my blog. So, I hope this post will sum up my one year adventure.
Problem-based Learning (PBL)
PBL is challenging! It’s like your learning depends on how & what you study. Don’t depend purely on lectures or the doctor’s input ‘cause if you do, you’ll fail! This works as small group discussion and each module, I have different groupmates and tutor. There are times that I’ve come unprepared that I have to do on-the-spot reading then share to the group what I’ve read. I wish I could study everything, but I can’t. I wonder how they evaluate my performance huhu Sometimes, the tutor would stimulate us by asking clinical questions which would make us look up to the ceiling or stare at each other hahaha So, we don’t have a choice but to read, re-read, digest what we read, & share it to others. Until now, I’m not sure if I had effective & consistent study habits hehe soon, I’ll do better ;)
Grades do matter, but put more value on learning.
Yes, grades do matter. We must pass every exam or else we wont be promoted to the next year 😩 and every thing reflected in our records are looked into when we apply for PGI. so, we must aim for a passing mark or better. but one doctor said to us that he does not fucking care about our grades or exam results because it doesn't measure entirely our learning. and also, someone shared to us that we study for our patients, not for exams. so sometimes we just think na bahala na walay questions about the topics we've studied as long as we learned something more, it's better than okay! :) we should carry vital information to treat our patients and save lives in the future. patients don't look into our grades but see us as their hope, right? Unlike in undergrad, I really aimed for latin honors, now I just strive and do my best na lang hehe
Lack of facilities
MSU-COM is one of the cheapest medical schools in terms of tuition fees. Less than 15k per semester is so affordable which draws several applicants in different regions. But with that tuition, you don’t expect modern facilities. But yes, we do survive even we don’t have proper laboratory equipment or even a single cadaver to study for human anatomy. Our library still have several books (older editions though hehe); we use overhead projectors (and DLP) in our discussions, we have this lecture room that can be transformed into function room and PBL rooms that are divided by semi-permeable dividers hehehe we can sometimes hear each others’ voices in between rooms :)) Anyway, even though we are stuck in these circumstances, graduates daw are still competent and practice with a heart :) And actually, I got scared when recently, the PLE passing rate is lower compared to the past batches. I just wonder if our college is being left behind or it’s just because of the students.
Books and Books
I remember when I was in undergrad, I don’t have to open a book. I just rely on the powerpoint presentations, handouts and notes which were so brief and easy to study. Now, I have to deal with reading 2 or 3 books (or even more) at the same time in a particular topic. I can barely finish a chapter in one night and still consider re-reading because one read isn’t enough huhu But I tell you, PBL has its perks ;) Anyway, back to books. spending thousands for a single book is painful. Sometimes I don’t insist on buying books na lang. I don’t like asking money from my parents because I can’t promise good grades hehe That’s why I asked for a printer na lang :)
Friends and Food
Here’s a lesson: you can’t survive it alone. Each of us may be working hard to add that two letters after our name, but it’s not that simple. In my experience, not everyone will share and have the initiative to help. It’s good to have group of friends you can rely on everything (i.e. food buddies! hehe) We find comfort in food so... we eat a lot hehe (and spend more money huhu)
Lovelife
Boyfie - gives better comfort than food. TBH, both of us were busy and we only see each other like twice or thrice a month, it depends. Whenever I got free time or holiday, I’ll get excited because I can go and see him without feeling guilty. :) I can have a break from all the stresses and I have someone who’s willing to listen to my rants and complaints hehe I love you jib :*
Community Medicine
One thing that makes us super duper busy and stressed is ComMed. Our curriculum is community-based and being immersed in the community is a major thing that we do a lot for the community. I was assigned to four families in Deus Caritas Village and I visit them twice a week. We do monthly reports, yearly family & community diagnosis and projects. This made us more than a medical student. This was also the reason our batch had issues, problems and conflicts but we had to do it. So for a better community, we must serve. #char