Survival Guide as a Kenyan medical student.

 As medical students so much is expected from us, from the moment you join, which is joyful to the pressures that we encounter as we are exiting during your final years.

Unlike other countries, our curriculum and the number of years is quite different. We normally do 6 years previously they did 5 years. It also varies depending on university for example like myself I'm in a private university where we go for 3 semesters with short breaks in between.

If you wanna succeed first of all, you must love what you do. That passion and yearn for knowledge is what should drive you. 

 Always study. By this I don't mean that you cannot go have fun, see your friends, no. What I mean is keep refreshing and adding on your knowledge example from research, lecture notes, journal and texts. But make sure that at least in a day you've had 4hrs of covering something it will save you during your exam period. 

Have a co-curricular activity. For example like me, I love the violin. Sometimes a medical career is sort of a risk factor for  poor mental health, therefore, find something fun, relaxing. As long as it is something that doesn't compromise on your study schedule. Participate in games, medical camps, voluntary work, a chess club and so much more. It improves your focus. Find what works for you. 

Motivation and discipline. I've been here. One day you wake up, I don't feel like going to hospital, then you remember that Lecturer who embarrassed and roasted you in a ward round till you felt like slapping yourself. One time I was asked to assist in theater and I had not revised anatomy of the abdomen, then I was asked a simple question and the nurses and anesthetist start laughing at you, trust me you still have to show up the next day and the day after that and read on all the notes of the abdomen you could find haha. My point is, along the way in spite of whatever it is, you will encounter demotivating factors that may make you feel like quiting, make you feel like a bad student or you end up discouraged. Always learn from such moments.

Keep time. Especially on the practicals. My advice NEVER BE LATE. One it will save you(you get to learn and leave with more content) and save someone else(able to assist many patients or medical procedures). 

Be humble, friendly and respectful especially to the interns, nurses and other medical students. It helps you coexist with colleagues and learn so much. 

Always be mentally well when doing an exam. Like me I repeated a whole year for just failing one unit at a point when I had depression. You can fail and do a supplementary there's no harm in that. As long as you learn from your mistakes and that failure teaches you to be a better doctor in future. 

Perfection and professionalism. This I won't lie to you. Is a must. Your work must be admired, your knowledge, your dressing code, your sutures, your knowledge. Because by the end of the day, we are dealing with people so you cannot just be a quack who wants to finish and just go make money out of sick people. 

Others I've learnt is that make time to see people you love and trust me, there's always time. Learn from your lecturers, their life experiences, that knowledge they share every moment you're with them personally or in class seize it-ask questions, discuss global news on health etc. Make them your friends. 

Be nice and friendly to your classmates. These are the people who save you when an assignment is due or a report from a medical trip, or that discussion topic that was featured as an essay in an exam. 

In conclusion, different people will have different experiences. And in medical school we all have different backgrounds, and you know that as of now some universities have increased fees in certain career fields. That should never discourage you, you can try government or organization sponsorship. 

Medicine is a journey. And a unique one. Therefore somethings you learn as you progress, and you cannot know everything in the beginning, therefore be easy on yourself. There's a reason why it takes those years it takes. Just be dedicated and do not give up.