Monday, December 31, 2007

Gasp! It's now 2008!

For the 240 or so of us, 2008 just means these four measly letters: MBBS

In year 2003, we were all ecstatic and for some of us (ie. me) bewildered that we actually got accepted into this ridiculously difficult to get in course. I went around, in a blur, with Snell, Lippincotts and (what's the physio text again?), asking everyone, "do we reaaaally have to memorise all these???" and going for tutorials where we actually had homework and we get to prepare answers for tutorial (I didn't then, and now when tutorials are like a free-for-all gameshow where you have no idea what question is coming next, I sorely regret not having done so then)
And when I fill in those pesky bank loan forms regarding "year of graduation", 5 years is just such a long time that I had to literally count out the years on my hand, "2003..04..05...... oh i graduate in 2008!"

In year 2004, we went through the year of fortnightly CAs, started the tradition of post-CA lunches, getting smart enuf to pon some tutorials and crash others, skipped PBL sessions with certain tutors.....
.... and when the relatives ask, "when you graduate?" I answer, "haha still long, still got 4 years..."

In year 2005, we got released into the hospitals and we approached our first patients half-excitedly and with great trepidation. We feel embarrassed about asking personal questions and we (or at least I) feel very apologetic for bothering the patients so I always chop chop examine them, or if they reject me, I always go away apologising profusely.
And when the doctors say, "Year 3s? You're still babies! Long way to go!" We just laugh happily," Yeah! hahaha", the thought of graduating seems so intangible then.

In year 2006, we had an enjoyable fourth year doing all the small postings and parking our butts in the nursing counters at kk for 24hrs to fight hard to deliver babies. We formed great friendships with our cg mates whom we spent abt 10hours a day tog for the most part of 2 years. I think year four is my favourite year, where we had enough confidence and knowledge to feel comfortable around patients and where the stress of exams are not yet among us. The electives were great, where I truly enjoyed a relaxing fruitful self-directed learning.
And when the same relatives ask the same question. I always answer chirpily. "two more years to go... not so soon"

In year 2007, I spent the first 8 months in denial... and the last 4 months descending gradually into depression.
And somehow it seems like more people are asking the now dreaded question, and I would say, "next year march... hopefully" with a grimace. [even on Christmas Day, I still insist on saying NEXT YEAR march, even though next year is just 1week away.]

And now.. it's 2008........
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AAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

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