My 3rd
year of dental school has come to an end. It ended so abrupt; everything
happened so fast. It didn’t even hit me that it’s over even after I reached
home. My mind still doesn’t want to accept the fact that I’m already going into
4th year. Here, I’m gonna be honest on how I felt through the 3rd
year.
Looking
back, I really wasted a lot of time. I could have been more active and go all
out to get some things done. Too much time wasted on settling in clinical work,
trying to figure out petty stuff (which partly I blame the system). I may sound
very negative and unhappy, but that’s how it was for me. There were much sighs
here and there, especially in the beginning. Yes, rules and regulation have to
meet by the students but if they stand in the way to improve our system &
clinic, I think maybe they should reconsider and overlook certain things. And
that only happen when the situation became desperate, which we kind of
predicted in the beginning. Much ego should also be set aside when listening to
our feedbacks. We don’t voice out just to mess up the system, but we very much
want it to improve because the ones that suffer will only be the students. Back
in Manipal, feedbacks are very much appreciated and I can feel the team back
there really have a big heart to accept criticisms. I get very annoyed when we
get this phrase “Why you don’t know? Because you don’t ask.” blaming us being
not inquisitive to ask when we are fresh from India and we are not aware of
many things going around. If we are not being oriented, how are we to know such
thing exist? *face palm* Mind you, I’m not complaining, I’m just channeling out
my frustration.
As we
venture out into clinical years, the initial days were a little scary. We were like
freshly hatched turtle going into the sea. We were constantly bombarded with
all oral hygiene instruction and history taking in the beginning, though it was
poorly tailored. I remembered there where much confusion here and there. We spent
much time trying to figure out what is right and the ethical thing to do. Then after
much rejected phone calls, finally we get our first patient. Mine was a
pregnant lady. She was nice but is a demanding type of patient. And soon, our rotation
for various departments begins. Sometimes we are just jobless but there are
rare occasion when the clinic is overflowed with patients (especially the
school holidays) And when we are jobless, we can only look upon others with
patients, feeling envious; reverting back to our textbook in clinic while
waiting for the time to pass. I do appreciate the efforts of certain lecturers
who take short discussion during the clinical hours, rather than us sitting
there with the books. And there were times when we spend all our free period
available to finish up our prostho cases in the lab. Our minds will be filled with
questions like: “When can I put the next appointment? Can I make it in time? Did
I call the patient for the next appointment? Where is Madam Prashanti?!
(joking)” As we want to show our work, especially for a cons case, you will see
a swarm of student next to the endodontist, all trying to get him to their bay.
The poor lecturer never rest. From babes, we became an army of yellow half
grown dentist wanabe.
Academic
wise, on the paper, it states that we will be sitting exams for only 2
subjects, but in reality, there are all the other dental subjects running
parallel with the 2 main subjects. It was a nightmare during the Block 3 exams
where we have back to back, 2 subjects per day type of examination. That really
tested us mentally, physically and emotionally. Still remember the horror of
sitting in one of the OSCE station for oral surgery, not knowing anything
placed in front of me. And there were also times were we tried to pour our
brains out on the paper for one question, often leaving the next questions
unattempted. How much to write, how much they want us to know, till now, is a
mystery.
Though I love
general pathology in 2nd year, I have less liking towards oral
pathology. I don’t know what it is, maybe it’s the way the lectures were taken
or I’m just not interested in memorizing facts. Trust me, I tried my best to
like it, I just couldn’t. The only time when I actually find it interesting was
when Dr. Sumanth conducted the CBL on odontogenic cyst and tumor. That was the
only time I actually applied the facts that I try so hard to memorize. It will
be good if they practice CBL more often in the future.
Maybe I
should have work a little harder on Human Disease subject. I got to love it as
I prepared for the sessional examination. While most felt that it’s not really
relevant to us, future dentist, I beg to differ. It actually gives us a broader
picture of various common conditions which might come along with the patients
that walk into our clinic and the precaution we have to take while treating
them. It also serves as a reminder that we should not just treat the patient’s
oral health alone but to treat the individual as a whole.
The two
conferences I attended was indeed an eye opener; in a good way and a bad way. It
shows the reality of dentistry in the real world out there. It really set me thinking
of the life after BDS, where I would want to end up in the future.
On the
bright side, I was glad that we got to join Batch 23 seniors as a dance team.
It was a dream of Jewel and mine since 1st year. Had a really great
time during those late night rehearsals despite having muscle ache and bruises
all over the body the next day. I don’t think I will ever get to dance so
extensive and energy-draining choreography anymore. I will miss the seniors.
For the
first time, trying to lead a singing team wasn’t easy. Was actually doubting
myself whether I could get the harmonies right without Esther this time. I
couldn’t say the songs selection was the best but it was worth a shot. There
were some parts here and there which sounded awkward, but we sailed through the
competition. I don’t think I’ll be wrong to say, we defended our title. And also
singing a duet with Naurah and the band was kinda cool, a new experience despite
all the nerves on stage.
Participating
in the dental community work brought back much joy to me. Many think why the hassle,
but for me it’s an opportunity to reach out. And then again, it really depend
on why did you take up dentistry in the first place.
I’m looking forward
to 4th year with much enthusiasm and determination. There will be research
work starting this year and I’m very much interested in it. No more procrastination,
will try to set aims and goals for myself. New expectations await. I have many
plans and ideas that I want to fulfill. Even if it’s not beneficial to my own
batch, at least it can help improve the following batches. After all, we will
graduate as students from MMMC. We should maintain a good standard and uphold
professionalism. With this, we can proudly say “Yes, I’m from Melaka Manipal”.
And yes, the
world is watching us.
Regrets are
only for 3rd year, and no more after that.
(Photo credits to respective sites off the net. )
