My Essay Entry for Beyond the Screen: CSU Medicine Stronger than Ever
Beyond the Screen: CSU Medicine Stronger than Ever
The pandemic has disrupted the normal way of life that we had. In an instant, the life that we know has changed. School is no different; for the first time in the history of CSU-College of Medicine we are conducting online classes. Since the lockdown in late March, we have adapted to the new normal. It has been a challenging experience both for our doctor-educators and for us students. But beyond all these challenge, we strive to thrive. Connectivity issues, power interruptions, typhoons cannot stop us from making our dreams a reality. Beyond the obstacles, our hungry minds are all more determined to learn. Beyond the significant problems lie an infinite solution that are only realized as we continue keeping our journey despite COVID-19
Time flies. It feels like yesterday that I enrolled in Medicine. Three years ago, at a humble age of 27, I was one of those aspiring students to be admitted in the College. I was happy I got in proving my worth to the admissions committee as they screen to determine who is qualified. Twenty-seven is not too young nor too old age to embark on a life-long journey. During my first year, I am naïve as to how I would survive the rigors of academic stress. I remember the long nights of studying and the effort to stay awake while lectures are ongoing. I sat there in one of the chairs in the classroom, amphitheater and plenary session. Trying to absorb all the concepts being discussed by our distinguished professors, I dozed myself to stupor and then to semi-comatose state. No, I think I was just sleeping—again! I was not the only one though, there were many of us trying to steal a power nap. Beyond sleepless nights comes another cycle of sleepless nights, a test of strength. I thank my adrenal glands for producing powerful sympathetic response that had kept me awake in those trying times; I also thank my immune system for keeping me alive all these years.
After a long-year of reading Snell, Guyton and Harper’s comes the deadly Pathology, Pharmacology, Microbiology/Parasitology, OB I , Psyche I and many more. I wasn’t ready, nobody was. It was a roller-coaster ride for almost an entire year. You attend lectures, prepare for lunch, take quizzes and exams, submit requirements and reports, do household chores, sleep and repeat the cycle all over. Year two is not a typical classroom setting, gradually we are introduced to the clinical world. We made some wards to the hospital conducting history-taking and complete physical assessments. It is at this time where my hair has stopped growing and started falling off significantly. Genetics has played a role but more so triggered by stress. The voluminous pages to read is overwhelming considering how little time we had. By the end of March in 2nd semester, little did we know it would be our last meeting together. I thought it would just be a 2-week break of disinfection but it turned out to be a month-long quarantine. However, life has to continue and so must our medical studies. With the aid of Our Almighty, we were able to survive. Beyond the hustle and bustle comes humility, the realization that I am just human; that emotion is a universal language and to be empathic is as divine as to love.
The smell of cadaver along the hallway, the sight of flowers in front of dean’s office, the smile of our friends, the voice of our lecturers and the sound of our heartbeat as we start taking the exams. The unpleasantness of receiving a failing mark, the sweet victory of passing, the heartache, breakdowns and delight. Beyond all the emotions experience within the span of time is the recognition that we are not alone. Beyond the memories shared is the ability to be grateful; of not taking things for granted for they might be taken away.
At this time understandably, online platform is use as medium of instruction. Majority of our time is spent with our laptops, phones, tablets and gadgets as we attend lectures via Zoom. Online quizzes, exams and assessments thru google classroom, timify, class marker, moodle and forms mark our semestral life. As we grapple with learning from home, we can only hope that our brains together with internet connectivity cooperate. Our home is not a conducive place to study and review, but we need to make the necessary adjustment. As we hopefully wait for the end of this pandemic, we need to continue reading beyond.
Beyond all the drama in school,
I have gained the necessary knowledge to prepare me for my encounter with real
patients. Beyond full-load schedule, I have developed the skills to manage my
personal, social and academic time while maintaining a passing mark. Beyond the
difficulty, I was molded into a better student able to face the challenges in
the clinics. Beyond the screen, I am part of a stronger College, a strong
community and network of students. Beyond the screen is a CSU Medical student
who embodies compassion and competence. Beyond the screen is a CSUan, a “Nuang
with a heart”. Beyond the screen, CSU Medicine is stronger than ever!
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