Azlan Othman
Being a medical student certainly has its challenges. Regardless of your passion for medicine, student life can be stressful and overwhelming at times, due to the hard work and long hours split between studying and training rounds at the hospital.
To provide a clearer picture of what to expect when going to medical school, a handful of medical students from Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) recently spoke with the Bulletin sharing their thoughts during a scholarship award ceremony at Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Complex, organised by the Department of Scholarship Management at the Ministry of Education (MoE).
The students will continue to pursue their studies in various United Kingdom (UK) universities next month for another three years, having already completed a three-year course at UBD.
Student Mohammad Norhilmi bin Mohammad, said, “There is a lot of content to be covered in the medical field. We always consider ourselves as life-long learners and need to constantly update ourselves with information.
“We need to strike a balance between study and fulfilling our hobby. It is a bold task to take this course and we have to stand out among the rest.”
Mohammad Norhilmi was among 32 students under the Medicine and Dentistry UBD Scholarship Scheme with Partner Medical and Dental Schools overseas.
“Our target is not just to get good grades, but also to play our part in helping the society,” Norhilmi said.
“Alhamdulillah, I am pleased to be given the opportunity. I must admit that I am a bit nervous to further my studies, but hope that it goes well,” he said, adding that he is set to leave for the UK in September.
Mohd Norhilmi highlighted that taking a medical course is a daunting task and that it all depends on patience and perseverance. One also needs to instill self-discipline. One must be able to work under immense pressure while undertaking their job to perfection so patients are treated well.
Having a day to relax won’t make you a less successful student. On the contrary, it’ll give you the motivation and focus to continue working towards your dream.
Another medical student, Hadiferras bin Jonity said, “There must be study and life balance.
All work and no play will lead to medical students feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, and tired. You need to let your body and mind take some time away to relax so that you can recharge and refresh.”
Hadiferras said his interest in medicine stems from him wanting to help people. “It roots to my interest in biology back in my secondary education,” he said.
Fellow student Batrisyia Syahirah binti Haji Rakawih plans to undergo an internship for another two years in Glasgow, Scotland upon completion of her medical course at Glasgow University.
“There are 25 students from UBD heading to various universities in the UK to continue studies,” she said, adding that each university has set up their own requirement to pursue their education.
The Bulletin also spoke to Nur Afifah Syafiqah binti Muhd Safwan, a dentistry student who will also be pursuing her studies in the UK as part of the twinning programme offered by UBD.
As Nur Afifah said she took dentistry for three years and will be pursuing her study for another three years in the UK.
“We are given the choice to choose our own university provided we meet the criteria. I am pleased to continue my studies in the UK. In Brunei Darussalam, we would not have many chances to see dental patients for our practical sessions and expand our skills. It will give us more exposure upon returning to the Sultanate.”
Another dentistry student is Nur Afiqah Hamizah binti Haji Amran. Sharing a brief comment, she highlighted that it is her childhood passion to take such a course.
Seven dentistry students will depart for UK universities soon.
