One
bright, sunny morning on the 13th of June marked the start of classes for
college students in Silliman University. For medical students, it's another
year of arduous battle where we shall muster all the strength we can get to be
able to tackle the many hardships medical school entails.
The
Silliman University Medical School compared to other departments and colleges,
is not that of an enormous population as each year level consists of only a
section of around 60-70 students, more or less. Nevertheless, during the
historic first day of class, the hallway was filled with nervous laughter and
buzz of voices of continuing and new students alike. Many came earlier, perhaps to choose the seats
of their liking in class. Several also seemed exhilarated and motivated as they
reunited with classmates and friends. It's also not hard to notice some faces
that brightened up as they saw young and new encounters.
With
the first day being a memorable one, I suppose, for each and all of us, it's
hard to deny and contain the first impressions, mixed feelings and
preconceptions of the academic year just ahead of us. The freshmen being the
"younger" batch and the new addition to the SUMSA family may also
have their own fair share of "wrestling" anxiety and excitement as
they await how the rest of the year will unfold and as they adapt to the new
environment they have chosen to immerse in. I got to randomly ask two first
year students, June Ann Polinar and Daniel Sarte, regarding on their first day
impressions being the "new kids on the block”. Both had high spirits on
their orientation day as SUMSA family was very welcoming. They also felt
privileged for the guidance given to them on how to go about being freshmen in
medicine.
For
the sophomores, we generally felt like vacation days just breezed in and out. It came so swiftly that
we haven't even bid goodbye to it. On the other hand, everyone feels really
blessed for another year of building a fortress of knowledge, forming
meaningful friendships, and shaping character.
Michael
Budgell, a fellow classmate of mine, shared his thoughts on our first day in
class and said, "I had mixed feelings of nervousness and excitement to
what the school year may bring knowing that I'm in the "hell year" of
medical school. I can only hope that all of us can meet the demands of second
year and succeed." Nitzschia Lozarita affirmed this by proving that first
day jitters still happen to anyone, even in their second year, as she said,
" I found the first day of class exciting. We've been told that second
year is the hardest year in Medicine and so I was eager to see how different it
would be from first year. True enough, most of the doctors already provided us
with overwhelming lessons during the day! It is indeed scary, but with the help
of each other, I'm sure our batch can get through this hell year."
Truly,
the fear of not knowing what we ought to know during the first day brings about
a level of anxiousness with it, and it’s only natural. However, as the days
come by, we will all be able to learn and adapt to the academic pressures in
Medicine. Through the assistance of the SUMSA family, the faculty, staff, the
SUMSA officers and the student body, this academic school year will surely be a
great and memorable one.
During
the first day, the ever-active SUMSA President, Mr. Rimel Von Patula along with
the other equally energetic bunch of officers exemplified their exuberance and
warmth as they welcomed the students, faculty and staff wearing the happiest of
smiles, with the colorful decorations mounted inside the classrooms, and the
bookmarks distributed with motivational quotes, coupled with "coffee
prescriptions" as semestral starters.
As
this school year begins, we will all continue to feel the hustle and bustle of
exams and activities. Despite the busy schedules ahead, in the end, we are all
hopeful to be able to face the new challenges and brace ourselves as the
medical rigors come before us. Let us all savor the moments this school year
and make the best of it.
God speed to us all!
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