
Good morning and welcome back! To my blog. It’s been a very long breakš¤
Today, I’ll be sharing with you the story of my journey through my medical school. The good times, the bad moments and most importantly, the difficult times.

Just like yesterday, I remember gaining admission to study Medicine and Surgery in Imo State University, Owerri for “6 years” . A supposedly 6yr program was stretched to 11 years! Five (5) extra years, without failing or repeating any class. I must share my experience, I thought to myself, hopefully it will inspire someone. Who knows?
Like every science student in college, my dream was to become a Medical Doctor. I also aspired to become a Medical Doctor; a decision that was influenced largely by my very brilliant friend and classmate in F.G.G.C. Umuahia, Linda Agalaga (of blessed memory). However, I wasn’t the I-must-be-a-Dr-or-I-die type. I kept an open mind, I had a second option in Medical Biochemistry. Which at some point, I actually preferred to Medicine, for reasons I still couldn’t understand. Thank God my choice for medicine turned out to be the right one for me

During my first year in medical school, I was young, naive, fragile, but not timid. You can’t be a Feddy girl and be timid, that was out of the question. But it wasn’t a smooth year for me. I made it through the first professional exam (MBBS) with a “50” in Physics. This particular score changed my life. Yeah, you will know why….
The initial in-course assessment exam I wrote after the first year was the first medical exam. The first year course exams were classified under the basic sciences. I challenged myself, I read, I read and I read. The result came out and I scored 79%. āI can do this then!ā All it requires is time, dedication, determination and… indeed, the feeling was reassuring. Subsequently, I didn’t just study to pass, I aimed for the highest score I was capable of, always! Graduating as the best in my class remained a secondary thought. I didn’t just ever want to be under anyone’s mercy. I wanted to pass, effortlessly.

Medical school requires 5 professional exams to qualify as a medical Doctor. You must have heard us say āMBā, it actually means BACHELOR OF MEDICINE, BACHELOR OF SURGERY (MB;BS). So we write 5-MBs. This exam, according to Guiness book of Record, is the MOST DIFFICULT EXAM IN THE WORLD. Guys, really they’re! The fear of Medicine is ,was and will always be the beginning of wisdom.
Faculty of Medicine, unlike other faculties does not use CGPA. Rather the MB examination results are presented as “PASS”, “FAIL” or “DISTINCTION”
The pass mark in Medicine is 50%, while to be awarded a distinction one needs to score 70% and above; a feat that is much easier to imagine than accomplish. The MB examinations generally involve a written (theoretical) component, an oral component and, during the later clinical stages, practical clinical examination conducted by both internal and external examiners using live patients. No doubt, this exam is very difficult, however with proper planning, hard work and grace one can excel, exceptionally.
Where do I even start from? The “Almighty” paediatrics had a way of putting students on their toes. The exam is reputed to have the highest failure rate. In some instances, over 70% of the candidates could fail! Maybe because the lecturers have a passion for babies and children, making them punish severely any student who makes avoidable mistakes. Others like Pathology, Biochemistry, Surgery and Medicine all had their peculiar challenges. Oh! Grace found me… realizing how much effort we all put in for these exams and still seeing a lot of my colleagues having one challenge or the other. Truly, it’s not of he that readth or writeth, but of God that shows mercy. I have to add, provided the hard work is proportional…

This girl called Ola…

Let me brag a little… she’s this smart, fashionable, hard working, game changer, always willing to learn, industrious, skillful, innocent looking, young girl. Very very captivating, yeah. But never jokes with her studies.

Ola is an enigma, she rules her world. I always told myself, YOU MUST BE A GOOD DOCTOR. I WANTED TO BE A VERY GOOD DOCTOR. SMART. ACKNOWLEDGEABLE. COMPASSIONATE. Through out my medical school training, I met very good Doctors, very good and inspiring ones that I looked up to. I wanted to be to my patients, as they were to theirs. I also met bad ones, or rather mean ones. I learnt from all, irrespective. My goal was to be a DOCTOR. THAT WAS THE ONLY IMPORTANT THING TO ME.

Life asides being a “Medic”
No medical student in Nigeria can deny the fact that the program takes a toll on oneās social life.
On my part, I made concerted efforts at balancing my social, spiritual and academic life. Even politics. I left none unchecked.
My social life wasn’t boring. In fact, I had a way of taking a break from the stress of academics once I felt intellectually saturated. The most important thing is not to forget the reason why you’re in school, with that mindset, everything can be taken care of with proper planning. I made out time for my family too, they are very important to me.
I got involved in a lot of extracurricular activities. Politics, church activities, skills acquisition, personality development, etc.
Friends…
I wasn’t so lucky, I must say. I had my fair share of backstabbing, jealous coleagues masqurading as friends, who peddled heartbreaking gossip with attendant betrayal. At some point, I made the decision to stay on my own. Over 70% of my medical school years was just me, myself and I. I can’t deny the fact that this also helped me academically.

I strove through with the realization that I may not have a true friend among my mates, I had no option but to be at my best. Attend lectures, clinics, ward rounds, theatre sessions, tutorials, etc. I never missed out of my academic program. Yeah, I was a one man squad, choosing not rely on anyone for my academic progress.
However, later stage of the program, I met really amazing friends…Dr Uba Justice, Dr Chika, Dr Mandy, Dr Kenneth, Dr Peace, Dr Chidera, Dr Solomon, etc. I bless God for themš



Happy moments…
Relationship…
This part of my life is very personal and at the moment not appropriate for public consumption.
Achievements…
First, I was one time the MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN MEDICINE.
One time VICE PRESIDENT , Imo State University Medical Students Association. A position that gave me a glimpse into the true nature of human political life and how easy it is to influence others positively through change. However, this is a story for another day.
I learnt a lot of skills as a student. Wig making, graphic design, blogging, online marketing and retailing. A lot! I combined all these with my studies and, they never weighed me down. Queen!

Academically, I graduated with an amazing result. Looking back, I never saw myself bagging these awards. Yeah, I had always known I was a smart chap, but with the kind of “brains” we have in medicine, I made it!!! I graduated with a total of Seven awards.

Distinction in Medicine
Best in Paediatrics
Best in Physiology
Best in biochemistry
Just to mention the notable ones.

Medical school helped me in discovering potentials I never knew I had. I realized I could achieve just anything I put my mind into. Just anything. No matter how difficult the course appeared to be, I always scaled through. For me failure was never an option. Just passing wasn’t an option either. I wanted to pass and pass well….! And I did!!
I’m most grateful to God, my parents (Chief & Lolo Theodore Otis Ndukwe) and my siblings (Barr. Mrs Theodora, Officer Millicent, Engr. Eustace, Vivian and the last but not the least, Blaise-Kizito) , Lecturers, friends and relations. Thank you for the love and support. It ended beautifully. Thank you.

Looking forward, I hope to make myself proud. I hope to be the Good doctor Iāve always talked about. I hope to be meek, kind, gentle, understanding and tolerant. I pray never to be the “bad” doctor I always criticized; I pray I don’t ever have to be in a position where I have to choose money over a patientās life. I hope to be the role model our sons and daughters would have. I hope to write my name in the sands of time. All I ask for is for God’s direction. His purpose for me, I shall fulfil ā¤ā¤

Dr OLA
68 replies on “My Medical School Tales”
Congratulations Dr Ola.. U have done well and thanks to God for all that you V become, keep breaking records and I wish you greater heights in your future endeavors..
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Thanks Adanne m. God bless you exceedingly
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This is inspiring. Mega Congratulations. It wasnāt an easy road. Keep shinning Dr. Ola
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Thanks my dearest. You’re a blessing to me
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Congratulations my darling. Keep soaring higher
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thanks dear. I’m grateful
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Dr.Ola, Thanks for sharing your Medical school journey,Iām taking out lessons from here. GOD bless you in your practice and more wins as you continue.
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You’re most welcome. I appreciate
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Keep moving ,do not allow negativity to becloud u ,ur an amazing personality,keep striving for more
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Thanks š
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You are a girl with wisdom and of great things, you really impressed your family despite all the circumstances that came your way, you still took the courage upon yourself and continued. Honestly I am happy for you and as well the whole is happy to hear this great news. Keep it up Dr Ola Ndukwe.
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I’m most grateful. God bless you
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Beautiful story with a complete demonstration of how zeal and hardwork could make a person great. Congratulations Dr Ola. See you in higher positions of life.
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Thanks so much
I’m most grateful, Doc
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Congratulations dear. Greater heights I wish you
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Thanks chief
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I read every line!.
Nice piece,
Thank God it ended in praises.
Wish you a successful practice Dr.Ola!
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Thanks dear. I’m most grateful
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Ola dear God prepared you for the wider world. You are actually a strong Dr. The sky is your starting point
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Thanks dear. I appreciate
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Congratulations….it ended in praises.
Wish u all the very best.
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Thanks Doc
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Do you have volume 2?
This is so inspiring
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Onyem…God bless you always
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Having Read Thru Your Journey, I must say…
You Are the Motivation that they Younger Medics seek…
Your An Inspiration To the Helpless & Depressed Kids along the streets..
Your A Catalog for the Future and
Encyclopedia To The World..
Indeed Your
A Daughter to Cherish..
A Sister to Admire..
A Mother to Love &
A Wife to Behold..
The Steps Ahead Are Tougher,
But You Have Been Shaped For Greatness.
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Thanks a lot! Thank you for everything, I’m grateful
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Amen.. Congratulations Dr
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Thanks Dic
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Thanks Doc
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I’m happy for you
Beautiful piece
More wins
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I’m happy for you
Beautiful piece
More wins
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Thanks Chief
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This is so inspiring and motivating š©ā¤
In the challenges part,u just gave a tip of the iceberg,na we know how great God has bin to u,how eager you are to succeed in flying colours despite all the setbacks u faced,How ur 4th MBBS was written from the hospital as u were taking care of Daddy ā¦God has really bin faithful!!
You are a star babyā¦.
Youāre Gold!!
Your life is worth Emulatingā¤ā¤ā¤
Please,can we get continuation šš½
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Thanks my dearest
For all the love and support, you’re a blessing to me
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Congratulations Dear, you are the best,more success ahead. Take care.
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Thanks Sir. God bless you
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An inspiring and well organised write up this is⦠Keep soaring higher as the sky can only be your starting point. Grace be multiplied to you.
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Thanks Doc ā¤ā¤
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Nice story… thanks a lot chief ola… may you continue to excel in all u do
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Amen
Thanks dear
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congrats pretty Doc
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Thanks dear
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Congratulations Dr.Ola despite the setbacks you still overcame all standing tall…..you are a model to young scholars like us
Congratulations once more.
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Thanks šš I’m grateful
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Wow
So inspiring
And you write so well…!
Congratulations Dr
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Thanks dear
I’m glad you found this inspiring
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Your great
This is just the preamble of your achievements in life.
Even the sky cannot limit your success .
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Thanks dearest ā¤š„°
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Congratulations Dr Sandra,you’re a blessing to your family. May God the good Lord continue to increase and uphold you.
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Amen
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Congrats Dr Ola. Iām super proud of you. Greater heights I pray
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Thank you so much
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Congrats dear. My first female friend back then in first year. 11 years has rolled on and time has tested our friendship and it still stood the test of time. Wish you the best in life dear.
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Thanks Doc
I know we’re going places
See you at the top!š„°
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Congratulations . More grace to achieve more. More wins ahead.
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Amen
Thanks Doc
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This is amazing. Thanks for sharing. God is so faithful. Have a successful career dear.
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Thanks dear
I’m grateful
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Dr. Ola, you are very hardworking and inspiring. This is an interesting read.
Congratulations on your great accomplishments š
I wish you success in future endeavors.
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Thanks, dearest
I truly appreciate your support so far
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Congratulations Dr Ola. Your story will have a way of encouraging our younger generation of doctors.
Honestly speaking, I already know you are created to be great.
Keep on the fighting spirit.
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Thank you so much, Sir
For this kind words, it means a lot
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VERY INSPIRING, CONGRATS SWEETIEā¦.MORE WINS DEAR
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Nice of you sharing. Inspiring.
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Thanks š
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Nice one dear. Wish you more better achievements through God who strengthens you. Amen
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Amen
Thanks Dr
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Congratulation !! truely inspiring….wish you the best.
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