Educate that beautiful mind of yours 👑

Walking amidst the sea of white-coated ambition, a fear lingered to have the passions I honed over the few months stripped, and stifled by the copious amount of work I was told of. Medical school was described to be a wonderfully pruned garden designed for students to drink out of the firehouse, ingest the copious amount of words as they to try to make space to retain the knowledge of meal they had out of proportion - which undoubtedly was true to certain portions. 

The retreated line “you won’t have time” seemed to tattoo an expiry date on the creative crutch that kept me sane, and became a pathway of self-exploration that solidified my self-perception. But the fear of losing a part of myself was possibly the reason that defied the norm by propelling me to work on my time management skills and mindset. 

Art helps you escape the tedious-mundaneous life; becoming the act of liberation and expansion beyond the confinement of books. It allows you to vest your narrative in the form of creativity you are attracted by. You find yourself being impelled to intertwine the two, creating a unique synergy of art and medicine – re-energizing your taxed soul by making your breaks therapeutic as possible. 

Through the journey of medicine, there are days when you find yourself disconnected from your inner consciousness as your reality begins to demand a lot more with grueling schedules anchoring you to your chair pushing you to be a hermit on some days. But ingraining an expressive outlet restores and stitches the severed ties with your consciousness, allowing you to accentuate with your inner cords. 

The side hobby that embroiders your day, becomes the creativity that shapes and differentiates you. It pushes beyond a singular perception and understanding, building your empathy as you shift through various mindsets and perspective - humanizing your entire healthcare experience. You begin to understand the eloquence of muddy feelings into the nuance of words as you peel the layers of human existence.

It becomes your creative gap; a vested narrative in your prolific work and at days your psychotherapeutic tool during your coping days. It accentuates your priorities, shapes your time management skill as you intend to be more than medicine.

You allow yourself to disengage and relax from the zone of stethoscopes and connect with the ones of shared love of art. Storytelling their life experiences through various prolific forms. Creativity is merely not art but various forms of expansion and liberation. It allows the intangible to become important, your observation for detail to become sharper honing a lifelong tool to reorient themselves as they move along in their training. 

Transitioning from a year with almost every waking hour filled with a spontaneous exploration outing, photographing and creating to having myself rooted onto a seat almost 25/8 days with a repetitive routine of waking up, attending lectures one after the other to commuting for an hour, napping and studying merely made my life a monochromic--mundaneous routine.

Medical School seems to have the negative image of how it's all about studying, exams (which for the most part it is ) and how one should stifle their creativity and wish a lot of what makes them happy farewell. To accept that this is how their life is going to be; like bland rice when they are in the liking of biryani. 

But depriving myself of such happiness merely made studying even tougher and exhausting than it already was. My days were something I would not want to wake up to. During my lectures, all I could think is when will it end because my eyes can't stop dropping. When can I just go home and nap. When the week is going to end so I can look forward to the weekend. So here are a few things that actually may save you from being the negative-exhausted-complaining-raccoon you're off to becoming: 

Reflecting on what makes you happy and finding ways to integrate that in your routine. It is a literal color filler into your life, whether it is by merging creativity with your mundaneous tasks or actually choosing to make a conscious effort of doing things that bring you glee to rejuvenate yourself back to life and fight off that exhaustion.

Socializing. Some conversations are just minded O P E N I N G and some people taste like S U N S H I N E & H O N E Y they tend to 

Taking up new opportunities in the university.  Stimulating and challenging yourself to come in face with your fears or merely joining clubs, activities to hone your passion is such a growing experience. I should really listen to my own advice.

Learn to pick out the little moments that taste like euphoria. At times the little moments can make a lot of difference itself and sometimes changing how you see those moments can make all the difference.

Not too sound too much like my medical informatics professor but time management really does play a spinal role in balancing things. 

https://www.studential.com/university/applying/UCAS-application-guide/personal-statement-examples/subjects

So recently I was helping my sister write a descriptive piece of writing on the title above and gave her a technique which really does help.

To come up with descriptive words about a place can be tough sometimes, so picking out words such as busy, peaceful, haunted and various other general words from the question and thinking of words in relation to it really helps.

Such in this case take the word busy and busy alone. Think of its synonyms. What comes into your mind when you think of busy? Write how busy makes you feel, what can you hear, see and just go about asking yourself questions about the senses in relation to it. And then write them down. As a spidermap or just as a list.

Write down phrases, smilies, metaphors, adjective etc. This helps you build up a vocabulary of words in relation to the word busy that you can then twist in relation to the busy environment that is asked.

As this question specifies Busy Airport, progress to writing phrases, adjectives describing the airport:

Now here comes the tough part, well personally what I find tough anyways. It is the part where you have to write them in proper sentences, that form progressing paragraphs which eventually link to form an essay. Example of what I've written:

I rechecked my belongings and passport to ensure I have not left anything behined as I was entering the airport. As soon as the automated doors opened got a whiff of the vibrant colors clothes and the cacophony of sounds and smell that overwhelmed my senses. The airport was a chaos, filled with unseen faces hustling and bustling with their luggages to reach their destination while some were running with tearful eyes to the welcoming arms of their loved ones. There was a mixture of emotions on the faces that I could see as some lounged on the comfy sofa peacefully waiting for their relatives or friends to arrive while some hopped on to their toes with the expression of anticipation of separation and panic as they slipped into the crowd. The cues were like a snake tail, as the people would shove, push and shout to move ahead. The air felt heavy and I felt claustrophobic as I stood patiently waiting to recieve my ticket. It took some time to move past people who were more like obstacles that I rather swirl around rather than encounter and overcome. I sat lounged onto the sofas as I watched people restlessly wandering through the luggage and busily finding their belongings. I looked out to the planes that left periodically and were soon replaced by aeroplanes descending steadily on to their tracks. A sigh of relief left me as my Flight number was called and boarded the plane by a welcoming cheery air hostess.

As you see I have added a bit of narrative along with describing the environment and people at the airport. I have also progressed through my journey from entering the airport to boarding the plane.

Personally, I've always wanted to be more than just one trait or quality. To be of more dimensions. Little did I realize the importance it has of giving you an edge in the crowd but more importantly the advantage it has to yourself - when one strength fails you, you have another to fall back on.

So some of you maybe wondering what is Soft Skills?

Well there are two types of classification - hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are your technical abilities that apply directly to your career. It is to do more with your job or what you're studying. Soft skills apply more to your personal characteristics and ethics.

I've realized that regardless of what you study, may it be from the simplest of courses to the toughest one, recognized or unrecognized degree a lot has to do with they way you carry yourself. You will be the one that would let yourself excel forward in your career by your approach.

Soft Skills like:

Attitude: Personally I feel this is so important to have a positive attitude! It really does reflect on who you chose to be as a person.

Communication: Having good communication skills, your language, tone and clarity are crucial when it comes to speaking to a crowd or simply connecting with someone. Speaking in such a way others would love to listen to you and listening is such a way that one would love to talk to you.

Confidence and belief in yourself: This is important as it helps you excel in whatever you chose to do, say etc. Being confident in what you do gives you a strongest able look.

Empathy: It helps us become more understanding and allows us to engage with people in a more meaningful way.

Appreciation for others whether it be big or small

Cultivating Kindness in what ever you do

Strong Work Ethic

High Emotional Intelligence: Understanding your own emotions and others.

Personal Presentation: How you carry yourself in terms of self care and personal hygiene matters.

Adaptability with change: Change is constant in life and professional life and our response in adapting to the change matters.

Learning from Criticism: sometimes it's best not to take things to heart and just learn and grow as a person and professionally.

Response to pressure: Our ability to manage workload.

Time management

Self Motivation

Organisation

Problem Solving

Critical thinking

Creativity in whatever you do. Able to give a unique touch to it.

Leadership

Working smarter: In terms of choosing a candidate one would prefer the one who is able to present the end result at a much more faster pace.

How to develop on your soft Skills

Personally I feel Soft Skills come from life experience. So it's all about growing through the opportunities you take. You may be studying or working for almost 3/4 of your day take time out for yourself. May it be an hour on daily basis or the weekend, maybe even the summer, take time out to develop yourself through small steps. You can volunteer, intern at various venues. You can join clubs, courses may it be various diversified learning. Taking out the time to practice your various other interests - writing, sports, reading, art, photography and so much more. Creating an outlet to present your interests, like blogging about it really does help as well.

Do you ever not want people asking you questions about your future or how you are feeling because you yourself don’t know? You feel like you yourself are anonymous to your life and emotions, maybe even confused that you don’t even know what to say. So you start avoiding them so you can get away from the pressure.

These days I’ve been feeling unsure about my own future, right now what I would like to study and where I would like to study. A few days ago I would’ve said Do we have to know what we ought to do in our lives from this age itself? Because let’s face it we are taking a risk of both time and money. Studying Medicine is a big risk, in my opinion anyways. So I asked myself what are my passions. I scribbled down reasons over reasons as to why I would want to study the course I have in my mind, why I wouldn’t and all my other interests aside from education or education related. I tried to sail my way through my turbulent thoughts.

The truth is when I would’ve settled on one option, something would come along the way and I would be back to phase 1 all over again. It was quiet frustrating to be honest, especially when everyone is asking which college are you planning to apply? Which course are you planning on doing? The questions seem to be unavoidable question these days. I’ve realised how difficult it becomes to deal with people when you are so unsure about your life itself.

But you know what really helped me personally is:

Listening and trying to understand my inner self: Listening to what she desires, her passions and interests and trying to narrow it down from there.

Talking to a person who is patient as well: Education counsellors, seniors, trusted friends or family. Anyone that you feel can help simply by listening at times, because sometimes we just need to say it out. It feels complicated and a mess inside ourselves but when we write it out or express ourselves it seems manageable and so big as it seems from within always. Talking to people really gives an insight to various other options and sometimes the questions may just untangle certain knots that help us understand it ourselves better.

Searching and visiting universities: it’s like saying get out of your comfort zone. Exploring what else is out there broadens your horizon. You get to know more about what’s out there and possibly something out there catches your interest. We are still young and the more exposure we get the better it is. It’s better to keep an open mind.

I just want you to know, not everyone has their mind up about what they want to do and that’s alright. Sometimes you just have to take opportunities as they come in your life. Later on you may realize that this is your passion and in following your passion you may actually find your purpose.

It’s alright to change what you think was right at that time, you can always change your direction regardless of what other may say. You can always change may it be from the minute of changes to the most dramatic ones.

There will come a day when you will be certain with what you are doing and feeling. You will know your path and will be confident in what you do and decide that you can answer clearly to the people and want their questions stressful anymore. All i want you to know is that this phase will phase, maybe soon or maybe it will take time. But you will get through these turbulent waters, just be patient and chose to believe in yourself.

At this age I feel it is very natural to go through a phase of infatuation.To feel as though you are in love and going though an emotional roller coaster even though in reality you are actually just going through hormonal roller coaster. It is alright to be infatuated, but to a certain extent. It is only when it starts to effect everything around you does things really start going downhill. 

Here are some pointers that may help: 

Distance Yourself: Otherwise feeling will become stronger, stronger and stronger. And then you will find consuming you and you will feel helpless. Try to lessen the talks and bring it to the surface of being just friends.

This is not right age. This is time for both of you to invest on yourselves, build on your education. After some years you will be more responsible and mature then you will be in better and stronger position to take such decisions for your life. It is too early for both of you to think in this direction. Later you can find even better and more suitable person.

Don’t Think Much About it: The more you think, the more things will be be towards the negative. Distract yourself in ways which is effective to you.

It is temporary: You can not let something temporary as this emotion effect your future. 

If you are in a commitment, Use power of love in positive way. 

Make your feeling more strong and turn into power house and motivation. Put your best effort to win your Love and for this purpose you have to study and make your career.

If both of you are from same class then this is best opportunity for you to help each other study. Make and share notes and study material. Give targets each other everyday. Discuss about class, discuss about career, discuss about future, discuss about ambitions. Become energy and motivation for each other.

Set your priorities straight: Make your actions a reflection of your priorities.

Schedule Study Time: It is best to have a mutual understanding over a time you both would study undisturbed and then talk. 

Start studying very early in the morning: by around 5 am, as this is the time when the environment will be extremely quiet and rarely anyone else is awake.

Keep periodic targets for completing your studies. For example keep 2 hours target for completing various sections of the subject you are learning. After achieving your target, reward yourself with a small talk with your partner. You will be motivated to finish your studies quickly to speak to him/her.

Try studying with a friend: this will help you to discuss and learn in a more effective manner and hence increasing the pace at which your learning at thus studying more in less time.

In the end it is important that you are focused on building your future, career and life itself even if it maybe alongside someone else.  

You know those really frustrating moments in life when you are motivated but your brain won’t just let you concentrate? Yeah, I have been having those moments a lot over the past few months. Your brain is subconsciously riding on a never ending train ride of thoughts. It’s not as though you aren’t struggling to focus, but your brain will continuously find moments to escape into another world. initially it wasn’t so serious, but as time permitted it just grew and started affecting various aspects of my life including my grades.

  So I tried to things differently, tried to figure a way to gain even a slight control over my thoughts or at least hinder them from flowing.

Music: Somehow playing music overrides my thoughts, as though it silences it. My brain feels at peace, no chaos. It helps to block out the voices in reality, it is just one melody and everything is just flowing smoothly harmonizing with that single melody.

Speaking the words out while reading: I was focused on the words I was pronouncing, understanding each words as it slipped my lips.The words were evident and not in a mixture of my thoughts. I tried to focus on the words, imagining the words in my head as they were being spoken in class. I was in reality, I was no longer in my thoughts.

Snapping myself back to reality: When ever I would feel being swayed by the currents of my thoughts I would just stop.I would pull myself together, breath and tell myself to focus.

Talk it out: If i had something on my mind from school and i feel it would keep bugging me. I would just talk about it, voice note it or just call someone right that moment. Saying it out loud made me feel as though my head is clear. It is as though I forgot about the problem and I am more focused.

Note down your distracting thoughts: As soon as a thought comes to your mind, quickly write it down and forget about it. I would assign a time for example after I completed a certain task to give it a deeper thought or write about on tumblr. This way I would be looking forward to thinking about it later within a certain period of time.

Taking Breaks: I would study for an hour and then take a 5 minutes break.Then I would study for an hour again and then take a 15 minutes break. This way I would tell myself to focus for 1 hour and then use my breaks to let my thoughts flow freely.  

Change Your Study Material Or the Subject Your Learning: For Eg. I find Reading Biology for hours quite tiresome because you are just reading, understanding and learning. Switch it up a bit in between, try solving a Chemistry Past paper or something different to get your mind off for some time and then get back to it.

Find your Biological Prime Time: Everyone has a time during the day when our mind is naturally most focused. Study during your prime time you'll have more focus and will power, and studying and concentrate on it will be much easier.

Try to get plenty of Sleep and Eat Properly: Getting 7 hours of sleep is perfect, 6 hours of sleep will also suffice. Try to make a consistent sleep pattern and stick to it because if your sleep pattern fluctuate you will feel exhausted. I personally feel lethargic after having carbohydrates/Dairy before studying, I feel I am more focused if I eat healthy and light before a study session. You should experiment and try to see what works for you.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4oxlfqcf02di61u/AADKOQqalCm-uZmhE_9VRZ0Za?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4oxlfqcf02di61u/AADKOQqalCm-uZmhE_9VRZ0Za?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/hl31lvbzywk385s/AAA11rATwjM8flYpVd_R5Aa9a?dl=0

I got my results today, to be very honest I wasn’t so anxious as I was in IGCSE. I received my results and I didn’t feel much, like my results were Good-Average. Grades good enough to get me into a good university and possibly to the university I am aiming. Not grades by which I would be disappointed neither grades that I would be proud to go about telling either. I am okay, almost like it didn’t as such affect me, which honestly as a person I wasn’t expecting. I was expecting myself to have an emotional breakdown, but I didn’t unlike last time. That just made me realise how much my mindset and image about myself has changed. Like receiving average results did not make me feel like a average person, because I realised how temporary everything is. My grades don’t have to be my label, good grades does not mean I am smart neither does bad grades mean I am dumb. I just take them as grades now, not a definition of who I am as a person. Everything is so temporary that by change you can always go up and sometimes even down. I realised how much I accomplished this year, from managing social life, passions and studies to studying for SATs, Resits, Ielts and A level itself. For progressing in life and studies. I am just glad that I made an effort and tried things differently this year.

It is today that I realised how much my perception has changed. I am happy because it doesn’t affect who I am as a person and that for me is important. I am capable of change and to strive for better always. i am still capable to achieve all my dreams. For I know who I am as a person and my grades do not change that whether its good, average or bad.