Kiss My A**, You Jerks!

There is a limit to tolerance. That is what I used to believe. Creating a symposium and trying to get it to people's attention in college, has made me believe otherwise. There is no limit to tolerance. In fact, with every new interaction with the other group and their phonies, I develop a new, higher limit to tolerance.
This so-called 'battle' has been on for a long time - ever since our college had two groups participating in a Symposium Competition, held at a local college here. That event had a rule - one team per college. So ultimately, it boiled down to a face-off between the two presentations prepared by us and the other group. They were chosen. When we watched their presentation, we realised that there were lots of things we could have done with our presentation. They were the better group.
The second time such a competition came up, initially there was going to be a screening round held at the host college. However, that was not to be, and we ended up having an elimination round here. As we had expected, they won again. This time, the marks showed it all. Our presentation was appreciated by every single person sitting in the audience- it was research-based, it was methodical and it was with the flow. Their presentation was filled with information and wasn't even close to research. However, the marks  they got were plenty. Reason? Favouritism. You see, there is a girl. There is also a teacher who almost idolises her. In fact, the girl is an absolute bitch. But, when the teacher is involved, her bitchy quality disappears. After all, she's watched this girl grow up...obviously, there isn't a single flaw in the girl.
This teacher gave them 8-9 marks more than she gave us. This was when the other judge, gave them just 2 marks more than us in the whole total. The incident left me wounded. I love what my team has come up with. We had improved on our original presentation to such an extent, it was unrecognisable. It wouldn't be wrong to say that I was in love with my presentation. I did not want to face this crappy side of college again. Why does the world need to be so unfair??
Today, the long-drawn decision to present our symposia in college, finally ended. Both our groups were to present our work today. And what does that great teacher (who chaired the session, by the way) do? She says, "Lets keep that awesome presentation for the last and keep that other crappy one for first. That way, the audience will be kept captivated in the end." Yes, she said that. I'm friendly with one of the other teachers, who told me so.
There is simply no reason why anyone should be so partial. Every student should be equal before a teacher. However, life in college has taught me to learn otherwise. I'm sick and tired of all this hypocrisy. It is right there, stark white, standing right in front of your eyes. There is nothing you can do about it. I'm one of those who want to get into people's good books by my work, and not by sweet talk. There doesn't seem to be any market for that though.
Am I upset? I've gone way past that, you know. As fulfilling as the process of making the presentation has been, the stuff happening around it has left me with nothing but anger. After a certain point of time, that anger just turns into smoke. There is no use having so much anger stuffed up inside yourself. Instead, you should simply look ahead and go do better things.
So, kiss my a**, you jerks. Go do your thing. I know, for a fact, and with lots of evidence to support it, I do better things than you, and I get better results than you. Nobody is going to tell me in front of 100 people on a big stage, that I'm not even going to be considered in the competition, because what I have presented isn't even my own research. They are going to tell you that. And you know what guys? At that time, I shall have a small smile on my face, because I shall know that the world outside of college doesn't bow down to your rules.
P.S. Our presentation today was great :-)) I love my team especially for putting up with my short temper and not-so-easy-to-get-along-with behaviour during the Symposium practice sessions:-) You rock guys!!

Good Job!!

I won the TB Quiz held on account of World Tuberculosis Day (24th March)!! I'd paired up with a friend of mine and we won!! I got my first trophy from BJ Medical College :-) We topped the elimination round and then won by a comfortable 20 points :-) Our score was 65 and the team, that came 2nd, got 45. I felt so freaking AWESOME!!
I'd been telling myself I should've studied a little more. That thought became even more loud when I saw the number of teams participating. You may want to call me a little dumb here, but I really believe that there a few people who are better off than I am, when it comes to MCQs and one line answers. Fact is, I really believe that whatever I have scored academically, has been on the basis of my neat paper- writing and diagrams. I don't figure much when it comes to odd things you need to know for Quizzes. So, my friend and I saw the people who'd arrived and we told ourselves that we didn't really have a chance. We were going to do this for the heck of it.
The people who know me, will understand when I say, I can't go unprepared for anything where there is supposed to be a competition. So, I did read up Microbiology and PSM, but it was nowhere close to what I'd expected myself to manage in the past week. We were prepared to watch the other teams take centre-stage. Going through the elimination paper, I knew we stood a chance. But, you can never hope for too much. We knew we'd made mistakes, especially after the answers were discussed. It was, therefore, a major surprise to hear that we had topped the Elimination :-)) I was delighted because that meant I got a certificate (I have an obsession for them...they are going to help me in the future, strengthen my CV, so I am obsessed with them).
The Quiz rounds were pretty ok. We were team C, and unfortunately, we had a lot of statistical questions regarding TB. I can proudly say though, my logic and my love Micro and Patho, got us through. I could answer a lot of questions. That was very comforting :-)
The best part was yet to come though. The rapid fire round has always gotten me a little nervous. It is a make or break round in a quiz. This time, however, it was a Make round for us. We answered the maximum number of questions correctly (5/10), compared to the rest of the teams, and we won!! After the announcement of the scores, they brought out trophies!! Now that was the best part. I had won a trophy! Since I'm a big sports fan, winning a trophy is like the ultimate winning for me. I have grown up watching the Pontings and Nadals lift those trophies...I've always wished I could do the same. This time, I've gotten the opportunity :-)) Yay!!
I just have to take this moment and say, "I ROCK!!" Things have been going well. Our Islet Cell Transplantation Symposium will be on Saturday. As much as I love what we have done, I'm just concerned about the certificate. It is a busy week... We also have a Surgery Term-end on Saturday. Add on the Medicine posting...We're given threats of been thrown back into the Unit we were supposed to be posted in, initially, if we don't do serious studying. Really!! Times have changed..It's not like we aren't interested. Sometimes, you gotta understand that although there is interest, there isn't enough material. Tomorrow, possibly, Kadam Sir would be taking a clinic. I can only cross my fingers and hope it goes well...
Apart for studying, we also have to deal with ego issues of the concerned teachers. The life of a Medical Student is worth making a film on. There is everything...it almost prepares you for everything you may have to deal with later in life - buttering people up, saving people's lives, running after people for ages to get your work done, taking the hard way, taking a shortcut, deal with heartaches and excessive happiness...everything...phew!! I'll just go back to reminiscing that wonderful Quiz on Monday...:-))

Say Hello To Final Year :-)

And that is exactly what my Brain's reaction was, when it encountered the already extensive To-Do list. Today isn't even the official first day into Final year. That is supposed to be 23rd (a week from now). I know, I know...it is the postings that are more important in Final Year; we'd rather attend those more sincerely than the lectures; so today is the 'Official First Day'....but until the lectures begin, I don't get the feel of  'College' in the real sense of the word. And they begin on 23rd.
Any way, I'd rather talk about my To-Do list. Firstly, giving in to my guilt and my stubborn mind, I have decided to take the risk of doing a Research Project this year. It is a BIG risk. Simply because, a research project takes a lot of the time that you can spend studying. This year, the studying doesn't even end. So, doing a project is like knowing I have Osteoporosis but still, picking up heavy loads and giving those poor bones a chance to break :-p
This is my last chance really. I know I did a good thing by letting go of the Project in 2nd year and concentrating on my Finals. But, deep inside I know I was scared of how it would turn out and not very satisfied with my own interest in the subject. I can't let all that get in the way of developing my research potentials. This year, I'm going to give myself another chance. I am well-prepared. I have a topic, a guide and a rough idea of what all I'm supposed to do. The last date for the Applications is 25th January, so completing my thesis tops my To-Do list absolutely.
Secondly, there's a conference at Lokmanya Tilak Medical College, Sion, Mumbai on 16th-17th February this year. I want my group to present a Symposium on Islet Cell Transplantation. We had first done this at AFMC, Pune in August last year. We all loved the experience, but couldn't get into the final. This time, I want us do things more professionally and get into the finals. We are looking for a few replacements from the previous team. The last date for Registration is 24th January. Since we have to send the forms by post, we need to have the forms, the abstract and the money order ready by Thursday (my deadline). It is full steam ahead for this one..I really want us to do well.
Over to the next point, I want to do an elective in the US after my Final Year examinations. For that, now would be a good time to take the TOEFL. Studying for it is going to be a major part of my agenda for some time now. I have looked through the dates available and March seems good to me. That way, I can finish up with the Symposium and even a part of my project, and then turn over to this. I would have to start applying to the Universities in May-June. So taking the TOEFL in March and getting the results in two weeks time should suit me fine.
Researching through Universities for the Residency programs is going to form a big part of my life this year. Am I, as yet, sure of what I want to do? No. I know that one of my top choices would be Ophthalmology and it would be followed by Paediatrics. That is a tough scenario. As tough as it is, to get Ophthalm, it is much easier to get a residency in Paediatrics in the US. However, I don't want to end up deciding on Paeds only to realise I have done anything about the USMLE. So, I guess, maybe one a week or something, I'll be driving in this direction.
I and a friend of mine had decided last year itself that we would participating in the Indian Association of Paediatrics Quiz this year. We went and talked to the Lecturer in-charge today. She was excited that we have come so early :-) And since we want to do really well in this, we are going to start from now itself. Theory for the exams and extra stuff for the quiz. It should help me any way, as I learnt from my experience as a part of the Ophthalmology Quiz team last year. So this is yet another item on my To-Do list.
Last but not the least - the regular studying. It is Final year...tough from the word go. I have my Obstetrics-Gynaecology Posting now. To underline the importance of this year, our Unit Lecturer immediately made me go take a case (Pregnancy with Anemia), and we had a full discussion about the whole topic. On day 1. Not to mention the number of times she called us "Final year students"!! There's a wave of seriousness around. It is uncomfortable...because even the laid-back students are showing it..and that is so freaky! So obviously, I need to be in the moment throughout. There is no room for lagging behind....because once you remain back there, it gets too much to push back to the front.
Lets begin this year then. I know I'm going to have fun. I feel it. And I shall finally understand the meaning of 'Serious Fun' :-) Happy Studying!!!