Nostalgic Already

Last thursday marked the end of my 1st year- MBBS. I am on preparation leave and it won't be before the end of October that I'll get to rejoin the university.

As many cherish the fact that we are 20% doctors already and that 1/5th of the torture is over, I find myself feeling increasingly overwhelmed by nostalgia. This very realization that an entire year has passed by makes me sad or probably it's just that I have a habit of reminiscing too much.


For me, my 1st year has been the best time of my life. There are so many indelible memories and they all keep flashing through my mind continuously these days. They do not let me study, the more I think the more I become sad, the more I become sad, the more I think. It has become a vicious cycle (like the ones in our body caused by positive feed backs usually). Mary O, my friend, thinks it's staying at home which is getting on my nerves

It's all jumbled up, I cannot recall chronologically and being a 'born-lazy" I am not in a mood to try even. So, I'll just write as it comes to my mind.

The Campus

The first few days were spent exploring the campus which was pretty disappointing as it was very chota. Most of us had bigger college campuses than our DMC campus.
"Shuru hote hi khatam hojata hai", Maanu sighs every time.

It was the Anatomy museum that carried the greatest attraction for freshies. Almost everyone got their pictures taken with those skeletons. Some later added effects to give it a real haunting look.
Then there was the 2nd floor wali Library/reading area which remained flooded by Firsties throughout the year. I broke up with the place right after that first module and hardly ever went again.
In summers, when the heat became intolerable, garmi k satae hue log would take refuge in Digital Library owing to its better air conditioning system. DL (as its commonly referred to) had an extra charm because of wi-fi availability.
Though my group's thikana remained Admin block ki stairs throughout.(After its initial shift from Moin ki stairs)
Oops! how can I forget DMC ka garden, which is itna bara considering baqi campus ka size.

Ragging

All of us were afraid more or less. I didn't get ragged so I don't have any such experience to share. But I constantly got to hear ragging stories. A crazy friend of mine volunteered herself for ragging. They made her do things like asking a senior "aap kon sa oil lagate hain? Aap roz ye hi hair style kyun banati hain" etc.

Then there was ragging in medical style

*Friend : Oye! Ragging kesi hui? Dowite: They asked me to lay on supine and prone positions Friend: LOL* (source: Dowite Tips)

As the myth about medical students being 'shareef' goes, there weren't any serious incidents of ragging or for that matter, there weren't any that came to my knowledge.

NLH-1

NLH-1 remained our home for the entire year.

Initially, it was very difficult to sit for 1/1.5 hours continuously in the lecture hall. Just after 20 minutes or so most of us would feel saturated except for the front benchers whose concentration level remained the same throughout. 

Like Mary O, many of the students were found sleeping at the end of the lecture. Some like me, slept with open eyes (art it is, I tell you) and zoned out frequently.
Attendance in the lecture hall remained appreciable during the first few months. A large number of students used to note down the lecture shuru mein, later realizing it doesn't help much (all given in book+lecture outlines on internet ). Towards the end of the year, attendance fell greatly because Dowites'18 had important realizations. "Parhai tou ghar mein hoti hai, University tou hum party karne jaate hain", "Lecture lo na lo baat aik hi hai, jo parhna hai khud hi parhna hai." (overheard)

For some odd reason, all splits of NLH-1 were fixed at one side, which naturally attracted students towards that side. This caused right axis deviation every single time. (more in summers)

The lectures usually went boring, it was only when someone got scolded by the professor or someone was asked to come in front of the hall, smiles appeared and giggles could be heard. *Neend se bedaari time* This reminds me of the time I had been sent out of the class for drinking coffee by Professor Saud. It must have been entertaining for others. I laugh at it now but back then mujhe bht sharam aai thi and I had thanked God k there were less students in the class for it was raining outside.

What else was there for fun in the lecture hall? Umm..Tablets and cell phones. Every bench atleast had one banda/bandi playing games on the gadgets like a boss. Then there were some like me who would idly draw "not-so-art-k-shahkaar" to kill time without bunking class. Some times Maanu, Mary O and I had written conversations in order not to disturb the neighbouring parhte hue bache and in other cases sotay hue bache. (I might start a picture blog for all those drawings and conversations)

*Oh yess! We do some fun when we clap at the end of lecture, OMG its so funny.Hahaha*-Dowite Tips

Modules And Semester exams

Towards the exams it, always became hectic. Not leaving anything before exams has remained a dream. After leaving entire biochemistry and Micro biology in the first and second modules respectively I have been leaving C.M and embryology in the last two, so kinda closing up. Things are not getting easy but I feel we are getting better.

First module's question paper and the result was a real shocker. Aik tou first experience plus the level of paper.

What's amazing is that those who never scored less than 90s even in their board exams, eventually became contented at 50s and 60s and in some cases even less.

Semester and module result treats remained mandatory.The one who got the highest was to treat the rest. Aik tou bechara mehnat b wo hi kare and looto b usi ko. *Such Na insaafi*

First Semester Extension Dharna Campaign is another epic memory. A large number of emails were sent to VC and pro-VC and desperate attempts were made to get an appointment with VC who ditched us even when he had promised us a Skype session.
                                     

Confession Pages Saga

The time that marked the end of our first semester exams also marked the beginning of confession season. Confession pages were sprouting from every corner of facebook. So, naturally,  few pages were made for our university as well. Pages which were initially created for fun became the source of mocking publicly.
While some confessed about themselves and their friends, there were others who took it as a platform to express ill sentiments towards fellow batch mates. This started to create rifts in our batch and people went mad on the anonymous admin. There was a heated debate in favor or against such pages, which ultimately ended up by convincing people against it.

PWA
PWA remained the best part of first year. Given that Dow has nothing to offer except studies, no co curricular activities, no societies, nothing. If PWA hadn't been there, we wouldn't have had such a wonderful time. It engaged us as a batch.

From the orientation to the duties in drug bank to road side campaigns to handicrafts to banners to the bake sale itself, everything is so memorable.

I remember how I used to take half an hour to give one single prescription of medicine to the people at Drug bank. I had to ask several times before I could find the medicine on my own. I miss the time when we used to make friendship bands in class, breaks and even in points.
All the "best of luck mujahideens" wale text messages before module and "ghazis" and "shaheedon" wale after it made firsties feel Es-pay-shul.

Not only was PWA and the events organized by it (Bake sale, Blood Donors' day etc) fun but they satisfied the soul like no other. PWA brought us closer to our real purpose of becoming doctors. It involved us in helping save lives in all possible ways.

And above all, PWA family is love. They be our bajis and bhais and we be their bache =')

There is so much more to write about PWA but it will consume the whole post. So,I am leaving it here for now.

DOW Management
You cannot expect much from a Government institution. DMC administration kept disappointing us throughout the year. From our ID cards (which we received after a month or two) to our enrolment cards and admit cards. Then there never were clear cut procedures, which created a lot of confusion every time. Ongoing confusion about 2nd semester exam forms is the continuation of what has now become a norm.

Ahmed Sahab: I had heard stories about him long before my admission in DMC. The very first time I saw him was on the second day at university, when he stopped my point in midway and gave a bashing to the driver. He is THE FIGURE of DMC, always threatening to snatch our cards. I am sure each one of us had atleast one not-so-nice encounter with him.

Lekin shayad Dow wale itne b bure nhe hain. #JustSaying Once I was bunking pathology class, when Sir Ahmed appeared suddenly. Sir: Aap class kyun nhe le rahin? Me: Sir! class mein samajh nhe aata kuch tou faida nhe. Sir: Konsi class hai? Me: Patho (darte darte) Sir: *laughs* Patho tou kisi ko b samjh nhe aati, koi baat nhe. Me: o_O Patho k H.O.D was passing by, Sir called him. Me: Oh shit! Sir then talked to him about changing the teacher and he agreed. *What's going On moment* #NotAlwaysShitHappens

Then there were Guard aunties who had problem with virtually everything. "Lab coat please" "Lap coat pehnen" "Aap log yahan kyun kharen/bethen hain" "Class me jaen". Probably they suspected us of planning to bombard the campus whenever we were found outside the lecture hall. Once she even snatched a flower khushfehmist had. Matlab what potential danger can a flower cause or how was the flower violating any rule. 

In birthday bashes, they used to ask us for their share of cake, which we did give happily.

Chote Chote Maslay

• B.D ya KLM ya Grays

ya Snells

• Dr Nasar ka demo ya Dr Sabahat ka • Dr Fahad ka CBL ya apne respective group teacher ka • Class ya DL men self study ya donon mein se kuch b nhe. This was more than a chota mota masla for me (read. Peer Pressure)

Hangouts

What Dolmen mall (Hyderi) is to KMDC, Atrium Mall is to DMC.

Though Hyperstar,Portgrand, boast basin were also frequently visited but Atrium mall remained an easy choice. DMC's vicinity didn't have much to offer except Food centre, Fresco k dahi bare, Dilpasand ki ice cream and if nothing else, gan'ne ka juice (available right outside the university gate)

The only batch hangout was the Nashta at Boat Basin. It was followed by one month completion celebrations.The cake was later distributed to the patients at Civil Hospital.

These were some flashbacks of the Good Old times, blke no "good,old". Mary O has reservations on that. "It's still all good and it's not old even, things will remain the same,iA", she corrects everytime.

For the ones who made me bunk classes, the ones who were the reason I remained kangaal, the ones I came for even when there were two self studies. I would have had a terrible time without them.

(For you Facemaker, Mary O, Khushfehmist, Cry baby, Dalda, Biryani partner, Chit'tu, Rach,SS,WA, KH, Rij,Tath, Kasho)

         "Yaaron ka yaar" hona aint that bad..eh?

How often do you hang out with your friends,stop to chat with the shop keeper in the store you regularly visit,listen to your maid’s stories,talk to the person standing ahead of you in a queue,chit chat with the person sitting next to you in a public bus/waiting area?

We as human beings have an innate need to interact and to connect.We cannot escape social interactions and we ought not to try. It is beneficial for our own well being.

Meeting new people or talking to the ones you already know changes you in ways you don’t realize even.
Firstly, it informs you about things you never knew and you might never come to know them in the future either if the interaction hadn't taken place.So,its a learning process.A learning process that helps you grow,mature and evolve. It enriches your experience and broadens your horizon.It gives you an insight of the different aspects of the world and people around.It helps you realize that there can be multiple perspectives and makes you value and apprehend each one of them.It aids you in having a better understanding of the ways of the world.
It is generally noticed that people who are more social are more tolerant to others’ opinions and accept new ideas and cultural differences happily and quickly.Hence,Socializing creates a pride in diversity.
It is also believed that social interactions help you enhance your decision powers.
More importantly, when feeling low it can help lift your mood. The feelings of loneliness, apathy, inferiority complex may subside and the person is more likely to have better sense of well being.It helps you express your feelings which leads to emotional stability.
Lastly,it will help build you contacts that may help you in your career and in the adversities of life.

So, the next time some one calls you a Social butterfly or you get a bashing from your ammi for being a "yaaron ka yaar" (as mothers like to call it) listen to her quietly and deep down feel proud on being one =P

A big shout out to all the social people out there!

                                     

#ApologistMuch

                         

A week before Module!

It's amazing how everything becomes interesting and engaging right before exams.

Less than a week is left before my first module and here I am, wasting a lot of time as if i have all the time on earth to study!

I had initially turned down a tuition offer by making an excuse that MBBS was hectic and that i do not get time.A week before module i realized how selfish i had been.I remembered the aunty's plea and things like "ilm baatne se behter koi kaam nhe". I called the boy (now my student) and I teach him sincerely and give him a lot of time as he has papers next week.For my own paper, i am hoping for "aate hain ghaib se mazameen khayal mein" wala miracle.

All along, my sister used to beg me to go with her for walks and for ice-creams.She used to seek help from me in her studies but i used to tell her how dumb she was and that I couldn't tolerate her lame questions and listen to her stupid stories.In other words I had been a "bitchy sister" (as she says). Just before module I have switched to the "sooper sweet sis" mode. I go regularly with her and pay for her ice creams and listen to her stories with all ears.I even teach her because I am the most "farigh" insaan you'll ever come across.
My sister is stunned, I tell her "bas Allah jb jise hidayat de" :-P

I had missed majlis at my khala's place last year because I was busy with my practicals.It was the time of "bharpai". I spent an entire day at her place, reached hours before the majlis and made up for last year's absence.On the way back to home when tension started to build I reminded my self that Family comes first
(Dilaasa to self) :-l

"Roti bnana" is something i loath.No matter how much i try i never accomplish the perfect circular shape. My mama whines about this a lot. She goes like "jab sasuraal waale taane denge tb pata chale ga" :P
As i was so bored in the past few days I took this responsibility of "Roti bnana" and I am glad that I am improving :-D

Just when I sit to study, something or the other distracts me.My mama,baba's conversation becomes interesting and i cannot suppress the urge to poke my nose in.
I even like the chicks now,they had been at our place for long time, but i never paid even the slightest of attention to the innocent creatures.While studying, I end up staring at them and find them more cute every time I look at them.

There are times I get the feeling that how unaware I am of my surroundings.To end this feeling, I followed every recent developing story from "Gang rape case" to "Tahir ul Qaqri's Jalsa".
(I would do really well if it were a current affairs' paper) :(

My long forgotten twitter account also became my centre of attention.What once seemed boring to me became interesting.

After all this, when I check DUHS Batch 18's facebook page reality hits me. I feel as if I am the dumbest person on earth and probably not smart enough for a medical school *sigh*
This is when it all gets depressing.
Reminds me of the shair
                                              "Ab udaas phirte ho sardion ki shaamon mein
                                              Is trha tou hota hai is trha k kaamon mein"

Once a nerd,now people don't even ask me how much i have studied because they all know my "destined to doom" fate.

The sad part is none of this motivates me to study.These feelings pass away soon and I revert to my routine.
As for the modules, Abi b time hai, 96 hours mein shayd kuch hojae (another dilasa to self)
Baaqi Allah hi hafiz hai!

P.S Indo-pak cricket series is another distraction in the list.
Fingers crossed for today's match!