Message from Graduating Student: A new chapter begins

By Amelia Chay, Class of 2023

If you asked me what I learned in medical school, I’m not sure I could give you a short answer. How can I summarise five years of academic, emotional and mental growth into just a few sentences? The five years filled with long days and weeks and months spent sourcing for reading materials, reading about countless conditions, practicing our clinical skills, and re-reading what we just read an hour ago because we weren’t able to process it all - repeat, repeat and repeat. 

But, looking back, this has truly been an unforgettable experience; one I would not trade for any other. I feel so humbled by my time here - being able to learn so much from the brightest doctors and professors, alongside the kindest and most passionate peers, referencing our dearest patients and family members in the ward.

I may not be able to recall every name or every face of the patients I’ve learned from, but I will always remember how, at their most physically, mentally and emotionally vulnerable, they were still willing to learn my name and let me hear their story. I will always cherish their wisdom, promising to use it wisely in my future practice.

I am so grateful for medical school, not just for imparting vital clinical knowledge and skills, but also granting me the opportunity and time to sit by a patient’s bedside, hold their hand, and laugh or cry with them, reassuring them that the medical team was working hard to give them the best care that they can.

Having had a glimpse of what it’s like to be a House Officer through the Student Assistantship Programme, I am growing increasingly excited yet wary of the journey ahead. The role and responsibilities of doctors as they progress through their careers change so much, and I know it will be tough to fill the shoes of those that have come before us, but I am certain that LKCMedicine has prepared us not only academically, but also mentally and emotionally to adapt and overcome the gruelling challenges that we will inevitably face as we become doctors.

As our time in medical school ends, and a new chapter begins, I look forward to taking this leap with the friends I’ve made here, who never fail to inspire me every day with their tenacity and determination for learning and caring for their patients. To my fellow doctors-to-be, thank you for teaching me persistence and perseverance; let us continue this journey together and become capable and confident doctors for our patients!