In the blink of an eye, the day came, and I found myself being reluctant to leave this all behind. As I stand side by side with my batchmates who I now call my colleagues, bittersweet memories flood my mind. Sleepless nights, pre-exam anxieties, and the relentless pursuit of medical knowledge. Medical school, truly, is a test of resilience. But we eventually learned to play as hard as we work, with spontaneous roadtrips, good meals and good companionship becoming our solace.

One unforgettable piece of advice from a senior during orientation was that “no one does medical school alone.” This truth resonated deeply, especially when acquaintances turned into friends during challenging moments, such as preparing for our first in-person OSCE after the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, we became a reliable support system for one another, while navigating some of the toughest trials in our medical journey.

Every experience in medical school has been priceless, from adopting bedside manners, learning about a patient’s most vulnerable moments through a listening ear, to having the opportunity to perform procedures and examinations on them.

My favourite moments in my clinical years would have to be when we meet kind and understanding patients who acknowledge our efforts and generously imparted words of encouragement and wisdom onto us. They are always so sure that we would become good doctors, and their faith and trust in the medical profession inspires me to always do better. When I learned that I had passed my final exams in semester 10 with distinction, I reflected on how crucial the support of friends, peers, and patients was to this achievement.