Are Medical Colleges Very Strict?
Hello future doctors. Entering a medical college is a celebration. But soon, every medico realizes that they’ve gotten themselves into a very stressful scene. Medical school is known for its strictness, which is necessary to prepare students for the demanding field of healthcare.
This article will talk about the various aspects of medical school that make it as strict as it is.
The size of the textbooks
First day, you go to the bookshop. Excited to buy your first stethoscope and your textbooks. What do you see? 5 anatomy books, 2 physiology books and 1 thick biochemistry book.
“Is this the syllabus for the entire course?” You wonder out loud. “No, it’s just the first year” The shopkeeper says. There begins your journey of 19 subjects. Each having their own international author books, Indian author books, and exam preparation books.
Textbooks like Robbins and Harrison are not only extensive but also dense with information. Each chapter requires hours of study. There are hundreds of chapters. On top of that you will be expected to remember everything at the tip of your tongue.
This information overload makes you self-disciplined. You have to be strict with yourself to complete this humongous syllabus
High Passing Percentage
If the syllabus wasn’t enough of a challenge, the benchmark for passing is also very high. While other UG courses set it at 35%, medicine has a passing percentage of 50%.
On top of that, you have to clear every subject in the first year or you will have to retake the year.
The higher passing percentage is necessary for doctors, as we NEED to know everything. We will be dealing with lives in the future. 35% of knowledge will not sustain a doctor. But, the benchmark is also very stressful, especially considering how strict the examiners are.
The Vivas
Did I mention strict examiners? Well, wait till you hear about the vivas. Vivas, or oral exams, are also an important part of the practical exams.
Vivas in the university exams are conducted by external examiners who can be very strict. Every medico knows the anxiety of sitting outside the viva hall and listening to the examiner shout at the previous student. Just dreading that you are next, and feeling so unsure about clearing the exam.
It’s not uncommon for students to feel their self-esteem take a hit during these exams. Not even the class topper is safe from an external viva.
Attendance Requirements
Medical colleges are very very strict about attendance. You have to have 75% theory attendance and 80% practical attendance. Falling short will disqualify you from attempting the University exams. You will have to repeat the year.
It’s not just the rules but also the strictness by which they are enforced. Defaults like arriving late by five minutes, dozing off during a lecture, or forgetting to bring a certain journal or your stetho can make the lecturer mark you absent.
The journals
While fortunately, we do not have a lot of assignments to write, the journals are enough to keep you working throughout the year. Especially in first and second year, you will be expected to deliver perfect diagrams.
I remember my friends getting ‘redraws’ for histology diagrams. One of my friends had to purchase a new journal and start again because her diagrams were not upto mark.
Senior Junior Interaction.
Seniors often enforce discipline among first-year students. They usually set rules for juniors, some common rules include : Wishing a senior ‘Good morning’ everytime you see them. Addressing seniors as ‘Ma’am and sir’ instead of their names. etc
There are also some other rules that make it difficult to be carefree in hostels. This is another big aspect that makes med school life difficult for Indian First Year students.
Back to School fr
Everything in a medical college will remind you of school life. You will feel like you are back to the routine of strict lecturers, unfriendly seniors, early morning lectures, tough exams and an overall difficulty to relax.
Conclusion
Medical college is undoubtedly very strict. Some of this strictness is essential for creating medical professionals, some is enforced because of the norm, the way that things have always been.
I would advise you to just accept it and find ways that do not make you the target in any case. Follow what the mass is doing, it will help you keep out of trouble. The journey is tough, but you will get through it, you will find that the rewards are worthwhile.
All the best on your med school journey, dear friend.