Two empty seats
The fact is, two of us have quit. For the meantime, at least, but we don't know if they'll ever come back. From the 160 wide-eyed members of UP College of Medicine Class of 2014, we're down to 158.
And, I'm sad to say, more and more people might follow suit.
I suppose that to be a doctor, more than anything else, is a calling. Which is why, as early as the freshmen orientations, we were asked to evaluate our passion for medicine. If we didn't see ourselves as doctors, we might as well quit. It's not an easy life, they said, so we had better be sure this was what we wanted.
Clearly some of us were unsure. Torn between pursuing a PhD or an MD, this classmate who quit told me wanted to "give med school a try." Just before he left, I asked him if he was at peace with his decision. He said yes. I'll miss seeing him around.
I haven't talked to my other classmate, but she was so kind enough to send me a message that she was sorry she didn't say goodbye. I've always had the impression that she'd make a good doctor: she was smart, emphatic, and she seemed to really like what she was doing. Little did I know that she, too, didn't see herself as a doctor in the long run.
To many, what they did might seem like a waste. To have entered the UP College of Medicine was a feat in itself, and they let a wonderful opportunity pass. But, looking at it from a different perspective, I'm amazed at their courage. They clearly knew what they wanted—or did not want—and they pursued it. After all, what's the point of doing something that you're not passionate about? That would amount to nothing short of a punishment.
In class, we prayed for them. They're practically at the crossroads right now, and they need all the guidance they can get.
Tomorrow, when I go back to the classroom, I'll be missing the people who used to occupy those two empty seats.
And, I'm sad to say, more and more people might follow suit.
I suppose that to be a doctor, more than anything else, is a calling. Which is why, as early as the freshmen orientations, we were asked to evaluate our passion for medicine. If we didn't see ourselves as doctors, we might as well quit. It's not an easy life, they said, so we had better be sure this was what we wanted.
Clearly some of us were unsure. Torn between pursuing a PhD or an MD, this classmate who quit told me wanted to "give med school a try." Just before he left, I asked him if he was at peace with his decision. He said yes. I'll miss seeing him around.
I haven't talked to my other classmate, but she was so kind enough to send me a message that she was sorry she didn't say goodbye. I've always had the impression that she'd make a good doctor: she was smart, emphatic, and she seemed to really like what she was doing. Little did I know that she, too, didn't see herself as a doctor in the long run.
To many, what they did might seem like a waste. To have entered the UP College of Medicine was a feat in itself, and they let a wonderful opportunity pass. But, looking at it from a different perspective, I'm amazed at their courage. They clearly knew what they wanted—or did not want—and they pursued it. After all, what's the point of doing something that you're not passionate about? That would amount to nothing short of a punishment.
In class, we prayed for them. They're practically at the crossroads right now, and they need all the guidance they can get.
Tomorrow, when I go back to the classroom, I'll be missing the people who used to occupy those two empty seats.
posted on August 19, 2009
6 Comments:
Nice post. :) Blog hopping and reading as well. :)
we miss you sir lance sa mbb... :) goodluck sa med!
Thanks for dropping by, Vir.
Haha, talagang "Sir" Lance ang tawag mo s'akin ha. Si Aids talaga ang nagpasimuno niyan. Thanks, Noel! Any plans to go to med school?
lance! I'll miss them too. -.- and like you, I admire their courage. I'm happy they both seem to be at peace with their decision. I wasn't able to say goodbye to her. I was a few seconds late when I got out of bslr. -.- But I was able to hug him when he visited. :D I asked him about it, and he really is pleased with his choice. I'm so proud of them both.
Carlieeee, your hug can dispel a thousand worries. Life is never the same without them around, but wherever they are, let's hope they're happy, too.
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