Why I Chose Medicine?

Well, the story behind me choosing medicine is quite intriguing. I was a bright student in my school days and was one of the toppers in my class. I had a keen interest in science and especially Mathematics. To add to it, my mom was a math teacher.

 

Schooling in small town of Punjab in India in the first decade of 20th century, demanded science students to choose either Math or Biology on entering eleventh grade. The concept of “Super Medical” was not very prevalent back then. So, for a 16-year-old who had just finished grade 10, choosing subjects for grade 11 predominantly meant which subjects I wanted to read. And since I loved mathematics, I was all set to ditch biology and take nonmedical as my preferred subject. But my mother wanted me to be a doctor. And she always kept feeding into me that you have that compassion, empathy and the caring attitude that can make a great doctor. But I could not be convinced. I was reluctant to give up math and also hated the fact that I will have to cut open frogs and lizards if choose to read biology. Teenager hearts you know.

 

So, the dilemma remained a dilemma. I hence entered school with both the subjects. Math- because I loved it and biology because my mom wanted me to consider studying medicine. So, I was almost the first in my district (I assume so, but I may be wrong) to be a super medical student.

 

 

However, this concept was not very palatable to the institutes. My school has made an arrangement for my biology class as an extra class (routine biology class happened at the same time when we had our math class). But my coaching institute could not find a way out. There was only one session each of biology and math and they both happened at the same time.

 

One month somehow passed and I was happy studying both the subjects. (Studying was always a joy for me and it still is).

But things became stressful (especially for my mom) because I had feet in two boats. And that would hinder my path towards my goals. And she was all set to make me leave math and focus on biology alone.

 

 

One fine evening, we both were chatting and walking into the future, where she was creating a scenario for my future life. She told me to imagine how my life would be if I were an engineer. That I would be surrounded by machines and projects, and those dull machines would not spark any joy in me.

But look on the other side. As a doctor, I would be surrounded by people, where I could spread smiles and feel real joy. I don’t know how true these statements were, and I am sure that machines made by engineers are used by humans and they do spark joy… but that day, these dialogues somehow hit me deep inside. I didn’t say anything to my mom. Just got up and went off to sleep.

 

 

The next morning, I went to school and did not attend math class. My biology teacher was, of course, happy (perhaps she didn’t have to take a separate class for me), and so were my coaching centre teachers. That was the day when, for the first time, I said to myself, “Yes! I want to be a doctor.” The first in the family that did not have any doctors in relations or close friends.

 

 

Thinking now… I don’t know why I suddenly decided so. Was it just because my mom wanted me to? Or was it some other higher power speaking to me through my mom’s words? Is it how destiny plays its role? What do you think? Give your opinion in the comments below.

 

 

PS – The policies of CBSE had changed, I did not have to cut open lizards and frogs in my eleventh or twelfth standard