Becoming Dr. Khwaish Chawla: A Journey of Growth at UNSASMC Jaunpur

I am Khwaish Chawla, currently pursuing an MBBS at UNSASMC Jaunpur (Uma Nath Autonomous State Medical College) UNSASMC, Jaunpur. I qualified the NEET exam in the year 2022 and got admission to a government medical college. The fact that government medical colleges in India provide standard medical education at such low costs is just amazing.

My path to choosing MBBS

When I completed high school, I had no idea what stream I was going to choose. After a lot of exploring, I chose PCB with no idea of the future. When I reached class 12 I realized it's a very tough competition out there. I wasted no more time and began preparing for NEET, and then COVID-19 hit us all that year. It was a very tough time. I took a drop and attempted again in 2022 and cleared the exam with 610 marks. Joining MBBS has been my best decision so far. There are times when this course makes you exhausted since everyone knows it is actually one of the most difficult courses in the world. But, I don't regret joining it at all. The idea of being called Dr. Khwaish Chawla and contributing to the community drives me to keep going and reach my goal. I think serving in the health industry really gives you that satisfaction that you need in life, and I'm so glad I get the chance to do that in the upcoming future.

My father's last wish was to see me as a doctor.

Like every medical student, I'm very passionate about my course. It has taught me so much I cannot even tell. Seeing your parents boast about how their child is going to be a doctor is every student's dream. My dad passed away 5 months ago; his last words were DOCTOR 1 (me) and DOCTOR 2 (for my younger brother), and fortunately, both of us siblings are going to be doctors soon, making him and everyone else proud. All this fuels my passion for my field. Like every aspirant's parents, my mother also did everything she could to get me into college and study without any problems. I aim to make her face fewer problems in the future, as she truly deserves it.

Doctors are called "Gods" for a reason.

MBBS is a very extensive course; it expects so much from you (only medicos will understand it). It teaches you to be so tough that actually nothing can break you. Seeing patients near you struggling to survive and doctors, on the other hand, trying their best to help them just makes you so strong and humbles you. This course has taught me to empathize with people, listen to people's problems, and help them. No matter how the patient treats you, you are supposed to be calm and do your job. Doctors are called "Gods" for a reason, and I realized it seeing my seniors on the real ground. All this motivates me to be a better version of myself every day.

Path to UNSASMC Jaunpur

I appeared for NEET in 2022 and scored 610 marks, which paved my way to UNSASMC Jaunpur. I did not attend any coaching as such. I did join the Allen leadership Test Series to aid my preparation for the exam, and it really helped me.

My radar during counseling had colleges near my hometown, i.e., Lucknow, and due to silly mistakes during ROUND 1 of my state counseling, I couldn't get the college of my choice as per my rank. In All India counseling ROUND 1, I was allotted SVIMS Tirupati, but it was 1800 km from my hometown, and I couldn't go so far. going there would have involved the change of states and culture, thus making my graduation journey even tougher. So, I didn't take up that college and settled on the one I was allotted in ROUND 2 by state counseling since it was the best and only option I had at that time.

Experience at College

My time at college is mostly studying. On some days, we do enjoy it though. We have 8:30 am–5:30 pm college hours, and then we are on our own. In the meantime, I rest, study, indulge in hobbies, and waste time on social media. Sometimes, classes are conducted on Sundays too.

My favorite subjects in my second year are Pharmacology and Pathology! I'm not a fan of Microbiology, to be honest. As far as extracurricular  activities are concerned, I participate in college events for management, dance programs, and also CMEs conducted in our college. If I'm given a chance, I would really like to get involved in some research work besides preparing for the NEET PG exam that I'll appear for once I graduate in 2027. The college experience has changed me for good. Earlier, I used to be a shy and gullible person, but now I think I've come a long way from that version of me. I have more confidence in myself now, and I think, if I put my mind to something, I can really achieve it. I've realized how fast time flies and try my best to seize the day the best I can.

I can't wait to graduate and am really excited to meet the version of me that develops by then.

About the author: 

Khwaish is currently a 2nd year MBBS student at UNSASMC Jaunpur. She is very passionate about her dreams. She is interested in getting involved in some research work.

Note: The views expressed in this article are solely the author’s own and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha.