Hey there, dear readers.😊 It’s been a while since we last graced your screens with lovely IFUMSAites deserving of recognition. But excellence waits patiently, and so did we. Let’s welcome Oluwafolakemi Oluduro to this special edition of Personality of the Week!
MediVoice: Hi, can we meet you?
Folakemi: I’m Oluwafolakemi Oluduro, a final year medical student (yayy!), a child of God, content creator and an amazing soul all round. 🤭
MediVoice: The energyy! You’re welcome. Our soon-to-be doctor, you are in the final lap, how do you feel about the journey so far?
Folakemi: Hmm, this journey has been LONGGGG! Personally for me, there’s been a lot of ups and downs and unlearning and relearning. However, through it all, God has been faithful and he’s been keeping me.
MediVoice: I understand that LONGGG, Chief. 😅 Well, what inspired you to pursue this career regardless of the rigorosity?
Folakemi: Ahhh, if I knew this was the shege I was going to see, I for no pick am o. 😂 But jokes aside, I think I genuinely wanted to make something out of my life. I had the ‘itch’ to want to do better for myself and make meaning out of my life, and choosing to study Medicine felt like the way to go.
MediVoice: That is so nice to hear, gaining clarity is indeed important. However, a journey of 8 years, can you please share what motivated you all along?
Folakemi: Whew, 8 years indeed is a long time to study any course at all. But, I’ve been able to keep my eyes on the way by constantly keep myself in check with my bigger goals. Above my mini goals and desires, I have overarching goals and those are what keep me in check. Also, love for my family played a HUGE role in staying focused, I really want to make them happy. But on the other end of the divide…no be everytime I Dey get motivation o.
MediVoice: A woman with clear goals, I love that for you. ✨ Now that brings us to the big question, distinction streaks in Clinical 1, 2 and maybe 3. 🌝 How were you able to keep the streaks regardless of the hurdles?
Folakemi: takes a huge breath...it’s been God! If I say I know how everything came together for my good, I’d be lying. This is not to say I didn’t do anything at all, obviously I put in some work, but God carried me, literally. Me keeping those streaks is honestly through God’s power.
MediVoice: Beautiful! And we’ll always thank God. What were the major challenges you’ve faced regarding your studies and how were you able to navigate through it?
Folakemi: Good question. I have faced all sorts ranging from being utterly stressed with schoolwork, not wanting to read, not having enough time to read and many more like that. But one thing I’d say that has helped me navigate these challenges is sticking to routines and being somewhat ‘strict’ with myself. Also, with God in the picture, there’s always more clarity for me.
MediVoice: I see. Again, discipline, clarity and God play a huge role.How do you manage other activities aside from medicine and were still able to keep the streaks?
Folakemi: I honestly just set my mind on doing those things. I was very determined to build a name for myself in the content space and I used every free pocket of time I had to develop my content and live my life. Even though Medicine is a very demanding and jealous course, it should not be the ‘end-all, be all’ for anybody. And if you’re thinking ‘oh, I don’t have time’, trust me, once you’re able to build a good routine for yourself and be disciplined with it, you’d see that you actually have the time to do other things.
MediVoice: Well said, Chief. What speciality of medicine are you considering and what influenced your decision?
Folakemi: Lowkey, I used to be that confused being in pre-clinicals whenever I was asked this question. But getting into clinicals, I gained more clarity as I went on and I think I’ve narrowed my specialties down a bit. On that note, my differentials are: Surgery, Paediatrics, Internal medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Like I said, these are ‘differentials’, it may be one or it may be none (if you know, you know)🌝. There’s really been no big influence as to having these differentials asides from just enjoying the postings and the knowledge each of them have to offer.
MediVoice: Alright, but what advice do you have for others prepping to resume clinicals to attain success?
Folakemi: Don’t panic. Set attainable, realistic yet challenging goals. Be confident in yourself that you’re going to have the best academic year yet. Build new relationships that would shoot your academic plans forward, never walk alone. And when you’ve done all these, STAND WITH JESUS, he’s your biggest supporter and he can help you have those good grades you so desire.
MediVoice: Faith, discipline and confidence. Again, beautiful. Shout out to a friend who made medical school less tedious.
Folakemi: Omooo na me, myself and I óò, lol. 😅 But that’s on a lighter note, I love all my friends and they’ve all helped my life one way or the other.
MediVoice: Thank you very much for having this with us, Chief. It’s so nice to have you here. 😊
And that’s it, dear readers. We’ve come to the end of today’s edition of the Personality of the Week. If you’re interested to see more pieces like this, click here.
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