16 Questions with Final Year Medical Student
Almost-doctor Ruach Burger, shares his journey, tips, and advice about medical school.
Ruach started his first year of medicine at UP in 2019 and is currently doing his final year. Unlike most students, Ruach actually studies medicine in his free time because he is a hockey coach, player and umpire, he presides over his year as a class representative, volunteers at his church, and thrives as a performer in drama amongst other things. At some point he worked or works for a pathology practice all while striving to become a good doctor.
If you were to sit across Ruach, you would notice that he is approachable, cheerful and easy to make smile so think of him from the perspective of a big brother advising you - a junior medical student - on the journey ahead.
We invited Ruach to share his journey as a final year medical student because for many of us, reaching final year seems overwhelming and almost out of reach due to the constant challenges we face. We want you to know that you can and will get there— if Ruach did, so can you.
His story not only proves that overcoming these obstacles is possible, but it also provides practical advice and encouragement to help you on your journey. Additionally, we hope his experiences remind you that you are not alone in this; every struggle and triumph is part of a shared path that we all walk together.
1. What emojis would you use to describe your journey in medical school?
💪🏻🫠🤯🥹
2. When did you decide to study medicine?
I did not initially want to do medicine because the thought of studying for 6 more years after 12 years of basic schooling seemed agonizing. So, I wanted to do acting and musical theatre or aviation as second choice. When I got to high school, I was encouraged to take on science and accounting modules and do something more “real”. I came for a open day where Prof. Soma was giving an insightful speech about the medical program at the university and liked it - I became interested.
A key highlight for me that marked the start of my medical journey was 27 January 2019 when I received an acceptance email to medical school and ran through the corridor with sheer excitement. This affirmed to me that medicine is where I am supposed to go especially considering the fact that I was waitlisted before this.
3. Why are you studying medicine? 🤔
It is simple - I love people and it is a calling for me; I cannot see myself doing something else other than this, realistically.
4. What year of medical school did you enjoy the most? 😃
If not for Covid-19 which hit when I was doing my second year, then second year would have been my favorite year because I loved anatomy and bagged a distinction for it (🥳). Third year was fun because we had exposure to clinicals (and babies). The SIC (last 18 months of medical school) was also my favorite because I finally started seeing theory and practical knowledge consolidate into one.
5. How do you balance your personal life and medical school? ⚖️
Admin! 📄 Most things in my life are administrated through keeping a diary. So, putting pen to paper helps restore order and keep myself in check. I also live by the saying that says, “The more you do, the more you can do” which teaches growing in capacity, time management, and prioritization.
It is important to realize that although medicine is crucial and to an extent a big deal, it is not meant to be anyone’s end-all-be-all. This means it is important to take time off, socialize, rest, and have interests outside of what you study. With this mindset, it is easier to also cope with things going wrong or less than ideal in medical school because your entire identity is not based on it.
Medicine is not meant to be anyone’s end-all-be-all.
Also, six years of medical school actually goes by a lot quicker than you think! So, live your student life as you should - as in, embrace being a student because you will not always be one. I am not saying be promiscuous and what not, but have a good, memorable and funny story to tell from your medical school experience.
Lastly, choose your friends well because they can help you strike a balance between life and medical school as well as carry you when the going gets tough. Personally, I have made friends with people in different journeys of their medical school, including community service, so that I have valuable information for medicine ahead.
6. What are some of the difficult moments you have experienced? 👎🏻
I have written many supplementary exams - oral exams included. I can tell you for sure that it happens but it is not a defining moment. Instead, it is a second chance to relearn better and fill in knowledge gaps.
An interesting outlook a professor told me is that he trusts a doctor that has failed more than once before he passes compared to a doctor who has never had shortcomings because the doctor who fails has learnt the information twice and various strategies to do better.
7. What character traits are needed to make it to final year of medicine? 🏆
You need to be motivated and motivated for the right reasons. You need perseverance to see this journey through until the very end, even when it is not easy. Be opportunistic even in difficult times - to see most things as an opportunity for something positive.
A quote on perseverance by Buster Moon from Sing (2016) 🐨…
You know the good thing about hitting rock bottom, there's only one way left to go and that's up!
8. How did you find transitioning from preclinical to clinical years of medicine? 🪴
Preclinical years are years of study from first year to beginning of third year and mine were online due to the flu that almost wiped us all out. I had an opportunity to work at Path Care (pathology practice) and this helped me prepare for clinical years. If anything, SIC and other clinical years have taught me how important foundational theory done in earlier years of medicine including anatomy, pathology and more is actually important.
To junior medical students, I could encourage you to do your best to understand most of the theory now so that you can tie it with practical experience in your clinical years. In fourth year (which comes with a bang), you will have clinic in the morning and theory in the afternoon and this is where the retention of previously learnt theory could come in handy.
The clinical years have taught me how important it is to build confidence and vocalize your ideas, even if you may be wrong. So, if a doctor is asking a question, do not be silent but instead say what you think. Even if you are not the smartest in the room, this kind of participation shows that you are interested in learning and actively invest in becoming a good doctor.
This building of confidence in your own ideas and trusting your gut actually starts in preclinical years - in lecture rooms at Tswelopele. By asking questions and answering lecturers, it becomes easier to hone your voice. If you are wrong, you can learn and if you are right in your answer, then you gain confidence. Either way, it is a win-win.
Even if you are not the smartest in the room, participation shows that you are interested in learning and becoming a good doctor.
Lastly, if you are in your clinical years especially SIC, consider having AMBOSS on a group subscription. AMBOSS is an online medical education platform designed to support medical students in their studies and clinical practice - it makes clinical cases easier to understand.
9. What is a memorable experience you have from your clinical years? ☁️
I will never forget obs. and neo (Obstetrics and Neonatology) which were my first clinical rotation in third year where I had to rotate at the skills lab, Tembisa hospital, Kalafong and Steve Biko hospital. On my first day at Tembisa hospital, I was at a labor ward where I assisted in a twin resuscitation and this memory has stayed with me. It was sobering.
10. How have you grown personally and professionally since starting medical school? 📈
Craig Groeschel (founder & senior pastor) said, “You do what you do because of what you think of you”. So, over the years, I have come to see my placing within medicine and what I want to do with it.
Compared to when I was a first year, I have also grown in learning to take care of myself better especially in terms of establishing boundaries and not always being a people-pleaser. I am aware of my strengths - the things I am really good at.
11. How do you manage stress and prevent burnout? ⚡
Hockey is my stress reliever! I also have a friend I go to when I am not okay and this helps. I am a supporter of extracting yourself from stressful environments until you can retry again. Even more, hiking in the quiet, listening to podcasts, and driving allows me the time to re-center myself.
12. What do you wish you knew when you were a junior medical student? 🤔
I wish I knew to not be overly dependent on people. People are helpful but you cannot have your world revolve around what they think of you.
Steer away from being prideful, even when considering the title of being a medical student.
It is nice to be important but it is more important to be nice.
13. What specialty are you considering in the future?
I feel there is a special place for GPs (general practitioners) especially those who understand. If I specialize, I would consider these options:
1st choice: Emergency medicine 🚑
2nd choice: Psychiatry (despite the fact that I hated it in 5th year) 🧠
3rd choice: Pediatrics 🚸
4th choice: Anesthesiology 💤
5th choice: Reconstructive surgery (working with cleft palates and burnt wounds to make life bearable) 🛠️
6th choice: GP 🩺
I have come to realize that what you choose to specialize in has a lot to do with who your mentor is, lecturers, and your experience of SIC. Maximize these opportunities when they present to you so they can inform your options well.
14. Grey’s Anatomy or The Good Doctor?
Grey’s Anatomy! 📺
15. What common mistakes should junior medical students avoid? ❌
Study 24hrs.
Negative self-talk such as “I can’t do it”, “I am too young to do it” and “I am going to fail”.
Gatekeep resources.
Being scared of trying and/ or failing.
16. What has been the most rewarding aspect of your medical journey?
The friendships I have made! Most of us are parting ways at the end of the year but they have been important in my journey; I was not alone. Seeing myself grow is also another rewarding aspect!