Reflections on Being a First-Year Guardian: The Oath-Taking Ceremony and Other Experiences
Today's newsletter features Prudence Silinda, who shares her experience as a first-year guardian on the Pulse 2023/2024 executive committee.
In this feature, we are excited to share the reflections of Prudence Silinda, a second-year medical student who’s not just brilliant but incredibly kind and helpful. Prudence has served as a First-Year Guardian within the PULSE 2023/2024 executive committee, a role that has allowed her to make a significant impact on the lives of incoming students. In her account, Prudence offers a heartfelt look into her journey, including the challenges she overcame, the growth she experienced, and the privilege of hosting the first-ever MBChB 1 Pledge Ceremony.
Her story is a testament to the power of stepping out of one’s comfort zone and embracing opportunities for leadership and service. We chose to feature Prudence Silinda to show our subscribers the amazing things that can happen when you take bold steps and get involved. Her experiences remind us that there’s so much more to medical school; engaging in extracurricular activities can lead to personal growth and make the whole experience more enjoyable.
Wow, can I just say how surreal it feels to have been part of PULSE and to have achieved everything I set out to do during my term? Applying for PULSE EC was a spontaneous decision — I acted immediately without allowing doubt and fear to cloud my enthusiasm and desire to make an impact. My motivation for joining PULSE was my deep affection for first-year students and my passion for humanitarian work. I wanted to ensure that my first-year students had a memorable year and that my term as a first-year guardian would be truly iconic (yes, I’m very humble!), while also transforming myself in the process.
As my term concludes, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride. The journey has been anything but easy. I faced numerous challenges, shed many tears, and even typed resignation messages to my chairperson more times than I can count (though I never actually sent any). But most importantly, I had so much fun as a first-year guardian. I remember drafting my Plan of Action (POA) and listing many ambitious goals that seemed too big for me, especially since I was quite shy and introverted. The fear of failing as a first-year guardian began as soon as I submitted that POA.
My first major event was the revamped BSc to MBChB Transfer Expo. I wanted to support not only those transitioning from BSc to MBChB but also anyone who faced challenges getting into medicine. Although planning this event was easy, it was nerve-wracking because I had to trust that people would still attend despite a water outage at Hatfield, where the event was held. The event came and went, the attendance was fantastic, and it was a success — God made it happen! With one event down and two more to go, I started realizing that I could handle this. It wasn’t as hard as the little voices in my head made it seem. I CAN be confident. I AM succeeding in my role, and my confidence soared after this event.
The next major task was the MBChB 1 Pledge Ceremony, a first for the University of Pretoria, and the Hunger Games. I needed to approach deans, professors, doctors, and sponsors to invite them to the event. I worried about what I would say in those meetings and whether they would take me seriously — I mean ‘I am just a girl!’ plus I look like I just graduated high school. But when the day of the meetings arrived, I felt carried through by God — I knew it was Him guiding me through those meetings because I wouldn’t have spoken so confidently or managed to avoid stuttering had I done it in my own strength. People who knew me before I joined PULSE EC would say that I used to avoid in-person meetings or any form of interaction. A one-minute conversation was enough to last me the entire day, but PULSE has completely transformed me.
Planning the MBChB 1 Pledge Ceremony and the Hunger Games event was intense, but I had support from all sides. I recall the day before the event, when we had to distribute the sponsored scrub tops to the first-years. There were challenges that nearly brought me to tears, but my team held me down so well. I had the best support system, no doubt. The purpose of the MBChB 1 Pledge Ceremony was to formally welcome our first-years to the Prinshof campus and have them sign a modified version of the final-year oath. This was meant to keep them grounded throughout their studies, especially once they begin interacting with patients. I hope they will remember their commitment to ethical and professional conduct.
If you’re like me — shy, introverted, and not so outspoken — and you’re reading this, take it as your sign to step out and stop letting fear hold you back. Growth doesn’t happen in the comfort zone. There are so many societies to join on campus, get involved! Nothing lasts forever, so just sign up. Before you know it, your term will be over, and you’ll have made an impact. I won’t claim that my shyness has disappeared or that I’ve suddenly become an extrovert, I am far from it. But even as shy as I am, I’m still going to do more extracurricular activities because I’ve realized that you can still have fun and make an impact — just as you are. Plus you are never alone, there is always someone willing to help.
Two Bible verses resonate deeply with me: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9), and “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” (Judges 6:14). Our fears of failure often stem from relying solely on our own strength. However, if we allow ourselves to be testimonies, those who know us as shy and fearful will see us achieving great things and realize it wasn’t through our own strength alone. Through our actions, they will understand that it was God at work, and with the little strength we have, God is sending us so that when we succeed, we can boast only in Him, not ourselves.
I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to my mom, my PULSE sisters, the PULSE General Committee and volunteers, my partner, and my predecessor. Your collective support and encouragement were instrumental in helping me succeed during my term!
We extend our gratitude to Prudence Silinda for sharing her remarkable journey with us. We hope her experiences encourage and motivate you to embrace new challenges and make a positive impact in your own way. Thank you, Prudence, for your dedication and for serving as an inspiring example!