As Sharon Theo Nzau embarks on her second year of the undergraduate medicine programme at AKU, her journey so far has been a testament to the unexpected turns and growth that come with pursuing a medical career.
Sharon had dreamed of being a doctor since sixth grade. When she applied to AKU, she assumed the practical and clinical aspects would be covered in the first year. Instead, the foundational courses focused on basic science and communication skills. “My first impression was 'This isn't medicine!' It had nothing to do with injecting people and blood," she says. However, she realized how crucial these skills are for her future career.
During her first year, Sharon confronted two major challenges: procrastination and the struggle to say no. “It's funny how we always think we have plenty of time when we really don't. Time is my biggest resource now, and I know I'll never get more of it," she says.
She has received immense support from faculty and staff, including her mentor and class coordinator who eased her transition in the first year, “I can confidently say that my mentor is both a friend and a mentor. She has held my hand and provided a safe space for me to be open with her."
Sharon is also a guitarist and a poet, and she believes that these creative outlets help her cope with the daily challenges of medical school.
As she prepares to start her second year, Sharon has mixed feelings about what lies ahead. “As I transition to my second year, I am filled with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. The prospect of taking on mentoring roles excites me, while the increasing academic workload is a source of mild anxiety. Nevertheless, I am eager to embrace the challenges that lie ahead."
As Sharon Theo Nzau embarks on her second year of the undergraduate medicine programme at AKU, her journey so far has been a testament to the unexpected turns and growth that come with pursuing a medical career.
Sharon had dreamed of being a doctor since sixth grade. When she applied to AKU, she assumed the practical and clinical aspects would be covered in the first year. Instead, the foundational courses focused on basic science and communication skills. “My first impression was 'This isn't medicine!' It had nothing to do with injecting people and blood," she says. However, she realized how crucial these skills are for her future career.
During her first year, Sharon confronted two major challenges: procrastination and the struggle to say no. “It's funny how we always think we have plenty of time when we really don't. Time is my biggest resource now, and I know I'll never get more of it," she says.
She has received immense support from faculty and staff, including her mentor and class coordinator who eased her transition in the first year, “I can confidently say that my mentor is both a friend and a mentor. She has held my hand and provided a safe space for me to be open with her."
Sharon is also a guitarist and a poet, and she believes that these creative outlets help her cope with the daily challenges of medical school.
As she prepares to start her second year, Sharon has mixed feelings about what lies ahead. “As I transition to my second year, I am filled with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. The prospect of taking on mentoring roles excites me, while the increasing academic workload is a source of mild anxiety. Nevertheless, I am eager to embrace the challenges that lie ahead."
