Nora Obikwelu at 30 Years Old by Nora

Nora Obikwelu at 30 Years Old by Nora - June 2023 Scholarship Essay

In ten years from now, I will be 30 years old, and I would be relatively new to my career as a physician. It may sound a little old to just be starting out, but with all of the schooling and residency needed to become a doctor, ten years is a pretty reasonable amount of time. The education that I receive from now until then will play a significant part in helping me to achieve my career goals.

The first step is my undergraduate education. During this time, I am taking general science, health and analytical courses which include biology, human anatomy & physiology, chemistry, calculus, statistics, etc. They provide introductory-level information which will build the foundation for my graduate education and medical school. Finally, these classes will prepare me to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) at the end of my senior year, which will allow me to gain admission into medical school.

Once I enter medical school, that is where the “real” education begins. During my four years there, I will be learning about the human body in much more detail than in my undergraduate studies. I will be learning about every organ, organ system, bones, muscles, and their components. I will also be studying advanced biological functions and different diseases. Finally, a significant amount of time will be devoted to performing practicals. I will be using my textbook knowledge on the anatomy and physiology of the human body and applying it in a hands-on experience. It will be hard and stressful, but if I remain disciplined and focused, I can get through it.

My final journey to becoming a doctor is my residency. Depending on my specialty, the length of time can range from three to seven years. During that time, I will be working with actual patients in a hospital or clinic setting under the supervision of an experienced physician. I will practice skills such as patient care, medical procedures, and laboratory tasks. It will be difficult, and I will have to work some long hours, but it is the most critical step in becoming a doctor, because I will be applying everything I learned for the last eight years, and actually working with patients. It will be like a trial run before I officially start my career.

After about 11-15 years of education, I would have finally earned my title as Doctor. It will be a long and difficult journey, but it will help me greatly. Once I achieve my goal, I will look back and realize my hard work and determination and be proud of myself for pushing through. Although I will be in my late 20’s or even 30 years old when I begin, it will be worth it.