The day when I received my acceptance letter from the university, I was overwhelmed with joy at being accepted into such a prestigious institution and I would be able to learn what I always wanted to learn. Yet beneath that excitement and joy was a quiet heaviness to leave behind the place I lived for almost 18 years and the people I travelled most of my life with, to pursue something that was once just a dream.
The very first day when I entered the university, everything was new and unfamiliar, from the language to the people around me. But the warmth of the lecturers, staff, and fellow students made me feel at home each passing day. Adapting to the atmosphere was a great experience in itself. One of my favourite things about being a student of CTUMP is that I can admire the beautiful campus everyday with its alluring greenery and fragrant blossoms everywhere. In addition to that, there are plenty of places I could focus and grow, like our library which contains all necessary books written by famous authors, or self-study areas equipped with all the essentials needed where students can study quietly and passionately to achieve their dreams one day.
The university is not only beautiful as a place but also beautiful as a place filled with interesting and knowledgeable lecturers and students. On my very first class of Pre-clinicals, I saw a poster outside, which was a quote by Mark Reid, “Student, you do not study to pass the test. You study to prepare for the day when you are the only thing between a patient and the grave”. That quote lingered in my mind long after I walked into class, reshaping the way I viewed my education. To be honest, the quote did not scare me rather made me realise I should work even harder so that I don’t just study but understand clearly to treat patients with the knowledge I gained all my life.
Later when I started my clinicals, I encountered so many patients whose stories taught me lessons no textbook ever could. In those moments, I felt the quiet pride of belonging to something greater than myself. Also, at that time it made me realise my responsibilities. Because CTUMP is not just a place of education; it is a place where expectations are high and excuses are few which makes our responsibilities to be high naturally.
For me, CTUMP is not merely a place to earn a degree but the place that changed my perspectives of life. After becoming a part of this institution, I can say that I have become more open-minded, receptive to diverse opinions and perspectives making me a better person every day. I’m truly grateful to have met my teachers and friends in CTUMP, who make my life lighter and brighter. Now its none other than my second home where I come to learn together and laugh together; making memories so beautiful that can be cherished for a lifetime.
And perhaps, the answer I searched for since grade 7 was never a destination, rather a beautiful journey. Becoming a student of CTUMP made me realise that life’s purpose is not something to be achieved one day far in the future but to live every moment learning, admiring the beauty of life, cherishing the moments with the people around me, serving others with compassion and integrity.
