The view from the Other side

In our profession, we don many hats that of a Professional, that of a Healer, an Academician and that of Teacher. Unlike the conventional educational set-up where philosophy and emotions are kept at bay when teaching Science and technology, or where Psychology and abstract concepts are actively encouraged when learning about Humanities our Profession presents a wonderful amalgamation of it all.

Having been a student up till this point in life, again a role that we are professionally encouraged to remember throughout our lives as we practice, the role as a teacher has been an enlightening one. It has been one that lets me ruminate over my experiences and makes me realise how universal those experiences have been as I see students going through them now.

The college experience that undergraduates join for is often one of lofty dreams of freedom and a sense of independence. It is also an advertised version of it, however when one meets these students one realises they have also have apprehensions about the unknown future .As an educator one realises that these concerns can be expressed by students as being overtly cautious about their studies, what is often described as a trait of the diligent student. But these apprehensions if not addressed also lead to one becoming despondent regarding their future prospects. Giving a realistic view of the Profession and informing students about the avenues possible after their degree is a Role that also falls on the educator.

The journey to becoming a Doctor is marathon and not a race. Most students come to this realisation by the time their last year roles in, it is too long a pathway to spend time competing for and more often that not, they realise that as a batch it’s a team effort to the finish line.

Yet as the educator it is our role to realise the potential of the students as individuals and also acknowledge that there are different ways to harness that potential. Some students benefit from the sense of competition, some thrive under praise yet some also wilt under the limelight and seek a quiet support.  However, one thing that I have found  to be universal in my journey so far, is that, all need to be respected as individuals of unique identities and not a collective.