24-year old Yussuf Faidat graduated top from the University of Illorin, clinching 19 awards at her convocation. She believes in prayerful. Focus, determination and perseverance.

You won 19 prizes during your convocation, could you describe how you felt, or did you see it coming?

I was overjoyed, not only for the achievement, but also because I knew my parents would be very proud of me. I knew l was going to win some prizes but I didn’t know it would be up to that. I was shocked in the early hours of the convocation day when I learnt I was going to receive that number of prizes. So, I was surprised but happy, and I believe all I was able to achieve were a product of divine providence because I didn’t plan to have first class when I got to school.

What were the awards you won?

In summary, I received the prizes for being the Best student in surgery, medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, community health, COBES, pathology, ophthalmology, psychiatry and overall best graduate of the school.

Do you think people exaggerate when they say medicine is voluminous and difficult?

Medicine is voluminous and a bit difficult but the difficulty is a bit exaggerated. It’s a course that requires a lot of sacrifice, in terms of time, energy and emotion, and one needs a lot of perseverance to prevail. Medical school generally is not easy. My aim was always to do my best and be the best I could be. That was what I strove for. I don’t think I put in more effort than most of my colleagues, and that is why I attribute my success to Almighty Allah. No human being can achieve anything except by his help. My parents, siblings, friends, cousins, teachers in primary school, secondary school and university, coupled with Allah’s blessing, support from my loved ones and perseverance are all instrumental to making me what I am today.

What part of medicine did you find most interesting?

I can’t pick a favourite but physiology, pathology, pediatrics and surgery were particularly interesting. And what amazes me most is the ability of humans to adapt and strive in the midst of adversity. The organ I find most amazing is the brain. It’s responsible for our actions, behaviour, emotions, etc. It is the centre of our being. Medicine is very interesting.

Maintaining a good result can be as taxing as having one. Were there times you were discouraged or you almost gave up on sustaining your efforts?

There were times when I was discouraged but with prayer and support, especially from my mother, I was able to move on. Most of those obstacles that I faced made me determined to do better subsequently.

To achieve such, some people would imagine that you were always reading. Was that the case?

No, there was nothing like that. I wasn’t always reading. In fact, sometimes, I could go for few days without reading much. I didn’t even have a fixed reading schedule. I slept well, because I know sleep is good for the body. On the average, I was sleeping for about six hours daily. However, I usually read for several hours when it was close to exam.

It’s possible to think you are a genius, since you weren’t even reading much. Do you see yourself as one?

I’m definitely not a genius, and I don’t believe I did anything different from what my colleagues did or what we were expected to do. I attended lectures, went for clinical activities and read materials. I believe those were what anybody would do. I was never coerced into doing anything, like reading my books. However, being amongst hardworking friends also motivates one to do the same. So, that helped too.

It is common for medical students to be scared the first time they are to work on a cadaver. What was it like in your case?

I had enough time to psych myself up for the experience, even though it was still unpleasant, especially the smell. I was able to manage the situation, and for me, there were no fainting spells or symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

From your own experience, what are the basic rules of excellence in school?

The most important thing is for students to put their trust in God and be prayerful. Focus, determination and perseverance are also very important. It is important to know yourself, your reading pattern, what works for you and, more importantly, stick to it.

Did you have a social life?

I wasn’t always reading, but I’m an introvert. So, my own way of catching fun didn’t necessarily involve going out. At my leisure, I read magazines, novels, saw movies and played games.

What are your immediate plans and aspirations?

To finish my internship programme at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, go for service, hopefully start my residency programme and of course get married soon.

If you are to go for residency training, what part of medicine would you like to specialise in?

The jury is still on that. I haven’t made a decision yet.

 

Credit: This interview was conducted by The Punch Newspaper and it first appeared on its online platform.
http://thetransverse.com/2017/03/12/meet-faidat-best-graduate-in-surgery-obstetrics-and-gynecology-pediatrics-pathology-ophthalmology-psychiatry/

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baba God do my own too oo.....thumbs up girl

She try

Congrats.

Okay.

All of dem never planned to have first class

Me dh I planned to have First class, m still struggling..Jehovah fight my battle