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It was one of those times in medical school when students gathered in clusters of twos and threes discussing in muffled tones. Everyone visibly scared, hoping for the best yet fearing the worst.
Statistics of the failure rate was already flying around.
"60% failed Obstetrics and gynaecology" some sources said.
"50% failed Paediatrics" another source announced 
"There was only one distinction" yet another source projected.


It was the night before the 4th MBBS examination results would be released and every fifth year medical student was anxious. The flying statistics did not help matters. I was just as anxious as everyone and for the third time, I began to remark my script in my head with the assumption that I was being marked by the strictest examiner and  I ended up scoring 46%. "If the strictest examiner can give me 46, then I should pass if a lenient one marks my scripts" I thought to myself and prayed I would not be marked by a strict examiner. 

In all these, one person encouraged us to be courageous and expect positive outcome. Kings, as we fondly called him was unarguably among the top three best students of the class, to some he was the best. With four distinctions already, it was understandable why. We knew he had every reason to be confident, he had afterall scored 85% in the first continuous assessment and even though the result of the second continuous assessment was not posted, we knew his score would be in the 70's if not 80's.
Some of my classmates, myself included believed that if there was only one distinction, then it would be Kings.
![rnfetchblobtmp_6avpi8ezm45kc6z4vbpjai.gif](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/sperosamuel15/23t7AvYjKtP1aE2DeqirrEZqxZoAnouQV5VBizXUdZVNHNPohX81pdTXgxYUHgmKMzXvQ.gif)

Around 6 am on the D-day, my regular alarm came on, as I was trying to snooze it, I saw a message pop up "congratulations graat". The message was from Kings.
I didn't want to reply until I confirmed with my own eyes. I opened the class WhatsApp group chat where the class-rep just posted the picture of the result sheets.
I scrolled to my serial number and couldn't contain my joy when I saw pass under both columns, one for paediatrics and the other for O&G.
I was finally a final year medical student and gradually counting down  to my induction into the Medical and Dental Council Of Nigeria.

![IMG_20241218_082827.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/graat/23tcLNwKBzhNw3zQd3ZTGXko4vPHFXHyjriBPRaYnMRNMPsYhVwbKvGWQk7fK6eCk4RA4.jpg)
Image is mine

It was time to reply Kings and some other friends who congratulated me but the unspoken rule in medical school entails not asking someone if they passed or failed, you had to go find out yourself and congratulate or sympathise as the case may be.
So before I replied every congratulatory message, I would visit the result sheets and confirm if the person passed or failed, except for Kings. 

"Thanks bro" I had replied "Congrats to you too"
I moved on to calling my parents and siblings to announce my success. Their joy was palpable and audible.

"Come let's go and see Kings" Sammy, my very good friend told me.
"Why are we going to see Kings?" I queried.
"Have you not gone through the results? Kings failed Paediatrics" Sammy explained impatiently and sadly.
"What?" I exclaimed and quickly began to go through the results again searching for Kings' serial number. Alas! He failed Paediatrics but passed O&G. I was so sad, especially remembering my response to him but I couldn't blame myself, I expected him to pass as usual.


On getting to his room, some other friends were there, the room wore a mourning look.
"Kings, I suggest you go to the dean and request that your scripts and scores be rechecked. There must be an error somewhere" Henry suggested.
"Or we should protest, how can our Best Graduating Student (BGS) fail, it's not possible" Victor the vibrant announced angrily.
"Guys, don't worry, I will be fine. There's no need for all these, I will just prepare for the resit and make the most of it" Kings said with optimism. He was visibly shaken but showed resolve to ace the resit exam which was in three months time.

After the others left, I decided to still encourage him and know how he really felt inside.
"Bro, I know you are not happy with this result, we all know that if anyone deserved to pass, it's you but I just want you to not lose faith, you will smile in the end" I said, trying to give him hope.
"Thanks bro, like you said, I deserve to pass this exam, I don't exactly know what went wrong but I will use this period and strengthen my clinical skills. That's the only thing I can benefit from this forced extra time, else it would be a waste. I want it to become a gift of time" Kings said to me very softly. The look in his eyes had changed to determination.

I was rooting for Kings and I was certain that he would pass the resit exam. Everyday I saw Kings go into the hospital with his lab coat even in the evenings. I realised that he was not joking when he said he would strengthen his clinical skills with this opportunity. 

The resit examination came sooner than expected and Kings success was confirmed. It was a thing of great joy for all his friends. It was celebrated more than usual. 
Time waits for no man, and this is even truer in medical school because despite the euphoria of passing these exams, the triplets of final MB;BS were calling; Medicine, Surgery and Community Medicine.

It was during these final rotations of medicine and surgery that I understood exactly what Kings meant by "strengthening his clinical skills". During one of the rotations, there was need for the catheter of a bedridden patient to be changed. 
"Sir, I would like to change the catheter under your supervision" Kings announced to the doctor overseeing the rounds.
"Alright, I am impressed by your confidence. Go ahead" The doctor agreed.

Kings did well, changing the catheter with minimal correction. 
Such became the norm during our rotations and soon we all became confident and began to toe in his footsteps by volunteering to perform some minor procedures under supervision.

By the end of medical school, when Kings gave his vote of thanks, he said "many of you know about my story with paediatrics and many of you also know how it became a blessing in disguise, helping me to move beyond theory unto practice. I want to encourage the younger students here today, do not wait for failure to drive you to chase those clinical skills. Start now!"
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