Oyelowo Joshua is a fourth year medical student of the Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ikeja, who recently won the “Neuro-king” prize and award for his set. The “Neuro-king” prize is awarded to the overall best student with the highest score in the neuroanatomy course, after every 18months of basic medical courses. In this interview with Medical Mirror, he speaks about his challenges towards attaining such feat and his journey whilst in medical school.
Medical Mirror (MM) correspondent – Durodola Ayomide
MM: Kindly, introduce yourself…
Joshua Oyelowo: Good day, I am Joshua Godson Oyelowo, a 400 Level Medical student of the Lagos State College of Medicine. I am a Christian who hails from Kwara State but currently residing in Ota, Ogun State and the first of 3 kids to my parents.
MM: Nice. You are currently studying medicine at the Lagos State University College of Medicine, what motivated you to study medicine? Was there anything that inspired you, parent’s influence or anything?
Joshua Oyelowo: It would be noteworthy to point out that I was neither inspired nor motivated to study medicine at first. I didn’t want to. I had observed doctors lives and I found it filled with too much stress but under my parent’s influence and encouragement, I was, should I say, “encouraged” to take up medicine rather than any less stressful work I’d have preferred. I thought of medicine to be emotionally stressful but my parents encouraged me and after a year of trying to get into the university, I found myself studying medicine by God’s grace.
MM: If you weren’t studying medicine, what do you think you would have studied?
Joshua Oyelowo: I always did love Agriculture (chuckles) yet I didn’t see much reason to study it as a course in the university. I’d prefer an only practical aspect of agriculture; dealing with life, biology rather than studying books. This was my view then. Also, if it wasn’t agriculture then something art related. I wasn’t into all those commercial stuff like accounting. My preferences were biology science related courses or art courses through which I could motivate – maybe writing or music.
MM: Ever since you started studying medicine have you faced any challenge(s)? How have you been able to overcome these challenge(s)?
Joshua Oyelowo: (Woah!) I have faced several challenges, they keep coming and with me, it’s always the question of how to surmount them. One of the challenges I have faced is passing exams in Basic Medical Sciences and not that I didn’t pass some of the first few exams but I did not like to face the fear of whether I would pass or fail. That fear was greatly increased by not knowing how to write a good essay in my theory exams. I remember a lecturer who called for me, trying to look for the student with an almost blank essay script in his bid to figure what the problem was. I was able to deal with it by going to my seniors over and again till I realized the solution.
Another challenge I have faced is the use of time in medical school. I got to understand that as one progresses through medical school by the months the time available for one’s personal space lessens. It is a problem I’m still learning how to deal with, I do that by reading, watching videos, and going to meet people regarding their experience on time management. These are a few of the many challenges I have met and how I have responded to them in medical school.
MM: You won the neuroanatomy award for your set, did you see it coming? Did you have a goal towards achieving it? How did you feel when you were awarded?
Joshua Oyelowo: I first heard about it – the neuroanatomy award – during a casual talk with my friends in the hostel and because it was a passing conversation, I didn’t put much attention towards it and I didn’t even realize there was actually a neuro prize. I only wanted to enjoy what I was doing. And yes, I had a plan.
I had come to realize that to get things done one needs a plan. I checked out the problems, what I was dealing with, and also looked for how I would solve them. So, it wasn’t first about getting the best grade, I wanted to really enjoy what I was doing, feel comfortable with it and also, allow changes where needed.
After writing the exam which was not as I had expected, I was satisfied knowing I did what I could, enjoyed the time spent and I worked with the plan that I had committed to God. Several days later, I heard some students were being called to the Head of Department’s office (Dr. Mbaka), me included. I went casually not knowing what was going on and after alot of conversation in his office I realized there was a neuroanatomy prize to be given to the student who had the highest score in the neuroanatomy exam. I was like wow! (Laughs) I looked on as I saw myself being handed the prize by Dr. Mbaka. Quite shocked! Actually, because I had never expected it at all and I was very grateful to God for it. It was a lovely experience (Smiles).
MM: Do you have a particular technique you use for studying in medical school?
Joshua Oyelowo: Speaking of technique and that was for my Basic Medical Sciences years, I realized that there were things I needed to know and come to terms with; I needed to know my environment, I needed to know what was expected of me as a medical student, and I did not want to leave things to chance in not knowing these things. I needed to factor these things into a plan, set a goal and commit it all to God. So, I did have a method (I didn’t create it alone, I had my reading partners by God’s help) for studying for my first professional exam seeing that it had worked for previous exams. I have come to see that these methods can vary due to environment and systems and I see that factoring these things in order helps to form the method or technique.
There is always a basis for the technique and that includes, yourself as a person, what works and what doesn’t, reading patterns, and time available for studying. Factoring these things into a plan and committing it to God is the technique.
MM: Can we get an insight into your wins and other awards?
Joshua Oyelowo: I’d say the first is transiting to medical school, it was a win for me and I am grateful to God for it. The incourses I passed were also wins for me, I am grateful to God for them too. And the first that came with a certificate was the neuroanatomy award, where I was dubbed ‘Neuroking’ (Laughs). I was so grateful to God for it. The first professional exam was also a win for me as I was given distinctions in the three courses I sat for. God really helped me there. There were also some quizzes; Dr. Mutiu’s Zeusidon Quiz where I had the third position with a prize money, also, Prof. Yomi Ogun’s Intracollegiate Quiz Competition, where my team came first in position. I am grateful to God for them all.
MM: Do you engage in any extracurricular activities?
Joshua Oyelowo: Yes, I do. Personally, I get to write things especially, related to my spiritual life, read allegories. I get to read fiction, novels, and biographies. I also engage in some school activities, I’m a member of the school’s Quiz team club, I coach my class’ football team, I really do hope to win the Provost Cup for my class this year (Smiles). I also play basketball and I enjoy it. I regularly engage conversations with people, listening to their views and sharing mine in a bid to encourage understanding. These are what I get to do in my spare time.
MM: What do you have to say about the rapid emigration of Nigerian-trained doctors abroad? If you had the opportunity to leave after graduation would you?
Joshua Oyelowo: Hmmm! I still get to think about that; should they stay and help improve the country or should they leave for better developed systems? My mind is not set on leaving however, it is an opportunity to get better training as a Doctor.
MM: It has been nice talking to you (smiles). On a final note, what will be your word of advice to those who would like to study medicine and those in medical school that are struggling to find their bearing?
Joshua Oyelowo: For those who want to study medicine, I think they’d really need to find a strong reason. No matter how floppy or shaky the reason, build something around it, else when they come they’d always question why they ever came to medical school. Medical school is both physically and emotionally stressful. Even if your reason is just to make money, and I don’t so much think of it as a bad reason, whatever your reason – make God the center of it.
Have a good reason either monetary or humanitarian, so you don’t build a life that revolves around complaining rather than enjoying your wins – no matter the circumstances or situations that presents itself in medical school. It ain’t so much about winning than enjoying the win by the grace of God.
To my fellow medical students and all who struggle daily; I say, hold on and trust God, don’t get too comfortable with the problems, know them and seek advice. There has to be a good solution to your specific needs. Trust God for a good plan and commit them all to God, It will prosper. I trust God for us all (smiles). Success guys!
