Medical school is a second coming of age. In ‘Dear Life’, Dr Rachel Clarke describes the process identity deconstruction and reconstruction; to mould students to become fit for medical practice. I have long wondered what this means for pandemic (soon-to-be) graduates like me because our identities and experiences have been shaped so profoundly by a certain virus and the measures enforced to contain it.

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When I first entered medical school, I looked up to the seniors, with their stethoscopes, heading up to the wards. They looked so self-assured. A fellow classmate told me how their clinical years were “where the magic happened”. Fast forward to my final year, and I am supposed to be a doctor in less than four months. The countdown has truly begun. I have been told that I am ready. But, even though I have passed every test, my grades mean little on the wards. After all, when it comes to medicine, the difference between theory and practice is profound.

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I used to worry about whether my education would prepare me enough for internship, especially at a time when it was effectively altered beyond recognition. However, my faculty adapted very quickly to the pandemic and provided us with a very innovative student-centred education.

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As restrictions continue to be lifted, I am excited for the future. To all the graduates who have persisted in the face of drastic upheaval, I look forward to our future. Maybe that is where the magic happens.

Application status: Under review.

Application status: Under review.

Application status: Under review.

Those words scared me as I continued to gaze at the lack of responses from the applications that I’d sent.

As my postgraduate degree is drawing to a close, and the brick wall for job applications is drawn even closer, surges of fear and regret overwhelm me. Are more people going to be unemployed because of COVID, making it harder to enter into the job market? What have I missed out on that I need to do? Was it my fault that my Cantonese wasn’t good enough?

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And even with all of these thoughts in my mind, all I could do is wait. And then wait some more. I was so busy trying to grab control of my life. But amidst all the waiting, I began to see clearly. It was my experiences during COVID that helped change my perspective and mental health.

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COVID helped me see more clearly that I was in too much of a hurry. The pandemic reminded me to not be anxious about anything, let alone career plans. I learnt to know what I could control, and what I couldn’t. Finally, the pandemic reminded to see joy in the for the little things and be grateful for every day.

So having changed in all these ways and focusing on what was in front of me, I have graduated, and my career plans are covered.

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Application status: Accepted.

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Yes, COVID-19 may have brought us through troughs and dark valleys. But life is a marathon, not a sprint. Even if the present circumstances are turbulent and unforgiving, it’s ok, we’ll get there, we’ll make it.

Panic texting: real-time crisis while travelling abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic

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Rhonda was born and raised in Hong Kong and decided to pursue an undergraduate degree in the UK. At the time of the conversation, Rhonda had just completed her degree and had decided to defer her graduation ceremony to a later time after feeling homesick for months. She had already delayed her return several times because of problems in getting a quarantine hotel booking. Although Rhonda eventually succeeded in reserving her quarantine hotel, she had to take a connecting flight as there were no direct flights from where she was in the UK to Hong Kong. By the time Rhonda reached her first destination, Bangkok, she was informed that her family members had tested positive for COVID. There were also problems with flights because of a typhoon. The following conversation is between Rhonda and her friend Edgar.  

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Rhonda    UGH idk what is going on we r so late. i think it’s bc the runways r wet bc of typhoon but ugh we have been circling for so long. UGH they are diverting us to Vietnam. i'm so pissed i keep crying. what was the point in leaving the uk then!! i feel like i missed my grad - basically one of the most important moments of my life for no reason! i didn't even get home on time! and now this screws up all the quarantine stuff too!
[…]

Rhonda    GUESS WHERE I AM?? I am in Vietnam! AND THEY’RE SENDING US BACK TO THAILAND!!

Edgar    Oh god is it the typhoon??

Rhonda    Yes and also Dad has COVID and now Petunia might also have COVID

Edgar    Oh no! Oh god! Are you Okay! It will be okay!

Rhonda    tbh Petunia has no symptoms. i am praying it is fine

Edgar    It will be fine! It will be!

Edgar    wait then what are you going to do with PCR and quarantine arrangements? is everything okay? do you need help for anything?

Rhonda    idk idk what to do bc our pcrs from the uk aren't valid anymore!
[…]

Edgar    OKAY! I CALLED THE AIRLINE! NO NEED TO REDO PCR! everything will be fine

Rhonda    I'm so scared

Edgar    DON’T WORRY! it will work out

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Flora is a Hong Kong student who was studied at a university in the US. She returns to Hong Kong every winter and summer break to see her family. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many direct flights between the US and Hong Kong were cancelled because of Hong Kong’s strict anti-pandemic policies. Those who entered Hong Kong had to conduct a mandatory PCR test 48 hours prior to their arrival in Hong Kong. As a result, those who took transit flights would have to redo their PCR tests if they missed their connecting flight. At the time of this conversation, Flora was about to board her flight in the USA to Japan and then onto Hong Kong. However, the airline informed Floral that her flight to Japan would be delayed due to unprecedented 'issues' and that she would miss her connecting flight to Hong Kong. The following exchange between Floral and her friend Ross occurred while Floral was negotiating with the airline ground staff about alternative flights that she could take in order to return to Hong Kong in time to check in for her quarantine hotel.

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Flora    OMG OKAY The lady helping me just disappeared

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Ross    PLS SHE BE LIKE GONE.

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Flora    PLSSSS

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Ross    wait do u have anything to eat. what's gonna happen now?

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Flora    so they have to send me to another city in the US then to Japan then BACK TO HK....

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Ross    OMG lemme quickly check flights for you

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Flora    OMG THANK YOU

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Ross    Here’s some flights […]

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Flora    lemme check is there only one flight from the airport to Japan?

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Ross    yeah wait I mean Juniper Airlines would also work but idk if they're gonna give the flight to you

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Flora    okay i checked i wouldn't make the Juniper flight

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Ross   oh shit 1158 won't work and 6am ur COVID PCR won't come back in time u know what get them to be responsible for your PCR. u have to do ur covid test in 24 hours and pcr turnover time is not enough if u take that 6am flight

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Flora    wait wait wait but like they have to do something i can't be stuck here my quarantine hotel as well-

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Flora    okay I think they found a way out…

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Ross    i think it's the only choice and u have to call ur quarantine hotel cus u won't be arriving on time to check in

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Flora    oh ur right ((expletive)) i've never had a problem flying back to Hong Kong this is gonna be so annoyin

A few months ago, the question I was scared to be asked was ‘so, did you get a job?’

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I spent many months staying alone at home with nothing to do. I was finished with my classes and was waiting to graduate. I was largely fine—happy even— until someone asked me that question. Again and again, it would pop up from well-meaning people, and I’d have to shrug, awkwardly laugh, and throw a self-deprecating joke about how I was jobless.

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I don’t think many people take seriously that people my age do not dream of working. I have very few friends who want a career in the traditional sense. My friend’s goals are to ‘travel the world’, ‘write a book’, ‘make a difference’, or ‘to just live.’ Our expectations have been blunted by a bleak future and a worldwide pandemic. We know that we need a job to survive, to eat, to pay off our debts. But, it’s not the be all and end all.

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I have a job now and am glad to say that it suits me. It took a bit of searching and a whole lot of luck. At the end of the day, I wish people gave us some time to grow into ourselves and figure things out. Did I get a job? Yeah, I did. Things will happen in time, as they always do.

Entry 1: 2020

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“University will be the best time of your life and you’ll make so many new friends!”

These were my parents’ words that I heard in my head as I stared blankly at my professor on Zoom. How is this university when I’m stuck at home? How can I even make friends when I don’t know what my classmates look like? I wish we can be on campus.

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Entry 2: 2021

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How has working on a group project gotten so much harder now? Everyone is so unresponsive. Most of us are stuck at home with our phones and laptops! I thought group projects would be easier now because we don’t have to schedule physical meetings.

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Entry 3: 2021

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It’s not all bad being at home. I’m more active now with my regular morning home workouts. I’m much more aware of my physical health now. Now that I’ve adjusted to this new normal, I’ve come to terms that there are some things that I just can’t control. I’m also starting to spend more time with my family and appreciating all the little things in my daily life. COVID really forced us to take a break and take things slow.

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Entry 4: 2022

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COVID-19 restrictions and regulations have relaxed! We have hybrid mode at university now, so some of us can finally return to face-to-face learning. I’m glad to not have to sit in front of my computer all day. But to be honest, I’m still quite anxious. How do I approach and talk to people? I much prefer just working and communicating via text or email.

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Entry 5: 2023

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Now we’re fully back on campus and I’m nearly done with my bachelor’s degree, I’m excited for the future . I’m not so sure what will happen in the next few years but there’s no rush. COVID taught me that. The pandemic reminded me that I am allowed to take things slow to spend more time on myself, with my family, and appreciate the little things in life.