The Unforgettable First Experience of Student Welcome at Medical College

March 6, 2022, marked not only my birthday but also my first encounter with an experience often mistaken for ragging. Many people believe that the term 'ragging' means bullying or hazing, but my first experience was nothing like that. It was actually more positive than expected, involving challenging tasks, caring seniors, and an unexpected moment of kindness.

Initial Anxiety and Uncertainty

As a first-year student stepping into the medical college, I was full of anxiety and fear. What would they ask? What was in store for me? I found myself standing in a group of 10-12 seniors, who looked expressionless, as if they were ready for a scary challenge. However, they approached us with a different mindset, wanting to help and guide us rather than intimidate us.

Guidance and Tasks

The seniors started by asking for our introductions and providing us with several guidelines. They even assigned us some tasks, such as introducing ourselves and sharing our backgrounds. In light of their questions, I realized that the questions were aimed at getting to know us better and understanding our aspirations within the medical field. This initial encounter lasted almost 1.5 hours, which helped me form an image of the seniors as supportive and caring individuals.

Unexpected Kindness

Initially, I thought the seniors were harsh, but to my surprise, they were also very kind. During a break, some of the seniors were playing volleyball. Unfortunately, the ball hit me quite hard, and all the seniors instantly rushed over to check on me. They treated me like a small kid, hugged me, and asked me to leave and rest. This moment showed me that they cared deeply for the new students.

Understanding and Morality

Through this experience, I learned that the seniors initially appear harsh but are deeply caring and protective. It was not the ragging we often hear about, but rather a structured interaction designed to help us adjust to our new environment. This kind of guidance from seniors is essential for survival in medical college.

Valuable Advice

My advice to new students is to take their seniors' advice seriously. They are the ones who will ultimately help you navigate the challenges of medical college. Remember, if the interaction is not excessive and is done in a way to help you, it is worth enduring. Always strive to understand the intent behind such interactions.