The Beginning

 Originally appeared in the May 13, 2022 issue of the Transformational Times

The Beginning

Linda Nwumeh

Ms. Nwumeh, a member of the MCW-Milwaukee Class of 2025, reflects on what graduation means to her each year...

“Graduation.” It is not a long word, or especially difficult to pronounce by the standards of the English language. How can such a simple word represent the culmination of all of the memories, triumphs, failures and learning that one experiences as a result of medical school?

It is a tall order, given that the knowledge gained alone is vast. As an M1, I found it hard to fathom how much more I understoond about the human body than I did just one year before. The curriculum is truly impressive when considering the sheer amount of material that is taught in just nine months―knowing that I had three entire years left to continue my learning was representative of just how much there was to know within medicine. The thought was very humbling.

Graduation would still truly be an amazing feat even if the experience of medical school consisted only of the knowledge gained as a result of the curriculum and clinical experiences. But there is so, so much more that a student lives through before they graduate. The bonds formed with classmates and faculty are priceless, and the struggles―both expected and unexpected―remain an unforgettable part of the experience. And for those for whom graduation has especially high emotional valence―perhaps due to loss or because of the implications for one’s family and community―graduation can be even more intense.

But graduation is not just a word. It is an experience in itself, and one that I am so happy the M4s each year get to have in person. As a person whose college graduation in 2020 was virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I can attest that a virtual ceremony does not diminish the significance of the accomplishment―in fact, it may actually increase it. However, there is an excitement that is difficult to recreate virtually when you are not able to be together for the event in both time and space. We all deserve to celebrate such a momentous accomplishment to the best of our ability―you only graduate once from medical school.

And graduation will only be the beginning.

Linda Nwumeh is a member of the MCW-Milwaukee Class of 2025. She is an associate editor of the Transformational Times, a leader in MCW MedMoth and on the Executive Board of the MCW chapter of the Student National Medical Association.