Thread by @DrAmalinaBakri

While I'm just chilling, having a cup of hot chocolate and listening to Ed Sheeran, here is my Part 2. Post SPM journey, my summary.

I moved abroad at the age of 17 & went to Cheltenham Ladies' College. I took 5 A Levels and got straight As.

I got full marks in most papers. So my teachers encouraged me to take Advanced Extension Award (AEA) papers.

I took AEA in Chemistry and Biology as I loved them too much and got distinction for both.

I went to University of Edinburgh to study medicine. I knew that I've always wanted to go there.

Edinburgh is such a beautiful city, the view is breathtaking.

After I finished with my second year of university, I got an A overall. So I did an intercalated degree in Pharmacology with

Industrial Experience because I wanted to learn something new.

I joined the ERASMUS exchange programme and went to Leiden University in the Netherlands.

I also spent my time at Karolinska Institute in Sweden. I did a lot of travelling in

Scandinavian countries. It was one of the best year of my life!

I graduated with BMedSc in Pharmacology in 2010 and continued with my 3rd year of medical degree straight after.

Throughout my medical school years up till now, I met so many intelligent and smart people from different background

and cultures and I felt so blessed to be around them. I have a group of amazing friends and they're friends for life.

That's why I always talk about diversity. You learn so much from people who might be different from you but you respect each other.

I don't care what you do, what your skin colour is, where you come from, what you believe in -

you have one common ground, to have a sense of purpose in life and to create a better world.

Discover the beauty of diversity and love of humanity.

I then joined a Harvard Programme and spent my time at Harvard University in 2012. I graduated from Edinburgh University in 2013.

I continued my journey in Cambridge and did a foundation academic programme for 2 years.

I worked at Addenbrooke's Hospital as a junior doctor and at the same time did my

Masters in Clinical Science - Translational Medicine and Therapeutics at University of Cambridge and graduated first class.

I then started my specialty training in surgery. I am now a surgeon in training in a top surgical training programme in the UK.

Training in a top London Hospital, I have incredible mentors who are the leading surgeons in their field.

I feel so incredibly blessed and fortunate. Everyday is always a learning experience and you become humble.

During one of the terrorist attacks in London, I was on call. I saw horrifying things but everyone

worked together very well as a team to save people's lives.

Those are my favourite moments - the team work, the dedication, the hard work, you stay past your on call shifts to make

sure that everyone is ok before you go home.

I remember a few weeks ago, I had someone's heart literally in my hand, I gave him a cardiac massage after we did a clamshell thoracotomy,

and I immediately thought to myself, we need to save him, his family needs to see him!

After we stabilised him, we brought him immediately to theatre and after 4 hours in

surgery, he survived! My consultant was amazing, his surgical skills really blew me away!

But one thing he said to me afterwards, 'Amalina, well done when opening the chest, you were very calm and collected,

everyone was very stressed, did you realize that there were so many people watching? You did great, job well done 🙂'.

Experience like this will keep you going.
Believe in yourself, and the rest will fall into place.

Have faith in your own abilities, work hard, and there is nothing you cannot accomplish.

*Just to clarify - a few of you asked me about this. I did not start my medical degree from year 3. I started of my medical

degree from year 1 of university. After I completed my 2nd year of medicine, I did a

bachelor in Pharmacology (intercalated degree), after I completed the bachelor I returned to 3rd year of medicine.*