Not many people remember to count their blessings but Varsha Singh does. Just over a week ago she graduated from the University of Guyana (UG) with an Associate Degree in Biology, which is a stepping stone for her to attend medical school. And looking back to a little more than two years ago when achieving this goal seemed bleak, she is grateful.
“It has been a long road. I haven’t gotten to where I want to be yet but I’m so thankful that I’ve gotten into medical school,” the graduate said.
She is a first year medical student at Greenheart University and had passed with distinction when she obtained her Associate Degree in Biology from UG last year. Owing to COVID-19, the graduation ceremony was done virtually just over a week ago.
Ever since she was a girl, Singh knew what she wanted to be when she grew up. In fact, the hope of one day becoming a doctor was more of a quest than a dream. She was eight years old when she learnt that her mother was diagnosed with diabetes and seeing her suffer, she promised herself that one day she was going to do something about it.
The youngest of four siblings, her associate degree is a great achievement for not only her but her family as she is the first to pursue tertiary education. She shared that her father and two brothers are fishermen, while her mother and sister are housewives.
A country girl, Singh grew up at Zeeburg, West Coast Demerara then later moved to Uitvlugt. She attended Zeeburg Primary School and St Rose’s High School. After writing the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate examinations she began taking classes for the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations, but these were cut short as there was not enough money to finance her lessons.
After dropping out of school in sixth form, she went to work. Being in the world of work earlier than intended is one thing but seeing your past schoolmates going off to university while you are unable to go is another. This was a new low for Singh, but she kept her eyes on the prize. While she worked, Singh tried getting scholarships to Cuba or Russia but to no avail. She recalled trying to get a scholarship into UG but was told that she needed to be accepted before she could be eligible for one. However, after getting into UG, she was told that all the scholarship spots were filled, and she would need to fund her education there. Eventually, with the help of her aunt and uncle her tuition was paid. The same uncle and aunt are now funding her tuition at Greenheart University and she is working hard to make them exceptionally proud.
“The last two years have been great. I met a lot of people. I learnt so much,” said Singh.
These new people have been part of her motivation to keep going despite people in her community and relatives constantly asking when she will get married and have a family of her own. In her community, many of the young girls, after completing school, get married. Singh said her main source of support was her sister who always encouraged her to keep going. “If it wasn’t for my aunt and uncle and my family and sister, and my friend Madika, I wouldn’t have been where I am today,” she said.
She also had help in the form of an old teacher. “My high school math teacher, Ms Allande Johnson-Hackett, was also there for me when I was attending UG. She would always find the time to talk to me and encourage me whenever I am feeling down.”
Singh is employed part-time at the National Co-operative Credit Union Limited, which allows for her to study. “Everything takes time, and this was something it took me a while to learn. The only challenge I had was working and studying together. Sometimes I had eight o’clock lectures so I had to go to UG first then back to work or sometimes classes would be after work.”
She has only been at Greenheart University three months now having started in January but has already learned that medical school is far from university life. “One of my horrific UG stories was when I had my Algebra finals. The entire week I was studying for a Chemistry test then I had to study for Algebra and only had one night to study. I studied all night for Algebra but the next day as soon as I finished the test, I started crying. I knew I did bad,” she recalled. While she was unprepared for Algebra, she noted that at UG she could have crammed for an exam and gotten away with it, but at medical school, she has to constantly do revisions and assignments as she is required to give numerous presentations. It is gruelling work, she said, but she has restructured her study habits and so far, school has been going smoothly.
“This is my first semester in med school. Some classes I really enjoy; my favourite so far is Embryology. I have always wanted to become a family doctor but there is so much I’m learning that what I intend to specialize in could actually change,” she said.
While it is important to Singh that she one day practices medicine, it is also important to her that she makes a positive impact on younger girls in society. “In another decade, I hope to be an influential doctor and hope to inspire other girls like myself. I want to tell other girls, they shouldn’t let any downfalls, any traditions keep them from following their dreams. You have to be the one to break the cycle,” admonished the 22-year-old.
Singh will be at Greenheart for four years before she becomes an intern. Despite medical school being a bigger challenge, she is eagerly awaiting the day she holds her medical degree in her hands.
