Introduction
“Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)” ~ Walt Whitman, Song of Myself
When I was small I wanted to be a cashier.
My grandmother ~ practical, soft-voiced ~ tilted her head and asked, “Don’t you want to be a teacher? Or a pilot? Or maybe a doctor?”
“No,” I said, clutching my little pink plastic cash register. I wanted the uniform, the bright lipstick, the comforting ka-ching of the till. It felt clean and certain.
That tiny pink register lived on her shelf for a long time. Later at school, watching my mother’s friends ~ well-read, disciplined women who ran small businesses and taught ~ I started to want something “bigger.” The word doctor surfaced like a promise: respected, secure, important. But it also felt distant, expensive, and for other people.
Our lives hold small contradictions. The childhood cashier and the adult doctor live in the same person. Over time I learned that’s okay ~ it means you contain choices.
Fast-forward: I chose to try medicine. Not because someone forced me, but because an idea stuck ~ the part of me that wanted to fix things, to serve, to lean on science. I had A-levels, hustle, and a stubborn refusal to accept “you can’t.” I learned to make small, steady choices that add up.
The reality ~ no sugarcoating
- Medicine is demanding. Long study hours, clinical placements, emotional labour.
- It can be expensive. Time and resources are required, though local bursaries and work-study options exist.
- It’s not the only valuable path in healthcare: clinical officers, nurses, biomedical scientists, and public-health roles matter deeply.
People don’t tell you often enough: you don’t have to be perfect before you start. You need direction and small repeatable actions.
Decision Point 1 ~ Do I truly want this?
If NO: honour it. Consider allied careers (nursing, clinical officer, public health). They’re meaningful, employable, and accessible.
If MAYBE: run a 3-month experiment: volunteer at a clinic, listen to a medical podcast, read a short bio of a clinician. Track how you feel each week.
Decision Point 2 ~ Academic prep (subjects & study)
Medicine needs a science foundation. For Zimbabwe A-level students:
- Prioritise Biology and Chemistry. Physics is helpful but sometimes optional depending on the medical school.
- Structure: 4 focused study sessions/week per science subject ~ 50 minutes, then a 10-minute break.
- Past papers are your compass: do them timed, mark them, then review mistakes properly.
Scholar action: start a tiny habit ~ 5 minutes of active recall each morning for one month. Small momentum compounds.
Decision Point 3 ~ Practical experience & CV
- Volunteer at your local clinic or hospital (4–8 hours/month) ~ it shows commitment and humility.
- Collect recommendation letters from teachers, clinic supervisors, or community leaders.
- Start a small health project: a sanitation drive, a health talk at church, or HIV-awareness sessions at school.
Decision Point 4 ~ Finance & applications
- Research local bursaries early (University of Zimbabwe, trusts, NGOs). Apply widely ~ many judges prioritise commitment.
- Consider work-study or freelancing to build income and transferable skills (tutoring, lab assistant, digital gigs).
- For international study, plan 18–24 months ahead and target scholarships with rolling deadlines.
Decision Point 5 ~ If you want frameworks that actually change behaviour ~ read these
Instead of summarising habit books here, read the originals. Each offers practical, tested techniques you can use immediately:
- Atomic Habits — James Clear
Tiny changes compound. Focus on systems, not willpower. - Tiny Habits — BJ Fogg
Start microscopic; learn how to design habits that actually stick. - The Power of Habit — Charles Duhigg
Understand habit loops (cue → routine → reward) and how to rewrite them. - Deep Work — Cal Newport
Build distraction-free focus blocks — essential for mastering tough science material. - Mindset — Carol S. Dweck
Cultivate a growth mindset: failure is data, not destiny. - Grit — Angela Duckworth
Sustained passion and perseverance often matter more than raw talent.
Read one chapter and try the exercises. Pick one idea that resonates and apply it for 30 days — then measure what changes.
When the pressure hits (and it will)
- Grounding: 5-minute breathing or a short walk.
- Reframe: “I am not behind; I am on my training path.”
- Accountability: Find a study partner or mentor. Two people are better than one.
My Promise To You
It is not going to be a walk in the park, you will struggle and you must endure. I failed a mock once and thought medicine wasn’t for me. I cried on my mother’s kitchen table in Mbare. Then I opened a notebook and wrote three tiny actions I could do daily. I did them. Months later I walked into a hospital ward on a volunteer day and felt how much this work lit me. It didn’t happen overnight. It happened because I chose small, repeatable habits over dramatic decisions.
Final practical checklist
- Choose 3 small daily study actions (5–50 minutes) and commit for 30 days.
- Volunteer once a month at your local clinic.
- Apply to at least 3 bursaries or scholarships this year.
- Make a 6-month identity plan: statement like “I am preparing for medicine” + 3 proof actions.
- Find one mentor/teacher who will give honest feedback.
- Read one chapter from Atomic Habits or Tiny Habits and try one exercise for 30 days.
8 comments
Which area would you like to focus on first ~ study, health, or personal growth?