I’ve always known I wanted to be an physiotherapist. | by Ucheilondu

I’ve always known I wanted to be a physiotherapist.
Physiotherapy stole my heart as a child. It wasn’t something I discovered in a classroom it was from my own treatment sessions. It helped me move better, and it gave me hope. I wanted to do that for others too.
But I wasn’t prepared for what med school had in store for

Adjusting to Med School
Med school was a whole new world. It was different from secondary school at least this time, I had choices. But having choices didn’t make things easier.
There were days when getting a seat in class felt like a competition. Lecture halls were always crowded, and if you didn’t come early, you’d end up standing throughout.
I tried coming early, but sometimes it didn’t make a difference. Standing for hours took a real toll on my body, but there wasn’t much I could do.

The Day I Got Pushed
I still remember one day when we were waiting outside the lecture hall.
The moment it was opened, everyone rushed in. In the middle of the pushing, I almost fell. I didn’t get hurt, but I was shaking for minutes. That day, I promised myself I wouldn’t struggle like that again.
If I couldn’t get a seat early enough, I’d rather stand quietly than risk getting injured

Anatomy Practical Days
Anatomy practicals were the hardest part of med school for me.
No seats. Just hours of standing beside cadavers while trying to stay focused. My body would ache so much, but I had no choice. It was exhausting in every sense of the word.

When Things Got Better
By my fourth year, things started to feel a little easier. The struggle for seats wasn’t as bad anymore, and I had friends who kept spots for me when they could.
My mum also made sure I stayed in the hostel so I wouldn’t have to walk long distances to class. That decision made a huge difference.
Living in the hostel came with its own challenges, though like fetching water. I always used my small gallon and bucket, carrying only what I could manage. It wasn’t easy, but somehow, that gallon became part of my daily routine. I used to laugh about it. It was my way of saying, “I’ll do what I can, in my own way”
I also learned to rest more and not push my body beyond its limits.

The Kindness of People
One thing I’ll always remember about university life is how people showed up for me sometimes friends, sometimes complete strangers.
I can’t count how many times someone offered help without me even asking. Those little moments reminded me that kindness still exists, even in the most ordinary places.

Finding My Freedom
University life wasn’t perfect, but it gave me a sense of freedom.
No seniors, no punishments just me, learning to understand myself, my limits, and my strength.
I didn’t just survive med school; I grew through it.
I found confidence, support, and a quiet kind of courage that I didn’t know I had.
And one lecture at a time, I became the physiotherapist I once looked up to.

If you’ve ever gone through school while dealing with your own kind of challenge whether physical, emotional, or otherwise I hope my story reminds you that it’s okay to move at your own pace.
Your journey might look different, but it’s still yours. And that alone is something to be proud of.

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