A Heart of Lifelong Learner.

I've returned back to the student seat, pursuing my Master’s in Medical Science as a full research student. A little older, a little wiser, but, most importantly, with the same baby face as always 👀. Honestly, there’s not much difference between me and the undergrads 😎 (let me stay in my delulu for now).

Balancing work and studies

Being a student again feels surreal, especially when balancing the demands of work alongside my studies. Every task needs my full attention, and to be honest, it is challenging at times.

But I’ve been blessed with a supportive environment. My boss understands my commitment to both work and studies and gives me the space and flexibility I need. And for that, I feel truly grateful.

 

After all, the faculty is not just a workplace to me but also a home. I’ve been working here for years and it's the place where I’ve grown, stumbled, and found my way again. 

The people, the hallways, even the familiar smell of the lab, they've all become a part of me.

Trusting myself

Being back as a student brings its own hopes and expectations but I trust myself. I’ve made it through tough moments before, and I’m ready to do it again. This time, I’m moving forward with more confidence and my whole heart in it.

Living my life studying bones - Photo by Author

The desire to learn is always there

Looking back, the road that led me here wasn’t as straightforward as I imagined. Three years ago, I was all set to begin my master’s studies at the Kulliyyah of Medicine at UIA.

Everything was going well, I cleared the interview, got accepted, and was already preparing for enrollment. My SV was really nice and kind and that's the reason why I want to further my study under him.

But then, a few days after receiving the acceptance, I got a job offer. After much contemplation, I decided to take the job, convinced it was the right choice at the time. 

The job wasn’t what I expected, and, long story short, it became unsustainable due to the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. And as the days passed, I started to regret my decision and began to wonder:

What if I had chosen to further my studies back then?

Would life have turned out differently? Maybe even better?

Then, I decided to apply for another job and ended up getting accepted at UM. I thought, maybe this could be my chance to finally start my master. So, during my first month on the job, I applied for a master's under the Department of Medical Microbiology.

But once I started working, I quickly saw how intense the workload was. I thought balancing work and studies felt nearly impossible at that time. I was busy catching up on new terms and learning the ropes, and there just wasn’t enough time to focus on studying like I’d hoped.

Now, though, the workload has eased, and I feel like this is the perfect time to go for my master’s degree. The timing just feels right. Being here in a faculty I know so well makes everything feel more familiar and manageable. And here, too, I learned an important life lesson. 

What is meant for you will always find its way

No regret philosophy

When we look back on the times when life presented us with two choices because of unexpected opportunities, we will always wonder if we made the right decision and sometimes regret the path we didn’t take. 

But the truth is, we may never truly know which one was best. What we need to do is trust that the path we’re on, even if it feels uncertain, is the one meant for us. We have to believe that Allah SWT knows what is best for us, even if we don’t see it right away.

All we need to do is take that step forward, make the choice, and keep moving

This is a lesson I’ve learned, to live life without regret.

Every path is meant for me in its own way. I don’t regret choosing to work first. In fact, those years taught me lessons I couldn’t have learned in a classroom.

If I chose to continue my studies at UIA right after my degree instead of working first, my journey might have been very different. I might have met new people, faced different challenges, and learned new things. Both paths hold their own value, and neither is better than the other.

Pursuing studies immediately could have saved time, but working first gave me real-life experience. Now, by Allah’s will, I am here, at one of the most reputable research universities, continuing my studies in the medical field, a dream I’ve always held.

A journey of growth

I know that the road I’ve chosen isn’t always easy, and I pray that Allah makes this journey smoother, both for myself and for anyone else who chooses to walk a similar path of independence and learning. I always believe that seeking knowledge itself is a source of strength and comfort.

This journey is more than just reaching one destination, but dedicating myself to a lifetime of learning and growth.