Madhav's Blog

Hey there, I’m Madhav Bankatwala, a second-year physiotherapy student. Let me take you on a journey – a journey I never thought I’d embark on.

Once upon a time, I had my heart set on becoming a doctor. MBBS was the dream, the goal I chased after finishing my SSC. But as fate would have it, things didn’t quite pen out the way I imagined. Despite my best efforts, MBBS remained just out of reach.Left with a choice between taking a gap year or exploring other options, I decided to dive into the world of alternative healthcare fields. I looked into everything from homeopathy to dentistry, searching for my next step.And then, amidst all the options, physiotherapy caught my eye. What drew me in was its simple yet powerful approach to healing – no heavy reliance on medication, just a focus on restoring function naturally.The more I learned about physiotherapy, the more it felt like the perfect fit for me. It was a path I never saw coming, but now, I can’t imagine being anywhere else.

I used to think that studying physiotherapy would be a piece of cake compared to MBBS and other fields. I envisioned gliding through four and a half years with ease. But let me tell you, reality had other plans! Learning about the human body, from its intricate anatomical structures to the functions of each system, was way more challenging than I ever anticipated. And don’t even get me started on the smell in the dissection hall – it was enough to make some of my friends faint! First year was all about laying down the groundwork, and if you didn’t grasp those basics, things only got tougher from there. And then there were the practicals – figuring out the right muscles and positions for exercises felt like cracking a code.Even though I expected it to be easier, my first year in physiotherapy taught me so much and helped me value the journey even more.

In my first year, I’ve learned some major life lessons that have really stuck with me. One of the biggies? Time management. Making it to OPDs and classes on time might sound simple, but trust me, it’s a game-changer. It’s not just about being punctual in college – it’s spilled over into my personal life too, making everything smoother. And let me tell you, relying on last-minute fixes? Big no-no. Medical and paramedical colleges? They love to throw everything at you at the last minute, and it’s chaos. Every medical student can relate to those last-minute doubts and confusion, it’s practically a rite of passage.

Now, even though we first-years haven’t gotten to treat patients yet – rules and all – we still learn heaps from watching the pros in action during OPD postings. One moment that really stands out? Seeing a patient thank and praise one of my senior buddies for their amazing recovery at our free OPD. That hit me deep – I want to make that kind of difference in people’s lives, you know? Help them out, solve their problems, all that good stuff. And let’s not forget the milestones – from the nerve-wracking first theory exam to the exhilarating practicals and even checking out my first university result – each one’s got its own story, its own memories. And you better believe I’ll cherish them forever.

Now, about “’THE OGs’ – Made not chosen” group of friends. Our professors love to warn us that friendships in med school won’t last, that every group’s gonna fall apart eventually. But guess what? Our bond’s stronger than ever. Our professors and seniors can’t believe it, but they’re starting to see that maybe, just maybe, some friendships really do last a lifetime. There’s so much more to say about ‘THE OGs’ – but you’ll have to wait for my next blog to hear all about it!

As a second-year physiotherapy student, I’m loving every moment of this journey. Get ready for some insightful and exciting blogs about my experiences as a paramedical student. Stay tuned, because in the next chapter, I’ll see you all from your screens. Until then, stay curious.

Regards,

Madhav Bankatwala