ASMPH Student Council helps make med school life easier
Studying medicine often entails long arduous hours of reading, memorizing and analyzing. The everyday grind of academics may eventually take a toll on students’ physical and emotional states. The Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health ASMPH Student Council (ASMPH SC) partners with students, school admninistrators and faculty members to ensure that there is life beyond intense studying and preparation at the ASMPH.
“Medical school offers such a high-pressure environment that it becomes very difficult for students to cope and handle certain uncontrollable situations. Though the pressure and intensity are part of the growth, balance is important to minimize burn-out and maximize learning,” says Antonio Emmanuel Recto, a YL 7 student at ASMPH and president of the ASMPH SC.
The ASMPH SC, he says, endeavors to provide students with a positive and supportive learning environment. It is common to find inspirational quotes posted on bulletin boards around the campus. Food treats are likewise given to students after a taxing day.
“Treats such as cupcakes are given to one whole batch after a big exam,” he says. “The basic objective is giving our students meaningful opportunities to go out of their comfort zones, try new things and learn. Whether it is through sports, arts, advocacies or public health, they are crucial in helping our students become more disciplined, professional, insightful, creative and innovative.”
The student government also sees to it that they continuously coordinate with the school administration and faculty.
“The SC is doing its best to open the dialogue, bridge the gap, and ensure that students’ concerns are heard and addressed,” he says.
To further help the students, the council is also working on an assessment of the student workload. They are in the process of collating quantitative data in terms of requirements and output, such as how many hours are required for studying, drafting reports and other academic activities.
This research, Recto says, will bring to light how academic work load affects students.
Recto stresses that all ASMPH-SC initiated projects and activities are always aligned with the school vision.
For instance, this school year, the ASMPH SC aims to help strengthen the identity of the ASMPH student and culture.
“Considering that our school is young, we recognized the need to consistently ground our students to the vision of the ASMPH. By aligning them with the basic vision, mission and values of the school, we give our students a better grasp of what they aspire to become—Atenean doctors of the future: outstanding clinicians, dynamic managers and social catalysts,” he says.
