7 things I regret I didn’t do in my previous years.

Went to Morocco Instead

1- Not been able to travel to Syria.

When I first come to Jordan, the neighbouring country began to have an itch of revolution. During those times, people can still travel to Syria, Turkey, and by extension Europe and maybe Russia if you consider. And all by LAND! Its cheap, transportation is good (Not the best, but considering they have in-bus meal) and the view I bet is heaven! And most importantly, it would have feed the travel “dragon” in me. 

2- Putting too much stock in someone else’s words.

Well, its okay to take advises from others. It gives you chances to be ready on whatever is coming. but, putting too much stock in someone’s advices trap me into believing or worst : taking something unseriously.

For example, do not believe if someone says : OH, this is very easy or you don’t have to come to the lectures, it won’t do anything to you, or oh second year in medical school is far very easy, oh don’t go there you’ll die! 

Because, why would you believe if they told you its easy? maybe they are geniuses who don’t need studying. And why wouldn’t you go where ever you want to go!

Besides, if let say you have to repeat the paper someone else said was easy, they wouldn't come rolling to you, and genuinely offer help! So, don't put too much stock in someone else's words. 

3- Arabic?

To be honest, I don’t really like the language, let alone loving it. Yet its not impossible for me to love it sometime in the far future. I have been hating the language long before I see the people whose tongue speaks the language. Don’t get me wrong, I can still read the Qoran, Hadith, and know the translation without having to look up in the dictionary. 

And yet, after living in this Arabic Country for a period of time, I started regretting myself for not learning it more deeply. I have been given the opportunity to live among the people, the sheikh, the professors of this language. And at the end of my education, when I look back in time, I regret that I haven’t been using the opputurnity to be an Arabic star!

4- For not living in the moment.

For the past years. I have been doing a lot of if! for example : Oh IF only I get to eat Mee Goreng (Malaysian Mamak's Best Fried Noodles) instead of these Kebab I’m holding right now!

And I forgot to eat the Kebab pieces by pieces and taste its magical flavour!

Housing Block 

5- Establishing a huge social, business, and personal network.

Im not an Extrovert. Sometimes its okay for me to socialise, and sometimes I rather spend leisure time with my cat rather than going outside and meet other people. But establishing a great network is very important. Who would have know, that a friend you met in medical school one day turns out to be a great neurosurgeon? And imagine during that time, you really need a great neurosurgeon to operate on a malignant tumour infiltrating your optic nerve! 

That is the time when you realise, how important networking is.

6- Not pouring all my heart into studying!

Studying is very important in pre-clinical years. Basic knowledge is very important to support your understanding a more advance knowledge. And so, I, who wasn’t really a fan of studying in my pre-clinical life, turn out to be super UN-Inteligent in my clinical years. 

You can still avoid being unintelligent by giving all you are in studying. But don't forget you are still a Caliph of Allah, and an Ibad of God. And yeah, enjoy living! 

7- For not living with all my limbs.

Most of all, not living is my greatest regret. I Should’ve live happily and accept with all my heart the fact that I’m here! in Jordan! Its gonna be my first home for the next 6 years! I should’ve accept these facts, and live with all my life the moments I spend with some naughty arabs, plastic bags flying on the sky, (My doctor once said, plastic bags : National bird of Jordan) and smelly armpits during summer! I should’ve enjoy them, and make myself better out of it. And so do the fact that I also currently studying under the supervision of the greatest doctors in the Middle East! I should’ve enjoy every second that past.

So accepting the fact that you are half the earth away from you loved ones, is the first step to living with all your limbs! Like a soldier, who accept the fact that he is gonna die anyway, only then the soldier can function properly in the battle field.

Jordan University of Science and Technology's Mosque

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Estiey Shah, 
is a Happy Syringe enthusiast writer.
Currently finishing his medical education at Jordan University of Science and Technology. 
He loves travelling, nature and history.