November-December, WHAT SHOULD YOU BE DOING RIGHT NOW?

It was around this time last year when the thought of AKU really seriously hit me, and curiosity arose as to what should my plan be from here on in order to ensure my admission into the university. I feel that a lot of students will start, already have been, or soon will start to think about this. I hope to answer this question through this post.
Question:
What should I be doing in November-December, with around half a year remaining for me to undergo the entire AKU admission process?

My Answer:

1. FOCUS ON YOUR ONGOING STUDIES:

Whether you're an A level student, an intermediate FSC student of any board across Pakistan or an international student studying in a different board, your priority for now must be to continue studying in your respective academic circle and try your best to do the best you can in them. This time of the year is usually for the mid-term assessments, so study for those, and then continue studying for your final exams. Getting a good grade in your Examinations (the finals, e.g. CIE A Level papers) will definitely be helping you, not just in getting a good grade but also for preparation for your AKU entry test.

TRUST ME ON THIS, everything you're studying right now is a part of your entrance test preparation. I was an A Level student, and I can safely say that most of the marks I scored in the test were based on my knowledge through my A level studies. So yeah, focus on whatever you're studying right now and aim to get the best possible result in it, and you'll be good to go.

2. INTERNSHIP, COMMUNITY SERVICE AND PAID WORK:

You're upcoming winter break (December vacation) is probably the last vacation you'll be getting for a long time with your exams and then the AKU process taking up your next summer break, so my advice to you is this: Utilise this winter break. If you haven't done so already (most of my classmates did some sort of community work during the summer break after their first year AS level exams), involve yourself into some kind of community service or internship, preferably at a hospital, foster home or orphanage. This will really help you in gathering experience, motivation and inspiration. I've always regarded the profession of medicine to be a highly prestigious one and I gain a lot of contentment even just thinking about "helping out someone with their lives", in its truest and purest meaning. I really feel that visits to hospitals, and such interactions with patients, nurses and doctors were the key to my motivation, that really instilled in me the decision to join this profession and to do my best to get into the most prestigious place to start its journey, and I'm really elated with where that's taken me. And so I would highly recommend you to get into some sort of community work or hospital internship this Winter Break and work there wholeheartedly, and I assure you it will be bring not just apparent advantages but spiritual benefits as well. Oh, and as a bonus you'll have an extracurricular activity that AKU highly regards (this is based on my interview questions and their extracurricular form) and you'll probably have a lot to talk about in the interview as well! (trust me, you want this, silent interviews are a definite no no)

NOTE: There is an AKU Volunteer Work Programme that happens during the Summer Vacations. I don't have the details on it yet because I didn't take part in it so I'm getting a hold of someone with the information and I'll write a post on it soon. But please note, if you're applying to AKU next year in 2018, you obviously will NOT have the time for the programme, so this is for anyone planning to apply in 2019 or onward.

3. EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:

These are extremely important, much more important than most of you might think. AKU is looking for all rounded, well educated and dedicated individuals, and not just focused hardworking students (emphasis on "just"), and trust me they will ask you about your extracurricular activities, a lot! So its really important that you ensure you've got a wide range of activities which you involve yourself in. Make sure you keep your certificates safe, they'll come in handy later next year. The scope and impact of your activities is entirely up to you, and it can range from being at an international level to even being a personal interest or hobby of yours, just make sure you're doing what you enjoy a so that the passion oozes out when you're asked to write or speak about it, that's what I believe. I'll make a separate, more detailed post about extracurricular activities because of how highly AKU considers it, but for now here are a few you could consider:

• Sports
• Debates, Poetry, Public Speaking (MUN maybe)
• Olympiads
• All forms of art
• Community work/ volunteer work
• Writing
• Personal Hobbies and Interests

4. SOCIALISATION:

Yes, socialisation and having friends and strong relationships with your relatives is as essential as anything else when it comes to applying to a university like AKU. You're hoping to becoming a doctor, and you're probably aware that the profession demands a lot of human interaction, so you need to show that you're comfortable with it, and the best way to show that is to have a reasonable social life. So yeah, get along with, different groups of friends even, spend time with family and it'll really help you pretty soon. And needless to say, AKU does ask about one's social and family life during the interview.

5. OPTIONAL:

• Go over the AKU website, you will be doing a lot next year though
• Sit the SAT (I've heard studying for the SAT Science subject tests really helps out with the AKU test, plus you can mention your scores in AKU's stage 2 application form, one you'll receive after clearing the test, but it's up to you. I didn't sit for the SATs.

And that's about it for now for the next month and a half, I hope this helps you out. I'm pretty sure most of you are doing most of what I've mentioned in the most and more but I'd just like you to ensure you're not overlooking anything. You're time right now is of great value and is certainly the first few steps up this long uphill journey, but trust me, you'll love the view at the top! All the best and I'll write again soon!
Cheers!

NOTE: If you're a senior reading this I would love to get some feedback and anything that you might feel one should involve themselves in during this time of their lives. Hit me up on my My Facebook Page or email me at akuhelper98@gmail.com