Success isn't reserved for people who were always disciplined
Success is often seen as something reserved for people who have always been disciplined, motivated, and at the top of their class. That wasn't me. When I first began studying dentistry, I was the complete opposite of the student I wanted to become. I procrastinated constantly, postponed exams, lacked discipline, and always convinced myself that I would start taking things seriously "tomorrow." Tomorrow never came. It wasn't because I wasn't intelligent enough. It was because I wasn't ready. I hadn't yet developed the discipline, consistency, or maturity needed to become the kind of dentist I dreamed of being. Deep down, I knew I wasn't living up to my potential.
The hardest decision: leaving everything to start over
Eventually, I made one of the most difficult decisions of my life. I chose to leave everything behind and start over. Starting over wasn't about changing universities. It was about changing myself.
A promise before my first semester at Palacký University
When I began my studies at the Faculty of Medicine of Palacký University in Olomouc, I made myself a promise. This time, I wasn't going to settle for simply passing. Before my first semester had even begun, I came across the university's website and noticed that every year they recognised the Best Student of the Year. Looking at that page, I made myself another promise. One day, my name would be on that page. At the time, it sounded almost ridiculous. I had gone from being someone who struggled with consistency to setting a goal that demanded excellence every single day.
I became obsessed with the goal — for the right reason
And yes—I became obsessed with that goal. Not because I wanted recognition, but because I wanted to prove to myself that I could become the person I knew I was capable of being. Every decision became a choice between moving one step closer to that goal or one step further away from it. I became more consistent. I attended lectures, prepared for practical classes, and studied even on the days when I didn't feel like it. Was I perfect? Not even close. There were days when I procrastinated. Sometimes those days turned into weeks. There were moments when I slipped back into old habits and questioned whether I was really changing. The difference was that I always came back. Instead of letting a setback define me, I treated it as a reminder of the person I no longer wanted to be. Every time I slipped, I learned something about myself. Every setback became another opportunity to adjust, improve, and keep moving forward.
How small decisions compounded into Best Student of the Year
Slowly, those small decisions began to compound. The person who once struggled with discipline gradually became someone who could rely on it. Little by little, my habits changed my results. More importantly, they changed me. At the end of my first year — the very first year of my fresh start — I achieved the highest academic results in my class, and I was officially awarded the Best Student of the Year. Receiving that award wasn't the moment my life changed. The real transformation had already happened. The award was simply the result of hundreds of small decisions that nobody else saw—choosing to show up, choosing to study, choosing to improve, and choosing to keep going after every setback.
Why this is one of the reasons Medently exists
That experience changed the way I approach every challenge in life. Whenever something feels impossible today, I remember that there was once a time when I questioned whether I was capable of succeeding at all. That is one of the reasons Medently exists. Not because I have always been successful. But because I haven't. I know what it feels like to doubt yourself. I know what it feels like to watch others move forward while feeling like you're standing still. I know what it feels like to wonder whether you've already fallen too far behind. And I also know that one decision—to take responsibility for your future—can change everything. Not overnight. Not without setbacks. But through choosing, over and over again, not to give up.
You can rewrite your story
If there is one thing I hope you take away from my story, it is this: Your past is not your identity. Your current circumstances are not your final destination. The student you are today does not have to be the student you become tomorrow. No matter how far behind you feel. No matter how many mistakes you've made. No matter how impossible change seems right now. You can rewrite your story. I know that because I rewrote mine.
Can you study dentistry at Palacký University (UPOL) in English?
Yes. Palacký University (UPOL) in Olomouc, Czech Republic offers a full dentistry degree (MDDr.) taught entirely in English, alongside General Medicine. Admission is based on the university's own entrance test in biology and chemistry plus a short interview — not on your past grades. As Omar's story shows, even a difficult academic start doesn't decide the outcome: with consistent preparation, students regularly earn a place and go on to thrive.
When Saif was applying, agencies tried to charge thousands of euros for basic document handling. He built Medently to change that. Medently is officially partnered with and funded directly by European universities. Guidance, mock exams, and application support cost students absolutely nothing. No catches, no hidden fees — ever.
Feeling behind? Your start doesn't decide your finish.
Omar went from postponing exams to Best Student of the Year at UPOL. If you're worried it's too late or your grades aren't good enough, talk to us first. Medently helps students from Norway, the UK, and the UAE find the right path to medicine and dentistry in Europe — no UCAT, no BMAT, no agency fees.
Get free guidance →Your past is not your identity. You can rewrite your story.
Dentistry student at Palacký University (UPOL) in Olomouc and Partner at Medently. Named Best Student of the Year — and now helps new students settle into life in Czechia, from housing to visas.
