TSR Med Students' Society Part VI

Haha wait until you're qualified and they don't give you you're rota until 2 weeks before you start your job!

So annoying that the university doesn't publish graduation dates until March for graduations in June - makes any kind of planning for literally anything impossible. No idea why they can't release it earlier...

They put our graduation literally in the middle day of a 4 week break.

So I didn't attend and actually made use of my final holiday. I don't care about some silly ceremony wearing silly robes. I think the price of the gown was > £100 for us as well even to hire? Felt like a scam.

I think I was the only one to feel this way though

In other words OP, we're all pretty different, so maybe try and see what works best for you?

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easier to address everything in 1 post...

OP its very clear everyone has different methods which work for them, its all about trying things out and seeing if it fits for you.

For me notes (summarising lectures) was invaluable when it came to revision and using the information. Its important to make sure that the notes are a summary of the lecture, rather than just rewriting the whole thing again, this is harder in first year when its all a bit new but you will perfect the technique over time. I also find for me on a CBL style course, typing out the lecture notes allows me to add relevant information from textbooks and have all the information on one topic in the same place, which is brill for revision.

I have to admit some things just dont need notes, absorbing the information and reflection upon it (re-reading the notes you made in a class) are perfectly sufficient for some things, also try to vary your revision a lot, I enjoy making summary posters (very visual) and flashcards to revise from, as rewriting the same notes over and over again is just pointless.

As stated everyone is different, my method of summarising lectures and textbook information in note form then revising from posters, flashcards, revision videos etc. work wonders for me in first year and I (somehow - I have no idea how) pass in the top 20% of the year, it also seems to be a very common method!

Thanks guys, will continue with this method and see how it goes in formative's!

Oh my, I can actually post here now! Been to my first 9am this morning

First year, BSMS *

hi guys, I’ve just started at med school and was wondering if anyone could give me some advice?!

After results day I had major doubts about whether I wanted to do medicine + be a doctor etc. but I didn’t want to give it up with out even trying, so after a lot of deliberation I decided to go this year but apply for a different course at different unis for next year (as I can’t really afford to take a gap year if I end up not liking medicine).

What do you guys think I should do re taking time off for admissions tests + possible interviews? Shall I just make up an excuse (I’ve looked and I think I have gp visits on the days I’ll have to miss, and possibly an exam which is typical haha) or shall I just be honest and tell them my situation? I’m just worried that if I tell them they might kick me out/treat me differently?

This is a really difficult one, how has med school been treating you so far? and why do you have doubts that it may not be for you?

In terms of the whole interview situation for exams it is a no go, so get that out of your mind now, you will just have to reschedule interviews around exams. For placements you have to remember that your placements are not funded by your £9000 tuition fee and they are pretty damn expensive (over £100 per go for a GP placement for a day) so I wouldnt reccomend missing them either.

It really depends on my universities policy, if you really didnt want to tell them then you can always make up excuses, but be prepared to back them up and sometimes even provide evidence. Not sure how well it would go down if you told them the truth...

It's been ok, I haven't really had any proper lectures yet so it's hard to tell if I'm going to enjoy it. I'm just worried about whether I'll enjoy the course content and job after it.

Ah that's annoying. Thing is that one of the unis I'm applying to is Oxford and I don't think that they really reschedule interviews haha. Is there never any chance to reschedule either of these things? Sorry I have no idea about any of this so I don't know whether that's something that's like out of the question

Do you think that something like that is something that they could kick you out for?

Such an odd situation I know!!

Personally, I think if you've made the decision to study medicine, you need to give it a proper go. Its not really something you can just dip a toe in and decide if its right for you. Clinical medicine is very different to the first couple of years stuck in uni, and the job itself is nothing like being a medical student.

You also don't want to risk jeopardising your shot at medicine, in case you find you do actually like it. Attendance is monitored and if you're missing too much without a good reason (I am not entirely sure medical schools will appreciate you applying elsewhere- they won't discipline you or anything but it won't reflect well should you struggle later on).

Medicine is a bit of a beast, it does require a lot of your focus. If you're devoting too much time to making plans for next year, you may find yourself struggling to pass the exams and the decision will be made for you.

Why is it you think medicine isn't for you? What would you want to study instead? Have you checked with your potential universities how they feel about you applying whilst already studying?

tl;dr Give medicine a proper shot. You can't really know what it is like until you've given it a while. Don't shoot yourself in the foot too early... you might love medicine.

It's been ok, I haven't really had any proper lectures yet so it's hard to tell if I'm going to enjoy it. I'm just worried about whether I'll enjoy the course content and job after it.

Ah that's annoying. Thing is that one of the unis I'm applying to is Oxford and I don't think that they really reschedule interviews haha. Is there never any chance to reschedule either of these things? Sorry I have no idea about any of this so I don't know whether that's something that's like out of the question

Do you think that something like that is something that they could kick you out for?

Such an odd situation I know!!

Also considering the huge amount of money the goverment pump into you in one year of medical school, I dont think the med school will take your lack of commitment to medicine lightly, especially considering how many people who dream of medicine you beat to get a place, it would kind of be a back hander if you understand me.

I don't think this is good advice. If medicine is not for you, you should be able to be open and honest with uni staff about it so you can good advice on where to go from here.
Also the logic that you should complete a degree you dislike just because other people wanted a place is flawed. Similarly the fact that your course is expensive in year 1 so therefore you should complete all 5/6 years?? That doesn't make sense.

It makes sense with your uncertainty to keep your options open. Find someone at uni you trust, be honest with them and be honest with yourself. Medicine is not for everyone. Good luck.

Any thoughts on the 'UKMLA' Exam likely to be introduced in 2019, and UK medical graduates as well as IMGs will have to pass before practising?

http://www.gmc-uk.org/news/26549.asp

So annoying that the university doesn't publish graduation dates until March for graduations in June - makes any kind of planning for literally anything impossible. No idea why they can't release it earlier...

So I didn't attend and actually made use of my final holiday. I don't care about some silly ceremony wearing silly robes. I think the price of the gown was > £100 for us as well even to hire? Felt like a scam.

I think I was the only one to feel this way though

This is me right now. I just don't care for the whole graduation ceremony malarkey and the obsession around it. I'd rather enjoy my free time while I have it.

Lots of people seem to think I'm mad for skipping the ceremony, but I feel like my time at medical school is made up of more than a ceremony.

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks this.