[Doctor.]

Right guys, as I constantly re-evaluate my medicine dream on a daily basis. I really want to know this!

How much revision do current medics do? -general revision, exam preparation, when do you start revising? How many hours do you put in? Do you have many breaks?

Just give me everything you can. I've decided, if anything the workload is what will make or break my medicine dream so I really want to know what its actually like

(Sorry for grammatical errors -I'm sleepy)

[fortysixandtwo]

If you're put off by the work load, don't do medicine.

[Giggy88]

He simply asked about the workload, not that he will be put of by it

I'm not a medic yet, but from what I hear, there are many factors involved such as how well you want to do i.e. there is a massive difference between just getting a pass which can be done with an appropriate amount of work, or a distinction which is at the other end of the spectrum. These will later on determine whether you get your dream post or have to move across the country to your new job.

Apart from that things like which uni you go to and how fast you can grasp and remember things also play a role.

[anoldbaby]

(Original post by Doctor.)
Right guys, as I constantly re-evaluate my medicine dream on a daily basis. I really want to know this!

How much revision do current medics do? -general revision, exam preparation, when do you start revising? How many hours do you put in? Do you have many breaks?

Just give me everything you can. I've decided, if anything the workload is what will make or break my medicine dream so I really want to know what its actually like

(Sorry for grammatical errors -I'm sleepy)

seriously, don't think about medicine everyday.... enjoy your holiday now until you start university... then work hard on university and continue with your volunteering... then think about it again after your 2nd years....

[M4LLY]

Quite a lot i'd imagine as medicine is a very academic subject

[Doctor.]

(Original post by fortysixandtwo)
If you're put off by the work load, don't do medicine.

I'm not put odf by hard work, I am just wondering if medicine is actually the 'near impossible' degree most NON medics make it out to be
Seriously, I don't think I've ever heard from an actual medic about this.

(Original post by Giggy88)
He simply asked about the workload, not that he will be put of by it

I'm not a medic yet, but from what I hear, there are many factors involved such as how well you want to do i.e. there is a massive difference between just getting a pass which can be done with an appropriate amount of work, or a distinction which is at the other end of the spectrum. These will later on determine whether you get your dream post or have to move across the country to your new job.

Apart from that things like which uni you go to and how fast you can grasp and remember things also play a role.

that was a good read thanks for posting

(Original post by anoldbaby)
seriously, don't think about medicine everyday.... enjoy your holiday now until you start university... then work hard on university and continue with your volunteering... then think about it again after your 2nd years....

My parents are getting.sick of me talking/mentioning medicine all the time Think ill tone it down a bit

[fortysixandtwo]

(Original post by Doctor.)
I'm not put odf by hard work, I am just wondering if medicine is actually the 'near impossible' degree most NON medics make it out to be
Seriously, I don't think I've ever heard from an actual medic about this.

No, it's not.

Most degrees require a lot of work. Medicine is definitely no different in that respect nor are medics the 'hardest working' or 'smartest' (though many medics would like to think this).

Are you going to do a lot of work? Yes, of course. But if you enjoy it then it's half the battle.

[roh]

(Original post by Doctor.)
I'm not put odf by hard work, I am just wondering if medicine is actually the 'near impossible' degree most NON medics make it out to be

As a non medic I wouldn't say it's near impossible and I know quite a few medics (and go out with one).

It is however a different kind, or at least pattern, of work I think. Medics seem to work hard throughout the year, as the set up of their degree means they have more limited non timetabled time to do work in.

Students on other courses tend to not do much for a bit, but then around deadlines and exams we'll be in the library 16 hours a day and pull all nighters. I don't know how they cope with the constant grind of medicine (it is harder than other degrees in my opinion) but then they don't get how I don't burn out during the intense periods. Ultimately both are perfectly doable as the many people successfully graduating in medicine and other courses prove every year!

[Doctor.]

(Original post by fortysixandtwo)
No, it's not.

Most degrees require a lot of work. Medicine is definitely no different in that respect nor are medics the 'hardest working' or 'smartest' (though many medics would like to think this).

Are you going to do a lot of work? Yes, of course. But if you enjoy it then it's half the battle.

Ah right I see, I do enjoy working if I like the content! I don't see it as a burden - expanding my knowledge. The thing is I can't really do all nighters. I much prefer revising during daytime literally months In advance of the exams...
But then I her everyone at uni does all nighters...sort of makes me worried that I am not the right type of person for medicine

(Original post by roh)
As a non medic I wouldn't say it's near impossible and I know quite a few medics (and go out with one).

It is however a different kind, or at least pattern, of work I think. Medics seem to work hard throughout the year, as the set up of their degree means they have more limited non timetabled time to do work in.

Students on other courses tend to not do much for a bit, but then around deadlines and exams we'll be in the library 16 hours a day and pull all nighters. I don't know how they cope with the constant grind of medicine (it is harder than other degrees in my opinion) but then they don't get how I don't burn out during the intense periods. Ultimately both are perfectly doable as the many people successfully graduating in medicine and other courses prove every year!

Ah thank you I could never do consistant work for 16 house
I would much enjoy a constart challenge tbh

[GodspeedGehenna]

Non-exam time: 9-5 lectures generally. I don't do any work at home. (Seems like most of my cohort start writing up notes when they get home)
Approaching exam time (e.g. easter): A couple of hours a day.
Exam time (~4 weeks beforehand): Generally revise in short bursts all day.

That said, I feel exceptionally lazy compared to my coursemates who seem to start revising before I've woken up, revise when they're eating and then will still be revising when I go to sleep.

[roh]

(Original post by Doctor.)
Ah right I see, I do enjoy working if I like the content! I don't see it as a burden - expanding my knowledge. The thing is I can't really do all nighters. I much prefer revising during daytime literally months In advance of the exams...
But then I her everyone at uni does all nighters...sort of makes me worried that I am not the right type of person for medicine

Ah thank you I could never do consistant work for 16 house
I would much enjoy a constart challenge tbh

Sounds like a good approach for studying medicine.

Though beware that, without meaning to scare you, though you may work steadily as a student as an F1 you will be expected to work some unGodly hours and long shifts (even more so if we pull out of the EU or WTD only, which looks possible) and you will be responsible for peoples' lives even at the end of these when you're knackered. But afterwards you can always become a GP and work 9-5 mostly

[sebastienlewis]

Not enough. All people should study more.

[Mobs25]

If the work-load is whats worrying you - don't bother with medicine.

I just finished my first year and its actually okay BUT there are times when i've locked myself in a room and been revising non-stop, but thats just me.

A break down - the way my uni does it: we have 3 mini tests throughout the year, of which 2 of the best results are counted. Then we have mid-sessionals, which is everything you learnt from Sept to december (which is whole of phase one). then finals, which are 3 exams of which 1 is phase 1, and the other two are phase 2 scenarios.

We covered 107 lectures in 4 months. and were tested on all in mid sessional. For me, i found it really hard at first because of the work load BUT when it started to die down and i managed my time well i realised im finally doing something i enjoy...not the history etc i used to do at school, which i never enjoyed. its that enjoyment of learning the topics etc which got me through, however i hate embryology! lol

[digitalis]

(Original post by Doctor.)
Right guys, as I constantly re-evaluate my medicine dream on a daily basis. I really want to know this!

How much revision do current medics do? -general revision, exam preparation, when do you start revising? How many hours do you put in? Do you have many breaks?

Just give me everything you can. I've decided, if anything the workload is what will make or break my medicine dream so I really want to know what its actually like

(Sorry for grammatical errors -I'm sleepy)

2-3 weeks beforehand. About 6 hours a day. Barely ever did any actual 'homework'
Honestly, it really isn't anywhere near how hard I worked at school for A levels.

A lot of people have this idea that medics work their arse off, basically from TV shows which portray American medical school.

[Doctor.]

(Original post by digitalis)
2-3 weeks beforehand. About 6 hours a day. Barely ever did any actual 'homework'
Honestly, it really isn't anywhere near how hard I worked at school for A levels.

A lot of people have this idea that medics work their arse off, basically from TV shows which portray American medical school.

Scrubs!!!! (Well the last season anyway)
Is that 6 hours on top of going to university for 9-5 lectures?

(Original post by GodspeedGehenna)
That said, I feel exceptionally lazy compared to my coursemates who seem to start revising before I've woken up, revise when they're eating and then will still be revising when I go to sleep.

Thanks and yeah I know I don't understand how people can do that Won't they burn out by the time they're sitting in the exam..

(Original post by roh)
Sounds like a good approach for studying medicine.

Though beware that, without meaning to scare you, though you may work steadily as a student as an F1 you will be expected to work some unGodly hours and long shifts (even more so if we pull out of the EU or WTD only, which looks possible) and you will be responsible for peoples' lives even at the end of these when you're knackered. But afterwards you can always become a GP and work 9-5 mostly

Yeah i've heard of these really long hours, but hopefully I can master them

(Original post by Mobs25)
If the work-load is whats worrying you - don't bother with medicine.

I just finished my first year and its actually okay BUT there are times when i've locked myself in a room and been revising non-stop, but thats just me.

A break down - the way my uni does it: we have 3 mini tests throughout the year, of which 2 of the best results are counted. Then we have mid-sessionals, which is everything you learnt from Sept to december (which is whole of phase one). then finals, which are 3 exams of which 1 is phase 1, and the other two are phase 2 scenarios.

We covered 107 lectures in 4 months. and were tested on all in mid sessional. For me, i found it really hard at first because of the work load BUT when it started to die down and i managed my time well i realised im finally doing something i enjoy...not the history etc i used to do at school, which i never enjoyed. its that enjoyment of learning the topics etc which got me through, however i hate embryology! lol

Aw thanks for the insight on the course! It does seem intensive, I do agree with - enjoyment getting you through. I remember the alevels I used to do, hated and ended up failing... Then took the 'right' alevels and did much better, simply because I enjoyed spending hours and hours on it!

Although I do think most/everyone would probably have worries about Medicine. Really because of how 'hard' everyone says it is It sort of makes me feel like...Will I be able to cope - Then you have the whole "alevel are like GCSE compared to degrees..." That is what makes me worry

[digitalis]

(Original post by Doctor.)
Scrubs!!!! (Well the last season anyway)
Is that 6 hours on top of going to university for 9-5 lectures?

Thanks and yeah I know I don't understand how people can do that Won't they burn out by the time they're sitting in the exam..

Yeah i've heard of these really long hours, but hopefully I can master them

Although I do think most/everyone would probably have worries about Medicine. Really because of how 'hard' everyone says it is It sort of makes me feel like...Will I be able to cope - Then you have the whole "alevel are like GCSE compared to degrees..." That is what makes me worry

Well, depends on the year. Sometimes it was on top of hospital, but you always get a week or so of study leave.

As for the latter quote, please read what I said and don't gloss over it. Medicine is not as hard as everyone makes out to be. Honestly.

And as for house officer hours, they aren't that bad. Nothing compared to the 'old days' here in the UK or anything like the US. I am being contracted for 48 hours average a week, granted I will probably work a few more than that in my first few weeks and occasionaly when there is a sickie on the ward, but that the same as any new job. Nothing at all compared to the 80 hour US resident week or the 100-120 hour weeks doctors used to work in the 90s.

[Mobs25]

(Original post by Doctor.)
Although I do think most/everyone would probably have worries about Medicine. Really because of how 'hard' everyone says it is It sort of makes me feel like...Will I be able to cope - Then you have the whole "alevel are like GCSE compared to degrees..." That is what makes me worry

Some uni's like KCL and imperial have special summer schools etc for med, which give people an insight into how lectures are at med school and the work involved. the best thing about them is tht current students are there too... so you can ask them. they are not their to hide anything from you... the uni won't too... they do make it look attractive but they are frank. they obs dont want anyone who cannot handle it which costs them money. If you have a particular uni in mind but they dont have a programme like this, then email the admin office and ask if they can arrange a shadow scheme, which allows you to just shadow a student for a day. That usually isn't an issue.

The work load at med uni's as with other subjects is long and hard. BUT - i can handle and do med, but i can't handle something like english at uni level - the essay writing etc, its not a subject i enjoy... yet essay writing in med is fine as i enjoy the topic im writing about.

[Happydude]

(Original post by digitalis)
A lot of people have this idea that medics work their arse off, basically from TV shows which portray American medical school.

I've never really understood the difference between UK and US medical schools. Is that just TV or do US schools actually make their students work harder? And why is that? I'm aware medicine is more competitive in the US as it is a very lucrative profession given that they have made healthcare an industry.

[digitalis]

(Original post by Happydude)
I've never really understood the difference between UK and US medical schools. Is that just TV or do US schools actually make their students work harder? And why is that? I'm aware medicine is more competitive in the US as it is a very lucrative profession given that they have made healthcare an industry.

What are you on about? Healthcare is also a massive industry here. Also, only certain specialties are very lucrative there. Most of the primary care jobs aren't that great, given the hours worked and on call commitments.

US students work far harder than we do. I can say that because I've spent almost three months in the US doing rotations. They work harder because they are mostly graduates, it is ultra competitive, ultra expensive and the exams are ruthless. And your performance in medical school determines your career pathway, whereas here it doesn't really matter.

Also, more is expected of students there. You are expected to be part of the team, carry patients, take part in on calls. For example, if your team is on call from 8AM to 10PM on the weekend, no-one would bat an eyelid about knowing they had to go in. Here, it is like dragging a sheep to a slaughterhouse (even though the best experiences as a medical student are to be found out of hours)

[Happydude]

(Original post by digitalis)
What are you on about? Healthcare is also a massive industry here. Also, only certain specialties are very lucrative there. Most of the primary care jobs aren't that great, given the hours worked and on call commitments.

US students work far harder than we do. I can say that because I've spent almost three months in the US doing rotations. They work harder because they are mostly graduates, it is ultra competitive, ultra expensive and the exams are ruthless. And your performance in medical school determines your career pathway, whereas here it doesn't really matter.

Also, more is expected of students there. You are expected to be part of the team, carry patients, take part in on calls. For example, if your team is on call from 8AM to 10PM on the weekend, no-one would bat an eyelid about knowing they had to go in. Here, it is like dragging a sheep to a slaughterhouse (even though the best experiences as a medical student are to be found out of hours)

No need to patronise, it was a legitimate question. I was just under the impression that since they have turned people's illnesses into essentially a business it paid a higher salary than over here and thus was more competitive. I was just curious about what their med schools were like dude!