[Hippokrates]

(Original post by SmileAway)
Why not? My sister did and she found it fine, but I think I am taking maths instead anyway, just cause I'll miss it

You don't need maths but the people in my physics class that don't do maths all have Us. Obviously if you're considering medicine you'll be more intelligent but it just makes the process a whole lot easier.

[Parle à ma main]

(Original post by coconut2456)
With such a long summer, it wouldn't hurt to maybe do a weeks work experience placement or some volunteering now and again, it'd be better than staying at home doing nothing anyway.

Yeah, of course it's better than staying home doing nothing, but what I meant was that Year 11 summer is a really good opportunity to spend time with friends, take up a new hobby etc. Yeah, you're right that it wouldn't hurt but I was just making the point it's not necessary. I think it's important not to forget that are other important things in life other than getting into med school, and I've seen a few posts on TSR of people saying they regret spending so much of the best years of their life trying to get into uni.
Basically, Year 11s, if you want to get stuck in with work exp/voluntary work, by all means do, but don't feel obliged to is all!

[SmileAway]

(Original post by Parle à ma main)
Basically, Year 11s, if you want to get stuck in with work exp/voluntary work, by all means do, but don't feel obliged to is all!

I completely understand what you mean, I have loads planned for the summer - stuff that has nothing to do with medicine I am doing this voluntary work this summer since I was going to that country to meet family and all; so I thought I would hit two birds with one stone!

[lsaul95]

Done my second day of shadowing a consultant psychiatrist today! Really enjoying it, today was a busy out-patient clinic followed by a lecture at the university about autism and anxiety. The cases in the clinic were so interesting, un-ordinary people are the best kinds of people haha!



How's everyone's GCSEs/Summer going?

[SmileAway]

(Original post by lsaul95)
Done my second day of shadowing a consultant psychiatrist today! Really enjoying it, today was a busy out-patient clinic followed by a lecture at the university about autism and anxiety. The cases in the clinic were so interesting, un-ordinary people are the best kinds of people haha!



How's everyone's GCSEs/Summer going?

I finally finished ALL of my exams! I am so happy now, I have nothing to worry about Haha...how long was this work experience? Also, what uni is this?

[coconut2456]

(Original post by Parle à ma main)
Yeah, of course it's better than staying home doing nothing, but what I meant was that Year 11 summer is a really good opportunity to spend time with friends, take up a new hobby etc. Yeah, you're right that it wouldn't hurt but I was just making the point it's not necessary. I think it's important not to forget that are other important things in life other than getting into med school, and I've seen a few posts on TSR of people saying they regret spending so much of the best years of their life trying to get into uni.
Basically, Year 11s, if you want to get stuck in with work exp/voluntary work, by all means do, but don't feel obliged to is all!

They have 3 months of holidays, I don't see how they would be throwing their summer away by doing a weeks work experience placement, and maybe a couple of hours of volunteering a week. They're not going to be going out with friends everyday for 3 months

[wobmatthew]

Is the general rule of thumb that you can't volunteer at hospitals until you're 18? I'm not sure quite where to do voluntary work this summer. I'm not sure how useful st john's ambulance is and volunteering at a charity shop is a bit weak. What are other people doing?

[Parle à ma main]

(Original post by SmileAway)
I completely understand what you mean, I have loads planned for the summer - stuff that has nothing to do with medicine I am doing this voluntary work this summer since I was going to that country to meet family and all; so I thought I would hit two birds with one stone!

That's a good plan! Volunteering in another country sounds really exciting! Obviously there's nothing wrong with volunteering/work exp, but medicine will take up so much of your time and thoughts next year that starting Year 12 refreshed is good.
Like, when I started Year 12, I felt pretty positive because I'd had the summer to recover from GCSE stress etc. But when I started Year 13, I was already shattered and frustrated because I'd spent the past few weeks revising for UKCAT, drafting PS, worrying about UCAS etc, and the fact I started like that meant I found it hard to get into the rhythm of A Levels. It makes a difference to your mindset, getting a rest.

(Original post by coconut2456)
They have 3 months of holidays, I don't see how they would be throwing their summer away by doing a weeks work experience placement, and maybe a couple of hours of volunteering a week. They're not going to be going out with friends everyday for 3 months

Yep, and those three months holiday are going to be pretty much the longest ones of their lives (bar the Y13 one), they are supposed to be enjoyed.
People shouldn't feel obliged to spend their summer hunting for work experience like TSR sometimes makes out... and, in all honesty, by the time writing PS stuff comes round, the work exp from a year ago will be a distant memory. A volunteering placement is good but the sole purpose of the summer shouldn't be building up stuff for the PS.

Like I said, if people want to do medical things, then of course they should. But no one should be doing because they feel like they have to to stand a chance of getting into med school...

[iSoftie]

(Original post by SmileAway)
I am definitely sticking to CGP; I actually love it, it's what has solely got me through science (due to having bad teachers!) and geography

Personally, I think CGP rubbish revision books their books are sometimes "dumbed" down and have unnecessary/ambiguous information.

I'm a hopeful medic I will be choosing all the BMAT universities but I may not apply to Oxford since my GCSEs are awful (2-5 A*s and Graphics D/E; English at a D which will be retaken).
I plan not to mess up my GCSEs so I really am focusing on my A levels and I'll be doing:
Chemistry (<3,<3)
Biology
French (<3)
Maths (<3)
Hopefully I'll be dropping French at AS and doing Latin after my first year.
I'm already learning French daily and I'm trying to be around half a module/module in front in all my subjects by the time summer has finished.

I also work as a volunteer in an adult day centre with learning disabilities, also, I will be doing a hospital placement and going to a summer school. I really am pushing myself this summer as a punishment for Y11 lol but don't take me wrong I'm having fun!



PS. MEDICINE APPLICANTS OF 2014 UNITE!

[lsaul95]

(Original post by wobmatthew)
Is the general rule of thumb that you can't volunteer at hospitals until you're 18? I'm not sure quite where to do voluntary work this summer. I'm not sure how useful st john's ambulance is and volunteering at a charity shop is a bit weak. What are other people doing?

16+ is the rule however some places are reluctant to take on at such a young age if they suspect you're not dedicated and won't take it seriously, etc.
St Johns Ambulance is very useful and a lot of people do that as it teaches you first aid as well as gaining valuable voluntary experience. Charity shop work is actually really good. You have to remember that they're not looking for people to have shadowed every single specialist within medicine or volunteer at the highest possible level, they're just looking for someone that can show dedication to medicine and volunteering and a year volunteering in a charity shop is just as good as anything else.
To see what I'm doing/have done, check out my profile, which should be in my signature (or just click on my name haha)

(Original post by SmileAway)
I finally finished ALL of my exams! I am so happy now, I have nothing to worry about Haha...how long was this work experience? Also, what uni is this?

ooo nice one, how do you think you've done?
This work experience is a week long, 8am - 6pm, until Friday, obviously get a day off tomorrow though because of the strike but so far it has been amazing, really swaying my interest towards psychiatry! The patients are just so unique and interesting.
It was at Newcastle University, my number one choice for medicine so that should look good for my application ahah!

[SmileAway]

(Original post by lsaul95)
ooo nice one, how do you think you've done?
This work experience is a week long, 8am - 6pm, until Friday, obviously get a day off tomorrow though because of the strike but so far it has been amazing, really swaying my interest towards psychiatry! The patients are just so unique and interesting.
It was at Newcastle University, my number one choice for medicine so that should look good for my application ahah!

I am very worried about English, I think I may get a B:'( Oh right, that will look good. How comes thats your first choice? Since I live in the south, I am trying to find uni seminars in universities close by I am already really interested in psychiatry, I think it seems really different to all the other specialisations

[science-oliver]

16+ is the rule however some places are reluctant to take on at such a young age if they suspect you're not dedicated and won't take it seriously, etc.
St Johns Ambulance is very useful and a lot of people do that as it teaches you first aid as well as gaining valuable voluntary experience. Charity shop work is actually really good. You have to remember that they're not looking for people to have shadowed every single specialist within medicine or volunteer at the highest possible level, they're just looking for someone that can show dedication to medicine and volunteering and a year volunteering in a charity shop is just as good as anything else.
To see what I'm doing/have done, check out my profile, which should be in my signature (or just click on my name haha)

Hello, i am going to ring my local hospital soon (on the website it gives a number to ring for the volutary section) to enquire about work experience.

'Hello, my name is Oliver (insert last name here) and i am currently at (insert school here) but starting college in september. I want to hopefully pursue a career in medicine to become a doctor. In order to do this i need relevant work experience and i believe working in a hospital would be a suitable work placement, therefore i was wondering if you could provide me some work experience here at (insert hospital here)?

Would this be appropriate to say when i ring up?
Is there anything i have missed off or anything i shouldn't say?
Thankyou

[coconut2456]

(Original post by Parle à ma main)
That's a good plan! Volunteering in another country sounds really exciting! Obviously there's nothing wrong with volunteering/work exp, but medicine will take up so much of your time and thoughts next year that starting Year 12 refreshed is good.
Like, when I started Year 12, I felt pretty positive because I'd had the summer to recover from GCSE stress etc. But when I started Year 13, I was already shattered and frustrated because I'd spent the past few weeks revising for UKCAT, drafting PS, worrying about UCAS etc, and the fact I started like that meant I found it hard to get into the rhythm of A Levels. It makes a difference to your mindset, getting a rest.



Yep, and those three months holiday are going to be pretty much the longest ones of their lives (bar the Y13 one), they are supposed to be enjoyed.
People shouldn't feel obliged to spend their summer hunting for work experience like TSR sometimes makes out... and, in all honesty, by the time writing PS stuff comes round, the work exp from a year ago will be a distant memory. A volunteering placement is good but the sole purpose of the summer shouldn't be building up stuff for the PS.

Like I said, if people want to do medical things, then of course they should. But no one should be doing because they feel like they have to to stand a chance of getting into med school...

So suddenly they can't enjoy the 3 months of holidays by just having a week of work experience? How would the sole purpose of those holidays be building up your medical application if you're only spending roughly 1/12th of the holidays doing that? If you write a short diary during the work experience placement then it's not exactly going to be a distant memory when PS writing comes around. Well no they shouldn't feel obliged, but you can't deny that it would increase their chances of getting in.

[lsaul95]

(Original post by science-oliver)
Hello, i am going to ring my local hospital soon (on the website it gives a number to ring for the volutary section) to enquire about work experience.

'Hello, my name is Oliver (insert last name here) and i am currently at (insert school here) but starting college in september. I want to hopefully pursue a career in medicine to become a doctor. In order to do this i need relevant work experience and i believe working in a hospital would be a suitable work placement, therefore i was wondering if you could provide me some work experience here at (insert hospital here)?

Would this be appropriate to say when i ring up?
Is there anything i have missed off or anything i shouldn't say?
Thankyou

haha yeah man, that should be fine, don't over think it! They'll get phone calls and emails like that all the time from students!
Good luck, let us know how you get on!

(Original post by SmileAway)
I am very worried about English, I think I may get a B:'( Oh right, that will look good. How comes thats your first choice? Since I live in the south, I am trying to find uni seminars in universities close by I am already really interested in psychiatry, I think it seems really different to all the other specialisations

I'm sure you'll be fine, and if you do get a B it's not the end of the world, most universities only require a B
I live in Newcastle and it's not that I'd like to be at home or anything, I just love Newcastle University and the medical course there. I've done most of my experience there and at the hospitals they use for teaching juniors and Med students so I'm probably ridiculously bias haha, however I like the teaching style and the early clinical hands on approach they have. Tbh though, I'd be over the moon to get in anywhere!

Yeah, it is ridiculously interesting. I see about 10 patients each day in an out-patient clinic and the time just goes so quickly, their stories, mannerisms and characteristics I just find really interesting. And the processes and techniques the psychiatrist uses to find out what's wrong or create a diagnosis is amazing, especially since the symptoms are mental things not so much physical. The psychiatrists ability to spot things that aren't there on the outside is crazy and I'd love to learn a lot more about it! I would definitely recommend trying to shadow one

[science-oliver]

haha yeah man, that should be fine, don't over think it! They'll get phone calls and emails like that all the time from students!
Good luck, let us know how you get on

Cheers, i will do!

[lsaul95]

(Original post by coconut2456)
So suddenly they can't enjoy the 3 months of holidays by just having a week of work experience? How would the sole purpose of those holidays be building up your medical application if you're only spending roughly 1/12th of the holidays doing that? If you write a short diary during the work experience placement then it's not exactly going to be a distant memory when PS writing comes around. Well no they shouldn't feel obliged, but you can't deny that it would increase their chances of getting in.

I agree with this to a certain extent. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. As most work experience places involve a lengthy process before you even get to do anything, it's a smart move to look into work experience/voluntary work in the summer holidays. Sure, you might not get anything sorted within the holidays, but it will save you a lot of stress later on. You don't want to be in the middle of A-levels and have to sort out voluntary/work experience, it's a nightmare as it is in most cases.
I'd say, in the summer before A-levels you should be doing at very minimum: asking around (whether that be emailing or calling) places that might take you on for work experience, etc. Then down the line at least you know there is somewhere where you can definitely get some experience if you don't feel like doing any in the holidays. You'll find that most people get bored within the first week of the holidays anyway, so spending that usual boredom time volunteering or looking for work experience isn't a bad thing.

If someone is doing nothing but volunteering and nothing but work experience then I would say calm it down a bit, the psychiatrist I am shadowing at the moment has said one of the worst things about an applicant that she has seen is someone trying too hard and maybe shutting out other aspects of their life or free time. Don't overdo anything, it's not going to do you any good and you only have space to write about a certain amount of things in your PS anyway so getting a LOT of experience isn't necessary, it's the quality that matters. And if you leave it to the last minute, or while you're doing A-levels you might have a worse off time, since you want to be focusing on getting the best grades.

So I agree with you coconut boy. Just my two cents anyway.

[Swords N Thorns]

(Original post by lsaul95)
haha yeah man, that should be fine, don't over think it! They'll get phone calls and emails like that all the time from students!
Good luck, let us know how you get on!



I'm sure you'll be fine, and if you do get a B it's not the end of the world, most universities only require a B
I live in Newcastle and it's not that I'd like to be at home or anything, I just love Newcastle University and the medical course there. I've done most of my experience there and at the hospitals they use for teaching juniors and Med students so I'm probably ridiculously bias haha, however I like the teaching style and the early clinical hands on approach they have. Tbh though, I'd be over the moon to get in anywhere!

Yeah, it is ridiculously interesting. I see about 10 patients each day in an out-patient clinic and the time just goes so quickly, their stories, mannerisms and characteristics I just find really interesting. And the processes and techniques the psychiatrist uses to find out what's wrong or create a diagnosis is amazing, especially since the symptoms are mental things not so much physical. The psychiatrists ability to spot things that aren't there on the outside is crazy and I'd love to learn a lot more about it! I would definitely recommend trying to shadow one

Ooh, I live in Newcastle too! I do agree, Newcastle University is lovely and so are the hospitals here. They all seemed so friendly when I went to do my work experience!
I was just curious, how did you manage to get this placement, if you don't mind my asking?

[Parle à ma main]

(Original post by coconut2456)
So suddenly they can't enjoy the 3 months of holidays by just having a week of work experience? How would the sole purpose of those holidays be building up your medical application if you're only spending roughly 1/12th of the holidays doing that? If you write a short diary during the work experience placement then it's not exactly going to be a distant memory when PS writing comes around. Well no they shouldn't feel obliged, but you can't deny that it would increase their chances of getting in.

Think we pretty much agree then and of course i wouldn't deny that, assuming the choice was either no work experience or work experience in year 11. it doesn't increase chances any more than doing work exp in year 12.

but basically my point was "don't feel obliged" and you've said that too so there's no major disagreement tbh.

[SmileAway]

(Original post by science-oliver)
Would this be appropriate to say when i ring up?
Is there anything i have missed off or anything i shouldn't say?
Thankyou

Also remember that a lot of the time the number you call is probably just some random receptionist that has nothing to do with work experience, so I wouldn't just say that as soon as they pick up ^_^ Also, I know how you feel about calling people up, I used to get very nervous I still do sometimes, and write out what I will say before haha. But if you practice phone speaking skills whenever ordering take outs, booking an appointment for dentist/doctor and speaking with your phone provider etc it gets a lot easier

[science-oliver]

Also remember that a lot of the time the number you call is probably just some random receptionist that has nothing to do with work experience, so I wouldn't just say that as soon as they pick up ^_^ Also, I know how you feel about calling people up, I used to get very nervous I still do sometimes, and write out what I will say before haha. But if you practice phone speaking skills whenever ordering take outs, booking an appointment for dentist/doctor and speaking with your phone provider etc it gets a lot easier

Yeah that's very true, so what would you suggest i say first incase it is a receptionist? hahah because it would sound very wierd if i just rushed into it