How to know if medicine is for you

Original post by Sam1875

Geography, Biology, Chemistry, how about yourself? :smile:

Biology, Chemistry, Physics and English Literature. Which unis are you thinking of applying to? :smile:

Reply 21

username1236842

8

I disagree with those saying that as a doctor work is your life. That is certainly true as a junior doctor which is when I had least spare time but once you reach consultant/GP level there is more of an option to work part time and because you aren't continually studying/ working your way up/ moving around things settle down. I think this is where mature students can have a hard time if they are trying to combine being a med student/ junior doc with being a parent and attentive partner.
You have to like problem solving, people, be comfortable with risk, thick skinned and able to cope with stress.
It's not a good career for those who like science but are very anxious. Some of the thick skinned stuff develops over time. It is a people career not a science career though primarily, even in specialties like neurology and surgery dealing with patients' personalities, health beliefs and expectations is a major part of the job.

Reply 22

OP

Original post by wannabedoctor21

Biology, Chemistry, Physics and English Literature. Which unis are you thinking of applying to? :smile:

Great, all 3 sciences and a 4th A-Level sounds pretty tough so good luck! Guessing you got really good GCSEs? And regarding Unis, I haven't really looked into it, but I live near Birmingham. Have you got one in mind then? :smile:

Reply 23

OP

Original post by taysidefrog

I disagree with those saying that as a doctor work is your life. That is certainly true as a junior doctor which is when I had least spare time but once you reach consultant/GP level there is more of an option to work part time and because you aren't continually studying/ working your way up/ moving around things settle down. I think this is where mature students can have a hard time if they are trying to combine being a med student/ junior doc with being a parent and attentive partner.
You have to like problem solving, people, be comfortable with risk, thick skinned and able to cope with stress.
It's not a good career for those who like science but are very anxious. Some of the thick skinned stuff develops over time. It is a people career not a science career though primarily, even in specialties like neurology and surgery dealing with patients' personalities, health beliefs and expectations is a major part of the job.

Thanks for the insight! What age would you say is when it becomes more manageable?

Reply 24

Original post by Sam1875

Great, all 3 sciences and a 4th A-Level sounds pretty tough so good luck! Guessing you got really good GCSEs? And regarding Unis, I haven't really looked into it, but I live near Birmingham. Have you got one in mind then? :smile:

They are going to be tough but worth all the hard work in the end! Your choices sound great, a good mix of sciences and humanities! I got 9 A*s, 2 As and a B in Drama (so not that important a subject!!). So yeah... I would say I achieved really well. How about you? Birmingham is a good uni, I've got a few in mind - quite a few Russell Group ones like Exeter. Depends if I reach the criteria...!! :smile:

Reply 25

OP

Original post by wannabedoctor21

They are going to be tough but worth all the hard work in the end! Your choices sound great, a good mix of sciences and humanities! I got 9 A*s, 2 As and a B in Drama (so not that important a subject!!). So yeah... I would say I achieved really well. How about you? Birmingham is a good uni, I've got a few in mind - quite a few Russell Group ones like Exeter. Depends if I reach the criteria...!! :smile:

Wow well done on those GCSEs! I got 3A*s 5As and a B in English Lit (wasn't my strong point aha), but before I started GCSE I was targeted 8Bs and a C so I'm obviously really happy and surprised with what I got! Yeah I've heard Birmingham is a top uni, but I heard they take GCSEs more seriously and expect A*s in English, Maths and the Sciences, along with 3 A*s at A-Level!

Reply 26

Original post by Sam1875

Wow well done on those GCSEs! I got 3A*s 5As and a B in English Lit (wasn't my strong point aha), but before I started GCSE I was targeted 8Bs and a C so I'm obviously really happy and surprised with what I got! Yeah I've heard Birmingham is a top uni, but I heard they take GCSEs more seriously and expect A*s in English, Maths and the Sciences, along with 3 A*s at A-Level!

Thank you! You got amazing results, well done!! A B is still really good in a subject that wasn't your strong point. You have surpassed your targets tremendously, I dislike targets a lot. For my GCSEs I was targeted all Bs but took little notice of them and it looks like that is what you have done. You never know, you may achieve those results at A level. Just as long as you work as hard as you can then you can do no more. One thing I have learnt recently by being on TSR is to apply to unis which look for things which are your strong points ie. for me I would apply to unis which look at GCSEs more than others. :smile:

Reply 27

Jkoo22

13

its for those who want that bomb ass paycheck

Reply 28

OP

Original post by wannabedoctor21

Thank you! You got amazing results, well done!! A B is still really good in a subject that wasn't your strong point. You have surpassed your targets tremendously, I dislike targets a lot. For my GCSEs I was targeted all Bs but took little notice of them and it looks like that is what you have done. You never know, you may achieve those results at A level. Just as long as you work as hard as you can then you can do no more. One thing I have learnt recently by being on TSR is to apply to unis which look for things which are your strong points ie. for me I would apply to unis which look at GCSEs more than others. :smile:

Yeah I hope people don't get put off by targets, they mean nothing. Yeah 3A*s would be nice but incredibly hard, I feel I would need some tips with that, maybe we could be study buddies? :wink:

aha. Do you know of any good revision guides/textbooks I should get for this year?

Reply 29

Original post by Sam1875

Yeah I hope people don't get put off by targets, they mean nothing. Yeah 3A*s would be nice but incredibly hard, I feel I would need some tips with that, maybe we could be study buddies? :wink:

aha. Do you know of any good revision guides/textbooks I should get for this year?

Tip One: Work hard yet still have time for non-academic stuff if you know what I mean :wink:

Yeah sure thing, I think it would be good as I don't know many people who want to study medicine at uni!! Have you had a list from your college of the books which you should purchase? These will be incredibly useful. :smile:

Reply 30

username1236842

8

I found that after a couple of years as a GP principal it became more manageable, so when I was about 29. I just work part time though and would struggle with full time general practice as it is pretty full on from 8.30 until 6-6.30. People are very demanding and expect you to deal with several complex problems in 10 minutes and wave a magic wand and make them instantly happy. This week has been awful, but we've been a partner down for the past 3 months due to holidays. Really glad it's my turn to go away next week. My engineer husband has also had enough of his work this week though so I think most people get fed up with their jobs at times. My job pays more than my husband's.

Reply 31

OP

Original post by wannabedoctor21

Tip One: Work hard yet still have time for non-academic stuff if you know what I mean :wink:

Yeah sure thing, I think it would be good as I don't know many people who want to study medicine at uni!! Have you had a list from your college of the books which you should purchase? These will be incredibly useful. :smile:

Good tip aha! No I haven't but I start on Monday anyways, any idea what you might be getting? :smile:

Reply 32

Original post by Sam1875

Good tip aha! No I haven't but I start on Monday anyways, any idea what you might be getting?

I was given a list of books by the college of what I should have for lessons. I go back on Monday as well, how are you feeling about college? :smile:

Reply 33

OP

Original post by wannabedoctor21

I was given a list of books by the college of what I should have for lessons. I go back on Monday as well, how are you feeling about college? :smile:

Do you do AQA, and if so could u share the list if possible? I'm feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness, and I'm not looking forward to getting up early aha

Reply 34

username1533709

5

Posted from TSR Mobile

Do some volunteering.

Reply 35

Original post by Sam1875

Do you do AQA, and if so could u share the list if possible? I'm feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness, and I'm not looking forward to getting up early aha

I do OCR so I don't think my books will help you but if you think they will then please say and I will share the list. It's going to be so different to school so I'm really looking forward to it as I can be more independent!!

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 36

Original post by Kadak

Posted from TSR Mobile

Do some volunteering.

I'm already volunteering on a regular basis, thank you for your advice (not sure who you directed this at)

Reply 37

OP

Original post by wannabedoctor21

I do OCR so I don't think my books will help you but if you think they will then please say and I will share the list. It's going to be so different to school so I'm really looking forward to it as I can be more independent!!

Well I guess you could share the list and I could see if those particular publishers have an AQA version? And yes it is going to be very different but should be wayy better :wink:

Reply 38

Original post by Sam1875

Well I guess you could share the list and I could see if those particular publishers have an AQA version? And yes it is going to be very different but should be wayy better :wink:

Biology - (OCR) AS/A level Biology A Second Edition Sue Hocking, Frank Sochacki, Mark Winterbottom Publisher - Pearson

Chemistry - A level Chemistry for OCR A Year 1 and AS Rob Ritchie, Dave Gent Publisher - Oxford

Hope this helps!! :smile:

Reply 39

OP