Grow Your Grades: Medicine
Hii I'm Amy. I'm 17 years old, a sixth form student currently studying for my AS level examinations this year and subsequently my A Level examinations next year.
Within my GCSEs I obtained a total of 8 A* and 2 A grades. Currently I am studying for A Levels in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Spanish. I hope to study Medicine in the future, possibly entering the paediatrics field yet I'm still uncertain about what I would like to specialise in. I would love to study at Cambridge (although this is highly unattainable), Edinburgh, Manchester or Liverpool. Therefore it's extremely important that I aim for the highest grades possible
Aspirational AS Grades:
Biology - A
Chemistry - A
Maths - A
Spanish - A
December 2015 Mock Grades:
Biology - A (highest in class, with 84% total)
Chemistry - C (60%, DESPERATELY need to work on this!)
Maths - A (81%)
Spanish - A (100%)
I'm aiming for high UMS, possibly above 93% in order to be ranked relatively high in my Cambridge applications. So I am working on Chemistry frantically, since ultimately this is essential for medicine!
Extra Curriculars to boost Medicine Application:
-World Challenge volunteering expedition to Sri Lanka in July 2017 which I have been fundraising for, completing numerous car washes, tombolas etc. During the expedition I will help renovate a primary school, meeting Sri Lankan local children and improving their quality of education. Similarly I will experience Sri Lankan culture during acclimatisation in which I visit an elephant orphanage, trek the mountains etc. I am so excited to see the elephants haha!
-Volunteering at local hospital, 4hrs per week
-Work experience placement at Women's Hospital in the operating theatres
-6th form introduction to medicine course
-Shadowing endo-diabetes consultant in local hospital during summer for two days
-Helping lower years in maths lessons
-Volunteering at Nugent Care
-Volunteering to help out in medical student exams (OSCEs) at the University of Liverpool
Programmes I have been accepted into:
-Cambridge University Shadowing Scheme (lucky enough to receive a place during week 2 at Pembroke College to study Natural Sciences. Planning on attending numerous medicine lectures and visit a 'Life as a Medic' Course!)
-Cambridge Genetics and Biochemistry Masterclass
-Cambridge Magdalene College Residential in March
-Oxford Pathways Study Days to study Biomedical Science in March
-Liverpool Scholars Programme
-Social Mobility Foundation
-Nuffield Research Placement at Bristol Myers Squibb to undergo a project during the summer about pharmaceutical techniques in several therapeutic areas including cancer, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis and psychiatric disorders.
-Oxford UNIQ Summer School Week 1 to study Biomedical Science
I'm currently part of my school's More Able Programme. I'm also working towards 25 community hours, after which I will earn an employability award. I was a GirlGuide for 5 years where I completed numerous activities raising awareness of local charities targeting specific illness such as Cystic Fibrosis and Leukaemia.
I did gymnastics and dance for many years yet I eventually quit due to school requirements.
Revision Schedule:
At the moment I am planning on revising for 3 or 4 hours per weekday, steadily increasing closer to exam time. During weekends I often revise more, depending on other responsibilities.
I am hoping to finish writing my revision notes as soon as I learn the content in lessons, allowing me to have more time for exam preparation in which I will consolidate knowledge previously accumulated through revision and lessons. In this way I will have full understanding of the topics whilst also having awareness of the typical exam questions, their expectations and how to approach them. I will also attempt to teach myself further units in order to increase time efficiency so it's not all rushed near May/June. Exam season is stressful enough - I need to make myself feel as prepared as possible haha!
In order to improve my chemistry grade, I'm planning on using numerous resources. Personally I enjoy using the ChemGuide website which I find to be very thorough and detailed, providing both difficult and simple examples of mechanisms and concepts, meaning the more complex exam questions are easier to approach. I am a visual learner, so I enjoy watching videos and looking at bright colours to help me remember important details. My favourite method of revision is drawing out mind maps, posters, diagrams... I also enjoy watching Tyler DeWitt videos on YouTube, as well as Allery Tutors and CrashCourse Chemistry. I find that this has helped me to ensure I fully understand the content. Revision for biology follows a similar pattern.
As for Spanish, I plan to write at least one essay per week for each relevant topic. I currently attend a Spanish speaking session each week with a native in which I prepare for my Spanish oral exam.
For maths, I plan on completing a past paper a week alongside Solomon papers. I enjoy watching YouTube videos by ExamSolutions which are extremely useful when revising the more difficult exam questions.
During the summer I am planning on reading A LOT of medicine related books, as well as preparing for medical admission tests (BMAT/UKCAT).
Medicine books I'm interested in:
-A very short introduction to medical ethics
-The Checklist
-In Stitches
-So you want to be a doctor: the ultimate guide to getting into medical school
-The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a hat
Motivation for studying:
I honestly just want to make my parents proud. I'm so grateful to have an education so I might as well make the most of it
Within my GCSEs I obtained a total of 8 A* and 2 A grades. Currently I am studying for A Levels in Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Spanish. I hope to study Medicine in the future, possibly entering the paediatrics field yet I'm still uncertain about what I would like to specialise in. I would love to study at Cambridge (although this is highly unattainable), Edinburgh, Manchester or Liverpool. Therefore it's extremely important that I aim for the highest grades possible
Aspirational AS Grades:
Biology - A
Chemistry - A
Maths - A
Spanish - A
December 2015 Mock Grades:
Biology - A (highest in class, with 84% total)
Chemistry - C (60%, DESPERATELY need to work on this!)
Maths - A (81%)
Spanish - A (100%)
I'm aiming for high UMS, possibly above 93% in order to be ranked relatively high in my Cambridge applications. So I am working on Chemistry frantically, since ultimately this is essential for medicine!
Extra Curriculars to boost Medicine Application:
-World Challenge volunteering expedition to Sri Lanka in July 2017 which I have been fundraising for, completing numerous car washes, tombolas etc. During the expedition I will help renovate a primary school, meeting Sri Lankan local children and improving their quality of education. Similarly I will experience Sri Lankan culture during acclimatisation in which I visit an elephant orphanage, trek the mountains etc. I am so excited to see the elephants haha!
-Volunteering at local hospital, 4hrs per week
-Work experience placement at Women's Hospital in the operating theatres
-6th form introduction to medicine course
-Shadowing endo-diabetes consultant in local hospital during summer for two days
-Helping lower years in maths lessons
-Volunteering at Nugent Care
-Volunteering to help out in medical student exams (OSCEs) at the University of Liverpool
Programmes I have been accepted into:
-Cambridge University Shadowing Scheme (lucky enough to receive a place during week 2 at Pembroke College to study Natural Sciences. Planning on attending numerous medicine lectures and visit a 'Life as a Medic' Course!)
-Cambridge Genetics and Biochemistry Masterclass
-Cambridge Magdalene College Residential in March
-Oxford Pathways Study Days to study Biomedical Science in March
-Liverpool Scholars Programme
-Social Mobility Foundation
-Nuffield Research Placement at Bristol Myers Squibb to undergo a project during the summer about pharmaceutical techniques in several therapeutic areas including cancer, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis and psychiatric disorders.
-Oxford UNIQ Summer School Week 1 to study Biomedical Science
I'm currently part of my school's More Able Programme. I'm also working towards 25 community hours, after which I will earn an employability award. I was a GirlGuide for 5 years where I completed numerous activities raising awareness of local charities targeting specific illness such as Cystic Fibrosis and Leukaemia.
I did gymnastics and dance for many years yet I eventually quit due to school requirements.
Revision Schedule:
At the moment I am planning on revising for 3 or 4 hours per weekday, steadily increasing closer to exam time. During weekends I often revise more, depending on other responsibilities.
I am hoping to finish writing my revision notes as soon as I learn the content in lessons, allowing me to have more time for exam preparation in which I will consolidate knowledge previously accumulated through revision and lessons. In this way I will have full understanding of the topics whilst also having awareness of the typical exam questions, their expectations and how to approach them. I will also attempt to teach myself further units in order to increase time efficiency so it's not all rushed near May/June. Exam season is stressful enough - I need to make myself feel as prepared as possible haha!
In order to improve my chemistry grade, I'm planning on using numerous resources. Personally I enjoy using the ChemGuide website which I find to be very thorough and detailed, providing both difficult and simple examples of mechanisms and concepts, meaning the more complex exam questions are easier to approach. I am a visual learner, so I enjoy watching videos and looking at bright colours to help me remember important details. My favourite method of revision is drawing out mind maps, posters, diagrams... I also enjoy watching Tyler DeWitt videos on YouTube, as well as Allery Tutors and CrashCourse Chemistry. I find that this has helped me to ensure I fully understand the content. Revision for biology follows a similar pattern.
As for Spanish, I plan to write at least one essay per week for each relevant topic. I currently attend a Spanish speaking session each week with a native in which I prepare for my Spanish oral exam.
For maths, I plan on completing a past paper a week alongside Solomon papers. I enjoy watching YouTube videos by ExamSolutions which are extremely useful when revising the more difficult exam questions.
During the summer I am planning on reading A LOT of medicine related books, as well as preparing for medical admission tests (BMAT/UKCAT).
Medicine books I'm interested in:
-A very short introduction to medical ethics
-The Checklist
-In Stitches
-So you want to be a doctor: the ultimate guide to getting into medical school
-The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a hat
Motivation for studying:
I honestly just want to make my parents proud. I'm so grateful to have an education so I might as well make the most of it
(edited 8 years ago)
Scroll to see replies
Good luck!!!! 
Original post by Pentaquark
Good luck!!!!
Thank you so much!! Good luck to you too - you will be amazing
Good luck!
Original post by Ninjakam119
Good luck!
Thank you! I will need it
hahaOriginal post by Tank Girl
Wow, you're so busy! Haha. 
This is fantastic, you'll be a shoe in for medicine you seem so motivated!
This is fantastic, you'll be a shoe in for medicine you seem so motivated!
I know! hopefully I will be accepted into at least 3 or 4 programmes to have relevant experience for my application 🙈
Thank you so much! I really hope I'm good enough for medicine haha, I have this really scary gut feeling that I will be rejected by every medicine course
hopefully everything works out! It's definitely a career I'm passionate about and I am so excited to see what the future brings!(edited 8 years ago)
Its not about how much you do it's about what you learn about each one. You won't have space to put all of that in your personal statement- however if you get an interview you can talk about it there
Posted from TSR Mobile
Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by spiritless98
Its not about how much you do it's about what you learn about each one. You won't have space to put all of that in your personal statement- however if you get an interview you can talk about it there
Posted from TSR Mobile
Posted from TSR Mobile
Tbh I definitely don't think I will be accepted by all the programmes I've applied for. I've only applied for so many in order to increase the probability of acceptance haha! That way at least I will have something to write about. Anyway medicine is a really competitive course so I think the more the better
at least I will have more experience and I will be able to discover what I'm interested in specialising in. By doing more programmes I will have more background knowledge and experience if I actually manage to be accepted haha Original post by etudixnt
Tbh I definitely don't think I will be accepted by all the programmes I've applied for. I've only applied for so many in order to increase the probability of acceptance haha! That way at least I will have something to write about. Anyway medicine is a really competitive course so I think the more the better at least I will have more experience and I will be able to discover what I'm interested in specialising in. By doing more programmes I will have more background knowledge and experience if I actually manage to be accepted haha
at least I will have more experience and I will be able to discover what I'm interested in specialising in. By doing more programmes I will have more background knowledge and experience if I actually manage to be accepted haha Yeah, I guess
But one piece of advice- on every work experience programme you do keep a diary of what you learnt that day - reflect upon it and why it made you more inclined to a career in medicine.
I didn't have much work experience but the work experience I did have I reflected upon it and expanded on why these experiences made me more interested in medicine and got an interview.
However I do know of people with a lot of experience - and try to include all of it in and don't get interviews because they haven't reflected.
Get as much work experience now- and pick out your top 3-4 experiences for your personal statement and what u learnt from them.
The others can be expanded on during your interview.
Best of luck.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Original post by spiritless98
Yeah, I guess
But one piece of advice- on every work experience programme you do keep a diary of what you learnt that day - reflect upon it and why it made you more inclined to a career in medicine.
I didn't have much work experience but the work experience I did have I reflected upon it and expanded on why these experiences made me more interested in medicine and got an interview.
However I do know of people with a lot of experience - and try to include all of it in and don't get interviews because they haven't reflected.
Get as much work experience now- and pick out your top 3-4 experiences for your personal statement and what u learnt from them.
The others can be expanded on during your interview.
Best of luck.
Posted from TSR Mobile
But one piece of advice- on every work experience programme you do keep a diary of what you learnt that day - reflect upon it and why it made you more inclined to a career in medicine.
I didn't have much work experience but the work experience I did have I reflected upon it and expanded on why these experiences made me more interested in medicine and got an interview.
However I do know of people with a lot of experience - and try to include all of it in and don't get interviews because they haven't reflected.
Get as much work experience now- and pick out your top 3-4 experiences for your personal statement and what u learnt from them.
The others can be expanded on during your interview.
Best of luck.
Posted from TSR Mobile
Thanks! I am planning on keeping a diary and prioritising my experiences based on what I found most interesting, and what would seem more impressive on my personal statement. Thanks again
Original post by batoot
this is awesome
what work experience/volunteering have you done/ are currently doing/ plan to do?
what work experience/volunteering have you done/ are currently doing/ plan to do?
Thank you so much! I hope I'm accepted into at least some of the programmes, I will need all the relevant experience I can get haha
hopefully everything works out because I always doubt myself 
I'm definitely volunteering to rebuild a school in Sri Lanka which has involved a lot of charity work and fundraising etc Also I am soon starting volunteering at my local hospital for 4 hours a week and also I'm shadowing a consultant at a different hospital. I also now help out in year 9 maths lessons. I've applied for many work experience placements but I am still awaiting replies
(edited 8 years ago)
Your profile for medicine seems exceptional! Literally everything you have stated are the things that I've been wanting to do (especially UNIQ) but delayed due to procrastination. Unfortunately procrastination being the damn thief of time affected my GCSE grades last year so this year I am aiming to focus on my academics and the admissions tests, thus I won't have time to apply to all these great programmes.
I'll be sure to follow this thread and hopefully see you work your way to getting an offer in a years time
I'll be sure to follow this thread and hopefully see you work your way to getting an offer in a years time
What examboards are you with for Chem and Bio (I'm with OCR A)? Any top tips for these subjects?
Original post by simply_a_ Δ
Your profile for medicine seems exceptional! Literally everything you have stated are the things that I've been wanting to do (especially UNIQ) but delayed due to procrastination. Unfortunately procrastination being the damn thief of time affected my GCSE grades last year so this year I am aiming to focus on my academics and the admissions tests, thus I won't have time to apply to all these great programmes.
I'll be sure to follow this thread and hopefully see you work your way to getting an offer in a years time
I'll be sure to follow this thread and hopefully see you work your way to getting an offer in a years time
Omg thank you so much! That's such a lovely thing to say, but I honestly have zero self confidence - I constantly put myself down and think I will fail haha, you can imagine how shocked I was when I received my GCSE results! I almost cried haha, I suppose I need to believe in myself more
Yet I must say that although I've applied for these programmes I highly doubt I will actually be successful and gain a place haha! It's merely just a list of the potential topics to talk about in my UCAS personal statement and (hopefully!) interviews. I'm still waiting for my replies off the majority of these programmes. Hopefully i will be accepted into at least some of these programmes, that would be such a relief! It's a painful wait, I'm causing myself a lot of worrying hahaha! Procrastination is the worssssst! Recently I've found myself avoiding revision by reading numerous TSR threads... Probably not the best idea :P i think that it's extremely helpful to set goals for yourself, that you can work towards and motivate yourself to work hard. For me it was to make my parents proud and give something back to them, after everything they do for me
Good luck in your academics! I'm sure you will do absolutely amazing - you seem so motivated! Thank you sooo much! Xxx
Original post by simply_a_ Δ
What examboards are you with for Chem and Bio (I'm with OCR A)? Any top tips for these subjects?
I'm currently studying the AQA reformed spec, but I would say that revision for Chem and Bio would be almost exactly the same within all exam boards
Honestly I think it would be really helpful to revise each sub topic as you learn them in lessons. Make notes as soon as you cover the content in lessons, which ensures that your revision notes are all fully prepared whilst also consolidating your knowledge learned during the day. This refreshes your memory and means it will last longer in your mind
by revising as you go along, you will be more relaxed during exam season since you will have more time to prepare for exam questions. I find that the sciences often repeat questions, sometimes changing certain examples, but generally the style and structure of the questions are the same each year. Therefore PRACTICE QUESTIONS ARE KEY! Haha it's honestly so useful to do a lotttt of past papers since you're more aware of what the exam board expects you to write I'm a very visual learner so I like drawing mind maps, flash cards, posters, watching videos... I find it helps my memory retain itself. For chemistry, I recommend CrashCourse Chemistry, Allery Tutors, Khan Academy and Tyler DeWitt, all of which as on YouTube. For biology, CrashCourse Biology is very useful. Also there are videos made by My A Level Biology (the man who made the my GCSE science videos started A level Biology videos too) but this is specifically for AQA. I'm sure the concepts will all be similar though, just check your spec! I think that watching videos allows you to visualise the concepts learned in lessons meaning it's easier to remember
you can also watch videos at any time, for example if you're in the car to school each morning you could watch some revision videos.. In terms of revision websites DocBrown is realllly good as well as ChemGuide. Most importantly i think it's important that you use your specification as a revision checklist. Thoroughly analyse the spec, since this is everything you're expected to understand. Highlight areas you're weak on whilst also ticking off subjects you've thoroughly covered in revision. This method was so useful during my GCSEs
Good luck in your exams! I'm sure you will do amazingly well
Original post by etudixnt
I'm currently studying the AQA reformed spec, but I would say that revision for Chem and Bio would be almost exactly the same within all exam boards
Honestly I think it would be really helpful to revise each sub topic as you learn them in lessons. Make notes as soon as you cover the content in lessons, which ensures that your revision notes are all fully prepared whilst also consolidating your knowledge learned during the day. This refreshes your memory and means it will last longer in your mind by revising as you go along, you will be more relaxed during exam season since you will have more time to prepare for exam questions. I find that the sciences often repeat questions, sometimes changing certain examples, but generally the style and structure of the questions are the same each year. Therefore PRACTICE QUESTIONS ARE KEY! Haha it's honestly so useful to do a lotttt of past papers since you're more aware of what the exam board expects you to write
I'm a very visual learner so I like drawing mind maps, flash cards, posters, watching videos... I find it helps my memory retain itself. For chemistry, I recommend CrashCourse Chemistry, Allery Tutors, Khan Academy and Tyler DeWitt, all of which as on YouTube. For biology, CrashCourse Biology is very useful. Also there are videos made by My A Level Biology (the man who made the my GCSE science videos started A level Biology videos too) but this is specifically for AQA. I'm sure the concepts will all be similar though, just check your spec! I think that watching videos allows you to visualise the concepts learned in lessons meaning it's easier to remember you can also watch videos at any time, for example if you're in the car to school each morning you could watch some revision videos.. In terms of revision websites DocBrown is realllly good as well as ChemGuide.
Most importantly i think it's important that you use your specification as a revision checklist. Thoroughly analyse the spec, since this is everything you're expected to understand. Highlight areas you're weak on whilst also ticking off subjects you've thoroughly covered in revision. This method was so useful during my GCSEs
Good luck in your exams! I'm sure you will do amazingly well
Honestly I think it would be really helpful to revise each sub topic as you learn them in lessons. Make notes as soon as you cover the content in lessons, which ensures that your revision notes are all fully prepared whilst also consolidating your knowledge learned during the day. This refreshes your memory and means it will last longer in your mind
by revising as you go along, you will be more relaxed during exam season since you will have more time to prepare for exam questions. I find that the sciences often repeat questions, sometimes changing certain examples, but generally the style and structure of the questions are the same each year. Therefore PRACTICE QUESTIONS ARE KEY! Haha it's honestly so useful to do a lotttt of past papers since you're more aware of what the exam board expects you to write I'm a very visual learner so I like drawing mind maps, flash cards, posters, watching videos... I find it helps my memory retain itself. For chemistry, I recommend CrashCourse Chemistry, Allery Tutors, Khan Academy and Tyler DeWitt, all of which as on YouTube. For biology, CrashCourse Biology is very useful. Also there are videos made by My A Level Biology (the man who made the my GCSE science videos started A level Biology videos too) but this is specifically for AQA. I'm sure the concepts will all be similar though, just check your spec! I think that watching videos allows you to visualise the concepts learned in lessons meaning it's easier to remember
you can also watch videos at any time, for example if you're in the car to school each morning you could watch some revision videos.. In terms of revision websites DocBrown is realllly good as well as ChemGuide. Most importantly i think it's important that you use your specification as a revision checklist. Thoroughly analyse the spec, since this is everything you're expected to understand. Highlight areas you're weak on whilst also ticking off subjects you've thoroughly covered in revision. This method was so useful during my GCSEs
Good luck in your exams! I'm sure you will do amazingly well
Thank you for the detailed response!! I find videos really helpful too, it's just the case of whether I'm able to summon the energy to review my notes and do the practice questions lol. But I'll use you as my role model and hopefully I'll be more motivated.
Good luck to you too
Currently on the Cambridge University Shadow Scheme and having an amazing time! Already looking forward to coming back to Cambridge for the Genetics and Biochemistry masterclass next Saturday! Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. I'm currently staying at Pembroke College, of which I've had a tour. All the buildings are so pretty and the grounds are so stunning! We visited the library which was amazing - I wish I could study there every day! I'm sharing a room with three other shadows who are all lovely people and I've also made friends with the other Pembroke shadows. It's such a motivational atmosphere. I feel like everyone works so hard and it's nice to relate to people who have the same goals as yourself
After the tour of Pembroke, I met my mentor who is so lovely! She gave me thorough in depth descriptions and explanations of the Collegiate system at Cambridge, the admissions process and the structure of the Medicine course at Cambridge. She also toured me around the city, showing me all the different colleges such as Trinity, Clare College and King's College. She showed me all her favourite places to visit in Cambridge and even took me into a little fudge cafe hahah! At this point it was slowly getting dark so all the lights lit the street making everything even more pretty. I got loads of pictures as you can imagine ahaha. She told me that there are over 130 libraries in Cambridge, with the main library holding every single book EVER published in the UK... Is that even possible omg 😂 it's like my heaven ✌🏻️After about an hour we had a formal dinner which was a strange experience to say the least haha. I literally felt like I was in Harry Potter or something because all the professors and fellows sat at the head table whilst the students sat on the lower tables. Candles were lit and the teachers were wearing gowns. There was even a grace in which someone spoke Latin hahaha. Afterwards all the Pembroke people had another tour of Cambridge. I just can't believe how pretty the buildings are. Perfect for Instagram aha Then we all headed to the common room to watch a film, which was fun. After a 5am start I'm now exhausted.
Tomorrow I'm going to two medicine lectures: anatomy in the morning and physiology in the afternoon. Afterwards I'm going to a 'Life as a Medical Student' activity in a hospital. We're also planning on going to the Meet the Students activity. So excited!
After the tour of Pembroke, I met my mentor who is so lovely! She gave me thorough in depth descriptions and explanations of the Collegiate system at Cambridge, the admissions process and the structure of the Medicine course at Cambridge. She also toured me around the city, showing me all the different colleges such as Trinity, Clare College and King's College. She showed me all her favourite places to visit in Cambridge and even took me into a little fudge cafe hahah! At this point it was slowly getting dark so all the lights lit the street making everything even more pretty. I got loads of pictures as you can imagine ahaha. She told me that there are over 130 libraries in Cambridge, with the main library holding every single book EVER published in the UK... Is that even possible omg 😂 it's like my heaven ✌🏻️After about an hour we had a formal dinner which was a strange experience to say the least haha. I literally felt like I was in Harry Potter or something because all the professors and fellows sat at the head table whilst the students sat on the lower tables. Candles were lit and the teachers were wearing gowns. There was even a grace in which someone spoke Latin hahaha. Afterwards all the Pembroke people had another tour of Cambridge. I just can't believe how pretty the buildings are. Perfect for Instagram aha
Then we all headed to the common room to watch a film, which was fun. After a 5am start I'm now exhausted. Tomorrow I'm going to two medicine lectures: anatomy in the morning and physiology in the afternoon. Afterwards I'm going to a 'Life as a Medical Student' activity in a hospital. We're also planning on going to the Meet the Students activity. So excited!
(edited 8 years ago)
I am currently on my train home from Cambridge. I had such an amazing time on the Shadowing Scheme - I learned so much about Cambridge, medicine and university in general! I'm so grateful to have been given the opportunity to visit the university for three days. My first ever experience of lecturing was in the first year anatomy lecture for medical students which was SO interesting!! I loved it so so so much. The lecture was about 'Applied Anatomy of the Abdominal Viscera' more specifically the gastrointestinal tract. I made so many notes about it because I was genuinely so fascinated by the topic. Similarly I went to a physiology lecture later on in the day about pulmonary respiration perfusion which was also extremely interesting but I found some parts of this lecture quite confusing haha. Experiencing these lectures ultimately made me even more motivated to do well in my A Levels and I'm so determined to go to medical school. I'm planning on writing up my notes on the lectures, researching into the subject and write about it in my personal statement. I later went to a Life as a Medical Student activity in which we visited Addenbrooke's Hospital. I learned about how to carry out a cardiovascular examination and a blood pressure test, whilst also learning the science behind the different procedures. It was really helpful to have some clinical experience because the traditional medical course at Cambridge means that from first year to third year students purely learn medical theory rather than having clinical practice like they do in fourth year to sixth year. So most medical mentors in the shadowing scheme had not done any clinical studies and were still in their preclinical years. I found it so interesting! We then had a medical admissions talk which was also very useful. I've decided I might apply to work for St John's Ambulance or do St John's Ambulance cadets which would be beneficial for my application
Anyway I had such a great time and I would recommend it to anyone! It's definitely encouraged me to apply to Cambridge for medicine. I especially like the idea of the intercalating year in which I could have the opportunity to take a year out to study a specific area of medicine, such as pathology for example. I can't wait to return to Cambridge next week for my genetics and biochemistry masterclass!
Anyway I had such a great time and I would recommend it to anyone! It's definitely encouraged me to apply to Cambridge for medicine. I especially like the idea of the intercalating year in which I could have the opportunity to take a year out to study a specific area of medicine, such as pathology for example. I can't wait to return to Cambridge next week for my genetics and biochemistry masterclass!
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