a) Hello hello. Let's be honest here (coming from a 3rd year medic) - support is sufficient. There's always room for improvement. I mean MedSoc is fantastic with support as we've got a dedicated Welfare Rep to help with any problems. On top of that MedSoc offers a "buddy scheme" where you'll be paired up with 2 upper year medics (in the year above). It's a great way to meet some upper years and from what I've heard - people had mix experiences. I'm a "parent" and I try my best to be a good "mom", but I wouldn't chase my kids around and constantly ask them if they need any help. Instead I make it known to them that I'm always free to meet/talk to. I even had other people who aren't my kids email me to meet up and have a chat. I enjoy talking to people and helping people out.
Support is a two-way process. I always hear students complain that they don't get enough support, but at the same time they don't go looking for it. MedSoc certainly provides a lot of support but I think students need to take the initiative to find support if they need it. We won't know there are problems unless you approach someone for help. Also there are people who volunteer for the buddy scheme who I personally feel aren't interested in mentoring students. I've heard various complaints how the "parents" don't keep in contact or reply to their "children's" emails. Nothing is perfect.
In terms of official support from the school - it isn't publicized much, but you can always email your phase director or admin for any sort of help. Personal help - we have a Personal Academic Tutor Scheme so we'll get a doctor who will be your mentor. This scheme has mixed reviews as it depends on who is your mentor. Some people have had fantastic mentors who has a lot of time to meet with you. Unfortunately I wasn't that lucky and in first year I had a professor as a mentor and to get a meeting with him, you have to arrange your meeting like 6 weeks in advance. Some mentors don't have as much time to meet and there were times where I wished my mentor had time to talk to me. I mean if you really hunt for personal help - you'll find it as there are plenty of outlets to go to. If you really need help though - I think it is best to go to MedSoc as we're pretty geared towards helping out students as we've probably encountered similar problems and can sympathize more readily.
b) Student life is fantastic in Sheffield. Very student friendly as the city is mainly dominated by students.
There's plenty to do - cinemas, ice skating, shopping (meadowhall), clubbing, bars, etc. Sheffield is very international friendly as well. The city is very diverse and I haven't been given a hard time yet. The medical school is also international friendly and the students all seem very welcoming to internationals. I think it's my accent though.
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