Last year I kept a written journal for the first time in my life.
This year, I've decided to do the same. And with that in mind, I'll start this thread off in a very similar way.
In the form of commonly asked questions, I'll write my self-introduction.
I put them in spoiler tags so you don't have to bother with things you don't find interesting ;)
Who are you and what school do you go to?
Very easy to discover (unfortunately).
I will be going to the University of New South Wales to study their Bachelor of Medical Studies/Doctor of Medicine course!
What/when/why/how did you start uni? etc. etc. (longgg lmao)
You can read about my motivations to study medicine in much more detail in my
Year 12 Journey Journal.
In a nutshell(?), I began to seriously consider medicine in about Year 10. I had entertained the idea in the back of my mind since I was in primary school, when my best friends and I dreamt of studying medicine and living together in Melbourne. I was the first to “grow up” from this fantasy, when I decided in Year 7 that I wanted to do Japanese interpretation/translation. As I
actually grew up, I realised that Japanese wouldn't be my whole life, and I became interested in speech pathology in Year 9. By Year 10, I had applied for a week of work experience at the Royal Women's Hospital, specifically asking for a speech pathology orientation of sorts (which didn't ever happen). I loved that week, but by chance stumbled across the Royal Melbourne Hospital's work experience program happening the following week and applied on a whim. I describe this week as a “flame lit” or a “seed planted”.
The concept of medical practice and surgery began to plague my mind for the next few years. I was reading medical professionals’ blogs, researching the structure of a life in medicine, considering other careers, and burying myself in all the information I could for weeks and weeks on end. In Year 12, I decided to undertake a Certificate course in Allied Health Assistance to help my ascertain whether I had made the right decision. My maths teacher laughed at me, the VCAL students were confused, but I maintain the opinion that doing that course was one of the best things I have ever done.
It was a long, upsetting and difficult path to secure a place in a medical course. But, by Providence, I am now enrolled in a course I had thought was impossible for me to enter.
What are you doing this year?
Here's a low-down of the first year* of UNSW's BMed/MD course, which is delivered through lectures, 'scenario groups’, labs, pracs, clinical skills sessions and later, hospital placements:
Foundations
Our first subject (8 weeks) is very broad and seeks to establish a solid base in biomedical science and health science disciplines. This includes anatomy, histology, biochemistry, biology, pathology, physiology, cell biology, immunology, lab skills, microbiology, psychology, pharmacology, and embryology for the former, and Aboriginal health, public health, quality medical practice, medical ethics and clinical skills for the latter.
Beginnings, Growth and Development A
This 8-week subject aims to take us through all aspects of the beginnings of life. Sexuality, pregnancy, labour, gene inheritance, infertility, reproductive system A&P, maternal and perinatal morbidity, Aboriginal/rural reproductive health, embryology, hormones, STIs, screening and counselling, cell differentiation… you name it.
There is a focus on scenarios, like cases of teenage pregnancies, infertile couples, abortion etc.
We also begin having hospital rotations once fortnightly at a hospital clinical school (Prince of Wales, St. Vincent's, St. George, or South West Sydney/Liverpool).
Beginnings, Growth and Development B shifts the focus to paediatric and adolescent health.
Health Maintenance B
This subject tackles some of the issues commonly experienced by adults. The focus in this subject is on the renal and hepatobiliary system, organ transplantation, drugs and alcohol, metabolism, weight management and exercise, diabetes etc.
Our fortnightly hospital visits continue, with a special focus on patients with gastrointestinal illness.
Health Maintenance A focuses more on the cardiovascular system and drug use (therapeutic as well as illicit).
Agings and Endings A
Our final subject looks at health problems in later life. Some major topics are the skeletal system, arthritis, chronic pain, cancer (particularly bowel cancer), palliative care and pain management.
There is also special focus on death, dying and grieving.
Our hospital placements consist of examination of the skeletal system.
Aging and Endings B mainly teaches about the brain, a bit about neurodegeneration, plus a bit about menopause and breast cancer.
*If you didn't notice, the subjects are rotating! My year will be doing A, B, A whereas the year before us would have done B, A, B in Year 1. That way, the Year 1s and 2s actually join for the second part of the year to learn together.
What are your hobbies?
I really hope to keep up my Japanese somehow during university. I'm not too sure how. I don't really want to join a Japanese club/society, so I think I'll try some web-based learning that can be self-paced and non-committal.
Speaking of clubs and societies, I am thinking of joining a cooking club. I love food, but haven't really cooked much. Considering I'll have to be self sufficient, I figured it was a good way to learn (while making some friends!).
I want to join maybe another club/society of time permits. I'm thinking maybe something art-related. I figure I won't rush into it and just settle into something later on if I feel so inclined.
I also want to get strong! Need to find a gym bae.
Maybe some leadership stuff? Where am I going to find the time...
How are you going to survive?
This ice breaker has turned from “what are your plans after VCE?” to this lol. I think it's very fitting.
For those of you that don't know, I'll be moving from regional Victoria to NSW! I don't know a single soul in Sydney, and it will be my first time moving away from home!
I'm sharing a flat across the road from the university, with two other female students (whom I have never met).
My biggest struggle will be managing my weight and diet. I am good at budgeting, am quite social, and hit the books when I need to. But when it comes to looking after my own health, I have a lot of learning to do.
What are your goals for 2019?
I'm going to be a bit more modest this year! (Haha).
Or maybe not :/
I hope I can maintain a 75+ average. I have a couple of long term goals that require good academic standing, so I hope to give my future self less of a headache.
My other goals are less bookish! I hope to put on 10kg this year. I also want to maintain this journal! I did a fairly good job last year, so let's hope I can keep it up. I think reflection is a really important practice, and writing this journal in a public arena has helped me evaluate my thoughts and adapt a positive attitude towards the experiences in my week.
As always, feel free to contribute to the thread (or PM me if you're feeling shy!). I can use all the advice I can get, and feel (very naively) that through this year I might be able to offer some as well! :)
Welcome to 2019 everyone!