A day in my life

It's been a while since I caught you all up on my life - partly due to being head deep in dissertation work and partly due to still needing time to process my offers to study medicine. Buuut, I think it has been long enough and I am finally in a place where I can slow the role with my stress levels for a week or two.

Being a third-year Biomedical Sciences student isn't easy, and I never claim it to be. It has been one of the most stressful years of my life (and the year isn't over) but one that has come with so many highlights that I wouldn't change it for the world.

While third-year is busy, and especially so in the semester I am currently finishing, my timetable has never been all that full with things like lectures and seminars and instead my time has been dedicated to research. Below is a simplified breakdown of one day in my life....

7am - Rise and shine 
8.20am - Set off to catch the Metro into uni
9am - Take my favourite seat in the library (yes, by third-year that is a thing) and have some breakfast
9am-12.30pm - Work, work, work 

• At this point in the academic year and with my dissertation in full swing, this consisted of reading published journal articles and papers which looked into the field of research linked with my dissertation as well as completing statistical tests on my data. 

12.30pm-1pm - Lunch 

1pm-5pm - Work some more

5pm - Head home 

5.30pm - Tea time and catching up with my housemates

6pm-9.30pm - Work a little bit more/Revise 

9.30pm - Shower

10pm - Bed 

It is a wonder that I had time to spend with my family, friends and Kieron, but by making my Monday-Friday this productive it meant that I could take the weekend to myself! It may not have been the most social semester in my time at university, but it has been a semester that means a lot with regards to my degree and so I wanted to ensure I worked at all times to my maximum. 

While this blog has been a little different to my previous, I hope you still all enjoy!

H. x

Getting the interview and securing the offer - medical school style

4 interviews for medical school - wow.

4 offers for medical school - naaa, that only happens to a handful of people - not me.

^The thoughts I had at the back of my mind throughout the whole process of applying to medical school. Turns out I was wrong; it is possible if you believe in yourself, push through obstacles and work hard for what you want. Success is only a hop, skip and jump away!

I had a 'person' (as Meredith and Christina would word it), or a few for that matter that have helped me along the way to reach the point in which I am today - from my parents always being behind me no matter what, to my best friend (Miss Sophie) making me see the good in everything and always being there to help when I was feeling deflated, to the amazing current medical students, junior doctors and, consultants that have allowed me to shadow them in clinics and theatre, and been on hand to read through many, many personal statement drafts. The success in my life cannot be put all down to me - there are many people who have helped me to believe in myself along the way and for that I will be eternally thankful! That being said, 110% of me has gone into my application process to get to here, I have worked for 12+ hours on countless days, given up being able to go out and party and even let friends and family down time and time again to put my dream of being a doctor as my priority - something I would do again and again!

For those beginning to think about starting the journey I have made, welcome to the best and most stressful times of your life!

To make sure you make it to the other side with your head held high and offers in hand, I have put together my tips and tricks to keeping sane and being the best version of yourself.

Getting the interview:

•   This is one of the biggest hurdles to jump over, but to me not the biggest - that's yet to come! It is a time in your life that will possibly feel like it never ends. You spend all your spare time between classes and revision writing draft after draft after draft of your personal statement, only to hate the way it reads or be told by someone reading it that it is 'bland'. So you start again. The cycle progresses for a few weeks before you hit the jackpot and write the perfect personal statement that really does show off your character, and all the work experience you have undertaken. Bingo! Now you are half way to getting that place at medical school. 

•   That is, once the dreaded UKCAT/BMAT/GAMSAT test has been taken - another daunting and stressful time to say the least. You can practice, practice, practice and still feel underprepared. It's a test like no other and it really can be down to luck of the day and the pick of the questions that can make or break you succeeding. BUT, I have a secret weapon to ensure success - alongside the months I spent revising for the UKCAT, I was fortunate enough to have the funds to take part in the 'Kaplan UCAT® (UKCAT) Course' in Manchester. A course that was the saving grace and a real game changer in getting my scores from 650 up to 830! The course is pricey to say the least, but if medicine is really what you want to do and you cannot see yourself doing anything else then my advice - save up and do it! It will be the best investment you make for a very long time!

•   All this being said, there really is no point in doing any of this if there is any doubt in your mind that medicine may not be for you. You have to love your volunteering and work experience placements, want to make a difference to peoples lives and enjoy learning (because let's be honest, the hard work has not started at all yet). If you can't truly say to yourself I will be a doctor because that is all I have ever wanted to be and all I care to do, then I say think carefully about your decision. Medicine is a long degree, and it doesn't stop there. Make sure it is what you really do want! 

Securing an offer:

•   So, you have the interviews and you've set a date for them - at least 2 weeks away from the time you get them is the best advice I can give - now it's time to get yourself into gear and be prepared to show off yourself and what you have to offer and make the schools see that you are a student they want! 

•   Interview season can be beyond stressful; trust me I have been there, got the t-shirt and my parents can vouch for this. It's a time of uncertainty and of unease, and that's for the ones like me that have been preparing all their life for this. The fear of not being known what in the world you are going to be asked can make your mind run away with you - from planning out answers to 'why medicine?' all the way to worrying that they will ask you on the current situation in Bermuda and they way in which this affects healthcare worldwide. The best advice for this? Look at past questions ANY and ALL medical schools have asked, and the ones that scare you think of answers for - do this as bullet points only though. You don't want your answers to sound rehearsed. 

•   For my personal interview preparation (which has appeared to work), I made myself a folder and divided it up into sections for each medical school interview, Good Medical Practice and the NHS Code of Conduct and then a section which included me looking at all the question types on the 'The Medic Portal'. From this I felt beyond prepared to answer anything the interviewers threw at me, with confidence and self-worth. 

•   Remaining yourself throughout the whole interview process is key, and if you are only to take home one thing from this blog this is it! Losing yourself in the process is a possibility - there is potentially a lot of travelling, very different interview styles to prepare for and the chance that you are putting everything on one or two interviews going well. Of course, you are going to try and present yourself as the best version of yourself - but this can go wrong and you can fall at the hurdle of making yourself appear as a robot when being asked about yourself and why you want to study medicine. That's the worst mistake an applicant can make. If you can't remain 100% yourself throughout, then you fear being changed all the way through your time at medical school and beyond - an 'ideal' that you have created of what the perfect applicant looks like; something that doesn't exist. We are all different, all offer different attributes to the school and to the medical vocation, and this is what encompasses this profession. Being yourself is what got you to the interview, so why change?!

•   Finally, something I can say have been victim too - pondering on 'bad' answers. This is a mistake of colossal size, which can cost many an applicant a place at medical school, sleep and their sanity. Once you have answered a question and moved on, then move on. You can't go back in time, you can't take words back and worrying about it will not help anyone in anyway. Instead, learn from it. You didn't know about the Junior Doctor contract? (may not be the right profession for you, but..) Research. You struggled to answer 'why a doctor and not a nurse?' Write down all the reasons for and against both, look into the ways in which you can progress within each profession and any major differences between both that have been critical in your decision. Interviews are all about being prepared and constantly learning. It's a skill that develops the more you practice and the more you have interviews. AND the interviewers know this. We aren't all born with the gift of confidence, but we all have the ability to learn and that's what the interviewers will see. The determination you show to get the place that you deserve. 

I guess it sounds easier said than done, but I've made it to the other side and been lucky enough to have my hard work and dedication pay off, so I know that it is possible. Sticking to your gut, being yourself and working to reach your goals are the difference between being able to sit and study knowing you're going to medical school and being left disappointed. It's that's simple. My tips may not work for all, but the generic theory behind them all is something I believe can work for everyone applying to medical school. Maybe it's about all the work you put into succeeding, or maybe it's about the amount you believe in yourself. Maybe it's both. Either way, I'm saying a little prayer for all of you who will begin embarking on this journey soon - embrace the challenges and celebrate each success. It really is an adventure. One that I will never forget. 

Love H. x

Waiting...

It can be a hard time post-interview for medical school, and it has certainly began to hit me. Once the offers start rolling out around you, and you are still yet to have any change to your UCAS, it can be easy to fall into the pit of negativity - I say this from experience as I sit in the midst of revision. But, as my mum reminded me, do not despair. No news is good news.

At this stage in the cycle, some people have had their interviews months ago and some people are yet to be interviewed. The end is not, by any means, near. I keep reminding myself that there is plenty of time until univerisities stop giving offers out, and all going well mine will be on their way (like a letter for Hogwarts but better), but I more than know the feeling of wanting and waiting to hear.

I have been here before I remind myself, but last time I had only had one interview to whcih I pinned all my hopes and dreams onto - and I made it then (well got an offer). So there is time, there is no need to worry and there is 100% no need to start to think about plan B, C, D...

I say all this, but still question my abilities and my worth with my parents. Believing in myself is something that has always took work for me, and I guess it is safe to say it still needs some work, but I am getting there.

I guess what I am trying to get across in the diary-style, Bridget Jones esk blog is that you and I do not need to worry until there is something to worry about. Life is good, health is good and happiness is all around.

H. x

Holly's tips for medical school interviews

While this could be a premature blog, having not heard as of yet whether I have been successful with my own interviews I don't think it can be harmful for those quite possibly preparing for the biggest day of their life so far.

I have a few tips which I stick to during interview season, some of which I hope people can find helpful-

1. Stay calm.
2. Read up on current and past medical issues which are making 'waves' in the news.
3. Look over the duties of doctors and what is expected of you both as a medical student and well into your career.
4. Make sure you can answer the question 'why medicine?' - so many fall at this hurdle and its the one that should be the easiest.
5. Don't over prepare to the point that you can recite answers to potential questions in your sleep.
6. Be aware of ethical dilemmas which could crop up in your time as a doctor.
7. Always be appreciative of other medical professions - their role is no less than that of a doctor by any means.
8. Read - whether this be books, journals, or newpapers make sure to widen your knowledge and be prepared for them asking about something you have read recently or something you enjoy to read about.
9. Don't prepare answers to what you think the medical school want you to say - they want your opinion to situations and for you to be yourself.
10. Spend time away from your preparation with family and friends.

While these may be personal tips, I believe they are ones which are well rounded and useful for all applicants preparing for medical school interviews.

I hope this helps someone out there.

Best of luck, Holly. x

Starting my 'dissertation'

So the last two weeks have been superrrrr busy, and filled with lots of new challenges and adventures. Being in my final year and final semester of Biomed at Newcastle means that I am well into 'dissertation' semester. While for us we are not officially writing a dissertation and instead completing a research project which we will write a 'paper' on, it's kinda the same thing.

We are given a question or topic to which we create our own question, and have 10 weeks to attempt to answer/prove/disprove this. This is either done in the form of a lab experiment or by carrying out statistical analysis/research (the latter of which is what I am doing). 8 of the weeks we have to find the data and complete the experiments/studies and the final 2 weeks are solely for writing it all up ready to hand in (ooooh scary).

Up to now, I am loving every aspect of what my project entails. I get to look at congenital heart disease in adults, which for anyone that knows me is of major interest to me and a field of medicine which I would LOVE to go into one day, be in the hospital learning from the best in their field and do tons of research which is the side of Biomed I really enjoy. For me, I get the best of both worlds.

This semester is full of new oportunities and one which I think I can say is my favourite of all the semesters, but it is also quite a sad one - we don't get to see our course friends nearly half as much as we would like and it's the final semester ever of this degree which is obviously sad to have to say.

Being able to look back on the degree and forward to what this 'dissertation' will teach me, it is safe to say that I am beyond lucky for the way my life turned out and if I had to go back and do it all again I would not change a thing.

For anyone thinking Biomed as a step into medicine or as their aspiration in life, I highly recommend it, and Newcastle. I have learnt so much, not just academically but about myself too and grown more as a person than I ever thought imaginable.

What an amazing 3 years it has been so far!

H. x

Here's to 2019

As I take a break from university work and interview preparations, I am able to reflect on the year I have had and all the amazing things that have come my way during 2018. While it may not have been completely smooth sailing, and I have definitely had some huge knockbacks and disappointment, it has been a year which has given me lots to be thankful for.

Some amazing things that were part of 2018 include-

• Overcoming major issues with regards to my anxiety
• Traveling to Amsterdam with my best friends
• Lots of fun times with new and old friends
• Having a summer full of laughter, sun and, great people
• Getting my first tattoo with a meaning close to home 
• Watching Ed Sheeran in concert
• Visiting Madrid with my 'big sister'
• Falling in love
• Making memories in new countries with my family
• Learning to love myself
• Securing 3 medical school interviews
• Turning 21 🎉

I have never been one to create resolutions, but this year I am setting myself goals. I want to make sure that I make time away from university work to enjoy the small things in life and the experiences which make everyday special.

Some goals I have set myself are-

• Read more books 
• Take at least one day a month off social media 
• Be more appreciative of my parents and the sacrifices they have made for me 
• Learn sign language
• Travel more 
• Write a blog every fortnight
• Save money
• Learn to cook 
• Exercise more 

While some of these may seem little, they are things which I believe will make a huge difference to my life and the lives of others. 

I hope that you have all had a wonderful New Years Eve, and are ready for 2019 - here's to it being full of love, happiness and success. 

Love H. x

My interview tips

As we are all now in full swing of the interview season, I thought I would share a brief overview of some of the tips that I have to ensure you remain focused, yourself and calm during medical school interviews.

While I did manage to succeed at interview and gain a medical school place when I first applied, do not take these tips as biblical. Different techniques work for different people and for different universities.

1. Remain yourself - do not try and be someone you are not. Medical schools will pick up on this and know that you are not being genuine. Although the process is daunting, they are real people as much as you are and are looking for you to be yourself and shine.

2. Keep calm. It can be easy to slip into a state of panic before what could be the biggest interview of your life, but it is important not to let this fear take over you. You will have (hopefully) done the prep and so there will be no need to worry. This is your time to really show what you have to offer to the medical school, so make it count|!

3. Do the preparations before-hand. Getting this far should mean that you have done many hours of work experience or voluntary work and from this, you should have learned so much about the career, the traits needed to make a good doctor and the pitfalls of medicine. Remember these - the work you did was not to get you into medical school, it was to make sure your motivation was genuine, to ensure you could cope with the requirements of such a career and an opportunity to learn what it is like to be part of such a multi-disciplinary team.
Look over the politics affecting the NSH and if you haven't already gauge an opinion on such, taking into account all sides of the issue. Keep up to date with new findings and recent publications, and be aware of the ethics surrounding medicine.

4. Practice - whether this be in front of a mirror, in the car with your parents, with help from your friends or in the form of a mock interview make sure that you have stimulated what the day will be like and you have an idea of the ways in which questions are asked and how you can answer them.

5. Plan the day.
 - Ensure you have your outfit picked out and ready for you the night before - this may seem tedious but it can be overlooked and cause unnecessary stress on the big day.
 - Look at the route to the medical school, any traffic problems and, alternative access if roads are blocked.

6. Think positive - you are a strong applicant that the medical school have seen something in. Remember this when you may begin to compare yourself to the other applicants around, or worry that you have not done enough prep. The medical school picked you from tons of applicants to invite to interview - this is an achievement in itself.

Best of luck to all applicants preparing for upcoming interviews - remember you are amazing!!

Holly x