Funded Competition Entry
What advice would you give to students starting your course?
Whenever anybody asks me ‘what is the most challenging thing you have ever done?’ My reflex reaction is always the same; “medicine”. Ironically if anyone were to ask me what’s the most enjoyable and rewarding thing you’ve ever done? Again, I’d say “medicine”.
In my fourth year at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, I can see the finishing line in the distance. This is not because I’m yearning to complete my course, far from it. I just can’t wait to stop ‘playing doctors’ and be a real one. Many students realise they want to do medicine early on, and are often very dedicated in achieving their goal. The perseverance only intensifies throughout medical school – many with the driven intent in wanting to become a doctor.
So in 2007 what advice would I give to a new medical student? Well, in the wake of modernising medical careers and new application processes, my advice would be simple really. Keep yourself inspired by medicine. It’s the most obvious yet important way to keep yourself on track in any career, not just medicine. Being inspired to do something you love helps you face the grueling pace, and any obstacles that may come in your way. Keeping yourself inspired by medicine can be achieved in many ways. There are two ways I keep myself inspired by medicine. Personally I am interested in radiology. Therefore when I’m studying an area that’s not one of my favourites, I try to relate it to radiology. Also I’m always the first one to volunteer to follow a patients radiological investigations, much to my peers dismay. This is where student selected components of modern medical training is a true success. It encourages students to keep their own interests at heart, especially when medicine is such a broad subject. This interest of mine always keeps a smile on my face.
Another more pertinent inspiration for my medical training is simple. Patients. I knew the sooner I understood how to communicate with patients the better I could progress. I feel with regards to my training it to be one of the most important skills to learn and develop, but it didn’t come easily. Looking back, my reflection of the first year was evidence that I had matured a lot.
“I want to talk to patients, but I’m so nervous. I think I’m going to say or do something wrong.”
Primary Care Visit 1, Year 1 Portfolio, Oct 2003.
Challenging patients and scenarios over the years have tested my capabilities. Although it is the individual narrative and relationships you make with patients through your training, that you remember, and what encourages you to carry on with your studies.
It is important that skills, like talking to patients are self assessed. Self-evaluation is a noted way to develop your skills; it makes you a better student, and eventually a better doctor. Looking back through my years, the achievements I have made allows for my personal appraisal, as well as planning actions to be taken to better myself. Critical to your evaluation is the opinions, advice and help of others. Learning and development in medicine never stops. Medical professionals at all levels are still traveling on the learning curve, as a student you will begin to realise this. You must from day one understand that your peers, will eventually be your colleagues. Helping one another is vital, as you will grow together. Throughout medical school you will need support from each other regarding professional and personal matters. Therefore your peers will at times, be a key source of support. Respect and professionalism for each other should be adopted from the beginning.
My last piece of advice would be a subject I feel very strongly about. I am a keen supporter of the attitude that every medical student should be somehow actively involved with medical school activities, societies and student affairs. I believe it enriches your medical school experience, and you carry on learning about yourself and others, that wouldn’t come about through your individual study. Whether it be a team captain, student representative, president or committee position there are certainly numerous opportunities available for whichever interests you most. I have over the years tried to be involved in various societies and medical school activities, not only to gain more experience, but to be a valuable member of the student body. As the first cohort of Brighton and Sussex Medical School I wanted to help create societies, clubs and events that will stand for tradition and good standards, for many years to come. However much or little time you can afford, it’s worth being involved in something. As well as you getting to enjoy yourself, (as if as a medical student you need help with that) you give something back to the university and student body. It makes a medical student a more well rounded individual to take on a role that holds responsibility; to the medical school and your peers. In essence it prepares you for the ‘real world’.
My advice therefore would be concluded by saying keep inspiring yourself, self evaluate your strengths and weaknesses, and take every opportunity offered throughout medical school. These pieces of advice I have found invaluable, and have helped to keep me a dedicated medical student. ‘Determined’ and ‘unrelenting’ are words often used to describe the breed that is, medical students. (As is maybe ‘drunk’ and ‘party animal’ but that’s classed as extra curricular.) Ask parents, friends, peers, career experts, they will tell you it’s a hard course, and it takes a certain strong-minded individual to complete it. I agree, but find that we are all working towards the same goal. We believe it’s worth it in the end. We’ve seen what good we can do, and want to help. That’s why throughout medical school you must roll with the bad times as you do the good. Keep going, be determined and never relent.
Submitted by
Meryl Jones, Medicine, Brighton and Sussex Medical School
This proposal was funded under the Student essay competition - 2007 call
