I bought a skeleton!!

Yes guys...after all this time I bought a skeleton!

He is set to arrive on Wednesday,I am soo excited. Actually excited is a big understatement, I am bubbling with expectation.

In fact on Friday, I was in BHS with some friends, and I saw a lovely plum felt hat, and I thought it would look perfect on a skeleton in my room.(this was before I even ordered my skeleton).

I am thinking of calling him/her Marley.





I shall call him Marley, and he shall be mine,and he shall be my Marley 

Back to Learning

So....I did actually get some food.Eating rael food makes such a good difference to my mood and energy levels.

I feel like a real student now.Well that sentence is ridiculous, but I am now settled in, studying, going to lectures and doing all the other student stuff.

Its also freshers week, so I have been able to collect alot of freebies.Mainly pens and chocolate, I have to say that standards of freebies have dropped since I was a fresher. I did get some free syringe pens though



In other news I have been feeling really tired, (going to bed as soon as I get home from lectures). I hope that I am just tired and not getting ill, or about to have a lupus flare up. I can not fit illness into my schedule!

Next week is medic freshers week(freshers week for medics). As I am on the committee for several societies I need to harass the freshers to make them sign up.

I think joining the societies I am a member of is worthwhile(I mean why else would I be on the committee???) Dear Freshers....sign up to what you are intrested in, most people sign up to things they never end up doing.But watch you budget and dont pay silly amounts to join societies you wont benefit from.

The Fear

Its exam time and I am terrified.

My medical school has one end of year exam that determines weather or not we will graduate with honours. I have been studying my little socks off. Despite trying my best  still  feel woefully unprepared.

I think I have some perfectionistic tendencies,so just passing is not enough.I want a high grade. The problem is in medicine,every one is smart, so the high grades go to the ultra hard workers,or the super smart mutants.

I am neither of these, then there is the small minor detail that I missed a fair chunck of last term.


Thankfully there is a sensible part to my brain that says



This is what I find useful
1. Get out of your house/dorm.
Go to a library. The distraction of home comforts won’t be there and it will get you into a working mindset.  Also it’s nice to go home to relax, and have a change of scene,before doing more work.I get really bored and unmotivated if I stay in one place for too long

2. Study with a buddy
A problem shared is a problem halved.One of the best ways to understand things is to discuss them with a friend.I personally only like to study with 2-3 people,but you may like larger groups. Nominate someone to direct the conversation so as not to go off topic,  you will find it is a great way of sharing information and filling gaps in your knowledge.

3. Think of the future/the past.
Imagine yourself in your dream job. The next phase of your life is going to be so much fun, you just need to get these exams done and dusted.If the future seems so far away,just think of how far you have come,if you got this far,surely you can go a bit further.

4.Study Hard
Use your study leave for the biggest ‘cramathon’ of your life. Don’t give up so close to the end. Keep re-reading notes and practising exam questions. Some of it will stick in your brain eventually. You’ll also feel more confident going into the exams than if you hadn't looked at anything the two weeks before.

Thanks for reading to the end of this post,here is a video to drive the point home

Fainting

I rarely faint, but since I was unwell I had my first few medical school related faints.Before this year I have never fainted in medical school!

I am one of the least squeamish people around, The more blood there is more interested I become. Being squeamish is not a reason not to study medicine. It might make anatomy and surgery more challenging but it is nothing that can't be overcome.

The first time I fainted was in anatomy.I would not recommend fainting in front of 90+ class mates. When I recovered, I was initially disorientated, but mainly embarrassed. No one mentioned anything after the fact. so my year group is:
a) very professional
b)embarrassed on behalf of me

The second time I fainted was when I stood up to leave the lecture theatre, I managed to get as far as down the stairs, and as soon as I reached the front, i fainted in full view of everyone. My lecturer was so nice, she bought me hot chocolate and sat with me for half an hour. It took me half an hour to convince her I was well enough to be left alone.

When I fainted after the lecture, none of my friends came to check on me.I know I go on about trying to appear strong, but its polite to check on your friend if they faint. I cried(I was ill and feeling overs sensitive) because this was the final straw.

So, now I have said all that , i suppose I should tell you how to avoid fainting.

1. Add sugar.
Its so important to keep your blood glucose levels up. All ways have breakfast, or you will only have yourself to blame if you faint whilst a nurse is inserting a cannula. Eat a small snack before going to gross anatomy. If the thought of anatomy makes your appetite vanish, at least force your self to eat a few jelly beans.

2.Stay well hydrated
Dehydration lowers blood volume slightly. Reduced blood volume leads to a decrease in blood pressure. Low blood pressure makes you more likely to faint. So please stay well hydrated.

3.Don't let blood pool in your legs
Standing still can make you faint, (ever seen soldiers fainting on parade).If you have to stand still for a long time ,tense calves, thighs and buttocks (in that order). This will get  blood flowing around and it can help a bit. 

If none of that has worked..


4.Leave,escape the situation
If something is upsetting you, turn around or close you eyes,sometimes ecaping the situation is all you need to do.
If possible leave the area, get some fresh air, or try to sit down.No one has time to babysit the medical student so if your in theatre or in dissection, move away from the tables ans sharp edges.

                                                                                                                                                                 

Try not to faint, but if you do its not the end of the world

How to get the most out of Primary Care Placements

I spent 10 weeks in a small GP practise. Primary Care is not something I would like to go into, but in medical school you sometimes have to do things that do not interest you.

1. Do a bit of research before hand.
Find out the demographics of the catchment area. All patients are individuals, but I fell I benefited greatly by finding out the following
-Age distribution-The place I was located was a popular retirement area,and there for most of the patients I saw where over 65.
-What culture is most prevalent- Different cultures have different attitudes to health care,and you may need to be aware of this if
-Location-being late for appointments is never cool. My placement was in the middle of nowhere with only hourly buses. Even the patients had difficulty getting to their practise, so they would only come to the surgery if very ill, and returning to collect prescriptions was a no-no

2.Plan how to achieve the learning outcomes
At my medical school we have books that need to be signed off. If the doctor you are shadowing is not used to having medical students you may need to tell them this.Some doctors like signing things off as they are completed, whilst others prefer to sign things off on the last day Unless its stated in your book, always ask.As a student you must take responsibility for your learning.

3.Try to make what ever you are doing relevant to your studies.
As you progress with your course the ability to link things together will be invaluable.Taking endless blood pressures day in and day out can get boring and tedious. To make it slightly more bearable, I decided to teach myself about the drugs used to treat blood pressure.This tied in with my pharmacology module.
Last year on the wards, I took an interest in patient nutrition as it tied in with my module on human nutrition.

4.Ask all the time
Most people want to help you learn. If you want to know more about something just ask a staff member when they don't seem to busy.
Sometimes doctors forget how little students know, so they give incomplete instructions.If you do not understand what to do it is better to ask a question,than to make a mistake

5. Try to reflect regularly during your placement.
I know reflection is a word that medical students are not fond of. I used to think reflection is a waste of time, but I now find it very valuable.For the foreseeable future reflective writing will be part of life, so you may as well get used to it.
What you write does not have to be detailed, its more important that you do something.  If you notice something that could have been better, or you witness someone doing something really well, try to write 150 words or more about it.

Resolutions for the New Academic Year

Beginning a New Year...


September is the time students a new academic year. Some may be brand new freshers,others returning students.

I sit in my room contemplating what to write in my brand new academic planner, (its lego,because I adore lego blocks)the first day of another new school year, whilst sipping my mocha. The year is off to an auspicious start: I’ve set my alarm sufficiently early to allow for quiet prayer time and reflection before getting dressed and packing my bag.



My backpack hangs behind my my door ready to be filled with folders,and textbooks. The pencils are sharpened to a deadly point with not a single eraser chewed off yet, fountain pens are cleaned and filled with new ink cartriges. Summer clothes have been folded and packed away, allowing me to easily select uni outfits. I feel ready – at least for the first day of class.

In my quiet time, I contemplate how to make this the best academic year ever. I face the logistical challenge of living off campus. Student life has pampered me and the idea of living more than 10 minutes walk away from my lectures seems like a great hardship.

In my own life, I find great value in setting and actively pursuing resolutions, defined goals, to achieve desired results. I don’t wait for 31 December to set resolutions – it can happen at the start of a new academic year, the beginning of a month, or even at the start of a season.

My hopes for the school year remain the same year after year. I hope this will be a year filled with spiritual and academic growth, and fun times with friends.

My new academic year resolutions are:

1.Be organised to ensure I get to class on time
2.Maintain my A average
3.Exercise  regularly (studies have shown that exercise improves cognitive function)
4.Try to get a research placement,or some extra GP shadowing next summer( will need to start emailing people ASAP )

Study Tips

University not only about parties,there is that other thing called studying. Medical School is intense,there is a lot of work required,therefore its important to stay on top of it all.

There is no magic set of instructions to ensure perfect grades.Each person is unique and some things may not work for everyone.

Here is a list of my top 10 study tips.

10. Set mini deadlines or use a to do list.
Break each task into small achievable chunks.Its easier to accomplish lots of small tasks compared to a single big one. With small goals you can also ensure you are on track to achieve the bigger goals
A list reduce the chances of you forgetting to do something.Crossing things of to-do lists is soooo satisfying.


9. Draw mind maps and diagrams
Mind maps are the marmite of studying,you either love them or hate them
I personally only use them during revision time.Mind Maps help me see how various concepts and ideas relate to each other.I found that my course was delivered in such a way that the information given seemed really out of context,so there was no way I could have used mind maps in the beginning. Diagrams are great at all times, they are certainly a nice change from reading text. Print out diagram stick them on doors mirrors,draw your own,or try labeling a blank diagram.


8.Aim to Study a little bit everyday

Every little bit helps.I know from experience that there will be some days when you can not be bothered to study or 101 things are happening at once and you just don't have time to study. Do something,even if its just going over that mornings notes, or making a vocab list.


7.Coloured pens or highlighters
Studies have shown that use of colour can improve memories.I personally love my colored pens and highlighters. Write your notes in colour or highlight key ideas.


6.Be prepared when attending lectures
Doing this will dramaticaly reduce your work load.Before going to a lecture ensure you are ready to learn, try not to be hungry or thirsty.In the lecture listen to whats going on,and do not be distracted by friends. If you are going to drag yourself out of bed for that 8am lecture,you may as well get the most out of it.
Repeat after me: Lectures are for learning, revision is for recapping stuff you have already learnt.


5.Post-it notes
Use post-it notes to summarise things.They are tiny so you can not get too wordy. If have lots of ideas stick to one key idea per post-it note.
Post-it notes are great for revision games
Example:   1.Copy facts onto one color
                 2.Stick these onto a wall.
                 3. Using a different colour try and re-create as many post-it notes as possible,and keep                                    trying to beat your personal best

4.Frequent breaks

As you study your attention span decreases meaning you will become less productive.This means it will take much longer to do every thing.Take breaks after 40 min of studying, go for a walk,stretch, have a snack or tidy your room.
Warning: Don't spend more time having a break than you do studying

3.Periodically review what you have learnt
This is especially important if you are studying a degree like medicine.The sheer volume of information means it will be difficult to rely on cramming for exams alone.
I choose to go over my notes quickly at the end of each week before filing them.Its fairly simple, the more often you review stuff the more you remember.


2.If stuck go find an expert
There is no shame is asking your lecturers for clarification.Send them and email or ask them after class.If you are shy ask your friends if they can explain it for you.
When it comes to essay writing read a book about how to correctly write an essay

1.Stay motivated.
Above all other things keep your eye on your goal.Think of all the great rewards studying will bring.
When desperate: