Seconds/News

Okay, about the second day now. Orientation day went reasonably alright except for the bit where about five people kept emphasising about how "some of you will fail" "we will not spoon feed you" etc. etc. I mean I expected the doom and gloom but I didn't think it was going to be the main focus of the talks. It is ofcourse, exciting.

After signing up with three different medical insurers, I now feel completely protected. Was joking yesterday saying that we can probably go and attack someone with no pentalty since we will be represented by the equivalent of Mr. Burn's legal team. I think it was also a possible initial portrayal of the free stuff we can get from the drug reps etc. when we finally do become doctors. God they flooded us with free stuff.

The tour of the building was interesting with little to remember in all honesty. All the rules and expectations were laid out and the equpiment looks very new and up to date so that's something to look forward to. And met the rest of my PBL group members. Not THAT should really be interesting. I think generally, I don't speak up that often intitally because I am not used to the group thing but now, I think I need to get over it and speak up in this 'safe zone'. The mix is also certainly interesting because there are people from different backgrounds all over the place. A bit concerened about this one guy who seems to be repeating the year and acted like he was above it all a little bit. Hmmm here's to hoping all goes well.

Oh yeah, in other exciting news, I managed to scrape my car getting into the tiny car park, which may turn out of be a rather expensive exercise, combine that with the rego renewal and text book fees, I think I shall be a rather broke boy for a while. But hey, that's what I signed up for when I became a student right? So toughen up. Plus I am living with the parents so not really like I can whinge to other people and anyone else is going to have sympathy.

The day managed to end with drinks at the pub, although admittedly, there being like a three hour time lag bettwen us finishing and the drinks at the pub meant that we were wondering around aimlessly for quite a bit beforehand. I was driving so I didn't really drink but there were certainly a lot of people and it was quite fun. Got to meet quite a few new people who "may be your best friends for the next four years". Lol, seeing some of them, I hope not? No, I'm just kidding.

Either way, that was orientation day. I am sure I forgot bits and pieces but I think I've covered most points. I am not sure how often I'll be able to keep doing this but hey. Only time will tell I guess. For now, thank you for reading and adios again.

Firsts/Changes

Okay! The inaugural post! Essentially, I decided to make this blog to chronicle the journey of medical school, which is expected to be turbulent but sure to bring its share of rewards as well.
It's entirely possible that I may not continue with this much or even forget all about it but in the here and now, I am hoping to document it so that if nothing else, I can look back on it in the future and realise how much of a sop I am. :)
Ahem~ First day was yesterday. Was going to do this last night but just felt too tired. A lot of changes happening and I prefer to deal with my changes one by one generally. There's the moving houses, moving into my parents' place (I am now part of the statistic of over 20's moving back into the parents' house for financial reasons). It's not exactly that I can't afford it but rather, I believe I would have to struggle very hard and I prefer not to whilst I am going to be struggling with med school already. There is the change of going from full time work to full time study. I was thinking I might have a break but that didn't quite happen either since I ended up moving until the last possible day. And, for the trivial aspect, I got myself a new bed to 'mark' the occasion and I am still getting used to sleeping on it so that's a change as well.

Anyway, back to the actual first day. It was registration rather than orientation so much couldn't really be expected realistically. But I was still hoping that it could be a bit more exciting. We waited in lines across various places to get id, to pay for id, to register for id, to fill out surveys etc. etc. And talking about id's, mine looks truly awful. I wish you could bring your own photo lol. Umm here's the side profile with the best lighting. :D I am glad that I made some friends prior to starting to sorta had a group going already to hang around with. I am sure a lot of people remember their first day of school and how weird it can be. I am sure I could've been one of those people just hanging around without quite getting into the feel of it, otherwise. There was a few interesting thing I did discover about the group but hey, that's a story for another time. Oh and with the documentation we were supposed to hand in, I think it's just brilliant that I managed to forget one of the primary forms of id in the form of a passport. Thankfully, they didn't cancel my enrolment but I have to remember to take that in today.

Today is going to be the 'official' orientation with the welcome from the dean and everything so excitement awaits. Supposed to when all the 'hurrah', you made it in etc. etc. happens. Although the clinical head talking to us yesterday, did start off with, "there will be 99% of you who will do well and become great doctors, but unfortunately, there could be 1% who won't." I am ofcourse, very determined to make sure that I don't become that 1%. I did see him beforehand about a different matter and he said that I would make a great doctor so I'll take that as pre-approval of sorts. Yes, yes, interpreting things the way I want them to be. How homer-esque; Marge: Homer you are not listening to me are you? Homer: Yes, dear. I would love some donuts.

Oh before I forget, there was also the 'fun' MMPI personality test we volunteered to fill out which consisted of about 600 questions in total. Why? Well for the sake of research for one because I did my thesis in psychology which relies exclusively on first years and I can empathise with the need for participants. Plus, it is for a good cause which is to identify the characteristics whcih would be suitable for a doctor. This may possibly become one of the admission tests later on if it all works out but only time will tell. We don't get to find out the results until at the end the four years but this could be a good thing considering that I got rather bored towards the end and I am not quite sure that I was ticking the right boxes or sometimes, even answering the right questions. Oh well if I get called in for a chat, at least I'll know why. And because of the pre-established group, we decided that it would be a good idea to get a room of our own and do that instead of joining other people whowere already in groups, doing it as if in exam conditions. It was so much more interesting to read them out loud, compare interpretations and sometimes answers as well. The side notes on beastiality should never ever be uttered again ofcourse but that, too should be a story for another time.

Right now though, I think I should start getting ready for orientation. Excitement awaits! I am not sure that anyone will read this or even if I shall continue this as previously stated but I feel better for putting it down. It makes the experience more real. If you have read this far, thank you. And for now, adios!