The week in review

Hmmm...apparently it's been nearly a week since I've last updated. Looks like the prediction (or self fulfilling prophecy) about me forgetting this blog's existence are coming true. It's more likely that I have been swept off my feet by all the things to do/study/learn/know since the 'real' lectures and classes have started.
It has been quite a big week really, the lectures cover about half a semester's content (first year) in about 45 mins. Again, this is something that we've been warned about but woah. When you do experience it's a bit of a shock. I am spending most of my time playing catch up but apparently it gets better after about six months. Had my first anatomy pracs as well which was interesting albeit confusing in terms of the lack of direction. I was really hoping that there would be people hanging around who would show us how to use all the proper equipment etc. There were tutors who were doing that with regards to the cadavers but I found that there was simply no help when it came to the microscopes and the histology slides. I mean I have trouble looking at the microscope properly (not 'pure' science background remember? And yes, psychology is still a science. Just not the looking at microscopes kind. Defensive, much?). So histology slides are on my list of things to really learn.

What really got to me however, were the pbl's. I think actually being in the pbl's was nothing like what I expected even with the introductory workshop on how to do them properly. Essentially you get given details of a case gradually, (e.g. first presentation, what friends said, what the results show etc. etc.), and you and about 10 other people are supposed to come up with all the differential diagnoses and most importantly, be able to come up with explanations for each decision. I think it sounds easier in theory but I admit to definitely struggling when it came to it. It was essentially continuing moments of 'oh, why didn't I think of that' followed by 'what? We were supposed to know all this detail as well?". Granted it may just be because I am becoming paranoid and comparing myself to the newly minted biomed students(read: very young) who seem to sprout out info at a hundred kmph but I still feel like there is this vast amounts of information to learn. Essentially, with new item of information/discussion question, the group is supposed to mark it as a learning issue and everyone goes home to research those issues. We then come back a few days later and then present on the issue you've been randomly assigned(you are also expected to research all learning issues as you get randomly assigned to the presentation issue on the day). I guess I like the aspect of that in the sense that I have a more general idea about which direciton i should be going. This should ofcourse, be noted that research is expected in the form of anatomy, physiology and even in the patho versions of it. I apologise if I sound whingy or whiny but it's just how I feel at the moment and am hoping that with adequate study, I can stop feeling like the class dumbass.

The other 'big' thing this week was the beginning of tutorials for 'doctor and the patient' which means ofcourse, learning about your own values and their influences on your interaction etc. as well as the overall 'objective' of history taking (now to be referred to as 'listening to the story' or something to that effect to make it sound less animatronic). Coming from a psychology background, I understand its importance and agree with the need for it. At the same time, it does feel a bit repetitive because of the ethics classes we've done etc. I guess this is what the bio med students feel about the the DKHI (doctor and knowledge of health and illness) sections. Either way, the tutor is .....very interesting, bordering on eccentric. His background is the reverse to me with going from medicine into psychology so yeah. He's from Taiwan I believe. I am however, having to treat this as an exercise in working with different people etc. as the eccentricity is exhibited mainly in the form of laughing...a lot ...at all times. Which in my opinion becomes a bit inappropriate when discussing things like amputations. Again, this is keeping in mind the fact that I know of someone who's gone through the process so feel it should be treated with more ....sombre attitude but this is MY belief. I was concerned that it was my own internalised racism but after a good chat, feel a bit more comfortable that, that is not the case.
So that about wraps up the week in its finest moments. I am not sure whether or I will be doing this weekly from now on since it feels like I should be focusing on my LI (learning issues) instead of writing this. I do however, feel it is very therapeutic so in moderation perhaps.

Quick note on the social aspects. Getting to know people better which is a good thing and on the way to forging stronger friendships I hope. This does not mean that I will be dumping my old friends since I do miss them quite a fair bit as well. It feels weird but even though it's only an hour's drive away, I have to reestablish everything. Having to re-learn the concept of where 'home' is if that makes sense. And probably stop going to brisbane every weekend or else I'll never get anything done. Oh and shout out if anyone reading this have nursing friends or are former nurses; went to this whole what you should do if you are from a non-science background workshop and one of the tips I got was to get nursing textbooks because they are just ideal for learning without going too much in depth.

Alas, I could probably keep going on and on but I should stop now and get started on learning all I can about the epithelial to begin with. Y'all have a good day now, y'hear. (yes, it's my yokel coming through.)

Third one's a charm

I think the title may be a bit misleading but hey, I had to find something with the third in it. It seems like it's starting to lose its appeal to write about it each but I shall at least soldier on for now.
Today was supposed to be the first day of lectures and I suppose we had that but in a way, it was very much like the 'real' first day of uni in that, they covered what was going to be covered and then pretty much left it at that. Which, in retrospect, I should be grateful for since I am not sure exactly just how much I would have taken in.

There were introductory lectures on the four themes, doctor and the patient, doctor and health in the community, doctor and ethics and the law, doctor and knowledge of health illness. All four seem interesting but I am currently most keen on the doctor and the ethics and law. I guess that sort of thing has always interested me. But unfortunatley, it doesn't really account for much in terms of marks. And the marking system, as noted previously is kind of weird in that it's an aggregate score which really counts although ofcourse, the individual ones matter as well. There are going to be OSCEs invovlved (objective structured...something or other) which are basically just role plays with either actors or volunteers. But talking about all these things, there is a sense that it's not all doom and gloom like there was the other day. It's all about how 'we will help you' and how 'you can work through it and change' etc. etc. with their help. Which I truly did appreciate. Which reminds me that I need to email and rsvp the 'if you don't have a science undergrad' workshop. If nothing else, the fact that is workshop exists makes me feel a whole lot better.

The other thing covered today was how to do a PBL workshop. Which again, was very useful since I was very apprehensive about being able to do that effectively. They went through the process of forming hypotheses etc. and really, about how we should be thinking. Tomorrow is the first one so should be interesitng if nothing else. Although I still haven't actually got any textbooks apart from the ones already at home so hoping that that won't affect my performance too much either. I am just sorta waiting around to see what I can go without I suppose. These textbooks are expensive! Saying that, at the end of the three hours, I came home with a migraine so I think three continuous hours may be just a tad too much. Here's to hoping it's not because of the Homer Simpson issue of "when new stuff come into my head, old stuff falls out." Lol, the amusing thing about the PBL thing was the practice session where we all helped to form hypotheses and there were two distinct people who kept showing off their indepth knowledge when all was being asked for were simple answers. I say amusing because I don't particularly care that much about them, but there were definitely a whole host of others who were getting pissed of. Hmmm, the chances of this year's cohort becoming two persons smaller is a distinct possibility lol.

Hmmm that sorta covers today. And quick note, I am pretty sure that we don't need a lecture on how to enrol or access sites about enrolments, about three weeks after we had to do that. And then to follow up with how to access emails etc, is not only an insult to the collective intelligence but a massive waste of everyone's time in my opinion. I understand people are doing their jobs but really IT, get your act together.

On a small, minor and completely irrelevant to most, note, me and another person within the clique is thinking that two people are going to get together, I think even by the end of the month. It's just amusing to watch for sure. Ooh, There's also a couple who obviously got together before hand and probably got in together, which is very cute. Well either that or it truly was love at first sight since they were holding hands at 9.30 on the first day. The fact that it makes one of the girls want to puke on sight also remains an issue of amusement for me. Either way, I feel that my job is done and here's to hoping that I shall continue this without feeling that it's a chore. :D