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.)
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.)
posted by Tactitus at
2:39 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home