Quick one

Okay just quickly updating because I haven't in such a long time and I thought I actually should. Probably using it as a procrestianation strategy but still.

Okay have exams in a week. Feel woefully ill prepared because I am. Yet at the same time feeling sick so can't concentrate. Double whammy a bit there. But hey, it's life.

Trying hard to not compare with other people and therefore deciding to ignore other people's facebook stuff about how much they have done etc. Again, it's hard. Perhaps I should do a facebook ban but I dont' think it'll really work.

Mostly nothing else has really changed apart from me spending more time at uni studying. IMD block is HARD and hopefully I won't be 'invited' to review my exam with the year coordinator after the exams. Blah. Enough of this.

A

Forgive me moderator,
It's been two months since my last post. I have thought about this blog often but feel that I can't really write anything that would actually be of use. Many things seem to be in my head rather than the actual relation to medical school.

Our first block, homeostatis, has now finished and we are now working on the second block. Needless to say, there has been numerous advice to revise. Had my first holidays, most of which was spent studying because of the incessant need to revise. And yet, I still have not finished revising all the cases. Am getting used to things but still feel woefully inadequate. I hope that I do make it through. Have to keep telling myself that or else would just have a burning desire to do nothing and I cannot go like that.

Clinical skills has become more clinical with a change of tutor. I got slightly roasted toasted both times because i didn't make the clinical connection and ask all the right questions. Which ofcourse, reinforces my opinions about ever working in ED. It's just brutal and it's scary to think how all those little connections, if missed could result in something nasty and drastic.

Socailly, everything continues to be a whole lot of fun and games although I am hoping to spend less time on facebook (or blogging) and more time on the pathology. No wait. I am doing more. Community placements continue to be interesting. I have hearing australia tomorow. Don't know what tha'ts gonna be like but the two that I've done so far hav ebeen very interesting in their own ways.

Okay, quick thoughts now jotted onto blog. Must run.

A.

The month in review

Well, looks like my predictions are coming true. Well not quite entirely anyway. I have not quite forgotten the existence of this place. Just more that I feel like I should be doing studying etc. instead of just blogging, which quite often turns into looking up youtube etc. and then it just turns into a procrestination fest. However, since it has been a month, I thought I'd write some stuff down quickly (famous last words).

Let's see. Reflecting back...I'll start on the social aspects because that's really, well a bit more fun. Just recently had the scrub crawl which was awesome. Yes, essentially it's just a pub crawl wearing scrubs but because it's a very med exclusive thing (correct me if the nursing students etc. do it as well), so it's like a confirmation of your entry (just in case anyone felt that the truckloads of studying you're doing each week was just for fun). And yeah, got to talk to a lot more people etc. so thought was really cool. We even shared with the other uni down the coast so got to meet the people on the other side I guess. I am maintaining that since I am able to remember all events of the night, I didn't get completely trashed despite what some of my friends my claim. But really, you're only going to get my perspective on it. The other big thing was the welcome function for the scholarship recipients. Which was cool and all because it was free drinks and free food so hey, who's going to say no to that. But I think the best part of that is seeing a QH official getting wasted. Lol. I can still remember how he had to keep holding on to the table whilst talking. Oh the fun times. Ummm have reduced going to brisbane a fair bit but at the same time, still quite haven't managed to scope out the good places down the coast either. Tried Thai the other night but it was only at an alright level I have to say. Ummm....what else socially? I don't really think there is anything more really. Oh yeah, just because it's been over a month now, I have come up with people I like and dislike more clearly (concretising opinions really). And will just throw in work quickly because it's continuing to be more a social affair at one day a week. A lot of changes but like I said, one day a week feels like I am not really there and just going to visit weekly.

Academically, ummm.........I still feel like the class dumbass in PBL. Apparently, everyone feels like that but I don't want to be the person where it comes true for them. Saying that, I am still aware (acutely) of possible burn out etc. so trying (with limited success) to maintain a work life balance. Oh the buzz words for the interview. I haven't joined a gym yet becuase the one close to the uni with more studnet friendly fees looks kinda dodge. But I really should actually give it a go and go in properly I guess. At the moment, doing more along the lines of just going for walks etc, which is very relaxing in its own way. Oh yeah back to PBL. The other person with no science background seems to have covered a lot more ground than I have so am a bit concerned but again, am trying to make sure I don't compare too much. Oh the duality! Saying all of that however, I am starting to feel more comfortable about it all and I guess the weeks are starting to fly past because it really is content heavy and I spend most days with my head in the books to make sure I understand what happened today and can make sense of what's going to be said tomorrow. Anatomy pracs continue to feel a bit daunting because often, the real thing looks nothing like what's in the diagram but hey, that's life :D. There have been some talks by the vairous specialists and had one recently on psychiatry. I swear, if I wasn't already interested and having a fair idea of it already, it would've made me a bit concerned. The doctor didn't paint that pretty a picture. He was very knowledgable and certainly very impressive. I guess I just want more people to consider it as a profession. Ummm what else academically....... Doctor and patient tutorials continue to be interesting. Had simulated patients (read actors) and I did reasonably well for my first 2 and then got chewed up and spat out by the third, but since the tutor told me that sometimes they are not always right, I feel a bit better about it. Correct me if I am wrong but I always have wanker alarm going off when someone starts referring to themselves in the third person. Yeesh. I should pay more attention to doctor and health in the community theme instead of skipping that lecture most of the time. It's just that she READS the lecture notes all the time and if we can just print that off ourselves, then what's the point of going?

Okay, I think that qualifies as enough venting for a while. I should probably do more work on the LI's. Thankfully, nervous system I have a bit of background in so don't have to catch up that much even then. And note to self, learn to draw. it's embarassing to go up to the whiteboard and just draw a splonge and sorta say, "ummm...imagine that that is the brain". Not so good. :D Lol. But hey, I had fun. Adios people. Until next time.

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

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!