Glasgow medics - help??

[Rex The Red]

lol i wasnt trying to make out that first years have it hard or anything, i meant really in comparison to A2 levels/Advanced highers it seems like a relatively intense amount of work!

[Skyllo]

lol i wasnt trying to make out that first years have it hard or anything, i meant really in comparison to A2 levels/Advanced highers it seems like a relatively intense amount of work!

Ah, true there - I got high marks in A levels with the minimum work. Not so in med school!

[jaykay]

As others have said, there's no need to buy books before coming as it is best to see which ones you like first, and even then if you don't work a lot at home then you don't really need to buy any books, as the library is always there for the few times you need a copy for home.
When it comes to recommendations for books i find that

Anatomy - Mcminns - it's what the uni use and it's clear and succinct. The only downside is that generally the pictures are of cadavers and therefore can sometimes not be the best. Gray's anatomy for students has amazing pictures for anatomy so it can be a good addition.

Physiology - Vanders. Again it's the one the uni use and while it can be quite waffley it is by far the best to help you understand a topic and it's liek reading a good book.

Medicine - Kumar and Clark, i haven't really used Davidson's much so it's not the fairest comparison but Kumar looked nicer lay out to me, and to be honest it doesn't really make the biggest difference which medicine book you use in first year.

Anatomy and physiology (combined) - Always a good resource for a subject, but i prefer the dedicated books as i actually find that some times martini etc can have far too much information. And tortora is not that bad, yes i prefer martini but tortora will get you through and in first year i found it easier.

Crash Course - As well as a dedicated book for anatomy and physiology there is normally a crash course whcih covers the system you are studying, and in first year i thought these books were THE BEST. Generally they had enough information for a pbl and are extremely succinct and well laid out. People say they are good for an overview/revision but really they are relatively detailed and generally match the headings of what you need to know pretty well

Medical equipment - stethoscope from bma at freshers, tendon hammer not needed, lab coat get one for £10 from book shop, Dissection kit again get from bookshop but there is no real need for it as the odds are you will use the same kit between a group of 7 and therefore only one person needs one, but then again if everyone thought like that.

[knowno]

As others have said, there's no need to buy books before coming as it is best to see which ones you like first, and even then if you don't work a lot at home then you don't really need to buy any books, as the library is always there for the few times you need a copy for home.
When it comes to recommendations for books i find that

Anatomy - Mcminns - it's what the uni use and it's clear and succinct. The only downside is that generally the pictures are of cadavers and therefore can sometimes not be the best. Gray's anatomy for students has amazing pictures for anatomy so it can be a good addition.

Physiology - Vanders. Again it's the one the uni use and while it can be quite waffley it is by far the best to help you understand a topic and it's liek reading a good book.

Medicine - Kumar and Clark, i haven't really used Davidson's much so it's not the fairest comparison but Kumar looked nicer lay out to me, and to be honest it doesn't really make the biggest difference which medicine book you use in first year.

Anatomy and physiology (combined) - Always a good resource for a subject, but i prefer the dedicated books as i actually find that some times martini etc can have far too much information. And tortora is not that bad, yes i prefer martini but tortora will get you through and in first year i found it easier.

Crash Course - As well as a dedicated book for anatomy and physiology there is normally a crash course whcih covers the system you are studying, and in first year i thought these books were THE BEST. Generally they had enough information for a pbl and are extremely succinct and well laid out. People say they are good for an overview/revision but really they are relatively detailed and generally match the headings of what you need to know pretty well

Medical equipment - stethoscope from bma at freshers, tendon hammer not needed, lab coat get one for £10 from book shop, Dissection kit again get from bookshop but there is no real need for it as the odds are you will use the same kit between a group of 7 and therefore only one person needs one, but then again if everyone thought like that.

Okies thanx loads! How about Biochemistry? which book would you recommend? So the books u have listed above are usually wad year 1s in glasgow used?

As I'm an international student from Singapore, Im tinking of getting one stethoscope here instead of in Scotland. Which brand would you recommend? ( I think it's more expensive over in Scotland :S)

Oh, and I'm quite confused over the "block 1 etc". U mean each semester is divided into different blocks?

[Rex The Red]

Id not worry about buying books mate untill you're here mate seriously! our opinions are pretty redundant seeing as everyone has thier own opinions, just wait!

And get a Littman Classic S.E II

Also, each semester is usually in three blocks

[knowno]

Thanks for the post! I've aready gotten some of the books.

Now I've some problems choosing the accommodation. Basically I hope to choose a place near the gym, library and medical faculty. From what I had researched, I find that student apartments is my ideal location. Does anybody know if it has ensuite? N if there is always ongoing parties there? (cos I prefer quiet locations ) Thanks!

[Rex The Red]

Errrrr, most accomodation isnt really THAT close to all three of those, though the nearest halls are Cairncross (10/15 mins walk) and Maclay (15-20 mins walk), and as you said student apartments.

If im not mistaken the apartments go like hotcakes so you should book them early; though, i remember a friend of mine said that his student apartment was a Twin room (ie, you share a bedroom with another guy!) hence why he moved out.

Though there are student minibuses that take you from your halls to campus in the morning and in the evening. And as the library is in the medical faculty you tend to end up in there after PBL/lectures etc, and the gym is just down the road also.

Also do not go to wolfson halls!! genuinely the stupidest place to live unless you're a vet. medic

Most places you'll go to will have some level of noise, Murano street being the loudest and Maclay probably being the quietest- reason being that maclay seems to be where the Erasmus students are (ie non-english and quiet )

[Rida786]

heeyy,, im pretty new to this forum, i was just wondering if like a current medic at glasgow cud answer sum questions for me about the course and interview.like ive read the prospectus n stuff but sumt hings on there arent very clear.. thnku ne help will be aprreciated

[knowno]

Errrrr, most accomodation isnt really THAT close to all three of those, though the nearest halls are Cairncross (10/15 mins walk) and Maclay (15-20 mins walk), and as you said student apartments.

If im not mistaken the apartments go like hotcakes so you should book them early; though, i remember a friend of mine said that his student apartment was a Twin room (ie, you share a bedroom with another guy!) hence why he moved out.

Though there are student minibuses that take you from your halls to campus in the morning and in the evening. And as the library is in the medical faculty you tend to end up in there after PBL/lectures etc, and the gym is just down the road also.

Also do not go to wolfson halls!! genuinely the stupidest place to live unless you're a vet. medic

Most places you'll go to will have some level of noise, Murano street being the loudest and Maclay probably being the quietest- reason being that maclay seems to be where the Erasmus students are (ie non-english and quiet )

Okie thx for your guidance! Hmms i read that cairncross is kinda noisy, is that true? (like loads of parties) May I ask u which accommodation usually has more parties, Maclay or cairncross? I find that both are still quite far away from the medical faculty! Do we go to wolfson medical everyday? The 15 min walk is from the accommodation to the main campus OR to the med faculty by the way? Do students normally take the free minibus service or walk to school?

I still prefer student apartment's location! But have u any idea whether they do provide ensuites? Or the bathrooms are always shared?

[scohoust]

heeyy,, im pretty new to this forum, i was just wondering if like a current medic at glasgow cud answer sum questions for me about the course and interview.like ive read the prospectus n stuff but sumt hings on there arent very clear.. thnku ne help will be aprreciated

Ask away!

Okie thx for your guidance! Hmms i read that cairncross is kinda noisy, is that true? (like loads of parties) May I ask u which accommodation usually has more parties, Maclay or cairncross? I find that both are still quite far away from the medical faculty! Do we go to wolfson medical everyday? The 15 min walk is from the accommodation to the main campus OR to the med faculty by the way? Do students normally take the free minibus service or walk to school?

I still prefer student apartment's location! But have u any idea whether they do provide ensuites? Or the bathrooms are always shared?

I know it might be a bit of a stretch but I'd really suggest coming to look at the accommodation if you can. You can see my limited blurb on the accommodation options back here (also quite a good thread for this kind of stuff). Cooperage = Maclay. I've never met anyone who stayed in student apartments so you're on your own there!