Spare time in 1st year?

[dumdedum]

Helloo
Just wondering if any existing medical students can give me a vague indication of how busy you are in the 1st yeaR? I heard theres about 15 hrs a week, but do you still find you have lots of free time? Do you think it would be reasonable to work part time during the year? Thanks

[lou]

Hi,
1st years have plenaries 9-10 every morning and then in every 2 weeks you have 2x 2 hours clinical skills sessions, 3x 2 hour pbl sessions, 1x 2 hour communication skills session and 1x 2 hour HARC session (although you can drop in at certain times too). You will be busy enough with your pbl work but if you are organised and then you can fit in a part time job, but make sure you don't overstrech yourself.

I worked 2 part time jobs totalling 15 hours a week, which is certainly not the norm! I had no choice too as I get no help from my parents and my student loan doesn't even cover my rent and utility bills let alone allow me to eat and pay my tuition fees. Also, I am a graduate so adjusting to university life wasn't an issue for me and I had covered some of the pbl work previously.

If you were planning on getting a job, don't do it until you have a good idea of how much time you personally need to get you pbl done etc. If you do decide to get one, the Guild often take on students to work on the bar and the hospital allows med students to work as health care assistants after some training and the pay is around £6.30 p/hour.

Hope this helps
xxx

[melon]

I worked 2 nights a week and went out 2-3 times a week with no troubles.

[Chang]

i didn't work, but could have easily fitted in 3 evenings work a week and say one day per weekend. i worked during my gapyear, so instead of working in 1st year i joined a couple of clubs that took up the same sort of time and commitment.

[dumdedum]

Ohh ok great, thanks for replies people.