A Medical Student's Journey to Doctorhood

**Elliea** · 02-08-2012, 11:22 PM

Hi,

I'm going to be starting a graduate entry medicine course in September and I've started a blog in order to depict my journey throughout med school and as a doctor! It's primarily going to be about my experiences of medicine, but also a bit about my general day to day life.

I've written a few posts, but I'll be updating more regularly when I actually start med school :)

Here's the link to my blog:

A Medical Student's Journey to Doctorhood

:) xx

**Elliea** · 08-08-2012, 10:26 PM

My next blog post is "A Guide To Applying For Graduate Entry Medicine Part 1: An Overview" where I thought I'd share the information I've gained through my own research and experiences over the last few years. Anyone applying for medicine might find it useful

You can find the post here:
A Medical Student's Journey to Doctorhood: A Guide To Applying For Graduate Entry Medicine Part 1: An Overview

**Elliea** · 13-08-2012, 06:47 PM

My week has been pretty non-eventful. I've mostly just been trying to plough my way through my never-ending "To Do" list. There are so many things I need to sort out before I start med school - CRB form, completing my Hepititis B vaccinations (and convincing my GP surgery not to charge me for them!), sorting out all the documents the estate agents need before moving into my new flat, sorting out temporary accommodation for 2 weeks before I can move into my flat, negotiating with the bank to convince them to let me keep my student bank account (and associated overdraft..), trying to get the correct amount of student finance (graduate entry medicine confuses them), fitness to practice forms, occupational health forms, a list of what vaccinations I've had from my GP, organising to move out of my current flat and signing up to Pharmacy locuming organisations so that I can hopefully work when I start med school. Additionally we've also been given some reading to do in preparation before we start the course. It's a good job I've got a few weeks off before starting uni as otherwise I don't know how I'd get all this stuff sorted, especially as a lot of the things can only be done during working hours.

Yesterday I watched an Horizon programmer called "The Truth About Looking Young" (available on BBC iplayer) which was presented by Dr Rozina Ali, a plastic surgeon.

(Blog continues here: A Medical Student's Journey to Doctorhood)

**Elliea** · 20-08-2012, 05:32 PM

My week has been pretty non-eventful. I've mostly just been trying to plough my way through my never-ending "To Do" list. There are so many things I need to sort out before I start med school - CRB form, completing my Hepititis B vaccinations (and convincing my GP surgery not to charge me for them!), sorting out all the documents the estate agents need before moving into my new flat, sorting out temporary accommodation for 2 weeks before I can move into my flat, negotiating with the bank to convince them to let me keep my student bank account (and associated overdraft..), trying to get the correct amount of student finance (graduate entry medicine confuses them), fitness to practice forms, occupational health forms, a list of what vaccinations I've had from my GP, organising to move out of my current flat and signing up to Pharmacy locuming organisations so that I can hopefully work when I start med school. Additionally we've also been given some reading to do in preparation before we start the course. It's a good job I've got a few weeks off before starting uni as otherwise I don't know how I'd get all this stuff sorted, especially as a lot of the things can only be done during working hours.

Yesterday I watched an Horizon programmer called "The Truth About Looking Young" (available on BBC iplayer) which was presented by Dr Rozina Ali, a plastic surgeon. This was quite an interesting programme looking at recent research into keeping skin looking young without surgery.

Continue reading at A Medical Student's Journey to Doctorhood

**Elliea** · 09-09-2012, 01:13 AM

First week as a MEDICAL STUDENT

Yay, I’m finally a medical student! After so many years working towards this, at the time seemingly unreachable, dream I’m finally here! It still feels a bit surreal.

I’ve just finished my first week. The first two days was mostly just induction, but then we were straight into proper lectures! I was hoping that this week was quite full on in order to scare us into doing lots of outside work for the term, but apparently the work just gets harder after this week :s. It wasn’t the complexity of the work this week that I’ve struggled with though, more just the quanity, so hopefully if I just get into a good work routine I’ll be able to keep up. One thing they’ve really emphasised (both staff and the second years) is that we need to be keeping on top of our work and reviewing it as we cover it, rather than leaving it to the last minute, or we WILL fail and die... I do understand the importance of this though and I have very good intentions to aim to review all my work and make revision notes weekly. This is a lot more full on than my last degree!

Finish reading at my blog here

**Elliea** · 28-09-2012, 02:45 PM

I’m finally a medical student! After so many years working towards this, at the time seemingly unreachable, dream I’m finally here! It still feels a bit surreal.

I’ve just finished my first week. The first two days was mostly just induction, but then we were straight into proper lectures! I was hoping that this week was quite full on in order to scare us into doing lots of outside work for the term, but apparently the work just gets harder after this week :s. It wasn’t the complexity of the work this week that I’ve struggled with though, more just the quanity, so hopefully if I just get into a good work routine I’ll be able to keep up. One thing they’ve really emphasised (both staff and the second years) is that we need to be keeping on top of our work and reviewing it as we cover it, rather than leaving it to the last minute, or we WILL fail and die... I do understand the importance of this though and I have very good intentions to aim to review all my work and make revision notes weekly. This is a lot more full on than my last degree!

The University seems pretty good and all the staff so far have been lovely. They’ve all encouraged us to go to them if we ever need any extra help with anything. I also met my personal tutor who’s pretty eccentric but who also seems nice! The other students also seem nice and I’ve made friends with a few people. I wish I could have received a pound for every time I’ve asked/answered the four basic questions:

What’s your name?
What was your previous degree?
Where did you study?
Where are you from?

Finish reading at A Medical Student's Journey to Doctorhood

**fezfezed** · 24-12-2012, 03:22 AM

Glad I found your blog, as a pre reg pharmacist hoping to make the transition to grad entry medicine, its great to read something from the pharmacist perspective!

**Elliea** · 30-12-2012, 01:46 AM

Aw it's nice to know that someone's reading it

For various reasons I've now moved the blog. You can find it on this link:

Purple Student Doctor

Good luck with your pre-reg and applying for med school! Feel free to comment on the blog (I check that more often than I go on this webpage) with any questions you may have. I'd be happy to help you

**fezfezed** · 31-12-2012, 01:07 AM

Originally Posted by Elliea

Aw it's nice to know that someone's reading it

For various reasons I've now moved the blog. You can find it on this link:

Purple Student Doctor

Good luck with your pre-reg and applying for med school! Feel free to comment on the blog (I check that more often than I go on this webpage) with any questions you may have. I'd be happy to help you

Thanks Elliea, I'll be sure to hit you up with a few questions