Sandra — Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery
Why did you choose to study medicine?
It was something that I had always been interested in. I felt that medicine would never get boring as there are many different fields within medicine and constant developments in the field. Having studied biology at school I knew that I was interested in the sciences and I thought that medicine would mix the science aspect with the patient communication and human contact side.
What was the best thing about your course?
I think that the best thing about my course was the clinical component — my third, fourth and fifth years were all spent in the hospital, and I think this is where you finally feel like you’re actually studying medicine. Doing this early on in the course is important as it teaches you skills that cannot be taught in a lecture, and you can relate what you are studying to real cases on the ward.
What was the worst thing about your course?
I think the worse thing was the first year. At the time, first year feels very irrelevant and it’s hard to see how it relates to becoming a doctor. Once you get through it, it gets better and better. Another thing that is hard about my course is the study. Going into medicine you know that it’s going to require a lot of hard work, but I didn’t realise just how hard it would be.
What did your course involve?
First and second year involved lectures, tutes and anatomy pracs where we dissected cadavers to help us learn human anatomy. We also had labs and clinical skills classes where we learnt basic procedures like giving injections and taking blood. During my years in the hospital, there were still lectures and tutes given by doctors, but most of the learning comes from being on the wards and interacting with patients.
Rotations include everything from cardiology, general surgery and psychiatry to obstetrics and gynecology, paediatrics and emergency department. In fifth year I have the option to complete one elective rotation overseas, so I have chosen to do paediatrics in Peru.
What are your prospects after graduating?
I am hoping to get a job as an intern in one of the Melbourne hospitals, but the uncertainty is in which hospital. It is getting more and more competitive each year to get a job at one of the main tertiary hospitals in Melbourne.
What advice would you give to students considering studying medicine?
It’s important to understand and appreciate that medicine is a long road that requires years of hard work. Anyone considering studying medicine must be ready to put in the hard work and intense study. Students should choose medicine for the right reasons and have a genuine interest in the field because without this it will be even harder.
Will you complete further study?
I am hoping to specialise in pediatrics and this will require to me to sit further exams to get onto the program as well as possibly require me to do some research in the field.
Further reading
