Hi I’m Saloni, I’m a first year medical student at Edinburgh.
From my own experience, here are some comforting (I hope) words about what your first year will be like.
The endearing chaos of Welcome Week
There are hundreds of activities and events during Welcome week. So many, in fact, that the university has a handy app to keep track of them all! Members of societies and clubs will wave posters in your face, lure you with delicious baked goodies and chocolate, and you’ll find, by the end, that you’ve signed for about 50 societies, most of which you only joined for the food.
That’s absolutely fine. As you settle in during your first term, gradually, you’ll find the societies that make you happy. Those are the ones you should definitely commit to.
It’s absolutely possible to lead a balanced lifestyle
And societies will help you do so. Whether you play an instrument or love sports, I guarantee there will be something that strikes your fancy. If there isn’t, you are always free to start your own society!
There’s a distorted view of medics that all we do is sit cooped up in our rooms and study all day and all night. Although there’s no one stopping you from doing so, it’s important to not let the course consume you whole.
Don’t feel guilty for taking time out for yourself. Keep pursuing the activities you enjoyed in school. Hike Arthur’s Seat, celebrate Pancake Day with your friends, watch an episode of the TV show you love, reread Harry Potter for the eleventh time.
Sometimes all your need is a hug
Homesickness was definitely one of the biggest obstacles I faced (and still face as I write this). I’m an international student and it’s too expensive to go back home over the shorter breaks over the year. Stay in touch with your family throughout the year because they will miss you as much as you will miss them. While you have months till university starts, spend quality time with your family members and pets because you’ll feel more distant at uni, both physically and emotionally.
Building a support system is important for the times when you feel everything is crumbling around you. You will be assigned a Personal Tutor who will check up on you several times throughout the year. Medics also have Academic Families where you are “adopted” by second year students who guide you through the coursework and give tips and tricks for passing the exam.
Don’t forget, you will be surrounded by two hundred or so incredibly talented people and the tutorials and PBL (problem based learning) sessions ensure that you interact with them. If you’re worried about not making friends, rest assured because there are plenty of opportunities to socialise.
Studying medicine is nothing like high school
Your brain feels saturated but you might feel like you know nothing.
One of the most beautiful things about medicine is how everything is connected. Lectures build off of each other. The plethora of muscles and bones you learn in anatomy practicals will suddenly make sense when you go over clinical conditions. This means, however, you have to stay on top of the coursework. Cramming last minute doesn’t work because of the sheer amount of content there is to learn.
During my first semester, this is exactly what I did and let’s just say it didn’t work as well as I hoped. Spaced repetition is key. It takes more effort, it gets cumbersome, but it will pay off. The techniques you used during school may not work at uni and that’s absolutely fine. It’s okay to try a new approach to learning.
Grappling with imposter syndrome
Medicine is a challenging course. You will be pushed beyond your limits and although I wish I could say it’s a completely enjoyable and wholesome ride, the truth is it’s not. The low points don’t outweigh the amazing bits, but they can’t be ignored.
Sometimes, it feels as though you’re in front of an insurmountable mountain of content to memorise. Your brain just doesn’t seem to absorb information the way you want it to, and you question why you are here in the first place. Maybe the work will just magically disappear if you ignore it for long enough.
It’s hard to remember that you deserve to be here. You are an intelligent, empathetic and an incredible human being, and you were chosen by the University of Edinburgh for a reason – don’t ever forget that!
