Hi, I’m Susan, a year 5 student on HCP-Med. Combining advanced studies with personal life demands a high level of discipline and effective management strategies. Here’s an insight into how I manage to juggle family, work, and academics in the demanding environment of HCP-Med.
Managing family and study
I would say that being organised and adaptable are two essential skills to develop if you are studying the HCP-Med programme and have family commitments. You probably have to learn to get things done before the deadline, even if that is not your natural academic style. You never know when you are going to have to do something that you haven’t anticipated, be it looking after a sick child or an unexpected school meeting. There will always be times where your family need more from you; don’t be afraid to give it. If you have been studying at a steady pace through the course all will be well in the end.
Adapting the way you study
Be prepared to study using a variety of formats in a variety of places. For instance, I use podcasts whilst driving or cooking/doing housework. I have been known to study at soft plays, trampoline parks, at the side of swimming pools, in a parked car, and in a WRVS café whilst waiting to speak to a consultant about a family members medical care. Don’t think that because you only have 20 minutes to study that it is not worth it. Pick something discreet such as going over a clinical examination or answer a few questions. You might not feel as if you are getting much done but you will be! My studying has changed over the years as my children have gotten older, I used to study when they went to bed but that is no longer an option. I now study before they get up at the weekends.
If something is going really wrong don’t be afraid to say. I had a very difficult start to this academic year with two family members acutely unwell. Speaking to your student support advisor early is very helpful. I have found that if you are honest about what is happening from the start that placement supervisors can be extremely supportive.
A typical day
The one thing about my life over the last two years is that there is no such thing as a typical day. My days are so variable depending on which placement block I am on, whether it is a time of study leave, holidays or exams. I would say the blocks with the most routine in them have been the psychiatry and GP blocks.
If I am on placement my morning routine may depend on whether my husband is working from home or not. If he is, I have the bliss of getting myself organised and walking out the door, hopefully remembering to lift my lunch from the fridge (including insulated mug with some sort of caffeine in it) as I go. This could be leaving the house any time between 6am and 8am dependant on where the placement block is and what the start time is.
If my husband is not working from home then it is a bit more fraught as it involves getting the children in at least a semi wakeful state before I leave, hoping that they actually remember to lock the door as they leave to catch the school bus. When the children were younger, they would get dropped off at my parents very early to have breakfast and get ready there.
Placement activity is extremely variable and the vast majority of time is spent at placement sites, especially in final year and especially if you have peripheral placements. If on placement I would usually try and factor in a walk during my day, usually in the travel to and from the placement, and certainly if studying from home.
After placement I often have to pick up one of my children from an after-school activity or I get help with this from my dad or husband. I usually try and batch cook some things, so we have some easy dinners prepared. The evenings are usually a mixture of study, helping the children with anything they need and getting lunch organised for the next day. I try and relax by watching repeats of some nonsense comedy and spending time with people who are in no way involved in medicine.
