Hi, I’m Zac, just starting Year 2 at Edinburgh Medical School.
Edinburgh is the perfectly sized city and it is so easy to get around by foot or on a bike. Sometimes it is easier to get the bus though, so download the Lothian Bus app, which is an essential. The National Museum of Scotland is fantastic – go there, it’s free!
There’s lots to explore further out of the city as well. Take a break from work and spend a day in the Pentlands. Braid Hill and Portobello beach are great ones too.
Don’t underestimate Big Cheese – the University’s club night which is on every Saturday. If you like cheesy music and chart hits, then this is the place to be.
Getting used to lectures
Don’t worry when you first start going to lectures if it feels like you leave and nothing much has gone in. It takes time to find a note-taking technique which suits you. I found at the beginning I was too focused on noting down everything the lecturer says rather than actually listening. I take in much more if I listen while annotating slides then coming back to them later, and other people seem to find this too. Experiment and find what works for you.
Anatomy practical sessions
The anatomy practical sessions which run throughout the year are a great way of consolidating information in lectures – make full use of the time there and engage with the teaching staff, they are really good at helping if something isn’t making sense.
Semester one
Semester one is a bit of a taster session of different areas of biomedical sciences, which puts you in good standing for semester 2.
There is also ‘Health, ethics and society’ (HES) which runs through Year 1. This sees your first patient contact as part of a community practical, and everyone really enjoys speaking to the patients about their stories. Don’t get daunted by the essay which you have to write afterwards, if you involve yourself in the patient interviews this shouldn’t be a worry.
Semester two
Semester two feels more clinically orientated than the first, as it involves more teaching about diseases in each module: cardio, respiratory and loco-motor. This is really satisfying as you begin to learn symptoms and treatments and start to understand how a doctor might practice.
Where I lived
I was in Bridge House in Fountainbridge, which is self-catered and has shared bathrooms. I had a great time living there and made really good friends with my flatmates.
If you’re ever in need of help, the resident assistants (RAs) in every accommodation are a great port of call. They also organise events throughout the year which can be really good for meeting new people and taking a break.
Moving away from home
Moving away from home can be a difficult time as you learn what it’s like to live more independently. I found really launching into Welcome Week and going to loads of events helped me settle in, just remember to call home once in a while too. If you’re self-catered, try practising cooking some meals before you leave and build up a repertoire because I found that despite what I thought, pesto pasta does start to get boring after a while.
Lastly, if you are feeling homesick or have any other problems, remember you aren’t on your own. Make use of RAs, personal tutors, MBChB Student Wellbeing and other services in the University – they’re there to help you.
Join a sports club or society
There are so many clubs and societies to choose from and everyone has their favourites. I love the Hares and Hounds running club because there are several nights a week which you can choose to mix and match. I would thoroughly recommend the Monday training runs (which have multiple groups for all abilities) – you can meet new people and explore new parts of the city while getting some exercise.
Making the most of Welcome Week
I was quite nervous as I moved into my accommodation at the start of Welcome Week, but it’s so important to remember that everyone is in the same boat. Say ‘hi’ to your new flatmates, you’re gonna have to at some point.
I found sticking with my flatmates really useful because I had people to go to events with. If you haven’t gelled with yours, there are plenty of events for meeting new people. These will be covered in the EUSA website, and in a booklet usually given out at the beginning of the week. This is a must-have. Have a look online in advance because there are so many events to choose from.
Don’t worry if you haven’t found your new BFF after the first week – you have the whole year of meeting new course-mates and other students.
Enjoy it! There are loads of cheap or free events for drinkers and non-drinkers alike. This is a full week of madness to kick off the next six years so make the most of it before the work starts. (Don’t worry though, there is still plenty of time during the year for fun).
