Caoimhe's experience at the University of Nottingham
I am coming to the end of my second year studying medicine at the University of Nottingham and I am really enjoying it. My experience so far has lived up to every expectation I had and beyond.
So far, the pre-clinical teaching has been mostly lecture-based and has also included sessions in the dissection room most weeks during semesters 2 and 3, workshops, small group seminars and clinical skills practical sessions. Each week so far in the pre-clinical phase has had a theme, and all aspects of teaching in any week will be based on this theme. For example, during our respiratory themed weeks, each week we looked at a case study of a common respiratory disease and all of our teaching was also based on the respiratory system including lectures on lung function, respiratory diseases, pharmacology, anatomy, physiology, embryology, and more.
The course at Nottingham offers the opportunity for full body dissection as a part of our anatomy teaching which has been a very helpful resource. This is a fantastic way to learn anatomy and we are lucky to have this available to us.
Patient contact is part of the course from 1st year, which is a great opportunity. This includes a number of day-long placements throughout years 1 and 2 in GP practices and in hospital settings. Clinical phase begins during year 3. Once clinical phase starts, placement is full time and teaching takes place in the hospitals and GP surgeries where you’re based.
The medical school where lectures take place for the undergraduate course is based on the university park campus which is a beautiful campus. There are a huge variety of great study spaces available as well as lots of open green areas for time not spent studying. This campus is also where many of the university’s great sporting facilities are located.
The degree is by no means an easy undertaking and the workload can be very intense at times. However, by staying organised and having support from friends or family, it’s possible to maintain a balanced lifestyle and hobbies outside of medicine.
The university has hundreds of societies which any student can become involved with. This can be a great way to meet people with similar interests and make new friends. They are a perfect way to further develop hobbies you have before uni as well as discovering new hobbies, all while making friends with some amazing people. There are some societies that are medicine-oriented and others that aren’t so it’s possible to have a balanced mix of extra-curriculars to enjoy.
I have become involved with many societies at university, and this is how I have met some of my closest friends. Some of the medicine related societies I am involved with include the Teddy Bear Hospital as a volunteer and clinic lead which has been a very fulfilling and enjoyable role and playing as a member of the Medic’s Rugby team which has been great fun. I have also had the opportunity to be involved with the Medics and Me team as a mentor, a school lead, and a member of the charity’s committee, which has been very rewarding.
Some of the non-medicine related societies I am involved with include the Irish society which I am the President of, and the university Gaelic Football team which I play on as well as being the treasurer of the Gaelic Football club. I also facilitate weekly youth clubs for children aged 10-17 which has been a great thing to be involved in. These have all offered opportunities to make fantastic friends within very supportive and close-knit communities while pursuing interests and hobbies of mine.
I have absolutely loved my time studying medicine at Nottingham so far and am looking forward to what’s yet to come.
Caoimhe, 2nd Year Med Student, University of Nottingham
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