Bad day.

Hey, just a short post - I really need to have a little vent. Have you ever had those days where lots of little bad things build up over the day until you realise that you're really pretty pissed off and upset about them? That's kind of how my day is going, nothing majorly bad has happened but I still want to curl up in a corner and cry for a bit.

I found out that I failed my clinical reasoning exam - I'm not cut up about it because it was the first one and I wasn't expecting to do well.

My mum is thiking of moving house during the week before I finish for Easter, this probably makes perfect sense to her but it means that I won't get a chance to visit the house again before she moves and I'm kind of attached to that house. (I know it sounds like a silly little thing but combined with other stuff, it's making me sad).

I'm getting fed up with the gossipy-ness of some people on the course, I know stuff like that is hard to avoid with only 90ish people in the year but I'm fed up of feeling like I'm in a fish bowl. There are some things that I don't want to have to tell everyone but if I don't then they will think it's ok to keep gossiping about my private life. This is the one I'm upset about most, it doesn't help that I can't really talk to people about it without explaining some crap things from my past and that will just upset me. :-(

It's getting to the end of the module and we have more exams coming up so I think I'm just tired and letting little things get at me. Roll on Easter, 3 weeks 'off' (well, I'm gonna have to do some revision for the summer exams but at least I won't be learning anything new for a bit!).

Turned out that it wasn't a short post after all, but I feel better. Thanks for reading.

See you soon. :-)

A quick hello...

Hey, sorry it's been a while. I've been meaning to update the blog for a few days but I wanted to wait until my module 2 & 3 exam results came out...... I got them this morning and on the whole I'm pretty pleased. I found the MCQs quite simple and I came out with 85.3%, I passed my clinical skills assessment (but only just on the communication skills bit - I need to be more interested in how things affect the patient and their family). The MEQs were something I was terrified of because of my awful performance last time, but apart from one question I was pleasantly suprised with myself. I think it worked out that I got 63.3% which is good for me, and it would have been more if I'd had a clue what the hell that last question wanted! I'm just waiting for the clinical reasoning exam results to come out at the end of the week, It was the first time we had done those and I don't think I did particularly well, but that's ok (also, I felt like I needed to watch an episode of House before that exam, I think it would have helped).

We've started the musculoskeletal module this month, It's soo interesting but I'm really noticing how fast paced the course is - we've pretty much covered the anatomy (including bones, joints, muscles, nerves and vasculature) of the whole lower limb in 1.5 weeks as well as covering the pathology, clinical skills and other random stuff that comes up in PBL. It's just a bit overwhelming.

We changed PBL groups too at the start of this module, it's wierd! It's difficult figuring out how to deal with all the new stuff going on - friendship dynamics from the last group changing, trying to find my place in this new group, trying to learn the same amount of stuff as before but in a totally different way because my new group want me to be more interactive with them (which is a good thing in theory but I spend so much time trying to work out what I can do for the next session that I don't have enough time to actually learn things!).

In other news, my mum has hopefully sold the house so she is looking to move in about a month, it will be just at the start of my Easter holidays so hopefully I can help her - I really don't like the idea of her moving house while I'm here and then going 'home' to somewhere new. Does that make sense?

I have to go now, I need to put some washing in, tidy the kitchen and then go food shopping. See you soon. :-)

Noooo

Why did Lost season 6 have to start the week before my module 2 & 3 exams, I need to revise but I can't resist watching it. If I fail, do you think the university would accept this as extenuating circumstances?!

I'm still here.

Despite my absence for the last couple of months - I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth! Ok, so firstly - I hope you had a good Christmas and new year. Mine was great, it was really nice to go home and do no work for 3 weeks.

I don't really know how to update you on what's been going on since the last time I posted, med school is still great, my brain is still full (but there are some really interesting things in there). We're just coming up to the end of the cardiovascular module and I've gotta say that I prefered respiratory (despite all the sputum!).

My first set of exams had mixed results - the multiple choice questions (MCQs) went well, I got 74% (later put up to 76% after an error in the marking was found). The modified essay questions (MEQs) were a complete disaster - I totally panicked and couldn't get anything out of my brain and onto paper, I have never frozen on a exam before and I hope that it never happens again because it was awful. By the time I had got into the swing of things, I kept having to stop because my wrist was hurting (have I told you about my bad wrist?) and then I ran out of time. Anyway, I came out of that with 44% (which is crap but it's better than I thought I'd done). We had another MCQ in December, that went well and I got 82% in that. Next exams are in February (MEQs and MCQs), hopefully I won't get the yips again. We have clinical skills assessments too this time, they sound pretty scary as we could be asked to carry out any part of a respiratory or cardiovascular examination.

Not much else has been going on, we're changing pbl groups at the end of this module (2 weeks) and everyone seems to be dreading it. Even though we don't always get along with the people in our groups, we've been together since September and we know how we work. We've bonded and it's going to be hard to split us all up and put us with new people (well, not new people, but you know how the saying goes - better the devil you know than the devil you don't).

I should probably leave it there for now, I have a patient narrative essay to finish by monday that is still refusing to be beaten. It's just so fluffy - I've even used the word 'biopsychosocial' in there, bleugh! Makes me all quivery inside!

Exams

First formative exams this morning - wish me luck!

My brain is full! I can't learn any more, I need a break. We have a few days off next week to revise for our exams on the 2nd of November, I'll be glad of the break because it means that we won't be learning anything new for a few days. How sad is that? Looking forward to a few days revision!

I was going to do a proper blog post, but honestly I can't think straight. I keep losing concentration and staring out of my window, it's horrible - I've got loads of work to do but I can't think well enough to do it. I'll try to get a better post for you next week.

Argh!

MEN! Why do they have to make everything so complicated?! Just because I don't want to date someone doesn't mean that I'm seeing the guy who was sat next to me in pbl! It just means that I don't want to date them! And I don't know what the cryptic comments on facebook are all about, they just make you sound like a lovesick 15 year old! I really thought we could be friends, but instead I cant wait until we change pbl groups so that I can get away from the politics of it all.

Sorry, rant over. I feel much better now. :-)

Dear student finance people......

Please can I have some money now? It's been almost 2 weeks since my money was due and I'm running a bit short now! I'm writing this here in my blog because there is no way to contact you by email and I can't afford to spend an hour in a queue on the phone to you (no money yet remember!), so I thought I would just vent on here.

In other news, you know how they tell you that med school is really hard work and there is just loads of stuff to do? Well I dont think anyone can truly comprehend what that means until they're there. Things are sooo fast paced it's untrue. I'm still having a good time though so it can't be too bad.

My stethoscope arrived yesterday too, I feel like a proper medical student now. It's ace!

Important lessons

So, it's the end of the first week. What have I learned?......



.........I have learned how to wash my hands!! I have also learned that sometimes the staff should talk to each other a little bit more so as to avoid timetabling confusions. And I've learned that I love that my last name begins with an A, it means that I'm in the first group for most things so I'll generally finish earlier in the day. Awesome!!

First day at medical school

I'm a little excited, I've mis-timed things so now I'm ready 2 hours early. Oops. I feel like I'm starting primary school again!! :-)

See you later.

Another blonde moment

Well, 2 actually. So yesterday, I had to drive to my new house because my train tickets weren't valid (see previous post for the explanation to that one!). My mum and sister came with me and took the car back home afterwards. It was only about 2 hours after they'd left that my sister texted me to tell me I'd left my toothbrush in the car! D'oh!

Oh well, nevermind. I figured that I would pick one up today (I needed a new one anyway, mine wasnt holding its charge very well). For some reason I was wide awake at 7am so I got up, got ready and went out to go get my new toothbrush. I walked about 25 minutes to sainsbury's before I realised that it's sunday - the shops arent open until later! D'oh again!

Sometimes I wonder...

...How I got into medical school!

I realised this morning that I had an incredible 'blonde moment' earlier this week. See, I moved all my things to my new house on Monday and then came back home (because its my birthday today and I didnt want to spend it there on my own). My plan was to go back tomorrow on the train, I'd ordered the tickets and reserved my seat etc. But at 6am this morning I realised that I've left my railcard at the new house so I won't be able to use the tickets! So now I have to go in the car (with my mum so that she can take the car home again).

Stupid girl!

On another note, I got some great presents for my birthday. Can't believe im a quarter of a century old!

I'm moving tomorrow!

How scary is that!! I've been packing all my things and I'm not sure how everything is gonna fit into the car. Oh well, I'll figure something out. I can't believe how fast things have moved since January when I got my offer. I still keep thinking that it's a terrible mistake and I haven't really got a place, even though they let me register the other day.

I still havent finished my basic science workbook or the anatomy package, I'll have to do that next week, I wont be spending my time packing then so I should have time.

I have to give blood on my birthday next week. I know I don't have to, but I forgot to go last time so I feel like I should. Nevermind - I suppose it'll make it a cheaper night because I won't be able to drink as much.

Anyway, I gotta go finish packing - I don't think you'll believe how much crap there is in my room. And I'm sure it must be dangerous in there with the amount of dust I'm kicking up. Oops!

Unpacking...

I'm unpacking the big box of leaving goodies that I got from work yesterday - there's loads of stuff!! Thanks guys! I was really sad when I got home yesterday, I don't have a job anymore - it's wierd!

I was supposed to be sorting things out that I need to pack, but I've been procrasitinating all morning. Also, I just joined the BMA and the MDU, I almost feel like a medical student now. Ooh, and I got my welcome guide from my university through the post, exciting stuff!

Oops, I just realised it's raining and I've left the dog outside in the garden. I'd better go and get him. Hehe.

11 days...

...left of work before I leave! 33 days left before I start my first day of medical school! I'm so excited, I've got that crunchie advert running through my head now! Hehe.

In Theatre

I downloaded the Amateur Transplants' new live album 'In Theatre' on Friday, after listening to it pretty much constantly since then I can safely say that I think it's brilliant!!

Erm, not really much else to say. 2 months left till I start - I'm getting a bit scared now! I think I've sorted out a house, it's the nice house that I mentioned in my last post.

I'll post again soon with something a bit more interesting (hopefully!). I'm off to have my breakfast now. Bye.

Ramblings

Wow, I'm really not good at regular blogging! Sorry, it's just that not much interesting has happened for a while. So, in an effort to try to keep you interested, here is a little ramble about a few of the most recent happenings in my life:

I had to have my occupational health appointment yesterday, nothing too traumatic. The nurse went over my health questionnaire and then took some blood to test for heb B. The results should be back in 2 weeks, hopefully my offer will turn unconditional soon after that. I went to look at a couple of student houses while I was in the area, there was one that I REALLY liked - it's lovely, but it's very popular because it's so nice so I'm not sure I'll get it. Fingers and toes crossed! (I can actually do that - hypermoblie!!)

I was really looking forward to going to watch a knee replacement today, but there aren't any on the theatre list so I'll have to wait till next week. I saw a hip replacement in February, that was pretty cool. I really like orthopaedics - but I was never any good at technology/woodwork in school so I probably wouldn't be very good at it! Add that to the fact that I'm only 5'2" and pretty weak - I wouldn't have the strength to be hammering and drilling bones for a living!

I wish I wasn't stuck in the office all day, it's such a hot sunny day - I want to be outside in the garden. I'm stuck in clinic this afternoon so I can't even escape early. Stupid work! At least I can go outside to eat my lunch, I've even brought suncream with me - its funny how sunburned I can get just by sitting outside for half an hour.

I can't believe that there are only 2 and a bit months until I leave home and start the course. It's very scary. I recently discovered the amateur transplants, it's amazing how much medical stuff there is to learn. I hope that I can cope with it. Surely I'm not the only one who listens to some of the songs and gauges their knowledge by knowing what the words mean?!

Anyway, I'd better get some work done. See you later. :-)

Exams

I know it's probably a bit late, but I just wanted to wish everyone who has exams coming up good luck. Especially those A level students with medical school offers, this is the last hurdle now before you're in.

I dont know why I needed to post that, I haven't got any exams this year. But I really do wish the best for people with offers, it must be heartbreaking to have an offer and miss out on it because of the grades.

Isn't the weather horrible today, raining and miserable. I want the sun back! Anyway, I'm off to tesco now - we've run out of cat food. See you later.

Where's Harry?

It seems that Unprotected Text has been removed. Anyone know what happened? It can't be gone for good surely - it's such a great blog, it would be a shame if it was just gone like that.

In other news, I've booked my occupational health appointment for medical school. My crb check came back so hopefully I'll be looking at an unconditional on track soon. (They won't take away my offer because of my hypermobility and buggered up wrist will they?)

When I go for the occy health check, I was going to do some house-hunting while I'm there. I lived at home for my first degree so to be honest I'm not really sure what I should be looking out for with regards to renting with other students. Any tips?

Anyway, I'm off to make something for tea now, I don't know what to have - there isnt much in the freezer and I've had too much pasta recently. I might have a jacket potato with something. I'll go have a look. Bye!

The Grand Round

I love going to the grand round at my hospital...... I get a free lunch and 'toys' from the reps! Today I got a laser pointer with a pen drive in it, as well as a load of sticky pads and pens for the office. The lecture wasn't bad either, it was about takotsubo cardiomyopathy (broken heart syndrome), there was even a clip from scrubs! People in the office think that I'm really keen to learn medical things when I go, but really, I just want the extended lunch time! (1.5 hours rather than my usual half hour). :-)