November 2005

Congratulations!

Exciting times this month! Congratulations to date go to those forum members who have received notification of their hard won place in medical school for 2006.

Apologies if I have missed anyone, or attributed you to the wrong university! For those still waiting - commiserations- we are looking forward to hearing your exciting news!

GAMSAT - Be Inspired!

With all the offers flooding the forum, hopefully those preparing for GAMSAT are feeling inspired to get cracking with their preparation. Registration closes January 27, 2006.  You can register online, or by post. Remember you'll need the princely sum of $286 spare, and a lovely passport pic of yourself. See the ACER website for more info, www.acer.edu.au

Top Tips for Surviving PBL

Written by students, for students.  A little something to think about as you contemplate your first year of medical school .

1. Learn to share not compete. Your most valuable resources are each other.
2. Learn to use each other. Studying together and supporting each other can be both an enjoyable and an effective way to work.
3. Resist the temptation to SOLVE the case. You are trying to identify the knowledge you need to solve it, not actually trying to solve it!
4. Be reflective. Part of PBL is about working as a group. A 'Healthy Group Dynamic' can be the make or break for a happy and successful learning experience.
5. Do the work the group sets. It is easy to fall behind and feel left out of the group. A little and often is better than a lot too late.
6. Don't worry if the group next door are doing things differently. This is the nature of PBL. Different groups will evolve their own way of doing things.
7. Be brave and don't be intimidated if you feel that people know more than you.  Usually they don't! Remember that you are all in the same boat and it is likely that people are experiencing the same feelings. If you are honest about your concerns it is most likely that others will follow your lead. Saying you don't know something is also the best way to begin finding it out.
8. Do spend time filling in evaluations as requested. This may seem tedious but it is the best way to improve the course and have your say in how it should change.
9. Make the most of the other people in your group and the mix of different ethnic and cultural experiences that they will have.  PBL is a great way to start exploring the richness of beliefs and values held in a multicultural society.  Not only will you learn more about other religions and lifestyles, this sort of knowledge and understanding will be invaluable to you in real clinical practice.
10. Remember that all work and no play makes students burn out! Try and ensure that the PBL group socialises together or has some opportunity to focus on group relationships, not just work throughout the year.

Rural2prac's Story

I know many of you will have read this already on the forum, but for those who may have missed it, and others who may not have logged on for a little while, this is a wonderful story.  Congratulations to Rural2prac on his success.  

I wanted to share my story about how I ended up getting into medicine. I'm hoping that this may inspire someone.  I was born in a country town, to parents who were working class. I went to the local primary school, then onto the local state school for secondary school.  I then managed to completely screw up my final year, so missed out on any uni place at all!  

After school, I worked in the video industry for a few years, eventually buying a store with my first wife. When we divorced in 1995, I sold my share in the shop for next to bugger all ... I just wanted to get out!  I then managed another store in Mandurah (WA) until it closed down.  In 1997, I was on the dole until I found a job as a paint store manager.  One day, I looked at what I was doing and thought:  "Do you want to be doing this when you are 40?"  The answer was NO!

Consequently, I got into uni and received a degree in Nursing. I told my Mum, while I was studying nursing, that I wouldn't mind being a doctor. In 2003, my mum tragically drowned at the age of 58.  This inspired me to look at my own life, how short it could be, and that I needed to make every day count.  Now, 8 years after being on the dole, I am going to study medicine next year! 

The answer is to never let go of your dreams and never be afraid to strive for something, no matter how impossible it seems, especially to others. Above all, be true to yourself and true to your dreams, work hard and never be scared to take a step, even if there is a risk that you may fall on the other side.

'til next month,
Cheerio
Emma

December 2005

Christmas Edition

Welcome to the Christmas edition of the Paging Dr Newsletter. 

It's a busy time of year - the parties, the booze, the schmaltzy TV ads, Ray Martin and the carols (eek), and of course the GAMSAT hopefuls cramming some extra study over the break, and the starry eyed relief and excitement of those getting reading for their first year as med students.

2005 has been a great first year for the Paging Dr forum. We've moved from a few stragglers lost in cyberspace after the sudden closure of the AusMedStudent forum, to finding and establishing a new home here at Paging Dr. Many thanks to Wade for his work, the input of managers, global moderators, administrators and senior members, and of course, most importantly, the fantastic contributions from the members. With a massive 533 people registered at last count, the forum continues to flourish.

Wishing you a happy and safe holiday season, and looking forward to another great year of debate, sharing, pondering and laughs!

10 Random things about you

I don't usually highlight threads.  However, if you haven't logged on to the forum for a while, take a look at this thread: 10 Random Things About You . A fascinating insight to add to the mental picture you may already have of your fellow posters!  Make sure you post yours as well!

Still waiting.

Best wishes to those UWA hopefuls, who are still waiting on the outcome of their applications for a place in 2006. Your patience is admirable! Good luck for tomorrow. A special mention to GeekGurl and DrDream, who, whilst waiting for their own news all this time, have been unswerving in their consistent support for everyone else, congratulating and commiserating as results have been released.

New Year's Resolutions - 10 tips to see you through 2006

As a reasonably driven group of people, I suspect many of you are New Year's resolution makers - so here's a few hints that might help you see them through in 2006! The best way to keep your resolution is to plan ahead.

1. Be realistic: The surest way to fall short of your goal is to make it unattainable.
2. Plan ahead: Don't make your resolution on New Year's Eve. If you wait until the last minute, it will be based on your mind set that particular day. Instead it should be well planned before December 31 arrives.
3. Outline your plan: Decide how you will deal with the temptation to skip the exercise class, or have one more cigarette.
4. Make a "pro" and "con" list: It may help to see a list of items on paper to keep your motivation.
5. Talk about it: Tell friends and family members who will be there to support your resolve to change yourself for the better.
6. Reward yourself: Celebrate your success by treating yourself to something that you enjoy.
7. Track your progress: Short-term goals are easier to keep, and small accomplishments will help keep you motivated.
8. Don't beat yourself up: Obsessing over the occasional slip won't help you achieve your goal. Do the best you can each day, and take them one at a time.
9. Stick to it: Experts say it takes about 21 days for a new activity, such as exercising, to become a habit, and 6 months for it to become part of your personality.
10. Keep trying: If your resolution has totally run out of steam by mid-February, don't despair. Start over again!

Resolution trivia!

The top four New Year's resolutions are:

1. Increase exercise
2. Be more conscientious about work or study
3. Develop better eating habits
4. Stop smoking, drinking, or using drugs (including caffeine).

People make more resolutions to start a new habit, than to break an old one.

Good Luck!!

Adrenaline's Story

Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess . kidding

My first degree is a Bachelor of Business, and I worked in business and marketing. I never though that I would become a doctor. But recently we had both sickness and death in the family, which helped me to meet a couple of great and amazing junior doctors. Losing people whom I love to diseases made me realise that there is nothing better to have than good health. To be able to help someone get through their illness and soothe their pain will be the greatest humane thing to do, and will mean a lot for my existence.

In 2004 I decided to do medicine, but procrastinated for a while. In June 2004 my Mum had a heart attack, and had 2 stents put in. That incident forced me to gather myself together and do something with my life. I really wanted to study medicine and wanted to become a doctor.

Due to my mother's illness I became her full time carer. I also ended up quitting my job so I could look after her. With restricted financial resources, I was unable to take any prep courses or buy books or study guides. But my mum kept me going. My friend helped me and borrowed some chemistry, physics and biology texts from his Uni library. I bought the Acer sample papers and a few second hand OziMed and MCAT sample papers. I wrote a few essays and my asked my friends to comment, and also read biographies and newspapers. I did practice exams under exam conditions.

My Mum's health is much better, and I have accepted a CSP place at ANU for 2006. Determination and hard work will always pay off. Preparation courses may help, but you have to analyse yourself whether you really want to take this path or not. That's what makes you a better person as well as a better doctor - a willingness to ease the pain of your fellow humans, and lots of sacrifice.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Emma