Student Profile - Collins

Tell us about yourself and your experience applying to Medical School. Did you take part in any outreach programmes? 

My name is Collins. I attended to secondary school and sixth form in Sheffield. My experience applying to medical school was quite nerve-racking but exciting at the same time. I applied to 4 different medical schools and the process was quite hectic. I found the summer prior to applying very stressful as I was trying to simultaneously complete my personal statement, prepare for my UCAT exam whilst revising my A-level subjects. I spent most of my summer practising for the UCAT exam and took the exam right before Y13 started. I partook in Realising Opportunities which is a programme that allows students from disadvantaged backgrounds to have an equal and fair opportunity at applying for university. The preparation for my interviews was a bit stressful but thankfully the hard work paid off. 

What advice do you have for writing your personal statement? 

I would say be authentic to yourself. A personal statement is supposed to be unique and represent who you are as a person. This includes your skills and attributes as well as your hobbies and work experiences. 

A good personal statement should be more reflective rather than descriptive. Avoid only listing or describing your experiences. Try to reflect on your experiences by focusing on questions such as what you learnt, why it was important, how this relates to your desire to pursue a medicine career, how it made you feel etc. Avoid being too general and vague when writing your personal statement. Try to give specific examples or anecdotes to demonstrate how you possess certain qualities and skills. Do not be hesitant to discuss any personal challenges you may have faced and how you managed to overcome them.  

What advice do you have for preparing for admissions tests? 

I would suggest practising plenty questions and reviewing your mistakes. For example, focus on your weakest areas in the UCAT and try to improve on these. Practice regularly in timed conditions. For the UCAT, it may be helpful to familiarise yourself with some keyboard shortcuts that may help improve your speed. There are some Youtube channels take give additional helpful tips to help improve your performance. Medic Portal, Medic Mind and Medify offer some free UCAT questions and advice on how best to approach each question type.  

How do you develop your communication skills? 

I would suggest getting out of your comfort zone and trying to speak to as many people as possible, and people of different age groups. Remember effective communication is more than just speaking but it also includes non-verbal communication such as good body language, eye contact etc.  Try to ensure that you adopt good non-verbal communication in your interaction with people. Practice active listening when speaking to people as well. A helpful way of improving your communication skills is to attempt interacting with or tutoring children/ younger pupils.  

Would you recommend taking a gap year? 

I would recommend taking a gap year if you are unsure about what you would like to study at University. A gap year is a great opportunity to travel or gain experience in different sectors. It is also a fantastic opportunity to work on your personal development to improve your skills and it provides time to reflect properly on your desires, goals and what you want your future to look like. If you are applying for Medicine, do not be disheartened if you do not get accepted in your first application. Due to the competitive nature of the degree, many candidates do not secure a place the first-time round, but it is worth a second shot if Medicine if really what you are interested in. 

What did you consider when you chose which university to apply for? 

When considering which University to applied to, factors such as campus-life, the course structure, the city, living costs, proximity from home are important to consider. It Is important to check if the teaching style of the course suits you and how best you like to learn.  

Did you have a back-up plan if you didn’t get into medical school? 

Yes I would have pursued a career in biomedical sciences. 

What is your top piece of advice for students applying to medical school? 

Ensure that you have acquired as many work experiences as possible that are available to you and make sure you accurately reflect on these. Ensure that you engage in meaningful discussions with current medical students and doctors who will be able to give you a balanced view of the profession. Also, make sure that you have good teamwork skills and effective communication skills as well. Make sure you are an empathetic and compassionate person with the desire to care for people.  

Medicine requires determination patience and resilience, so you will need to have these qualities.  

Do you work alongside your studies? 

I don’t have a part time job however I am an ambassador for my medical school which offers me  jobs regularly that fit my flexibility. 

How do you manage the workload? 

Try to keep up with lectures and assignment by getting them done as early as possible to avoid unnecessary stress and the build-up of uncompleted work. Good time management is an essential skill to have at university. Working and studying with friends can help alleviate some workload burden too. Try having a good studying technique that is both effective and efficient. For example, A I like to make flashcards and review them right away after each lecture which helps create some free time for me at the weekend to engage in extracurricular activities. I spend most of my time on the weekdays in the library completing most of my work. I also work with other colleagues to brainstorm and share ideas.  

Do you take part in any societies? 

I partake in HYMS football which is the football team for my medical school. 

What is your favourite part of medical school? 

My favourite part of medical school is forming friendships with other medical students who act as a great support system and encouragement during stressful. They help to take the burden off studying alone and make it more enjoyable to study as a team. The various teaching staffs and doctors that you encounter who are dedicated to teaching and in your personal growth is very inspiring. I enjoy the practical aspects of medicine such as developing your clinical skills, learning anatomy, and putting all that you have learnt into practice whilst on clinical placement. The patients you meet on placement are truly wonderful because not only are they keen on you learning from them, but they are also welcoming and appreciative. It is also very satisfying when all your knowledge links together and you realise the value of the things you learn.  

What is the most difficult part of medical school? 

The most difficult part of medical school is managing stress. Studying medicine and especially during exam season can be incredibly stressful that is why it is important that you have strategies to cope with stress, for example, reaching out to your friends, speaking to student support, taking regular breaks, eating, and drinking well, staying active, maintaining good sleep etc. These are just a few ways that I cope during stressful times.  

The workload in medical school can often be overwhelming so it is important that you can prioritise well and know how to manage your time effectively to avoid burn out. 

What are your plans for after university? 

I hope to become a qualified doctor. I intend to complete my foundation programme training and hopefully start speciality training in a speciality that I thoroughly enjoy. At the current moment, I am unsure of what I would like to specialise in, however I think I will have a better idea during my clinical years.