Luke McMenamin's Blog


	Luke McMenamin's Blog Medicine at Leeds Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:13:00 +0100 The most amazing thing about Leeds is that within our medical school there is huge student diversity, people from London to Castlederg, Saudi Arabia to Sheffield. The other great thing about Leeds is that the medical school is at the heart of the city which is connected by a corridor to the Leeds General Infirmary. This makes it easy to get from lectures to the wards. To be perfectly honest Leeds medical school (like many other medical schools in England) make the first year as difficult as possible to sort the ‘mice from the men’. In short if you don’t work hard the whole way through the year in 1^styear at Leeds you possibly could be looking for another degree the following August! However Leeds medical school creates a very community atmosphere.... there are always older student around to help you out. Also, the lecturers and demonstrators are always very keen to help you out if you have difficulty. Leeds medical school runs a MUMS scheme. Where by the second years take on first years and look after them throughout the year. This is a vital contact if you’re stuck with something as they have done it and got to the ‘Promised Land’ aka passed the year. I had the advantage of travelling to Leeds with Colm Hicks who is studying dentistry here. So within our Halls of residence we were soon recognised as the ‘two Irish boys’. The first few weeks were great as everyone was getting to know each other and everyone liked us as we were Irish and different! So I would definitely recommend that first years apply to halls because you meet so may people. The halls cost approximately £4,000 for the academic year, but that is not the only expense! Medicine involves a lot of reading therefore there are a lot of books to get. My advice is to get them out of the library first, if you find them useful and you know that you will need it again well buy it. When it comes to buying books, price around on the internet and in the University bookshops you never know where you could find a bargain! Being a student is great and the best things are Student discount, being your own boss and meeting new people every day of the week! However it can be tough! I think about five people left first year. Either to repeat or they found medicine wasn’t for them. I think they left as they didn’t realise the work load, dedication and determination medicine demands. If you are thinking of university next year I would say…. Set your targets on a particular degree and stick to it. If you don’t get an offer and you have to take a year out, do so. There is no point in my mind studying a degree that you really didn’t want to do... ‘What’s a year at the end of the day?’ Work hard and get your grades for your application and if possible exceed the expected grades. At the end of the day there will be 2,000 people going for the same position as yours with the same grade 5 in piano, the 10As at GCSE and the predicted 4 As at A-level. So, make your personal statement and interview memorable that when the person(s) has finished reading it or interviewing you, they can go away and say ‘remember that CBS student’! Good luck! My First Blog Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:11:00 +0100 I'm Luke. I will be adding new blogs throughout the year. Medicine at Leeds Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:13:00 +0100 The most amazing thing about Leeds is that within our medical school there is huge student diversity, people from London to Castlederg, Saudi Arabia to Sheffield. The other great thing about Leeds is that the medical school is at the heart of the city which is connected by a corridor to the Leeds General Infirmary. This makes it easy to get from lectures to the wards. To be perfectly honest Leeds medical school (like many other medical schools in England) make the first year as difficult as possible to sort the ‘mice from the men’. In short if you don’t work hard the whole way through the year in 1^styear at Leeds you possibly could be looking for another degree the following August! However Leeds medical school creates a very community atmosphere.... there are always older student around to help you out. Also, the lecturers and demonstrators are always very keen to help you out if you have difficulty. Leeds medical school runs a MUMS scheme. Where by the second years take on first years and look after them throughout the year. This is a vital contact if you’re stuck with something as they have done it and got to the ‘Promised Land’ aka passed the year. I had the advantage of travelling to Leeds with Colm Hicks who is studying dentistry here. So within our Halls of residence we were soon recognised as the ‘two Irish boys’. The first few weeks were great as everyone was getting to know each other and everyone liked us as we were Irish and different! So I would definitely recommend that first years apply to halls because you meet so may people. The halls cost approximately £4,000 for the academic year, but that is not the only expense! Medicine involves a lot of reading therefore there are a lot of books to get. My advice is to get them out of the library first, if you find them useful and you know that you will need it again well buy it. When it comes to buying books, price around on the internet and in the University bookshops you never know where you could find a bargain! Being a student is great and the best things are Student discount, being your own boss and meeting new people every day of the week! However it can be tough! I think about five people left first year. Either to repeat or they found medicine wasn’t for them. I think they left as they didn’t realise the work load, dedication and determination medicine demands. If you are thinking of university next year I would say…. Set your targets on a particular degree and stick to it. If you don’t get an offer and you have to take a year out, do so. There is no point in my mind studying a degree that you really didn’t want to do... ‘What’s a year at the end of the day?’ Work hard and get your grades for your application and if possible exceed the expected grades. At the end of the day there will be 2,000 people going for the same position as yours with the same grade 5 in piano, the 10As at GCSE and the predicted 4 As at A-level. So, make your personal statement and interview memorable that when the person(s) has finished reading it or interviewing you, they can go away and say ‘remember that CBS student’! Good luck! My First Blog Mon, 25 Oct 2010 13:11:00 +0100 I'm Luke. I will be adding new blogs throughout the year.

Contact Details
Address: Christian Brothers Grammar School, Kevlin Road, Omagh, Co Tyrone, BT78 1LD
Telephone: 028 8224 3567 Fax: 028 8224 0656 E Mail: info@cbs.omagh.ni.sch.uk