Hi everyone, it's been a while!
To say that my first year of medical school was difficult would be an understatement. There were many tears and much frustration, many lonely late nights and many "Can I really do this?" moments. For some, their first year of medical school is challenging but doable, but for me, especially after working for two years, studying again was something I had to get used to and fast. I recently sent out a tweet to ask what people would like to know about my first year and will use those to write this post.
How did you find the course curriculum?
We started with a first term of around 9 weeks of Fundamentals of Medicine (FunMed) which was basically an overview of many subjects including cell biology, genetics, microbiology, physiology, pharmacology, cancer and anatomy. I found this module to be quite difficult to grasp as nothing really followed on from the other, and it was taught in quite a random order. After the 9 weeks we had an exam which was called an ICA (In Course Assessment") This was based on one paper including short answer questions and multiple choice questions and another online based "spotter" where you were shown pictures and had to identify what the picture showed.
The purpose of these ICAs is to ensure you are on the right track with your studies and understand what is being taught. We had three of these in the year and in order to be put through to do the summer exams, you had to pass two of the three. I actually felt that having the ICAs was extremely useful as it made sure you were on top of your work throughout the term and could identify any problems you were having before summer. I did quite poorly in my first ICA and that helped me to identify my weak areas and change up my revision technique before the next one.
After the first module, our modules became more structured and we completed three modules before our next ICA: Cardio-respiratory, Metabolism and Locomotor (movement of the body). Our final two modules before summer were Brain and Behaviour and then Human Development. I really enjoyed these modules much more than FunMed as they seemed more structured and fit well together. In general, I think the curriculum, aside from FunMed was well structured, some lecturers were obviously better than others but there were also many books to choose from in the library and lecturers were always helpful if you dropped them an email.
Our course was Problem Based Learning based and each week we were given a new scenario where as a group of around 6-8, we would have to work out learning objectives, research them in our own time and come back and discuss them. The concept of PBL's is great but many facilitators (who were members of the hospital or faculty staff) did it differently so my opinion of them is varied.
In terms of difficulty, the content in medical school is not particularly difficult, but it is the sheer volume of work. By the time summer exams had come around, I had about 200 lectures to know and understand. It honestly felt impossible! Advice for first years: make sure you learn, recap and make your notes as you go along so by the time you get to summer, it really is just a refresh!
We had clinical skills taught to us from the second term onwards and these included learning examinations of different parts of the body as well as providing us with better communication skills. Many medical schools do not do any clinical skills until third year so it was really enjoyable to learn these at such an early stage and it made me feel like I was actually training to be a doctor as it was not just all theoretical work.
We also had a GP placement every fortnight where we had specific themes that the placement was centered around such as mental health, pregnancy or GI problems. At these placements we were able to observe some GP appointments with patients, practice our clinical skills and learn more about the role of a GP in the primary health care sector.
Was medical school what you thought it would be?
I'd always anticipated medical school to be difficult but it was another story to actually go through the difficulties of studying medicine. I also felt quite isolated as a graduate and as a black woman on the five year course as there are no other black graduates on my course. By the end of the year, I did find a group of graduates that I really get along with, which really made it easier as I had people to vent to and share my frustrations with. All in all, I wasn't shocked by my experience as I've always been told that medical school was difficult.
What took you by surprise the most at medical school?
I was surprised by the number of students who's parents or family members were doctors or that were pushed in to medicine by their families. I felt it was slightly unfair to those who genuinely wanted to study medicine that there were some students who were only there because their parents had pushed them to be. What did surprise me at medical school was becoming "average". I'd always been top of the class or a high achiever during my education and it felt weird to put in 110% and not be able to reach that mark. At times, it did give my confidence a knock but I'm lucky to have extremely supportive parents who helped me to push on and not give up!
What expectations did you have?
I didn't have any particular expectations of medical school but I underestimated how important it is to have a good support network and people you can talk to who also understand your struggle. Make sure you make friends at your medical school who are there to lift you up and vent when things are getting tough!
Do you have time to have a life outside of medical school?
In medical school, you definitely do have time to have a life if you balance your time well. It's really important that you do things outside of studying, otherwise you can really become consumed and mentally drained. I made sure that outside of the time leading up to ICAs or summer exams, I would meet up with friends and during exam times, I would always schedule an hour a day to get to the gym and release some stress. If you stay organised and on top of your work, you can easily have a social life. I regret not taking part in any extra-curricular activities as I was working but will hopefully do that next year!
Can you work whilst studying medicine?
Whilst I did work part-time in my first year, I would say yes and no. I was lucky enough to be able to work in a laboratory on weekends for 4-8 hours. However, I did find that it took a lot of my energy and made me too tired to focus properly on my studies over the weekend. If you have to work, I would recommend no more than once a week and to not work leading up to exams. I won't be working much during my second year as it is supposedly harder than first year and I don't want to risk the chance of failing because I was working!
What would you say to anyone who is starting their first year of medical school in September?
Embrace it! It is difficult, it is challenging and you may fail once or twice. But keep focused, determined and organised and you'll do fine!
Wednesday, 19 July 2017
Tuesday, 18 October 2016
How to Ace That Interview (Med School or Otherwise)
So last time I wrote a blog post with five tips on getting an interview for Med School. I ended by saying I'd also give some advice for doing well in your interview so here it is! As I will be talking about the traditional Med School interview (as that is the type I had), I also feel these tips will work if you have any type of job or University interview. I've had around ten to fifteen interviews so in my life so far and have only ever not gotten one (so I'd like to hope my tips are useful).
So here we are, get your paper ready and start making notes for your next interview!
1. Appearance matters but so does comfort
A pretty obvious tip I guess is that you should dress appropriately for your interview. If you've got an interview for a medical school or an office job, you should dress smartly as this is how you will have to dress once you've gotten the job/qualified as a doctor. However, dressing smartly isn't always neccessary. For example, if your interview is for a job in retail or fashion marketing, interviewers will most likely want to see you have an eye for fashion and showing up in a plain shirt and work skirt (or tie) isn't going to demonstrate that. Think about the where the interview is for and plan accordingly. Whenever I have an interview, I try to wear some colour as studies have shown that interviewers remember you more if you wear something a little bit eye-catching. Of course, it may not be a good idea to get your brightest outfit out but a pop of colour can go a long way. For my medical school interview, I wore a pastel blue shirt and formal skirt. I saw many people on forums talking about wearing suits but I knew I would not feel comfortable in a suit and as an interview is already nerve-racking, it's not a good idea to also feel uncomfortable in your clothes!
2. Do your research
As soon as you get offered an interview, it's a good idea to do your research. Every medical school and every company likes to feel like you specifically want to study or work with them (even if you don't) so do some research on the medical school/company to make sure you can drop in some things you've learnt about them. I downloaded the medical school prospectus and read it from cover to cover, picking out things that I found interesting or that attracted me to the school. In other jobs, I've always done some research on the place I'd be working and interviewers always seemed impressed with my knowledge.
3. Be yourself
Interviewers can tell who's being genuine and who isn't. It also takes a lot of effort trying to pretend to be someone else and you can come across negatively. Try to be yourself when in an interview. Have confidence that the interviewers will like you for you and let a bit of your personality shine. You're more likely to make an impact on the interviewers if they see some of your personality than if you appear to be stiff and less personable. You're a great person, let the interviewers see that!
4. Anecdotes are neccessary
If you have any type of interview, chances are they will ask you for examples of when you've done x, y or z. Interviewers are usually looking for evidence that you can really do whatever they're asking of you so when this happens, give detailed examples. There's no use an interviewer asking you "have you ever driven a car before" and you replying "yes". Your answer should be along the lines of "Yes, I've been driving for five years. I'm actually driving a volkswagen polo which I've been driving for the past year and it's something I really enjoy doing."
Providing detailed anecdotes gives the interviewer proof that you've actually have the experience and skills they are looking for and are not just lying. It also gives them a sense of your personality which is important, as I mentioned before.
5. Practice makes perfect
It's always good to practice answering interview questions so you are prepared for the real thing. For my med school interview, I would read the question off of a placecard and record myself on my laptop answering it. I'd then watch it back and see what needed changing. I also did a few mock interviews with my parents who were able to give me feedback on my answers and my interview technique. If possible, it's good to do a few mock interviews with people who can give you good feedback. Sometimes we can think we know what we'll say once the interview comes but once you actually start talking, you realise you haven't got your thoughts together or your structure right.
It's also important to note that you shouldn't practice too much as you don't want your answers to become scripted and less personable. Try and find the right balance between being prepared and memorising your answers.
These are my five tips for acing your interviews although there are many more. The key is to remember that irregardless of your interview, life goes on! Prepare, do your best and let it go. If you have any more questions, feel free to @ me on twitter or direct message me on instagram at @makingsofabw. Have a great week!
So here we are, get your paper ready and start making notes for your next interview!
1. Appearance matters but so does comfort
A pretty obvious tip I guess is that you should dress appropriately for your interview. If you've got an interview for a medical school or an office job, you should dress smartly as this is how you will have to dress once you've gotten the job/qualified as a doctor. However, dressing smartly isn't always neccessary. For example, if your interview is for a job in retail or fashion marketing, interviewers will most likely want to see you have an eye for fashion and showing up in a plain shirt and work skirt (or tie) isn't going to demonstrate that. Think about the where the interview is for and plan accordingly. Whenever I have an interview, I try to wear some colour as studies have shown that interviewers remember you more if you wear something a little bit eye-catching. Of course, it may not be a good idea to get your brightest outfit out but a pop of colour can go a long way. For my medical school interview, I wore a pastel blue shirt and formal skirt. I saw many people on forums talking about wearing suits but I knew I would not feel comfortable in a suit and as an interview is already nerve-racking, it's not a good idea to also feel uncomfortable in your clothes!
2. Do your research
As soon as you get offered an interview, it's a good idea to do your research. Every medical school and every company likes to feel like you specifically want to study or work with them (even if you don't) so do some research on the medical school/company to make sure you can drop in some things you've learnt about them. I downloaded the medical school prospectus and read it from cover to cover, picking out things that I found interesting or that attracted me to the school. In other jobs, I've always done some research on the place I'd be working and interviewers always seemed impressed with my knowledge.
3. Be yourself
Interviewers can tell who's being genuine and who isn't. It also takes a lot of effort trying to pretend to be someone else and you can come across negatively. Try to be yourself when in an interview. Have confidence that the interviewers will like you for you and let a bit of your personality shine. You're more likely to make an impact on the interviewers if they see some of your personality than if you appear to be stiff and less personable. You're a great person, let the interviewers see that!
4. Anecdotes are neccessary
If you have any type of interview, chances are they will ask you for examples of when you've done x, y or z. Interviewers are usually looking for evidence that you can really do whatever they're asking of you so when this happens, give detailed examples. There's no use an interviewer asking you "have you ever driven a car before" and you replying "yes". Your answer should be along the lines of "Yes, I've been driving for five years. I'm actually driving a volkswagen polo which I've been driving for the past year and it's something I really enjoy doing."
Providing detailed anecdotes gives the interviewer proof that you've actually have the experience and skills they are looking for and are not just lying. It also gives them a sense of your personality which is important, as I mentioned before.
5. Practice makes perfect
It's always good to practice answering interview questions so you are prepared for the real thing. For my med school interview, I would read the question off of a placecard and record myself on my laptop answering it. I'd then watch it back and see what needed changing. I also did a few mock interviews with my parents who were able to give me feedback on my answers and my interview technique. If possible, it's good to do a few mock interviews with people who can give you good feedback. Sometimes we can think we know what we'll say once the interview comes but once you actually start talking, you realise you haven't got your thoughts together or your structure right.
It's also important to note that you shouldn't practice too much as you don't want your answers to become scripted and less personable. Try and find the right balance between being prepared and memorising your answers.
These are my five tips for acing your interviews although there are many more. The key is to remember that irregardless of your interview, life goes on! Prepare, do your best and let it go. If you have any more questions, feel free to @ me on twitter or direct message me on instagram at @makingsofabw. Have a great week!
Sunday, 9 October 2016
My Best Year
Although the year isn't actually over, I can firmly say with two months to go, that this has been my best year yet. Weirdly, I prophesied this in January (here) and have managed to achieve it. Perhaps I should make statements more often! I have achieved things I once thought I wouldn't achieve, I've developed in areas I felt weak in and I grew more confident and happy as a person. I wanted to share my highlights just in case they helped someone make the most of the next two months.
1. I got in to medical school...*
So after about fifteen years of planning, three years of applications, many tears and doubts, I finally managed to secure the pathway to my dream of becoming a doctor. At the end of 2015 I was feeling hopeless, wondering what the next step in my life should be as I doubted I'd get into medicine this year. It seemed like everyone around me was succeeding, starting businesses, putting on events or fulfilling their dreams and I was stuck not doing what I dreamed and not sure what else to do. After finding out I had an interview, I was ecstatic. At a point where I felt my lowest, my life was flipped upside down. In terms of your own life, I'm hoping you can take one thing from this, if anything. Although things may seem bleak, there IS hope and there ARE opportunities if you stay persistent and have faith in both yourself and life.
*Click here to read about my journey into medical school.
2. I finally lost weight
Although I had been trying to lose about a stone over the last couple of years, this year I finally got my weight down and am currently about 5-10 pounds off my goal weight. This year I learnt to stay consistent, make healthier life choices and not to beat myself up when I made a bad food decision. I'm not perfect and this year I've had many a pizza, or huge dairy milk cadbury bar but this year I've also learnt to say "Okay, gym tomorrow" and stick to it. In your life, learn to take mistakes as life lessons and not to give up on your goals. It is an uphill struggle but think of every mistake as a pothole you've managed to pass and every step as a step closer to your goal.
3. I learnt to be happy on my own
I've been single for just over a year now and was previously in a long term relationship which I got extremely used to. This year, I've learnt to truly be happy on my own, to enjoy my own company, work on my own self development and appreciate the people I do have around me. As women, we can sometimes find it difficult to feel truly happy being completely single and can feel as though a relationship is the only way to be complete. I don't believe you can truly be happy in a relationship if you aren't truly happy alone and I'm glad I've been able to take this step so that when I do meet the right person, I am ready to have a healthy and positive relationship. In terms of your life, learn to really embrace your alone time by doing things you enjoy, working on areas of yourself you feel need work and making time for those other people in your life such as friends and family. Every part of your life is significant so try not to waste it wishing for the next part but savour every moment.
4. I became more confident in myself and the world
There have been a few moments of uncertainty in my life this year but I've learnt that things usually do just work out in the end. If you honestly stay positive and tell yourself that you'll be okay, you will generally be okay! Although I am a control freak (everyone who knows me will tell you this), I'm learning to let life be and to allow things that are meant to happen to happen with the honest belief that what is meant for me is what I will receive. Also, with having that time alone, I've been able to work on my confidence and to really value myself, my opinions, thoughts and wellbeing. This has made me a more confident, assertive person and although I don't feel I'm totally there yet, it's a great journey! In your life, learn to be more confident that the world (or God, depending on your beliefs) will bring you great experiences and life lessons. Some lessons may not seem great at the time but these are making you the best version of yourself. Also, believe that you are a person who is worthy of respect and good treatment as well as someone who's thoughts and beliefs are valid.
So far this year, among other things, these are things I'm most grateful for. What are you grateful for this year and if not, what can you do to be able to make this list by December? Have a great week!
1. I got in to medical school...*
So after about fifteen years of planning, three years of applications, many tears and doubts, I finally managed to secure the pathway to my dream of becoming a doctor. At the end of 2015 I was feeling hopeless, wondering what the next step in my life should be as I doubted I'd get into medicine this year. It seemed like everyone around me was succeeding, starting businesses, putting on events or fulfilling their dreams and I was stuck not doing what I dreamed and not sure what else to do. After finding out I had an interview, I was ecstatic. At a point where I felt my lowest, my life was flipped upside down. In terms of your own life, I'm hoping you can take one thing from this, if anything. Although things may seem bleak, there IS hope and there ARE opportunities if you stay persistent and have faith in both yourself and life.
*Click here to read about my journey into medical school.
2. I finally lost weight
Although I had been trying to lose about a stone over the last couple of years, this year I finally got my weight down and am currently about 5-10 pounds off my goal weight. This year I learnt to stay consistent, make healthier life choices and not to beat myself up when I made a bad food decision. I'm not perfect and this year I've had many a pizza, or huge dairy milk cadbury bar but this year I've also learnt to say "Okay, gym tomorrow" and stick to it. In your life, learn to take mistakes as life lessons and not to give up on your goals. It is an uphill struggle but think of every mistake as a pothole you've managed to pass and every step as a step closer to your goal.
3. I learnt to be happy on my own
I've been single for just over a year now and was previously in a long term relationship which I got extremely used to. This year, I've learnt to truly be happy on my own, to enjoy my own company, work on my own self development and appreciate the people I do have around me. As women, we can sometimes find it difficult to feel truly happy being completely single and can feel as though a relationship is the only way to be complete. I don't believe you can truly be happy in a relationship if you aren't truly happy alone and I'm glad I've been able to take this step so that when I do meet the right person, I am ready to have a healthy and positive relationship. In terms of your life, learn to really embrace your alone time by doing things you enjoy, working on areas of yourself you feel need work and making time for those other people in your life such as friends and family. Every part of your life is significant so try not to waste it wishing for the next part but savour every moment.
4. I became more confident in myself and the world
There have been a few moments of uncertainty in my life this year but I've learnt that things usually do just work out in the end. If you honestly stay positive and tell yourself that you'll be okay, you will generally be okay! Although I am a control freak (everyone who knows me will tell you this), I'm learning to let life be and to allow things that are meant to happen to happen with the honest belief that what is meant for me is what I will receive. Also, with having that time alone, I've been able to work on my confidence and to really value myself, my opinions, thoughts and wellbeing. This has made me a more confident, assertive person and although I don't feel I'm totally there yet, it's a great journey! In your life, learn to be more confident that the world (or God, depending on your beliefs) will bring you great experiences and life lessons. Some lessons may not seem great at the time but these are making you the best version of yourself. Also, believe that you are a person who is worthy of respect and good treatment as well as someone who's thoughts and beliefs are valid.
So far this year, among other things, these are things I'm most grateful for. What are you grateful for this year and if not, what can you do to be able to make this list by December? Have a great week!
Thursday, 29 September 2016
Your Thoughts,Your Life - How To Change Your Journey
A lot of us aren't happy with our lives. Whether it be because we're in a job we don't like, we haven't got enough money, we haven't met the right partner or we're generally unhappy with ourselves as people. It's important to realise that a lot of what we experience in life is due to the mindset and thoughts we carry. Here are some things you can do to try and change that mindset which in turn should help to change your life.
So what types of thoughts can we have that are detrimental?
We have negative thoughts of ourselves
So many people I know have low self confidence or low self esteem and this is usually something they've had for a long time. My confidence and self esteem have only risen in the last three or four years! Looking back on where this stems from, although there have been external factors which contribute to a person feeling this way, these factors are internalised so that people with low self esteem genuinely feel they are worthless, their opinions are invalid and they can't be loved.
If this sounds like you, try to analyse your thought process and see how you can change the narrative.
1. Compliment yourself
Everyday when you wake up, as you brush your teeth or comb your hair, tell yourself out loud three things you love about yourself. Those things could be as simple as "I love the way my eyelashes curl" or "I love my dedication to waking up in the morning". Try and think of new things and do this everyday to reinforce how great you are, because contrary to your beliefs, you ARE great. In addition to this, you are as capable as anyone else in this world to achieve the things you would like to achieve. Biologically, we all have what we need to achieve and that's a brain. There is no secret formula or potion that others have, so guess what? You're in the running for achieving just like everyone else around you.
2. Turn a negative upside down
No one likes to make mistakes and it can be easy to come down on yourself for making what you believe to be a silly decision. In the past, I'd feel down for days for making what I believed to be a bad decision. Remember, we are all human and we ALL make mistakes so when you do, look at what you can learn from that situation rather than punishing yourself mentally. For example, if I make a mistake at work, I look at why the mistake happened and how I can prevent it from happening in the future, chalking it up to a life lesson which will make me better at my job in the long run. Making a mistake or a bad decision does not make you stupid, or unworthy. Once again, we ALL make mistakes and every mistake is a lesson which make you a better person.
3. Stop comparing yourself
Social media makes it near impossible to not feel inferior to others. I don't think I'm the ideal standard of social media beauty but I've learnt that I don't need to be to feel worthy. As humans, we all bring something to the table and we all contribute in different ways. Just because you don't look like an instagram model does not make you any less beautiful. Just because you didn't start a business at 14, does not mean you're any less successful. Just because you don't have a Ph.D, it doesn't mean you're any less intelligent. Learn to really embrace who you are, your quirks, your strengths as well as your weaknesses because they make you YOU and you are brilliant. There is literally no one else like you! Although it can seem like it, no one in the world is perfect, so stop beating yourself up for not being something that doesn't exist. Instead, recognise your abilities, strengths and qualities and feel proud to be you. If you need some help, try asking a friend or family member to list their favourite things about you and you'll find that there's more to you than you may think!
We have negative thoughts of other people
Aswell as comparing ourselves to others, we can often become jealous of what we perceive as other's success. You may have wanted to start your own business and come across someone doing exactly that. You may have wanted to be a singer and find a girl from your area is an up and coming artist with multiple shows. You may even have wanted to be a social media star and see so many doing what you dreamed. This can lead to us having negative feelings towards that person, sometimes even having negative or mean thoughts of them to justify our feelings.
1. Turn jealousy into fuel for success
Instead of feeling jealous of someone, I try to think "What can I learn from them to better my own life" or "How can I support them in their journey?"Going back to the point about comparing yourself. We are all extremely different and even if we're in the same niche of work, our contributions will vary. Just because there is a woman with a cake making business, does not mean your own cake making business can't flourish beside it! The problem is when we see someone else's success as our failure when that is not the case. There are so many of us in this world that it makes it possible for us to all be successful, even if some of us share the same niche. Someone else being successful doesn't mean that you're not or that you can't be! Stay focused on your goals!
I hope these few but lengthy tips can help you change your thoughts and therefore change your life. Remember that change does take time so don't give up on yourself if you slip up. Try and try again!
So what types of thoughts can we have that are detrimental?
We have negative thoughts of ourselves
So many people I know have low self confidence or low self esteem and this is usually something they've had for a long time. My confidence and self esteem have only risen in the last three or four years! Looking back on where this stems from, although there have been external factors which contribute to a person feeling this way, these factors are internalised so that people with low self esteem genuinely feel they are worthless, their opinions are invalid and they can't be loved.
If this sounds like you, try to analyse your thought process and see how you can change the narrative.
1. Compliment yourself
Everyday when you wake up, as you brush your teeth or comb your hair, tell yourself out loud three things you love about yourself. Those things could be as simple as "I love the way my eyelashes curl" or "I love my dedication to waking up in the morning". Try and think of new things and do this everyday to reinforce how great you are, because contrary to your beliefs, you ARE great. In addition to this, you are as capable as anyone else in this world to achieve the things you would like to achieve. Biologically, we all have what we need to achieve and that's a brain. There is no secret formula or potion that others have, so guess what? You're in the running for achieving just like everyone else around you.
2. Turn a negative upside down
No one likes to make mistakes and it can be easy to come down on yourself for making what you believe to be a silly decision. In the past, I'd feel down for days for making what I believed to be a bad decision. Remember, we are all human and we ALL make mistakes so when you do, look at what you can learn from that situation rather than punishing yourself mentally. For example, if I make a mistake at work, I look at why the mistake happened and how I can prevent it from happening in the future, chalking it up to a life lesson which will make me better at my job in the long run. Making a mistake or a bad decision does not make you stupid, or unworthy. Once again, we ALL make mistakes and every mistake is a lesson which make you a better person.
3. Stop comparing yourself
Social media makes it near impossible to not feel inferior to others. I don't think I'm the ideal standard of social media beauty but I've learnt that I don't need to be to feel worthy. As humans, we all bring something to the table and we all contribute in different ways. Just because you don't look like an instagram model does not make you any less beautiful. Just because you didn't start a business at 14, does not mean you're any less successful. Just because you don't have a Ph.D, it doesn't mean you're any less intelligent. Learn to really embrace who you are, your quirks, your strengths as well as your weaknesses because they make you YOU and you are brilliant. There is literally no one else like you! Although it can seem like it, no one in the world is perfect, so stop beating yourself up for not being something that doesn't exist. Instead, recognise your abilities, strengths and qualities and feel proud to be you. If you need some help, try asking a friend or family member to list their favourite things about you and you'll find that there's more to you than you may think!
We have negative thoughts of other people
Aswell as comparing ourselves to others, we can often become jealous of what we perceive as other's success. You may have wanted to start your own business and come across someone doing exactly that. You may have wanted to be a singer and find a girl from your area is an up and coming artist with multiple shows. You may even have wanted to be a social media star and see so many doing what you dreamed. This can lead to us having negative feelings towards that person, sometimes even having negative or mean thoughts of them to justify our feelings.
1. Turn jealousy into fuel for success
Instead of feeling jealous of someone, I try to think "What can I learn from them to better my own life" or "How can I support them in their journey?"Going back to the point about comparing yourself. We are all extremely different and even if we're in the same niche of work, our contributions will vary. Just because there is a woman with a cake making business, does not mean your own cake making business can't flourish beside it! The problem is when we see someone else's success as our failure when that is not the case. There are so many of us in this world that it makes it possible for us to all be successful, even if some of us share the same niche. Someone else being successful doesn't mean that you're not or that you can't be! Stay focused on your goals!
I hope these few but lengthy tips can help you change your thoughts and therefore change your life. Remember that change does take time so don't give up on yourself if you slip up. Try and try again!
Sunday, 4 September 2016
Life? Where Am I Going?
Growing up, I never really thought about my future in the sense of what I'd leave when I was gone but as what I'd like to do to improve the world. Going to medical school and wanting to become a doctor were things I had decided on because I wanted to make a positive impact on society but as I get older, I realise the importance of not only doing what I can right now but also setting up my life so that a. I have the best life possible b. I make the biggest impact possible and c. I am remembered when I am no longer on earth.
We all have different dreams, different things we would like to achieve but we also should remember we are not on Earth for a very long time and that we literally should go hard or go home. Make the most of the time you have and hopefully your work will inspire the next generation to do even more. If you are unsure about where you're going in life, ask yourself three simple questions:
1. Are you happy where you are right now?
If the answer is yes, then well done! The most important thing in life is to be happy. If the answer is no, then...
2.What makes you happy?
Sit and reflect on what things in life truly make you happy and see if you can make a meaningful life out of those things. If rearranging your room and desigining it makes you happy, perhaps you should go out and be the best interior designer there is. If cooking gives you joy, see if you can start up your own catering business or become a chef. If you love helping people solve their issues, maybe you should become a therapist. Look at what actually gives you joy in life and turn that into your life career.
If you are worried that your dream won't make you enough money, think again. There is always money to be made if you are willing to work hard and defy odds! Chasing your dream doesn't have to mean you can't live comfortably and what's the money if you aren't truly happy.
3.If I was to die tomorrow, what would I of liked to of achieved?
Of course this question doesn't intend for you to go out and spend all your pay on doing everything you'd like to do before you die in one day, but think about what you would like to have achieved in the next 60 years and start working on it one step at a time. My elderly neighbour recently said to me whilst showing me pictures of her wedding " Life goes by in the blink of an eye, I can't believe it's over". Try and reduce the regrets you'll have when you're older by really taking the time now to have a fulfilling and joyful life! That means going out and doing what you love!
We aren't all going to be billionaire's or make a breakthrough in science but we all are contributing to society. Your life now may inspire someone's great grandchild to fulfill their dreams so don't delay on fulfilling yours!
We all have different dreams, different things we would like to achieve but we also should remember we are not on Earth for a very long time and that we literally should go hard or go home. Make the most of the time you have and hopefully your work will inspire the next generation to do even more. If you are unsure about where you're going in life, ask yourself three simple questions:
1. Are you happy where you are right now?
If the answer is yes, then well done! The most important thing in life is to be happy. If the answer is no, then...
2.What makes you happy?
Sit and reflect on what things in life truly make you happy and see if you can make a meaningful life out of those things. If rearranging your room and desigining it makes you happy, perhaps you should go out and be the best interior designer there is. If cooking gives you joy, see if you can start up your own catering business or become a chef. If you love helping people solve their issues, maybe you should become a therapist. Look at what actually gives you joy in life and turn that into your life career.
If you are worried that your dream won't make you enough money, think again. There is always money to be made if you are willing to work hard and defy odds! Chasing your dream doesn't have to mean you can't live comfortably and what's the money if you aren't truly happy.
3.If I was to die tomorrow, what would I of liked to of achieved?
Of course this question doesn't intend for you to go out and spend all your pay on doing everything you'd like to do before you die in one day, but think about what you would like to have achieved in the next 60 years and start working on it one step at a time. My elderly neighbour recently said to me whilst showing me pictures of her wedding " Life goes by in the blink of an eye, I can't believe it's over". Try and reduce the regrets you'll have when you're older by really taking the time now to have a fulfilling and joyful life! That means going out and doing what you love!
We aren't all going to be billionaire's or make a breakthrough in science but we all are contributing to society. Your life now may inspire someone's great grandchild to fulfill their dreams so don't delay on fulfilling yours!
Wednesday, 17 August 2016
So you've got your A level results?
For many 17 and 18 year olds around England, tomorrow will be the biggest day of their lives so far: they will finally found out whether their grades are enough to get them in to their first choice University and start the next chapter of their lives. This time can be extremely stressful and thinking back to this time six years ago when I got my A levels, I think it's useful to have some tips and advice before you get them to help you deal with the results if they don't go to plan. So here's what to do if:
1. You get the results you want!
Congratulations! Well done for achieving what you want and getting in to that University you've wanted to go to. Celebrate, pat yourself on the back and enjoy the next month before you start! As this is the best case scenario, there aren't many tips for this situation. You've done it!
2. You missed the grades for your first choice but got in to your second choice
Six years ago, this was my position. If you find you haven't made it into your first choice but have got in to your second - don't panic. Getting in to your second choice university is really not the end of the world and in about five years time, it won't really matter. Although some companies may care about what University you got your degree from, the degree classification/result is more important. Take some time to regroup and be upset if you need to (I cried for about a week) and then get ready for the next stage of your life! You are still going to University and this time will probably be the best time of your life so far, regardless of what University you end up at!
Also realise that this may be the best choice for you even if you don't feel like it at the moment. Going to my second choice university provided me with work experience which allowed me to get a job straight after university - something that wouldn't of been possible if I went to my first choice. Trust that although it may not be what you want right now, you can still achieve whatever it is you want to achieve and this route may provide opportunities you could never imagine!
Also realise, although some, many or even all your friends have got into their first choice, there are many people in your boat and it isn't the end of the world! In fact, I'm grateful for my experience as it taught me how to deal with adverse situations which has helped in the long run.
Don't let your results in one set of exams define your success from here on as you are still a capable and intelligent person! You just need to find which learning technique works for you! (Blog on this later)
3. You missed the grades for your first and second choice
Most of the advice for this situation is similar to that of above but with a few added tips about clearing. If you haven't got in to your first or second choice - again it's not the end of the world. Make sure you contact both your first and second choice to see if they are able to reach a compromise with you and if not, get on the UCAS website and check clearing for any spaces on courses at alternate universities and start phoning them ASAP. Clearing can be a stressful time, so once you have sorted out whether you will going to University this year or if you even decide to take a gap year (which is also a great opportunity), treat yourself! As I have said above, missing the grades in one set of exams is not the end of the world and as long as you worked hard, you should treat yourself for doing so - no matter the outcome.
To put your A level results in to perspective, here's a little story about my A level experience. Trust me, whatever the outcome, you will hardly remember it in six years time!
I've always wanted to be a doctor so at A Level, I knew I had to take Biology, Chemistry, Maths and decided to take Psychology as an AS level. I changed from my school to another school's sixth form and teachers automatically assumed I wasn't capable of much and with a lack of confidence in asking for help, I usually proved them right. I tried really hard at both AS and A level but at A level, I was always unsure of how to get to grips with new work that I really didn't understand and hated asking my teachers for help. I ended A level with two C's in Biology and Maths, a D in Chemistry and an A in Psychology AS. Considering I had wanted to go to my first choice University which required AAB, I was distraught. My grades were even low enough to stop me from being on the paid for course at my second choice university.
I cried for about a week and was really upset with myself, thinking I was stupid for doing so badly, especially when many of my friends had got in to their first choice.
Fast forward to six years time, and my second choice university couldn't have been any better. My course at my second choice had a placement year which allowed me to complete a portfolio and become a registered Biomedical Scientist. It also gave me a lot of clinical experience which allowed me to apply for Medicine with a good personal statement. Being a registered Biomedical Scientist by the time I graduated allowed me to get a well paid job within three months of graduating.
If I had gotten in to my first choice, there was no placement year and therefore I would not have completed the portfolio. I would be in the same place as thousands of biomedical science graduates, struggling to find a trainee place and having to work as lab assistants, even though they have a degree. I also would have no clinical experience which would of made it harder to apply for medicine.
Whatever your result, you can always steer your life in the way you want. You are in control of what happens in your life, and not getting in to your first choice or even your second, isn't the end of your dreams!
1. You get the results you want!
Congratulations! Well done for achieving what you want and getting in to that University you've wanted to go to. Celebrate, pat yourself on the back and enjoy the next month before you start! As this is the best case scenario, there aren't many tips for this situation. You've done it!
2. You missed the grades for your first choice but got in to your second choice
Six years ago, this was my position. If you find you haven't made it into your first choice but have got in to your second - don't panic. Getting in to your second choice university is really not the end of the world and in about five years time, it won't really matter. Although some companies may care about what University you got your degree from, the degree classification/result is more important. Take some time to regroup and be upset if you need to (I cried for about a week) and then get ready for the next stage of your life! You are still going to University and this time will probably be the best time of your life so far, regardless of what University you end up at!
Also realise that this may be the best choice for you even if you don't feel like it at the moment. Going to my second choice university provided me with work experience which allowed me to get a job straight after university - something that wouldn't of been possible if I went to my first choice. Trust that although it may not be what you want right now, you can still achieve whatever it is you want to achieve and this route may provide opportunities you could never imagine!
Also realise, although some, many or even all your friends have got into their first choice, there are many people in your boat and it isn't the end of the world! In fact, I'm grateful for my experience as it taught me how to deal with adverse situations which has helped in the long run.
Don't let your results in one set of exams define your success from here on as you are still a capable and intelligent person! You just need to find which learning technique works for you! (Blog on this later)
3. You missed the grades for your first and second choice
Most of the advice for this situation is similar to that of above but with a few added tips about clearing. If you haven't got in to your first or second choice - again it's not the end of the world. Make sure you contact both your first and second choice to see if they are able to reach a compromise with you and if not, get on the UCAS website and check clearing for any spaces on courses at alternate universities and start phoning them ASAP. Clearing can be a stressful time, so once you have sorted out whether you will going to University this year or if you even decide to take a gap year (which is also a great opportunity), treat yourself! As I have said above, missing the grades in one set of exams is not the end of the world and as long as you worked hard, you should treat yourself for doing so - no matter the outcome.
To put your A level results in to perspective, here's a little story about my A level experience. Trust me, whatever the outcome, you will hardly remember it in six years time!
I've always wanted to be a doctor so at A Level, I knew I had to take Biology, Chemistry, Maths and decided to take Psychology as an AS level. I changed from my school to another school's sixth form and teachers automatically assumed I wasn't capable of much and with a lack of confidence in asking for help, I usually proved them right. I tried really hard at both AS and A level but at A level, I was always unsure of how to get to grips with new work that I really didn't understand and hated asking my teachers for help. I ended A level with two C's in Biology and Maths, a D in Chemistry and an A in Psychology AS. Considering I had wanted to go to my first choice University which required AAB, I was distraught. My grades were even low enough to stop me from being on the paid for course at my second choice university.
I cried for about a week and was really upset with myself, thinking I was stupid for doing so badly, especially when many of my friends had got in to their first choice.
Fast forward to six years time, and my second choice university couldn't have been any better. My course at my second choice had a placement year which allowed me to complete a portfolio and become a registered Biomedical Scientist. It also gave me a lot of clinical experience which allowed me to apply for Medicine with a good personal statement. Being a registered Biomedical Scientist by the time I graduated allowed me to get a well paid job within three months of graduating.
If I had gotten in to my first choice, there was no placement year and therefore I would not have completed the portfolio. I would be in the same place as thousands of biomedical science graduates, struggling to find a trainee place and having to work as lab assistants, even though they have a degree. I also would have no clinical experience which would of made it harder to apply for medicine.
Whatever your result, you can always steer your life in the way you want. You are in control of what happens in your life, and not getting in to your first choice or even your second, isn't the end of your dreams!
Sunday, 24 July 2016
My Top Hair Products for Natural Hair
People always ask me about the products I use in my hair and how I get it in to certain styles. So, I decided to post my top hair products for my hair. Of course I'm still learning and growing and what I use now may change by next year but for now, here they are! Links to buy or just view all the products via amazon are included.
Washing
I wash my hair with shampoo probably twice a month and use Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow and Restore Shampoo directly on my roots so as not to dry out the ends of my hair. It smells really good and doesn't leave my hair feeling dry but cleanses my scalp effectively.
When I don't shampoo, I use a mix of apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil and water. I put one part apple cider vinegar to two parts water and about five drops of tea tree oil in to an applicator bottle, mix and use this to apply the mixture to my roots and massage. This helps to cleanse my scalp.
Finally, if my hair is particularly dry, I use Giovanni Conditioner on my hair instead of shampooing to get rid of any excess product build up from styling during the week. It builds up a slight lather which I like but doesn't strip my hair too much and make it drier.
Styling
I literally only use one product for styling: Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie . It always gives me great definition and smells really good.
I spray my hair with water, add the curl enhancing smoothie, something to seal in the moisture (see next section) and style my hair in twists, braids, flat twists or canerows for taking out the next day.
Conditioning
I picked up Aunt Jackie's In Control Conditioner whilst on holiday two years ago and haven't looked back since. I usually leave it in my hair for at least an hour in a shower cap and it leaves my hair feeling so soft and smooth.
If my hair feels extra dry, I use Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Masque which gives my hair a great shine and restores my curl pattern.
I have just recently started using a new leave-in conditioner called Naturals Leave in Conditioner which I picked up from my local hair shop. It does leave my hair quite soft but I'm still searching for that leave in that is perfect for my hair as this one is probably a 6/10. Also, it weirdly smells like Razac if anyone has used that or known anyone who uses that cream. The smell confuses me!
Moisture Sealing
In order to lock in moisture and stop my hair from feeling really dry, I spray it with water and then use a homemade mix of coconut oil, shea butter, grapeseed and jojoba oil. This seals in the water and stops my hair from feeling dry. It's easy to either grab these products from your local hair shop or buy them on Amazon but shop around for the best price and make sure the shea butter is unrefined as this is the best type to use.
So these are my top hair products for my natural hair and are practically all that I use. I do have an older post on my hair routine if you're looking for guidance. Remember, your hair journey is your own and your hair is beautiful: embrace it and have patience with it!
For pictures of my hair and the styles I do, visit my instagram : @makingsofabw and feel free to contact me for advice or tips on your hair via twitter: @makingsofabw
Happy Sunday!
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