Life in med school – what’s different this term

With term 2 and my first year coming to an end, here are some reflections on life in med school and what’s been different this term.

The academic changes in med school

Starting a research project

One of the things that has made life in med school different this term is starting a research project.

Although the project is still in the very early stages, it’s already increased my workload. And I’ve noticed even when there’s not a lot I can be doing, I’m still thinking and worrying about it.

But it’s a good kind of worry. It’s my first real research project so there’s a lot to learn and I want to do it well. And I’m excited to take on this challenge because I know it’s worth it for everything I’ll learn along the way and the end result. It just means I have to be extra diligent with my time so I can maintain my grades without burning out.

How to get involved with research

Here are the basics for getting involved with research at St. George’s University.

During the basic science years (years 1 and 2), term 2 is the only opportunity to apply for a research project with the school. (There’s another opportunity to apply during clinical years, so year 3.) Only students who achieved at least 90% in term 1 can apply in term 2.

Students who are eligible receive an email at the start of term 2. The email includes a list of faculty mentors who are taking on students and the projects they’re working on. You can apply to a maximum of 3 projects. Then you go through an interview with faculty to see if it’s a good match and to discuss the project. And then the supervisors notify the program director which students they want to take on.

Doing an Honours Selective

This term, I also chose to do the Honours Selective. I’m still not fully sure if/how it benefits me but I did it. A selective is an extra class but it’s pass/fail and you get credit for completing it on your transcript. And you can take a maximum of 2 selectives per term.

The purpose of the honours selective is to provide an introduction to assessments and teaching methods in medical education. There are 3 parts to this class.

First, you watch a couple lectures and complete the associated quizzes. This part was interesting because I learned how our exams are designed and then analyzed afterwards to determine if it was a good test.

The second part involves preparing 10 board style questions based on material from the previous term. This took some time to do.

Finally, you have to facilitate one 40-minute tutoring session where you go over practice questions with students from a lower term. Luckily, you pick pre-made questions from a PDF for that session’s topic rather than write original questions. But you still have to compare prepared to explain the correct and incorrect answers.

Pros & Cons for the Honours Selective

Overall, this selective felt like a strategic way for the school to get free labour. They’re able to provide resources to the student body by getting students to facilitate the sessions, who they don’t pay. And the school ends up with an endless supply of questions they can use.

All that said, there is one benefit to this selective. It forced me to review term 1 content much earlier than I would have on my own. Which is important because I have an end of 1st year cumulative exam next week. It’s really hard to make time to review old material when you’re trying to keep up with new material. But because of the deadlines in this selective throughout the term, I had to get it done.

The non-academic changes in med school

Life in med school on an island

Obviously the biggest change in med school life this term has been transitioning from online classes to in-person on the island. Being in med school is hard enough on its own. Compound that with being far away from family. Then compound that with the challenges that come with living in Grenada. You need to have a really clear understanding of why you’re here and your end goal to get through.

I’m more grateful than ever that I had the opportunity to do term 1 online. To learn what med school is like and get into a good routine. If I had to be on the island for the first time when starting term 1, I would have really struggled.

Having cleaning service

Surprisingly, there’s one good thing that’s come from living on the island. My apartment comes with cleaning service so it’s been really nice not having to worry about it. This has saved me some time that I re-directed towards the extra workload I’ve taken on.

Different extra-curricular activities

This term I chose not to be a Term 2 representative for SGA (Student Government Association). It was a big time investment last term with endless meetings and the work didn’t feel meaningful.

So this term I chose to join the IEA Honour Society since it requires a smaller time commitment. You need a 90% average to join. And you have to maintain those grades plus participate in certain activities to remain in the society for next term. Like attend 2 mandatory meetings, provide 2 hours of tutoring to students from lower terms, and attend 2 social events.

I’m so happy I made this decision. With IEA, I’m involved in the school community without having to give up too much time. Which is important to me because I’ve continued some of my volunteer work at home, I’m working on a research project, and I also have this blog. So I’m trying to be selective with my time and focus on the things that are more meaningful to me and where I can have a bigger impact.

What are you doing differently?

So those are some changes that have made life in med school in term 2 different from term 1. Some intentional changes and some changes that were out of my control.

Have there been any changes in your life recently?

-M

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