I struggle sometimes with being concise and saying the right thing, so for writing my personal statement I've written myself some questions, some of which I'm going to share:
'Why do I want to be a doctor?
'Why do I want to be a doctor?
I know it’s always been cliché to say, but I want to be a
doctor to help people. I want to make people better, and when this isn’t
possible I want to make a difference. Improve a person’s comfort on their last
days and provide support by the other people affected by this, for the family,
for the friends. I love science, I’ve always loved science, and it’s why I did
4 at A-Level. It’s not just that I really want to have a scientific career, it’s
that I couldn’t imagine not having one. So why not research? I love working
with people. I volunteer not to make it look good on my medical school
application (although it helps), but to see the difference that my actions can
make to the lives of others, in a positive way. I like working with people
different to myself. People always have different things to offer, and you can
learn something from each of them, whether that be an academic with years of
studying behind them, of the man you dismissed on your way home when he asked
you for change. Every one of them has something to offer. Medicine is one of
the only careers you can have where you can engage with such a wide range of
people, all with different backgrounds, all with different stories. This is
what is so great about the NHS, despite all of its problems, it is inclusive. Everyone
has access to free healthcare that they need, something that isn’t present in
other countries. Take Thailand for example, where I spent this summer. There
people get what they can afford, not just in terms of the quality of treatment,
but in whether they can access treatment at all. We are so privileged to live
in a country where we can have this amazing creation, despite its well
documented problems, that each of us is guilty of taking for granted. I’m
passionate about being part of this.
What are the challenges
concerned with medical school?
One of the major challenges concerned with medical school is
that is a degree, and a degree means you have to work so hard to do well at it.
I’ve had experience doing this with my Biomedical Science degree. It isn’t all
about being a student and dossing about and being drunk. If you want to do well
at a degree you need to put in the effort. However university is also meant to
be an amazing experience and if you focus only on the academic side of it, you’re
kind of missing the point. Getting actively involved in university is a great
way to enhance your experience. I love
being part of a society, mixing the ability to be social with working towards a
goal. Being on the first aid society is so rewarding, not only for the
experience that come from the volunteering that runs alongside it, but seeing
the how far everybody comes in such a short space of time. Its small milestones
like this that really enriches your experience. Balancing is so important if you
want to finish university successfully. Doing a degree doesn’t mean you have to
abandon all interests for 3+ years (even though it may feel like that!) but
rather it should be a time in which you be developing them. Take me as an
example, I love photography, I love the ability to capture a fleeting moment
and commit it to something more permanent. I live in one of the most beautiful
cities in the country, why would I pass up that opportunity? It helps you to
not get stressed. When I feel like my brain is saturated, I play a classical
piece on the piano. Completely different, yet it feels like such a palette
cleanser, I wouldn't have it any other way.
What have I done to
prepare for the challenges of being a doctor?
I work as a first aider for 2 separate companies. This way I
can get patient contact, which isn’t just “oh you’ve treated me, thank you very
much, I’ll be leaving”, It’s challenging. Sometimes you can’t help the patient.
Often patients are distressed, angry or drunk, sometimes downright aggressive.
This isn’t a problem, in many ways it’s understandable. If you don’t understand
what’s happening, being a patient can be downright scary. The difference is in how
you handle these situations. You can have such a massive impact by acting
tactfully. You cannot treat every patient the same and deliver a good standard
of care. Every patient has the right to equal treatment, but every patient also
needs to be treated tactfully based on their individual situation. This makes
the difference in how satisfied your patient is with their treatment.
I’ve worked in a family centre, learning a little on NHS
protocol. I’ve also worked in the community, in which I’ve definitely improved
in confidence, something that will help me exponentially, should I become a
doctor."
24 hours to the deadline!
XOX
