Fourth year perspectives

Yasmin Tyson

Why did you choose BSMS?

Having studied an Access to Medicine course first, I appreciated the emphasis BSMS puts on widening participation to medicine and the positive impact future cohorts of doctors being representative of the patient population will have on healthcare. 

How have you found the course?

I’ve found the spiral structure of the course really beneficial, especially having not come straight from full time education. It has given me the chance to build up confidence in my medical and scientific knowledge before directly applying it in the clinical years. The clinical and community modules in the first two years are also a great opportunity to learn and practice skills right from the beginning of the course, ahead of being full time on the wards. 

I also particularly enjoyed the dissection and anatomy teaching in Phase 1; it was such an immersive way to learn and far more effective than trying to learn it all from books and has definitely helped me in later years of the course.

I worked as a Healthcare Assistant for five years prior to starting the BSMS, and continue to do so alongside my studies. This gave me a good understanding of clinical skills and the practicalities of working in hospital, but I felt very nervous coming into the course having been out of full time education for so long, apart from the one year Access to Medicine course. Despite feeling worried I would be completely out of my depth, I was very well supported by both academic staff and Student Support to help me get through Phase 1, but it was a steep learning curve. I felt more confident coming into Phase 2 not only with a clinical background but now with two years of medical knowledge to apply. 

Being a mature student can also be quite intimidating when starting an undergraduate course, but BSMS has such a diverse range of ages and backgrounds in each cohort that you will find people in similar situations to you easily, and you’ll become friends with people you likely wouldn’t have met outside of University. There is a specific society for graduates and mature students - their events are a great way to meet people too. 

What have you enjoyed the most about your time at BSMS?

I’ve most enjoyed the amount of opportunities I’ve had to experience new things, both in and outside of the course itself. I’ve assisted the anatomy team during the making of a documentary, been a medical volunteer for Brighton Marathon, presented at public BSMS events and been on various medical society committees over the years. 

What are the clinical years like?

The clinical years are easily my favourite part of the course so far. It’s far more independent learning, but I really enjoy how productive learning in the clinical environment is. You start to get a better sense of autonomy as a medical student and a better indication of what working as a clinician will be like in the future. 

What’s it like living in Brighton?

Brighton is a fun, vibrant city that encourages independence and freedom to express yourself however you like. I love being so close to the sea and having so many options for outdoor activities - you can easily get the best of the city and the countryside here. I’ve picked up so many new hobbies and learnt a lot about myself living here.

What are your plans for the future?

I’m still unsure on what specialty I want to go into, although I’ve gradually gained a better idea of what I’m interested in as I’ve gone through the course. I would definitely like to be involved in medical education once I qualify; especially having come from a widening participation background, I’ve really noticed how much of an impact good teaching has on enjoyment and engagement with the course.

Waqar Ahmed

Why did you choose BSMS?

I really liked how integrated the course was and I enjoy practical learning opportunities such as dissection and early clinical experiences. I also studied for my previous degree in the area so knew it fairly well and liked Brighton as a city. 

How have you found the course?

The course has been challenging but interesting and very different from anything I’d done

previously. I’ve definitely enjoyed the clinical years more than the first couple of years as I learn so much from practical hands-on experience when talking to patients or being taught by doctors on the wards.

What have you enjoyed the most about your time at BSMS?

My favourite part of the course by far has been my Independent General Practice rotation in Year 4, when I got to organise my own GP placement anywhere in the UK. I personally chose to do it close to home, but I know so many people who used it as an opportunity to travel or explore a new city. This was a really unique learning experience for me as I got to run my own clinics, independently taking histories and examining patients, as well as coming up with management plans. The excitement and nervousness of seeing my own list of patients that first morning remains unforgettable, and the feedback I received was invaluable in building on my consultation skills for my future clinical practice. 

What are the clinical years like?

The clinical years have been so much more hands-on than the preclinical years. The transition from primarily lecture-based learning to an almost entirely clinical learning environment in Year 4, except some integrated rotation-specific teaching, has been a useful transition to prepare me for a career in healthcare. 

What’s it like living in Brighton?

As I did my previous degree in Brighton, I will have lived here for eight years by the end of medical school! I think it's a place where there is something for everyone. It's a nice mix of city, beach and countryside so there's plenty to do but also plenty of green spaces to go on walks. It's also pretty diverse and has a lot of people from different backgrounds and walks of life which means you will almost always find your crowd, regardless of if you're someone who likes to go out a lot or if you prefer a quiet night in.

George Isaacs

Why did you choose BSMS? 

I chose BSMS for a few reasons, firstly I loved the city of Brighton and couldn't think of a better place to spend the five years of medical school. I'm four years in and I still love discovering new parts, running on the seafront, enjoying the nightlife and wandering the laines to name a few things. Secondly, I chose BSMS because I knew the scheduling and structure of the course were very practical and prepared me better for when I graduate and become a doctor, unlike many other universities that I've heard don't even put you into clinical spaces until Year 4. Lastly, it's a real privilege to be a part of both the Universities of Sussex and Brighton because we can access both sites, including a wide range of libraries, social spaces, societies and deals.

How have you found the course?

I couldn't think of a better course to study because you get out what you put in. The first two years are fun because they are lecture-based, meaning not only do you get to see your friends and colleagues all the time, but you are also constantly learning new things which can help you decide which parts of medicine you are most interested in. You also get to learn the key examinations that doctors use in clinics, on the ward etc and practise on your friends until you get it. Years 3 and 4 have been even more fun for me because it allows me to use all the theory and examination skills with real patients and under the supervision of many consultants, SHOs and foundation doctors. It gives a real validation that all the content you learnt in the first two years really pays off and has real-life application. 

What have you enjoyed the most about your time at BSMS?

My favourite aspect is definitely the social side of things, even in my first week at BSMS I managed to make so many friends who I still see regularly. I genuinely feel like I'm a part of a community where everyone wants to help each other and involve each other in any social events, study opportunities etc. A close second favourite part about BSMS is the independence they give you, especially as you progress. As a first year, you will have a lot of support, advice and supervisors who are there to make sure your introduction to BSMS goes as well as possible and that you feel comfortable because starting medical school is big for anyone. Now in Year 4, I feel competent with understanding exactly what is expected of me, and I know that I have responsibilities that I can easily get into contact with someone about if I need help. For this reason, it makes stress and pressure control much easier to handle, especially because the administration and student advice teams are always on hand at an email's notice.

What are the clinical years like?

In my opinion, clinical years are the most important aspect of the curriculum because they open so many opportunities for you. Firstly, you get to have one on one teaching and advice from doctors who use their knowledge every day to help people, instead of having to read textbooks or lecture slides. Secondly, it prepares you very well for the OSCE exams, which are end-of-year examinations that test your communication and examination skills. Just like preparing for interviews to get into medicine, this constant practice and real-life application help hammer home your confidence and efficiency. Clinical years are also exciting because you are able to watch some procedures, surgeries, scans, etc, when most people would never get such an opportunity.

What's it like living in Brighton? 

Brighton is one of the best parts of going to BSMS. In the first year, you are placed with other medical students in halls, just a short bus journey from Brighton. This gives you a great chance to make friends and it only takes 30 seconds to get to their flat. The Sussex campus is great and has everything you need, including cafes, a library, a student centre and a Co-op. From year 2 onwards, you get to live in Brighton which, while expensive, is the most exciting part. The beach in summer is always a must-visit, there are numerous great food spots and good public transport, I could go on for ages. The nightlife is always busy and there is something to do for everyone. 

What are your plans for the future?

I don't know is the simple answer, and that's alright. Lots of people go into medical school having already decided that they want to be a cardiologist, surgeon or psychiatrist, despite never witnessing the breadth of medicine. Even once you graduate and enter your foundation years you can still have no idea of what specialty most excites you, so I am taking my time to get as much experience in all areas of medicine so that I make a better-informed decision. The world truly is your oyster in this degree.

Melissa Rajalingam

"BSMS has offered me unique learning opportunities through placements, it’s a pleasure to be able to engage with patients and understand their ideas and hopes of clinical experiences. I love that from the first few weeks of terms we were introduced to placements and allowed to liaise with multidisciplinary teams. The continuous focus on clinical experience and demeanour increases your confidence when working in practice and allows you to develop a natural demeanour when interacting with patients. 

The clinical years are excellent in preparing you for the life of a junior doctor, you get to join in the ward rounds and team meetings, clerk patients and carry out investigations. Having this hands-on experience teaches you so much valuable knowledge which you simple cannot learn in a lecture theatre and also develops your competence, the teams you get to shadow are also so supportive you’re made to feel part of their team.   

I really like Brighton, there is a mix of things to do and a balance between city life and being near nature. The city centre is packed with variety, and there’s something for everyone in the diverse and vibrant city.  I love that there are calming places to relax, Sussex Downs is an amazing area to explore and go for runs or walks. I enjoyed going to the beach in the summer, the sunsets by the pier are spectacular and there are lots of hidden spots in the Lanes to explore.  You’re never short of things to do on days off."

Emma Taylor-Gallardo

[Talking about GP placement] "I really enjoyed it, learnt a lot of skills. The team are lovely. I'm here with two other students and they're trusting us a lot. It feels very independent and very different to our first few years."