The Fresher's Guide to First Year 2021/22 (University of Birmingham Medical School)

Med So c pr es ent s ...

The Fr es her s ' s t Guid e t o 1 Year

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MedSoc Welcom e t o t h e Un iver sit y of Bir m in gh am M edical Societ y!

Wit h over 80 societ ies, sport s clubs and charit ies, Birm ingham MedSoc is t he biggest in t he UK and is t he largest single societ y at t he Universit y of Birm ingham . We are an independent , non-profit organisat ion run by st udent s, for st udent s.

Cent ral t o Birm ingham MedSoc is t he et hos of inclusivit y. All st udent s at t he College of Medical and Dent al Sciences are encouraged t o join. From t hose st udying Biom edical Science t o Dent ist ry, drinkers or non-drinkers, academ ics or sport speople, indeed any st udent at t he College is welcom e! We also have m em bers from ot her colleges, such as Physiot herapy st udent s and t he odd language st udent who just fancies a good t im e.

MedSoc has a lot t o offer it s 3000+ m em bers, from an annual Ball held at t he ICC arena, t o ext ensive sport ing opport unit ies, t o charit ies and societ ies t hat t ake t heir m em bers all over t he globe - not t o m ent ion t he jam -packed ent ert ainm ent calendar and revision sessions put on every year. Birm ingham MedSoc t ruly adds a lot t o any Healt h Science St udent ?s t im e at t he Universit y!

UoB M edSoc Websit e

Cl i c k th e link s!

Bir m in gh am M edSoc Bir m in gh am M edSoc Academ ics @bh am m edsoc 1

Contents Introduction..................................4 Who's Who in Med School Programme Directors and Staff....5 Student Services & Library.............7

*Virtual Learning Top Tips*...........8

NEWFOR THIS YEAR

Med ic ine - What to expect.....................11 - Modules................................12

Nur s ing

- Placement (CBM).................14

- What to Expect.....................33

- A Typical Week......................16

- Modules................................34

- Exams...................................17

- Credit System.......................35

- Useful Resources.................18

- Essential Advice....................36

- Top Anatomy Tips................20 - Lectures & SGTs....................22 Phys io t her apy - What to Expect.....................37 - Making Notes........................23 - Modules................................38 - Places to Work.....................26 - Exams....................................39 - M Group and PM Group ....27 - Marking System....................40 - Essential Advice...................28 - Useful Resources..................41 Bio med ic al Sc ienc e - What to Expect.....................29 - Modules and Teaching Structure.................................30

- Placement..............................41 - Essential Advice.....................42 Gr ad uat e Ent r y Med ic ine

- Exams and Books.................31

- What to Expect......................43

- Essential Advice....................32

- Modules and Resources.......44 - Essential Advice.....................45

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PA Soc..........................................46 Extra Academic Inf ormation...........47

Living In Birmingham - Food - Catered.......................48 Self-Catered......................49 - Useful places to know about........50 - Must-see places in Birmingham....52 Living at Home..............................56 International Students.................57

Work Hard Pl ay Hard.................58 Heal th and Wel l being..................60 Support Services...........................61 Work Experience Bursaries...........62 Most Usef ul Tip...........................63

TIP - Do not bypass the Health and Wellbeing section. It's vital that you are aware of wellbeing issues and that you know who to go to if you need help with anything..

How to use this guide: You do not have to read through everything in here. It is not a strict guide and should not be followed word for word. It has been designed purely to give you simple tips about getting through the first year.

Click on t h ese sym bols t o t ak e you t o a w eb lin k : Click on t h ese sym bols t o t ak e you t o a page lin k in t h e Gu ide:

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Keep an eye out for these yellow boxes throughout this document.

They contain essential tips about various aspects of Med School life!

Introduction WELCOME FRESHERS! I'm sure that you're being inundated with information about uni life but hopefully this guide will bring to light the realities of being part of Birmingham Medical School.

Whether you're a student medic, biomedical scientist, nurse, physiotherapist or PA, this book will guide you through the 'do's an d don't 's' and u ps and dow n s of Medical School life.

This book has been written and produced by Birmingham Medical School students and includes advice based on first hand experience. So, to save you the trouble of taking a year to figure out what on earth is going on here, have a read and prepare yourself for

the best times of your l if e...

PLEASE REMEMBER: This Guide is NOT a definitive one. It does NOT contain everything you need to know, but it does have some very useful advice!

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Who's who in Med School ?

Medicine - MBCHB Similar to the structure of secondary school, there is a Head of Year, or, as we know it here, an Academic Lead, for each year group of the MBChB course. This person is in charge of the course for the year and is the person you go to if you have any issues with the course as a whole. There is also a Programme Director, in charge of the whole MBChB course.

Academ ic Lead Year 1

Pr ogr am m e Dir ect or

Professor Alison Cooper

Professor Kate Thomas

a.j.cooper@bham.ac.uk

c.p.thomas@bham.ac.uk

Biomedical Science - Bsc The Programme Director of the Biomedical Science course is Dr Chris Tselepis. He leads the BMedSci course but is also involved in delivering lectures and small group teaching sessions, so you will inevitably see him throughout your time here. Dr Conner is the Year 1 Academic lead so will be in charge of your first year.

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Pr ogr am m e Dir ect or -

Year 1 Academ ic Lead

Dr Chris Tselepis

Dr Sarah Conner

c.tselepis@bham.ac.uk

s.j.conner@bham.ac.uk

Nursing - BNurs For the Nursing course there is a Programme Lead, Mr Meechan. He is in charge of the whole of the Nursing course, covering all three years. Mr Meechan also presents lectures for parts of the course.

Another key member of staff is Tr acey Valler -Jon es, she is the w elf ar e t u t or and will help with any troubles you have!

Pr ogam m e Lead -

Welf ar e Tu t or -

Mr Ronnie Meechan

Mrs Tracey Valler-Jones

r.meechan@bham.ac.uk

t.b.valler-jones@bham.ac.uk

Physiotherapy - BSc Physiotherapy has a Programme Director - Dr Jill Ramsay. Dr Ramsay teaches some aspects of the course so it is likely that you will meet her during your time at the university.

Pr ogam m e Dir ect or Dr Jill Ramsay j.r.e.ramsay@bham.ac.uk

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Student services If you ever have any queries then your first port of call is the Student Services desk on the ground floor of the Med School. Occasionally the timetabling may be incorrect or a clinical lecturer/tutor will be unable to turn up to a session without notifying you. If any of the above occur then just visit the Student Service desk and they will help you out.

If you are in need of pastoral support whilst in Med School then just ask at the desk and they'll be able to get you the right person to talk to.

Library You'll find that most of the books you need are in the Barnes Library within the Medical School. Library staff are always on hand to help you find books or just to answer library-related questions. You can also contact librarians via www.my.bham.ac.uk and talk directly with them on the online chat service.

Click h er e!

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TIP - be wary of library books marked with YELLOW, these are SHORT LOAN books and must be returned the next day. These books CANNOT be renewed online! To renew all other books marked with BLUE go to www.my.bham.ac.uk, log on and click on my.library, FindIt@Bham then log on to your library account.

VIRTUAL LEARNING Due to the pandemic, university life is going to be quite different from previous years. There is still some uncertainty about how long social distancing regulations will last, and we may be able to get back to normal by 2021. Until then, one thing is for certain- a much greater proportion of your learning will be happening online, which comes with its own challenges. But Do Not Fear - Medsoc Is Here!

We've got some top-notch advice on how to manage your time and be prepared for the year ahead!

#1 : Lear n in g Object ives Each module has a set of core learning objectives, which explain what you need to learn.

There can usually be accessed via Canvas.

Although they aren't comprehensive lists, it gives you a great overview of what's coming up and can be used when deciding how to organise and structure your notes and revision.

TOP TIP: All public study spaces/ buildings will have specific guidance about social distancing rules, so make sure you're aware of these. If you can't go out, creating a 'study space' can be as simple as clearing the desk in your room of all distractions and turning off your phone.

Special thanks to Zaiba for collating these tips!

#2: St u dy Space Separate your 'study space' from your 'living space'... trying to work in your bedroom where there are a number of distractions (your warm and comfy bed!) is almost impossible. Having designated areas to work can help you focus and ensure you are being most efficient with your study time. There are many libraries and cafes on campus (check out the link below), so explore and find a couple of spots you like. Mixing it up once a while also helps to increase motivation for studying!

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#3 : M ake a t im et able or st u dy plan .

As you will spend fewer hours physically in Med School, you will have greater flexibility on when to watch lectures and make your notes, which is good but also makes it easier to procrastinate and fall behind on work if you're not careful.

Assign a certain period of time each day for studying and then st ick t o you r sch edu le!

Consistency is key to building up good habits from the start.

However, your timetable doesn't need to be set in stone - once you have more experience with how long certain tasks take, you can always alter your timetable. Review your timetable regularly... is there anything you need to change to make your learning more efficient?

TOP TIP: If you're struggling with creating a timetable/ sticking to it, don't worry - it is hard to get into at the start!

Med School will be providing extra support on structuring your learning this year so look out for more info on this!

#4: Wh at do you r st u dy session s n eed t o in clu de?

- Watching lectures & making notes - Completing sheets (prep work) for SGTs/ Anatomy sessions - Reviewing information (af t er SGTs/Anatomy) - a great practice to ensure you've understood everything that was discussed - Buffer sessions : Set a couple of buffer sessions during the week to catch up on work you may have fallen behind on.

TOP TIP: With any type of prep work e.g. anatomy sheets, allocate a certain time limit to complete these (usually 1-1.5 hrs is recommended). If that time has passed, MOVE ON. You can't (and aren't expected to) spend endless hours on a single sheet. It's okay to not understand things straight away - usually it all makes much more sense after you discuss it with the facilitator and your peers!

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#5: Less is M or e When watching a recording of lectures, which can be paused and re-winded, it can be tempting to try to write down everything the lecturer says. Don't fall into this trap - it will just make your notes too long, complicated and overwhelming Watch a small section, su m m ar ise it in your ow n words, then move on to the next. Use alternative sources of information to clarify any doubts, and make the notes personal and easy to understand for you .

Concise, one-page summaries are perfect starting point - you can always add more detail later if you need to!

#6: Tak e lot s of br eak s The easiest way to remain motivated when studying is to ensure you take enough time away from work, in a different setting, to refresh your mind.

Take regular breaks - go on a walk, to the gym, meet up with friends anything that involves time away from your laptop!

Always listen to your body - if you are constantly feel tired or like you can?t focus, you might be burnt out.

Recognising this and acting on it early is most important.

TOP TIP: If you do find yourself struggling with motivation or are feeling overwhelmed, don't hesitate to contact Student Services! They have experienced staff who can offer you one-to-one advice.

VS #7: Ask f or h elp If you are stuck on something, ask !

No one will think any less of you and often all you need is an alternative perspective/method of explaining.

You could: - Ask your peers/friends through FB/WhatsApp group chats - Use module discussion boards (you may find that someone else has already asked a similar question!)

- Email a module lead/lecturer (all their contact details will be on Canvas) 10

DISCLAIMER This is an unofficial guide to first year Med School courses written by The University of Birmingham MedSoc, with the input of its members.

The guide is NOT endorsed by the Medical School. Any opinions or viewpoints that are published herein are directly from the contributing authors and do not represent the philosophy or viewpoints of the Medical School.

Any information and data published on the website is strictly for informational purposes.

All aspects of the guide are subject to revision.

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Image used are from Google Images or with permission. If their use has breached copyright and the owner wishes to have the image removed/replaced, please contact the MedSoc Secretary - Jyotsna Anand jxa810@student.bham.ac.uk

What to expect...

Med ic ine Structure and Teaching The first year is split into three semesters: Sem 1 runs from the end of September to the Christmas break, with the first set of exams in January. Sem 2 runs from January to the end of April, and after the holidays the final set of exams take place from MayJune, in Sem 3. In this semester, you also have a Poster Project to do with your M Group.

Each module is taught via a number of methods. Broadly they can be divided into:

TIP: In each semester, you will have a 'Con solidat ion Week ' when there will be very few (if any) lectures, so you have time to catch up on lectures/notes. At the end of the week, you'll have 'For m at ive Assessm en t s' which are mock exams. Use this opportunity to get used to the style of questions asked and the time you'll have for each section. Don't stress too much about preparing for them - you only have one week, but give it your best shot as it is a great way to test your knowledge!

- Lectures - Small Group Teaching sessions (SGTs) - Most are led by a facilitator, but some are self-directed (with the members of your M Group) - Anatomy sessions - Self Directed Learning ( SDLs) -consist of independent activities (e.g. Quizzes)

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TIP - Make sure you check in advance which sessions require preparatory work. It may seem difficult and tedious, but it is worth the effort! It means you can get the most out of each session by actively contributing and asking relevant questions.

Check out some of our best tips for prep work on page X

Modul es In each of Semester 1 and 2 you study three science based modules and one 'Medicine In Society' module. These are grouped into Foundations 1 and Foundations 2.

Foundations 1:

Foundations 2:

- Molecules to Man (MTM) - Cellular Communication, Endocrinology & Pharmacology (CEP)

- Muscles, Joints and Movement (MJM) - Digestive System (DIG)

- Neurones and Synapses (NAS)

- Introduction to Respiratory Medicine (IRM)

- People, Patients and Populations (PPP)

- Doctors, Patients and Society (DPS)

On t op of t h is you also st u dy three extra m odu les w h ich r u n t h r ou gh ou t t h e year : - Region al An at om y (RA) In this module, you'll learn anatomy based on regions (e.g. Abdomen) rather than by system (e.g. Respiratory). This module is about combining and applying your knowledge from the other modules, so you can make connections and see the human body as a whole, which will be vital in clinical scenarios.

- Pr of ession al an d Academ ic Sk ills (PAS) This module is about developing the soft skills e.g. communication that you will need to be a doctor. You will also get advice on academic writing (essays, research papers) and exam preparation!

- Com m u n it y Based M edicin e (CBM ) With a group of 5/6 other students, you will have placement days at GP surgeries across West Midlands. There are 8 days in total. Usually, the morning is filled with teaching and in the afternoon you will likely see patients and practice skills you?ve learned.

Disclaimer: Due to COVID-19, the structure of CBM may be slightly different to previous years.

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PAS How is PAS t au gh t ?

PAS consists of lectures and bi-weekly small-group sessions - usually on Thursdays. On these days, you will have two sessions with a break in between.

In the morning session you'll be given a clinical scenario and go through it as a group.

You'll create a mind-map summarising the main themes, and identify a few questions/areas to explore further based on the scenario. You will then research these in smaller 'mini M-groups' over the break, and present your findings in the afternoon sessions in front of your peers and tutor.

TIP: In the PAS written exam, you'll have to draw a mind-map - so get as much practice in these sessions as possible!

Top Tips f or PAS: - Attendance is key!

Although you won't be explicitly tested on the content you cover in the small group sessions, it is super important to practice your research skills and your ability to present your ideas clearly & concisely to a group of people.

- Don?t leave your presentation to the last minute - make a clear plan with your group in the morning so you all know what to do, and the workload is equally shared.

- Most people find it awkward to do presentations at the start, but the more you do it, the easier it will get!

RA

Have fun! PAS can be a nice break from lectures - you have the chance to research topics outside of the curriculum and have interesting discussions with your M-Group!

Alongside learning anatomy in your main Foundations modules, you will also cover anatomy in the context of 'regions' of the body, such as the 'Abdomen' or 'Upper Limb'.

TIP: RA can seem very Top Tips f or RA, especially at t h e st ar t : - LISTEN - do not try to note down everything that is said.

Focus on understanding the information first.

daunting at first, as you are exposed to lots of fancy words and information early on. The key thing is - DO NOT PANIC.

- DON'T try to LEARN everything as soon as it is mentioned in a lecture.

You will see that most of the content is repeated many times through the year. With the repeated exposure, a lot the jargon will soon become second nature.

On top of this, in Sem 2 you will cover anatomy heavily in the MJM (Muscles, Joints and Movements) module - even more time to consolidate RA knowledge.

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TIP: Anatomy IS hard. But don't let the amount of information overwhelm you - the fact that you've made it to Med School is proof that YOU CAN DO THIS. Plus, there are loads of handy resources to make anatomy learning easier - have a look on page 20!

pl acement - CBm What do you do?

During the placement you'll learn some basic clinical skills like taking histories from patients or measuring blood pressure., and have a chance to directly talk to patients. Each week has a 'theme', for example Diabetes or Arthritis, which is loosely based around the modules you are covering at the time, so you can reinforce your scientific knowledge with clinical experience. At the end of second year you will have a mini clinical exam, or 'OSCE', which will test the skills you learned on CBM.

things to remember: -

Do the pr ep w or k in the CBM booklet - accessible via the CBM Canvas page. Each day's schedule and content is different from the last, so by doing this you will always know what to expect.

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Be en t h u siast ic and actively en gage in discussions! Spending a whole day with a clinician in such a small group setting is INVALUABLE time for you to ask questions and contextualise the scientific content you've learnt.

CBM is very much about developing your clinical communication skills. So use your time wisely and talk to as many people as you can!

How do You get there?

The medical school do NOT provide transport or give any financial support towards transport costs. This is because you are only traveling 8 days in total.

However, there are many easy methods of getting to placement via bus, train or taxi. You can also share lifts with someone if they have a car.

Bu s

Taxi

Tr ain

Castle Cars: 0121 472 2222

Uber is probably the easiest option if you're all leaving from the same place, but allow at least an extra 10 minutes for the time ubers take to book and arive, especially since you'll go during rush hour.

There are various bus stops around the university accommodation - click the link to look at routes and times.

You can get trains from University, Selly Oak or 5 Ways stations depending on where you live. Click the link to look at routes 14

What do you wear to pl acement?

Generally Med School say 'office wear ' is the appropriate dress code for placement days. Your appearance can mean a lot when it comes to first impressions! It is also something GP tutors consider when writing your end of placement report.

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Short sleeved smart shirt (or roll the sleeves up), tie is optional, smart trousers (chinos or suit trousers - no jeans) and nice shoes.

- Make sure you tuck your shirt in!

- All hospitals operate a 'bare below the elbows' policy so make sure your sleeves are rolled up if you are wearing a long-sleeved shirt Short sleeved smart blouse/shirt (or roll the sleeves up), skirt/smart trousers, OR a smart dress (knee length), and nice shoes (no big heels!).

- Make sure nothing is too short or transparent! Also remove any nail polish or fake nails - GP tutors don't like these!

TIP - DO NOT FORGET YOUR GREEN BADGE! It tells the patients who you are AND ensures that you are not mistaken for a member of staff - this is VERY important!

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TIP - Don't forget your stethoscope and a watch! You will learn to examine patients by taking their pulse and blood pressure so this is vital!

TIP - Make sure to check your timetable at my.bham.ac.uk (under the 'timetable' tab) regularly, as any changes will be shown here first, and you might not always be emailed too.

It will take some time to get used to where all the rooms are. Don't be afraid to ask older students/staff - they'll be more than happy to give directions!

Then pay attention to where the session will be held - some places may take longer to get to than others so plan ahead!

For each session, identify the module and Lecture/SGT number, so you can easily find the relevant accompanying material on Canvas.

The timetable is colour-coded based on what type of session it is: lecture, SGT, anatomy or self-directed.

A Typical week...

- here is an example of your timetable

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Exams January: - Multiple Choice Questions, MCQs (2 hours) - 40% of each module - Short Answer Questions, SAQs (3 hours) - 60% of each module Both exams will contain questions from the Foundations One module.

- MTM

- CEP

- NAS

- PPP

May: - Multiple Choice Questions, MCQs (2 hours) - 40% of each module - Short Answer Questions, SAQs (3 hours) - 60% of each module - Both exams will contain questions from the Foundations One module.

- MJM

- IRM

- DIG

- DPS

- Regional Anatomy - 1 hour - Essay (60%) - Short answer questions (40%) - PAS

TIP - going from being an A* student in school to suddenly being 'average' in Med School can be hard. Just remember that you have years of training ahead of you, so you don't need to learn absolutely everything now - Passing is the most important thing!

- Case study exam - 1 hour June After exams in May, there is a Post er Pr oject you complete in Mini-M groups. The posters are presented to your peers and examiners. The final mark does not go towards your overall year mark but it is a compulsory component of the course so you must pass it.

Essays In first year, you'll have to write two essays - one for PAS in Sem 1, and one for CBM in Sem 2. I know most of you won't have written essays in a while but don't worry! You'll get a lot of guidance beforehand through PAS. You can also get extra help through the Academic Skills Centre (based in the Barnes Library). Follow this link to find out how to make an appointment!

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Usef ul resources Books

Although lecture notes should be your main source of information (as this is what exams questions will be based on), it?s important to have a range of information sources at your disposal.

There are different ways of explaining the same concepts - you just have to find what makes the most sense for you.

DO NOT BUY BOOKS STRAIGHT AWAY! The library is full of them so you should have a look at the range of books available before deciding to spend any money. You can also get lots of books on Clinical Key (an online library which is free to use with your UoB login) or you can find free PDF versions. Ask your medic parents - they may be able to pass down some PDF links to you!

Here are some textbooks you may want to check out.

Anat omy: - Gray's Anatomy For Students OR - Moore's Clinically Oriented Anatomy

TIP - You can just borrow the book you need from the library. As long as you keep renewing it you can keep it for as long as you need. Keep checking your account to make sure it hasn't been requested back though. Also, some books can't be renewed over the holidays so be aware!

Bi ochemi st r y: - Essential Cell Biology (only really needed for first term for MTM & NAS)

Phar macol ogy: - Rang and Dale's Pharmacology (especially useful for CEP and NAS)

Hi st ol ogy: - Junquiera's Basic Histology (Used for most modules: MTM, CEP, NAS, IRM, DIG)

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TIP-Sometimes the older year students sell their books for a discounted price, and Med Soc can also get you great deals on books keep your eyes peeled for both of these!

MORE BOOKS Physi ol ogy:

- Medical Physiology by Boron and Boulpaep (this one is especially useful for Sem 2 modules: DIG and IRM)

- Oxford Handbook of Medical Sciences. (This covers all the body systems, and is quite small so very easy to carry around whenever you need to quickly look something up!)

Less essent i al , but al so usef ul : -The Anatomy Colouring Book, Pearson. (A great alternative to just staring at books - helps you to really get to grips with both gross and microscopic anatomy)

TIP: Anatomy Flashcards are an incredible resource for memorising anatomy - both Gray's and Netter 's do them.

They also come with an online version so you can use them wherever you are!

- Instant Anatomy - Whitaker & Borley (Great for learning specific things like blood & nervous supply)

- Medical Embryology - the best summary book for understanding Embryology.

ONLINE RESOURCES - Acland's Anatomy A large collection of videos covering all the human anatomy you will ever need to know. They use real cadavers and bones as well as models to help you visualise the structures in real life. EXCELLENT resource for anatomy sheets and preparing for Prosection sessions. (You get free access to all videos via the Med School!)

- YouTube Channels -

Ninja Nerd Lectures AK Lectures Armando Hasudungan

Disclaim er : Be careful that certain terminology may be different in the US-based content. If you are ever confused about which terminology to use, don?t be afraid to ask an SGT facilitator or lecturer to clarify!

- Leeds Histology Guide A guide from the University of Leeds which can be extremely useful for completing histology sheets.

- Teach Me Anatomy 19

Widely recommended by students - this website is pitched at just the right level for medical students, with fantastic coloured diagrams and heaps of clinical correlations.

CAWC's top tips f or l earning anatomy Anatomy is a notoriously difficult subject due to the incredible amount of content that you have to learn. At Birmingham, learning anatomy is largely self-directed, meaning you have to decide how much effort you put in and take responsibility for getting it done. With subjects that require you to learn a significant amount of low-complexity information like anatomy, studies have shown that engaging in self-directed learning is the best way to remember, contextualize and integrate this information.

NEW FOR2019

Compl ete Anatomy

Complete Anatomy is a 3D-anatomy app you get free access to, which essentially contains all the anatomy you will ever need to know.

It has hundreds of virtual models, covering everything from gross to microscopic anatomy. It's also highly interactive - you can view the models from all different angles, pick and choose which structures you want to focus on and get detailed annotations with just one click. We'd highly recommend downloading the app on your laptop/tablet, and referring to it whenever you're doing anything anatomy-related.

Because the software has so many useful functions, it will take some time to get used to. The Complete Anatomy website outlines a lot of these (blue link), and you can also find some of their tutorials on YouTube (red link).

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Wit h t h is in m in d, h er e ar e CAWC?s Top 10 Tips t o h elp you get t h e m ost ou t of An at om y: 1. Don?t leave anatomy sheets until the last minute - try and complete them at least the weekend before the session.

2. Read the pages of the textbook recommended in the worksheet (should be able to access most books online via Clin ical Key) 3. Complete as much of the sheet as possible, even if you don't quite understand everything - this will help you to ask specific questions during the session.

4. Make use of all the visual learning tools available: coloured diagrams, atlases, photos of real specimens,Youtube videos, Complete Anatomy (3-d visuals) 5. Keep a hold of the histology and imaging pictures as these may come up as questions in the exam.

6. Try and apply your anatomy to the physiology you're learning about during lectures - this will help you understand both of them better.

7. Always start with the basics and then build up the detail step-by-step.

Anatomy is a vast subject - you can't learn it all in one go!

8. The best way to learn anatomy is through Active Recall and Spaced Repetition. Here is a super useful video explaining the evidence behind both these concepts...

9. Make the most out of peer learning - have group study sessions.

Teaching others will help to reinforce content and identify any weaker areas in your learning.

10. Don't overlook clinical correlations section - this is great practice for applying your knowledge, which you will do a lot in later years!

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An am Jaw aid

M aiar Elh ar ir y

CAWC Chair

CAWC Vice-Chair

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How to Tackl e...

Unlike Secondary School, at university you have much greater responsibility for your learning - making sure you understand everything, or you are seeking help when necessary. You have to be proactive and put in a little extra effort and time before and after each session to ensure you stay on top of things.

SGTs ( smal l gr oup t eachi ng sessi ons) 1. Read the associated lecture material before completing the sheet.

2. Try to do each sheet at least the weekend before the session and review it the day before to refresh your memory. Use a variety of sources - don't just rely on Google Searches as some questions require you to apply your knowledge in specific case scenarios.

3. If you can't complete all the questions, don't worry - as long as you've spent at least one hour on it, you should be okay.

4. Note down any specific questions that arise as you are going through the sheet so you don't forget to ask them to the facilitator during the session.

Non-facilitator sessions- If you have any questions from these sessions, post them on the module's Discussion Boards. TIP: Remember that questions you have

Lect ur es

answered for SGTs (and SDLs) are fair game for examination. Make sure to revise these so you don't get caught out!

Before: - Make sure you have a copy of the lecture slides either printed out or downloaded on your laptop.

- Review any previous lectures on the same topic to refresh your memory.

During: - Don't just try to write down everything the lecturer says. It will (most likely) be recorded so you can go over it if you miss anything.

- Most importantly - LISTEN and make sure you can FOLLOW what is going on. The lecturer may be using extra images/ props to assist TIP: Sometimes lecturers can add in extra interesting information that their explanations.

After:

you don't actually need to learn (yet) - so pay attention!

- Review and fill in any gaps, things that you missed/didn't quite understand. Use a range of sources - books, videos etc to do this, as they may offer extra information or a different perspective that could help you.

- Make your notes in a format that will be easy to revise from...more tips on that next!

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Making Notes DISCLAIMER: There is no SINGLE 'perfect' method of making notes for efficient revision and learning. Everyone has their own unique style, and First Year is all about trying different things until you find what works for YOU. Still, we know how difficult it is to find your footing at the beginning, so here are a few tips from a few students (with different learning styles) to offer you advice based on their experiences.

Kir st y H and w r it t en

1) Don?t get overwhelmed and panic, staying calm will help you.

2) Don't try to hand write notes in lectures as lecturers speak fast, so hand written notes are a struggle. Instead write the important things said, that are not on the slides, and try to focus on understanding.

3) Get into a routine. I will spend an evening making hand written notes 3 X per week. That way you feel like you?re getting stuff done but it's flexible, so you can enjoy spontaneous activities in the week.

4) Keep a tidy work space (I can't stress how important this is - if you're in mess, your mind and notes are going to feel like a mess) .

5) Get colourful! However, make sure you?re not spending more time colouring in big fancy titles than making notes. Make sure colouring is conducive to and not impeding learning. If art is something you enjoy, have that as a downtime activity, make sure your hours spent revising are quality hours. Work smarter not longer or harder.

Deep - Lap t op

Many if not most university students write their lecture notes on a laptop. I do it because I find I can type faster than I write, its easier to organise my notes, and there is an ?unlimited?amount of space to add notes to lecture slides. I will discuss the different softwares students commonly use below.

Please note that- lecture slides are uploaded by lecturers as PDFs, which you can download onto your device- and that the University provides you with a free Office 365 account.

On eNot e On OneNote, you can insert lecture slides as PDFs and annotate them. The use of the ?Sections?, ?Pages?and ?Sub-Pages?features helps to organise notes.

you can write additional notes into the ?Notes?section.

Pow er Poin t

Many students, rather than annotating lecture slides, write the lecture slides up in Word, using bullet points.

There are many free PDF to PowerPoint converters online. On PowerPoint, you can annotate the lecture slides directly, or by adding textboxes onto slides, and

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Wor d

TIP - The Uni offers every student FREE access to Office 365, which contains all the essential Microsoft apps like Word and PowerPoint.

A lex - N ot es on iPad / Tablet I use an iPad so I can carry my notes around with me, without having to bother with lots of different folders. If I get a spare hour in hospital I can make lecture notes wherever I am. I use the Microsoft Notes app which allows you to organise your notes so that they are all quick and easy to access, as well as being able to insert slides/pdfs/pictures to annotate when needed. Writing my notes on an iPad rather than typing my them helped me to remember more efficiently for exams too.

Th in gs t o look f or in a n ot e-m ak in g app - Ability to move, resize and rotate writing - Highlighter option

- Easy exporting: For backing up files onto hard drives

- Favourites option: Quickly navigate - GOOD FILING! You want an app that you can to the important folders easily navigate, and create folders for each module, topic etc. Honestly, makes life so much - Infinite page scroll easier!

TOP TH REE N OTE-M A KIN G A PPS of 2021 1. Goodn ot es (4.8/ 5 ? ): Can easily import and export pictures & lecture slides, and annotate them with ease. Using this app, I managed to go completely paper-free, as you can even do things like fill out forms with this app. TThere is also a helpful word search tool, for example if you search ?bacteria?the app will show you every note in which you have written ?bacteria?. £7.99 2. Not abilit y (4.8/ 5 ? ): Arguably the most popular app on the app store. Special features include: infinite page scroll and the option for audio note taking. The filing appears to be a little more advanced, as they have dividers. There are more options for ?brush?or ?pen?styles, but personally, unless you?re really artistic, it?s not needed. £8.99 3. On eNot e (4.6/ 5 ? ):Unlike the others, this app is free! As it is a Microsoft app, there is better compatibility with other Microsoft products like OneDrive and SharePoint. Also a password/ touch ID security option - desirable for placement as you have to note down confidential information about patients.

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Gr ace - Flashcar d s One of the best revision techniques is Active Recall, and flashcards are perfect for this! I personally used An k i (a flashcard app). however other softwares like Qu izlet can be equally useful. I'd recommend against paper flash cards however, because it'll be much more time-consuming (no copy-and-paste features!) and you'll end up with thousands (no joke, unfortunately) so it'll be easy to lose them.

Making flashcards does take a lot of time and effort, but it is manageable once you get used to it! The best way to keep on top of them is to make them throughout the term, as soon as you do a certain lecture/SGT, so that they don't build up!

Bisam' s TOP 3 TIPS f or ef f icient N ot e-mak ing and Lear ning Plan ah ead Have list of all the lectures for each modules and tick off each lecture as you go along. This will help you manage your time much better, come revision season.

Alternatively, you may be able to find some pre-made flashcard sets online (e.g.

Quizlet), or perhaps a generous older student may offer to send you their sets. Just make sure to go through them in detail to ensure that it includes YOUR learning objectives for Birmingham Medicine.

Be ef f icien t Efficiency is very important in Medical School- it is something which you develop over time and often means using the best resources. These are often the ones which mirror your curriculum and often older year notes are excellent in providing a framework to structure notes, with excellent illustrations.

Con n ect Speaking to older years and forging connections will make Med School a lot easier. They all have gone through first year, and will give you note-making and revision tips through their own experiences. Often these tips can open up new perspectives and avenues when approaching revision.

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W hat wor ks for lear ning Anatom y m ay not wor k for lear ning Physiology or for Biochem istr y - so don't be afr aid to m ix up the note-m aking and r evision techniques you use for differ ent m odules!

Pl aces to work in Here are some of our best recommendations on where to go when you need a place to study!

NB this year there may be additional restrictions so please refer to library services intranet, where you can book a library seat for the day!

- The Doug Ellis on the main floor of the Med School is great but it can get VERY busy and loud so arrive early if you want to bag a space - Explore all the floors of the Barnes library to see which one suits you.

(Warning: not all booths have accessible sockets so make sure to look for sockets before sitting down if you're working on a laptop!) There are also study rooms available in the Barnes library if you want somewhere for a group to work, just ask at the library desk - On the first floor of the Barnes library there is an Anatomy room full of models, go to the main library desk to ask to go in here. Only 4 people are allowed in at a time and you can only book an hour at a time. If you want more time in here then just keep popping down to the main desk every hour to re-new your 'rent'.

- The Computer Cluster is great if you need access to a computer and printing. It does get quite noisy, but there are some dedicated 'Quiet' areas if you need to really focus!

- If you want somewhere to work after 6pm then you can ask to have the keys to a CM room, just go to the security office next to the swipe gates into Med School and they'll give you a key in exchange for your ID card.

- Just because you're based in Med School is doesn't mean that you have to stay there to work. You're welcome to work anywhere on campus. Why not try the Main Library in the heart of campus?

- The Costa Coffee on campus has a downstairs area that's perfect for getting your head down with a coffee.

It has lots of computers too if the computer cluster is full.

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Your M Group You will meet your M group in the first few days of Freshers' Week. Over the next year all of your teaching sessions will be with this group, and you may even find you are on GP placement with one of them too! Although the 'getting to know you' activities may get a bit cheesy and mundane they are a vital part of creating a close M group bond. Most people find their closest friends in their first year M group that last for life, so get involved and get to know the people you're with!

TIP - In Freshers' week, make an M group chat on Whatsapp/ Facebook!

Your PM Group Your PM (personal mentor) group is your new medic family! There are usually 2-3 students from each year, along with two personal mentors (one for pre-clinical and one for the clinical years).

You will meet your tutor regularly for individual meetings throughout the year to check how you are settling in and doing on the course. If you have any concerns or are struggling with anything, you can bring it up in these meetings.

You will also have some whole group meetings during the year which is a great opportunity to make friends with your medic parents and grandparents (of which there are 5-6 generations!)

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Medic Parents Your medic parents will meet you during Freshers' Week to give you a tour around the Medical School and University campus.

Make sure you get your medic parents' contact details in Freshers' Week because you can ask them literally anything about med school, uni life, revision etc... they've volunteered for the role so will be more than happy to help!

TIP: Don't be afraid to message or approach your medic parents - all the years in med school talk to each other and there's no 'hierarchy' or anything. You'll probably end up making friends with lots of people from other years when you join societies as well!

Essential advice f rom the vice president academic The last three years of Medical School have been amazing and I can't wait for you all to have the same experience! I completely understand it can all seem a bit daunting, but don't forget you worked hard for your place here and are going to do great as medical students. Here is some advice from me as you start your first year at the University of Birmingham. Don't hesitate to get in touch on social media or via email at cnm877@student.bham.ac.uk if you have any questions! Chloé Moran, Vice President Academic

1.

2.

Make sure to attend the MedSoc Revision Series before your exams. These are lectures delivered by older year students who have passed the module and can give you a good insight as to what to expect.

Try not to compare yourself to others too much- if not the dreaded 'Imposter Syndrome' will creep its way in! Everyone has their own way of learning, working and revising, so don't be alarmed if your way of doing things isn't the same as your friends. By all means seek advice and help when you need it, but be sure to appreciate your methods will be just as good as someone else's too.

4.

3.

From hockey to acting, you won't be short of a society to join- why not try out a different societies to discover more of what MedSoc is about? Getting involved is one of the best ways to meet new people and really feel like you are part of the MedSoc community.

Sign up at Freshers' Fair to anything that takes your fancy to get a feel of what each society entails, then decide what you would like to carry on from there. Everything is great fun!

5.

Don't be afraid to email your lecturers if you have questions/need help. They are passionate about their subjects and will want to share their knowledge with you as much as they can.

Get to know your medic family (especially your parents)! They will have experienced what you are about to and will be happy to give guidance.

6.

Make the most of all the learning spaces available, not only at the Medical School, but also on campus! From the main library to the Doug, you won't be short of areas to do work in.

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What to expect...

Bio med ic al s c ienc e Structure and Teaching The first year is split into three semesters. Semester 1 runs from the end of September to the Christmas break. Semester 2 then runs from January to the end of April. Students then have a 4 week (roughly) break to revise for exams that take place in semester 3, from May to mid June.

You are taught through a variety of methods: - Lectures - Small Group Teaching sessions (SGTs) - with a teaching lead - without a teaching lead - Anatomy teaching sessions - Lab practicals

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TIP - make sure that you complete ALL prep work for SGTs and anatomy teaching sessions. It makes things so much easier once you are in the session and most teaching staff expect you to have completed it and WILL catch you out if you haven't.

Modul es and teaching structure Throughout Semester 1 and 2 you study 8 modules, supported by lab based projects and coursework.

Modul es - Cellular Biology and Biochemistry - Fundamentals of Neuroscience and Pharmacology - Fundamentals of Life Sciences - Introduction to Molecular and Experimental Genetics - Introduction to Research and Experimental Skills

Timetabl e Your timetable can be set between 9am ? 6pm everyday apart from Wednesday, where the afternoon is free for sports and societies!

There will be hours of free time during the week between scheduled sessions, so don?t worry too much about long days.

- Digestion and Renal Sciences - Cardiorespiratory sciences: Fundamental Principles

teaching structure This course has quite a few contact hours... but it is easy to manage your time! Lectures are given to the whole year, and interactive anatomy and small group teaching (SGT) sessions are given to your ?B?group. 10-15 students make up your ?B?group and this is allocated to you at the start of the year. There are also laboratory sessions once every few weeks, usually taking up a whole morning or afternoon.

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exams There should be coursework for each of your modules which is to be completed during the year, and can be worth up to 25% of the module credits. For the rest of the module credits, you must take an exam for each module. These exams happen once per academic year at the end of term three.

There is an opportunity to re-sit exams, however we would not recommend it!

books All of the books you could need are available from the Medical School Library. However, there may be some recommendations by your module leads which are worth having a copy of. I would suggest waiting until you get here to find out which books you think are the best for you, there are often quite a few recommendations given and you will not need to buy all of them.

The books which will be recommended will be the latest editions too, so if you buy them second hand from older years, make sure they?re not too old!

Most importantly, learn your lecture notes, as that is what will come up in the exam!

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Essential advice!

This is Emily Horner, the 2021/22 Biomedical Science Rep on the MedSoc committee.

Her experience has taught her a lot whilst at the University of Birmingham. Here are some tips and advice to help you succeed!

Jo in th e M ed S o c an d Bio m e d Faceb o o k/ In in fo rm ati o n , s stagram gro u u ch as ad d it io p s. So cial an d n a l n igh ts o u t o r re acad em ic h ere! Th ese s v isio n sessio n s o cieti es are als , w il l b e p rovid o a great w ay ed to m ake fr ien d s th ro u gh o u t th e year! acad em ics n o e ic v d a y fo r an ys fam il y rep s d n a rs n d are alw a to a u tu o ic y m rt e o d p a su p al ac yo u ! yo u r p erso n y are th ere to e h h it T w r. e a o can assist g e h a y g w e n h E th it t w u e o c h g gu id an issu es th ro u h ad vice o r it w e s n o r p erso n al o p s re yo u a q u ick li kely to give

Put your canvas and email notifications on! It is important to check both of these regularly as any changes to your timetable or other details, including careers information, will be provided through these apps. t m igh t n o s n io s s e ys ab o r at o r w il l w an t L u r o o y y g m in o th n at n o t so m e r SGTs, A e r u a o y e ; s e le h b ta dt ien d s, an yo u r t im e r f k c r e u h o c y s s ea Alw ay sam e t im e h t t a e alw ays b t o m iss!

Don?t be afraid to ask questions; this can be a great way to build confidence and clarify gaps in your knowledge, during in an SGT! 32

What t o expect . . .

Nur s ing Structure and Teaching The first year is split into three semesters. You will have three placements across the year: one in the adult field, one in the mental health field and the third relating to public health, children and families.

You're taught through a variety of methods: -

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Lectures Placement Clinical skills sessions Peer teaching Online sessions

TIP - make sure that you complete ALL prep work for SGTs and anatomy teaching sessions. It makes things so much easier once you are in the session and most teaching staff expect you to have completed it and WILL catch you out if you haven't.

Modul es First year nursing is unusual in the fact that you are introduced to full on placement quite early. You will study the three main areas of nursing through lectures, teaching sessions and placements: - Adult - Mental Health - Public health, children and families The first year is 'combined' - meaning that you have the opportunity to experience three fields of nursing (adult, child and mental health) before choosing one to pursue in second year. Placements are in 7 week blocks three times a year, this is the same for second year too.

Clinical skills are not only taught on placement but also in small group sessions in the clinical skills labs once a week.

TIP - don't be afraid to ask for help when you're on placement. It can be quite tough suddenly being in a new environment but the hospital is full of people who will be happy to help. The people doing the job are the best ones to learn from!

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the credit system As with all courses, each component you study is worth a certain amount of credits: this is equivalent to the components' weighting in your overall mark for the year.

Here is a breakdown of the credits available throughout first year: 30 cr edit s - Biological Sciences and Clinical Skills for Nurses 20 cr edit s - Evidence Based Practice 40 cr edit s - Principles of Nursing 30 cr edit s - Public Health and Child Development.

TIP - first year is exhausting so make sure that you have a good 'work:life' balance. There are so many different societies in MedSoc so take a look around the Societies fair during Freshers' Week and see what takes your fancy!

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Essential advice!

Here is some advice from Abbie Sullivan.

She's has been through the Nursing Course, so take her advice!

Jo in Join MedSoc, NurseSoc and the Guild on Facebook. This is the best way to keep track of what's going on. Whether its discounted trips, lectures or just a way of meeting new people. Societies are a great way of relaxing after placement, even if you are late or can't attend every week.

Pr epar e For bot h placem en t s an d lect u r es, be on t im e. Som e lect u r er s w on't let you in on ce you 'r e lat e an d it s ju st n ot w or t h bein g lat e f or placem en t . Tak e t h e ear lier bu s, h ave br eak f ast t h er e an d br in g lu n ch w it h you . Use t h e r eadin g list an d r ead ar ou n d su bject s t o f in d som et h in g you 'r e passion at e abou t . Th is w ill h elp w it h assign m en t s an d you r m en t or w ill be r eally im pr essed.

Suppo r t Get to know your tutor, and always be honest about when you're struggling. There is plenty of support at the university including welfare tutors, student mentors, your nursing parents, academic skills and don't forget the other people on your course. Everyone struggles whether its finding child care, the move from school to university, the difference between past degrees or courses or just finding that work-life balance, so don't feel like you're alone.

Enj o y Don't stress. Get involved, take initiative, and make the most of your time here. Good luck and be yourself.

CARE Know whats important, look after yourself, your coursemates and be the best you can be the for your patients. From day one be the kind of nurse you want to be .

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What t o expect . . .

Phys io t her apy Structure and Teaching The first year is split into three semesters. Semester 1 runs from the end of September to the Christmas break.

Semester 2 then runs from January to the end of April. Students then have a 4 week (roughly) break to revise for exams that take place in semester 3, from May to mid June.

You are taught through a variety of methods: - Lectures - Placement - Small group teaching sessions/ Practicals (which are really hands-on sessions)

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TIP - make sure that you complete ALL prep work for practicals and anatomy teaching sessions. It makes things so much easier once you are in the session and most teaching staff expect you to have completed it and WILL catch you out if you haven't.

Modul es Fou n dat ion s of Ph ysiology an d Pat h ology f or Pr act ice (20 credits) = this module is all about the normal functioning of the body. You will learn about the muscular, nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. You will share these lectures with the Sports and Exercise Science students and also have practical physiology lab sessions. The module develops into looking at pathologies in Semester 2.

Fu n ct ion al An at om y an d M ovem en t (20 credits) = in this module you will learn about the detailed anatomy of the musculoskeletal system. You will learn to relate the anatomy to the movement created and basic human biomechanics.

Ph ysical Act ivit y an d Exer cise (20 credits) = this module concentrates on the core values of physiotherapy and the importance of promoting physical activity and exercise. There is a strong emphasis on practical skills in this module.

Pr of ession al Pr act ice in t o t h e Wor k place (20 credits) = this module will develop your study skills and practical-related skills and will ease the transition from A levels to university. You will have the opportunity to learn with nursing students and to have a practice placement.

Psych osocial Basis of Pat ien t Cen t r ed Car e (20 credits) = this module concentrates on the basis of physiotherapy and will give you an insight into the encounters between a physiotherapist and patient.

Th er apeu t ic pr act ice (20 credits) = this module develops your ability to identify normal and abnormal ranges of human movement. You learn practical ways of measuring movement and ways to facilitate normal movement.

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Exams Fou n dat ion s of Ph ysiology an d Pat h ology: Multiple choice exam: systems and basic physiology Essay: based on arthritis Practical exam: electrotherapeutic modalities Ph ysical Act ivit y an d Exer cise: Practical exam: rehabilitation exercises for a given patient problem

Pr of ession al Pr act ice in t h e Wor k place: Placement Essay: reflection on placement Interview: reflection on placement Psych osocial Basis of Pat ien t Cen t r ed Car e: Practical exam: this will involve a difficult patient scenario

Th er apeu t ic Pr act ice: Practical exam: 3 stations on subjective assessment, objective assessment and treatment methods An at om y: Multiple choice exam: movements, muscles, joints and nerves Practical exam: 3 stations, based on functional movement analysis, bony point palpation, and muscle palpation TOP TIP: Keep up to date with learning anatomy - don't leave it all until the end!

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marking system For each exam you need to get 40% to be able to pass that module. There can be some compensation between practical and written examinations (if you get under 40% in one exam but over 40% in another then one can compensate for the other).

Re-sit s an d Failin g:

The grade boundaries: 40-49% - 3rd 50-59% - 2.2 60-69% - 2.1

If you get under 40% for any module then you will need to come back in August to re-take the papers for that module. It's not the end of the world but try to work hard throughout the year to avoid this!

71%+ - 1st

Reading l ist Here is a list of some recommended text books. Get the books out of the library BEFORE you decide to purchase any. Best to try before you buy!

- An at om y an d Hu m an M ovem en t : St r u ct u r e an d Fu n ct ion (Nigel Palastanga) - this book concentrates more on muscles, bones and ligaments, however the layout is disliked by some students - Gr ay 's An at om y f or St u den t s (Richard Drake) - Gray's has more information on pathology - Clin ically Or ien t ed An at om y (Keith Moore) - this is good for the nervous system - Th e Ph ysiot h er apist 's Pock et Book : Essen t ial Fact s at You r Fin ger t ips (Jonathan Kenyon and Karen Kenyon) - this is a good book for placement 40

Reading l ist cont.

- Neu r om u scu losk elet al Exam in at ion an d Assessm en t : A Han dbook f or Th er apist s (Nicola Petty) - Fu n ct ion al An at om y of t h e Spin e (Middleditch) - Join t Ran ge of M ot ion Assessm en t , M an u al an d Gon iom et r ic Tech n iqu es (Clarkson)

Pl acement 1st year placement starts around May and will last for approximately 4 weeks. This placement includes 2 weeks Physiotherapy placement, 1 week nursing and 1 week volunteering. This type of placement gives you a broader understanding of how Physios work individually and as part of a health care team.

Wh at t o w ear ?

For practical sessions you wear white polos with shorts. For placement you wear blue trousers with a tunic top/white polo shirt. The trousers and tunic are provided by the University of Birmingham. If you register with CSP (Chartered Society of Physiotherapy) it means that you can get a free polo with your membership!

Click here to go straight to their website!

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Essential advice Meet Lucie Read - your MedSoc Physio Rep! As someone who has just finished second year she has some great advice to help you get the most out of it!

The Palastanga 6th edition is considered the Physio's Bible for many first years- there's usually a decent 2nd hand one to buy online for around £30.

Make the most of course families by asking any questions to have to older years

Make the most of opportunities like free speaker events or socials

ENJOY

The Hop is a great way to meet course mates, make sure to get a ticket for it if you fancy going!

Remember that everyone is in the same position as you in freshers and you?ve earned your place at Birmingham.

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What t o expect . . .

Gr ad uat e Ent r y Structure and Teaching The graduate entry course (GEC) starts in early September, with Semester 1 running until late December, and Semester 2 from January (where you have some exams) to late March. There are then 3 weeks off for Easter and 2 weeks of lectures when you come back, before summer exams start.

The main methods of teaching on the graduate entry course (GEC) are: - Problem Based Learning - Every Tuesday you are presented with a problem to discuss in groups and come up with learning objectives, and on Friday you report back your findings - Anatomy - Self-directed sessions are every Monday, which you need to prepare for - There are also anatomy demonstrator led sessions every Wednesday - GP placement - Every Thursday (the highlight of the week!)

- Lectures - Seminars 43

Modul es You will work through various modules throughout the year, with each module allocated a specific number of weeks.

Every module incorporates science with medicine in society, which includes psychology, sociology, law and ethics, public health and statistics.

Cells an d Can cer -

What it says on the tin?

Exams in November (10%) and June (90%)

Su pply an d Dem an d -

Cardiovascular and Respiratory medicine Exams in November (10%) and June (90%)

Th in k in g an d Doin g -

Neuroscience Exams in January (10%) and June (90%)

Th r eat s an d Def en ce -

Immunology and microbiology Exams in January (10%) and June (90%)

Loss an d Ren ew al -

Reproduction and genetics Exam in June (100%)

Fu els -

Renal, Liver, Digestion and Endocrine.

Exam in June (100%)

Com plex Issu es -

A revision module Not examined formally but you need to attend and contribute to sessions to pass.

Textbooks Lots of people will try to sell books to you: older GECs, the Med School and by the end of the year your cookies on Amazon! My advice is don?t buy them. The library has every book you could possibly need and GECs have their own books in the GEC rooms free to use.

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Essential advice!

Hello freshers and CONGRATULATIONS for getting a place on Birmingham?s GEC course!

I was the GEC representative for 2018-2019, meaning that my role for the last year was to work with students and staff to represent the views of the cohort, as well as welcoming you guys and helping you settle into GEC life. One of you lovely lot will take over from me in September once you?ve all got nice and comfy. As a GEC, aka part of the Graduate Entry Course, you will have your own corridor (hidden away in the med school) and some dedicated staff, known as moderators (you?ll get the hang of all the lingo!), who will work with you to combine two years of learning into one.

You are set to start a great beginning to your medical training ? GEC1 has a bit of a reputation for being a bit of a tough year but you?ll be working as a team with your other GECs every day, and you?ll make friends for life.

Laura's Top Tips

With only 40 people in your cohort of all different ages, you?ll get to know people quickly and look forward to some great socials!

With an intense working week, it is SO important to have balance and you?ll have your weekends free.

Whether this is enjoying all that Birmingham has to offer or just sitting watching Netflix in your PJs, make sure to take a break from staring at Gray?s Anatomy flashcards!

I cannot wait to meet all of you, enjoy being a fresher again and feel free to message me if you have any questions!

Laura Gee (GEC1 Rep 2018-19) Email: LXG563@student.bham.ac.uk

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Get involved in any social events going on early: it?s a small year so you?ll make friends easily, but it?s a really important year to build a good social network here in Birmingham.

2.

Find out the level of information you need to cover early on, and don?t overdo it. Remember you?re a fresher again, not a third year/masters/PhD student.

Take the weekends off. You have plenty of untimetabled time to do your work and weekday evenings... don?t forget it?s just as important to relax as it is to study!

4.

Try and make the most of PBL discussions. It?s a big change at first and can take some getting used to but you?ll miss it when its gone!

KEEP CALM. It?s going to be a really hard year, but all the GEC2?s will tell you that you can do it because we did? and it?s so true!

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3.

5.

A hel l o f rom our f riends at PA soc Hello first year Physician Associates, a massive congratulations for securing a place at the University of Birmingham, one of the pioneering institutions for the training of British PAs. PAsoc and MedSoc work very closely to ease your experience at the university, and make it as fun and memorable as possible .

One issue surrounding the PA profession is the lack of awareness. Here at Birmingham MedSoc we start with integration of future PAs with other future healthcare professionals (i.e nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, pharmacists etc.). We achieve this through many fantastic social opportunities such as the Riverboat Shuffle, the HOP, and MedBall, to name a few! It doesn't stop there, We also offer integrated academic support through revision lectures, OSCE practice classes, and clinical skills sessions.

Apart from working with MedSoc, the PA Society also organises its own events, and this year we have sweet things lined up for you! So join us!

Because where your undergrad lacked, MedSoc is sure to make up for.

PA Rep - Amelia Edmondson

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Ext r a Academi c I nf or mat i on Struggl ing with Modul es If you don't understand a certain concept and none of your friends can get their heads around it either, then you can ask questions on the Discussion Boards on Canvas (which are regularly monitored), or email the Module Leads directly their emails will be on Canvas. They are very busy people though, so be patient when waiting for their response!

Getting extra hel p If you have been eligible for extra time and other access arrangements at school, it is highly likely you will be able to continue having these for medical school exams. Just speak to Student Services (in the Med School) as soon as you arrive and they can advise you on how to sort it out! ''I know there can be a lot of stigma around learning difficulties and it may be something worrying you about starting medical school, but trust me (as a fellow dyslexic) I have never experienced anything even remotely resembling stigma!

People don't need to know any details - and the year group is so big, no one will even notice if you?re not in the main exam hall. There are way more people than you think in the same position - there were about 30 of us in my year, so there is nothing to be worried about!'' - 2nd year Medical Student.

Extenuating circumstances There is the opportunity to apply for extenuating circumstances for some exams. If there is something that has affected/is affecting your academic process then make sure that you apply. Information about this will be sent to everyone in the run up to exams.

Resits and appeal s You may find yourself in the situation where you have to resit one or more of your exams. This can be difficult news to take and it may come as quite a shock.

It's not the end of the world but you must work hard to pass at the second opportunity. You will have more than enough time to revise again as most resits take place in August.

If you have failed your resit examination then there is the opportunity to appeal the result. If the appeal is a success then you will be able to externally retake the exam the following year.

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Living The Brummie Lif e...

University is a huge change. Not only do you have to get used to a different way of learning but you also need to settle in to a completely new environment. Here are some great pieces of advice to help you learn to love living an d learning in Birmingham.

Food - catered meal pl an Meal plan can be a godsend at times, but at other times it can be a bit of a challenge. The money can go very quickly, especially if you are drawn into getting a Costa most days! Follow these tips to make sure you make the most out of your meal plan deal. If you forget your ID card you can just state your ID number - don't make a habit of it though!

Try to go down to the food halls with your flatmates, it's a good way to get to know them and can be nice to catch up with them each night after a long day at uni!

Med School days can sometimes be longer than the opening times of the food halls, especially if you're doing the Basic Life Support course. Make sure you plan in advance and perhaps buy a sandwich the night before to save in the fridge until the next day. OR pop into the top floor of the Duck and Scholar, it has a food bar that is open later and serves a variety of stuff from tacos to hot dogs.

If you have money left at the end of the week on a Sunday, spend it! It will not carry over to the next week. Good things to stock up on are bread, cereal, milk and soft drinks.

The Burrito bar in GoCentral is AMAZING. If you're looking for somewhere that's worth spending your meal plan money then this is the place to go. Don't forget - you can eat at SO many places on campus, take advantage of this!

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Food - sel f catered Suddenly having to cook for yourself can be a real shock - but a diet of ready meals is NOT the way to go. Never underestimate the power of a hearty, flavoursome meal when you're missing home - so make sure to ask your parents/grandparents for recipes of your favourite meals before you arrive!

Quick & easy meal s

TOP TIP

1. Shakshuka: Cheap, easy, healthy 2. Spaghetti Bolognaise: The student classic 3. Chilli: All you need is mince (or lots of veggies) and chopped tomatoes, plus however many spices you want!

4. Curry: such a versatile dish - you can use any type of meat or vegetables, combine with a pre-made sauce (widely available) and you're good to go!

5. Lentil Dahls - full of protein and healthy carbs to keep you going through long days of studying.

6. Paella: Not a typical student meal, but super easy to make!

How To Avoid Over-Spending 1. Cook more! Microwave meals and takeaways are much more expensive!

2. Buy supermarket own-brand - it's often hard to taste the difference with essentials like chopped tomatoes or salt.

3. Increase your vegetable: meat ratio - it's better for the environment too!

4. It's cheaper to buy in bulk - so see if there are things you and your housemates could buy together!

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Make big batches whenever you can, portion them up into individual tubs and store them in the freezer.

This not only saves you time cooking multiple meals a week, but the food will last much longer AND you'll be less likely to waste food. Just make sure you properly reheat everything, especially meat, when you go to eat it!

Bread is also a great one to freeze to avoid waste!

Tips f r om Older Year s ''This style of deep dish pan with a lid, I simply could not live without- it's perfect for batch-cooking. " " I learned to cook from Instagram, with many posts providing inspiration for meals.

Many Youtube Channels also focus on student, budget friendly recipes - such as Buzzfeed Tasty, Twisted food, Delish. There are many more out there so you're sure to find something to your taste!''

Unless your halls are in Selly Oak then trying to find a supermarket can be a challenge. So, online shopping is the way to go. You do need to spend a minimum amount for free delivery but join with friends or flatmates and it'll be easy.

Click h er e!

Usef ul pl aces to know about...

Food Shops Near: The Vale (Aitken, Chamberlain, Maple Bank etc) - Cost cu t t er - The Vale, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 3SX - Th e Cooper at ive Food - Templefields Square, Wheeleys Rd, Central and Eastern, Birmingham B15 2LJ - M or r ison's - 30 Hagley Rd, Birmingham B15 1TR Near: Selly Oak Student Village On Bristol Road: Aldi, Tesco Expr ess, Sain sbu r y 's Local, Seou l Plaza In Selly Oak Shopping Park: Large Sain sbu r y 's , M &S

Near: Prichatt's Park On Harborne High Street: Wait r ose, M &S, Icelan d

Near: Edgbaston (e.g. Calthorpe Court) Aldi - Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7QS Sain sbu r y 's Local - 158-162 Alcester Rd, Moseley, Birmingham B13 8HS

Fruit Stalls: - As you walk from Med School to the main part of campus there is a fruit stall, it's a great place to get a few little snacks before heading back to lectures - 'Dave's Fruit and Veg Stall' is outside the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Monday-Friday 07:30-17:30. They only accept CASH! 50

Un i ve clo s r sit y P Doctors Surgeries ra e em st t o M ct ice is er ed S - The University Medical Practice - 5 Pritchatts Rd, Birmingham ch o ap p gen cy ol o in t me av a B15 2QU nts ila 0 8 : 4 b l e i f y ar e Tel: 0121 687 3055 o 5 q u ic o r 13: u call a - Bournbrook Varsity Medical Practice - 1A Alton Rd, 4 t kly so c 5 - t h e Birmingham B29 7DU y go al l o n ti Tel: 0121 472 0129 me !

Pharmacies -

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Cannon Hill Pharmacy - 200 Edward Road, Birmingham B12 9LY Tel: +44 121 440 0888 Horton Pharmacy - Horton Square, Highgate, Birmingham B12 0YR Tel: +44 121 440 5163 Lloyd's Pharmacy - Unit 2, 480 Bristol Rd, Birmingham B29 6BD Tel: 0121 472 0155

Dentists -

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Edgbaston Dental Centre, 127 Pershore Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7NX Tel:+441214402751 (near The Vale and Prichatt's) Kassam and Parmar, 320 Pershore Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B5 7QY Tel: +44 121 440 1463 (near Liberty Court and Selly Oak village)

Free Cash Withdrawal Points -

Tesco, 576-588 Bristol Road, B29 6BE (near Selly Oak village and Liberty Court) Omnicash, Grove Lane Local in Harborne - B17 0QT (near Prichatt's) In the Hub on the The Vale The Guild of Students on Campus (Santander cash point just outside) Next to Costa Coffee on main campus In the main student common room (Wolfson) at Med School

Coffee and Cake Places 51

Boston Tea Party, 106 High St, Harborne, B17 9NJ(near Prichatt's) Costa Coffee - if the queue is too long in the Med School Costa then pop into the on in the QE hospital or run across to the Costa on main campus

Must-see pl aces in Birmingham Birmingham is a great city and has so many things to offer. You will have free time so make the most of living in such a great place!

Cadbury World is alarmingly close, only a 10 minute drive at most from Selly Oak! It's a great day out with free chocolate bars AND they do student discount. Don't turn up without pre-booking though!

Click h er e!

This is Birmingham's Street Food event that occurs once every month or so in Digbeth, near Birmingham City Centre. Street food trucks come together to serve a variety of delicious food. There is also a bar and big area to sit and chat. Look out for the Digbeth Dining Club street closures where food trucks take over an entire street!

Click h er e!

Libr a r y o f Bir m in g h a m It seems ironic that you'd go to the library on a day when you're purposefully trying to avoid doing work, but the Birmingham Library in the city centre is an amazing building. It's free to enter and the gardens on the upper floors are well worth a visit - you can look over the whole of Birmingham.

Click h er e!

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Ghetto Golf is a great for an evening out with your flatmates! Open til 1am and with a bar in the middle of the course it's perfect to venture on to after you've eaten at Digbeth Dining Club (which is just across the street). Even better, with your MedSoc discount card you get 50% off entry and a free cocktail mid-week!

Bir mingha m Ca na l s Birmingham is the 'Venice' of the UK. It's full of canals dating back to 1768. They're easy to access no matter where you're living: - by Maple bank on the Vale - by University train station - at the top of Selly Oak If you follow the canal walkway it'll take you all the way into the city centre at the back of the Mailbox.

If you'd prefer not to walk there are lots of canal boat companies that will take you on a tour of the city's famous waters.

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A firm favourite of the older years, Dilshad's on Bristol Road (Selly Oak) has been cooking up delicious curries since 1978. Their amazing manager (and social media hype man) has offered MedSoc 10% discount when we dine with them this year - not that we need any more encouragement for a family-size Peshwari naan! @dilshadrestau

G e r m a n Ch r i s t m a s Ma r k e t s This is pretty much the biggest event in the Birmingham city calender.

People flood from miles around to the streets of the city centre to experience German cuisine, beer and crafts! There is even an ice rink that is constructed next to the Birmingham library. It's a fantastic evening out but can be very very busy so be prepared to keep hold of your friends!

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Sel l y Oak Selly Oak is the area where most students live after their first year, located on the opposite side of campus to Edgbaston. If you enjoy fried chicken or join a MedSoc sports team, you will likely find yourself here at some point, so here is an introduction to some of the fine establishments in Selly.

If you're missing your Sunday Roasts, Th e Goose is the place to go. A classic Pub which serves affordable (and delicious) food, you can get a huge roast dinner for £6.99 and they have deals on every single night.

Selly Oak is the home of fried chicken. There are two main contenders for the best chicken shop, Ch ick en .com and Roost er s, and they both have their merits. Many medic socials will degenerate into passionate debate about which one takes the prize, but at the end of the day, choose one and remain loyal to it. Just remember to enjoy in moderation!

vs Our 65 million pound Spor t s Cen t r e is located in Selly Oak, a short walk from both the Vale and Selly Oak accommodation. You can get gym, swim and squash memberships or (combinations of the 3) for very reasonable prices. Off peak membership is cheaper and fits a medic timetable well, as peak times are 11:30 ? 13:30 and 15.30 ? 20.00. There is also the brand new university-owned Tiverton Gym in Selly Oak which is a little cheaper and has more functional equpiment.

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Living at home...

Living at home is a great way to save money as a student and it means that you avoid the stress of moving to a completely new place. Some students worry that living at home means that they'll miss out on some great uni experiences - but fear not, this just isn't true! Follow these tips to make your university experience as good as anyone else (even better if you include your home cooked dinner every night...!).

Lots of people live at home while at uni - don't feel like you're the only one!

Take advantage of the fact that you know the area and show your new uni friends around!

Don't miss out on a night just because you don't have anywhere to stay. Just ask a friend if you can sleep on their sofa, they probably won't mind if it means you get to join them on a fun night out!

Join a society, it can really help everyone integrate into Uni life. There are so many societies within MedSoc so go along to the Freshers' Society Fair and take a look.

Perhaps try to do most of your Uni work whilst being at Uni, this way you can separate your home life from your Uni life and won't make your home a stressful environment.

If your friends live far from their own home, it can be quite hard to cope with the long distance sometimes. Why not invite them back to your house sometimes- it'll be good for both of you!

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International students...

Hey guys! My name is Ayesha, and I am your international rep for this year. I am going into 3rd year, and I like to think I have acquired some wisdom over the past 2 years (my family and friends would probably disagree) but here are some of my top tips for your first year: Top Tips for International Students: M ain t ain a good w or k -lif e balan ce Doing courses that are content intensive, it?s easy to get burnt out if you don?t take some time out. On the other hand, only taking time out and not working consistently (which is something I can be guilty of) means you might feel overwhelmed with all the work you have to catch up on.

M ake su r e t o st ay in con t act w it h f am ily an d f r ien ds For many of us this is the first time we might be staying away from home and there will be times where you feel homesick. Try and make sure you stay in contact with family and friends whether it?s just a message, call or FaceTime. It?s always good to remember you have people on your side supporting you and they?re a phone call away.

Ask f or h elp w h en you n eed it Join societ ies, clu bs, an d spor t s t eam s As freshers?, joining clubs and societies is the best way to make friends. You meet people with similar interests to you who are also looking to make new friends. Of course, the best place to start is MedSoc considering we have so many societies and sports teams already (* wink* * wink* ).

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Starting uni can be scary especially after the weird and confusing year we?ve just had. As someone who is shy, I was terrified at the idea of approaching someone and asking for help. I?ve realised throughout the past 2 years that literally everyone at uni is so nice, welcoming, and happy to help. As a committee we are here to help you and I promise we are all very nice!

Really just make sure you?re having lots of fun and enjoying because uni can become very intense at times. But remember when it does, you can always come talk to me or any of us because we all just want you to have the best experience. Have the best freshers?week and enjoy!

Wor k har d, Pl ay har d GET INVOLVED! MedSoc has 80 sub-societies covering a huge variety of sports, hobbies and volunteering. Try everything that takes your fancy - there will be lots of opportunities for virtual society meet-ups. This is the best way to meet new people and settle in!

You are probably well aware of the 'party' reputation that university has, and being a student in Med School is no different! You will definitely NOT miss out on the 'play hard' aspect of university life. The Guild of Students plan many events for all students and on top of that the wonderful MedSoc VPS (Alex) and hilarious ENTs (Alex and Ben) have worked hard to plan extra events just for MedSoc members. These plans may look a little different this year as we navigate social distancing but our brilliant committee are full of ideas to keep us playing hard!

You will find that some of the events will overlap - I recommend putting the MedSoc events first - they're so much fun and will give you an opportunity to meet with many other MedSoc members from all other years.

BE SENSIBLE! Unlike other University courses, MedSoc courses start during (or even before) Freshers' week. You will inevitably find that your days start at 9am and this can be a challenge if you've been busy socialising with your flat the night before. Make sure you find time to recharge among all the fun. If you know that you have an early start then it doesn't mean you can't go out, just make sure you can get up and function in the morning! Any older year can assure you it's possible to do both!

TIP - BRING LOTS OF FANCY DRESS CLOTHES! And never underestimate what cardboard can do....

Look on t h e n ext page t o get an idea of w h at M edSoc even t s ar e lik e!

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Heal t h and Wel l bei ng "It's hard but it gets better - you get into the swing of things" Med school can be a huge change from the workload you're used to (it was for me), but if things ever become unmanageable, there are always people that you can talk to.

Starting a new course, and starting university for the first time, can be nerve-wracking, and there can be lots of other times throughout the course when things can get stressful. Hopefully some of the tips below can help with managing this, as well as giving resources for if you'd like to seek help or advice.

Seeking help if you're struggling will never be looked down upon - mental health can affect everyone, and neither doctors nor medical students are immune. Most importantly, this won't affect your ability to practice as a doctor, but will instead make sure you get the support you need to make the very most out of Med School.

Who to talk to: -

Th e Sam ar it an s are free to call, 24 hours

Friends a day, 365 days a year, about anything that may be getting to you. Tel: 116 123 PM tutor Your local GP Student services at Med School The Guild of Students offers a range of services for students who are struggling, including counselling; click the link below to see how you can get some help (https://intranet.birmingham.ac.uk/as/studentservices/projects/support/index.aspx)

Ways to manage stressful situations: -

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Look after yourself - Don't underestimate the effect eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep can have - Medyoga is a free society within MedSoc that runs yoga sessions every week, and is a great way to unwind.

Recognise when you're feeling stressed - It can be tempting to brush over feelings of anxiety or stress, but by noticing these times, you can manage them better, and know when it may be time to ask someone else for help - the SAM app has a tool to help you guage your anxiety, as well as simple exercises to help relax Try mindfulness - Mindfulness is a way of becoming more aware of your own thoughts and feelings, as well as the world around you, making you more resilient to stressful situations, and is recommended by the BMA - the easiest way to start practicing is through apps, such as Calm or Headspace.

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Suppor t

By Ph on e: 0121 472 4616 Em ail: listening@birmingham.nightline.ac.uk

Birmingham Nightline is a confidential support and information service run by students at the University of Birmingham. They will listen and support you as you talk through whatever 's on your mind. Remember, everything is confidential, and you don't have even to talk on the phone: you can drop in, online chat or email too.

Visit their website for more information.

Look out for St r essoscopes, with a new website launching this year: they aim to create an online student support hub, showing available help and support for your health and welfare needs.

FeelBright is a campaign that has been set up by Birmingham Medical School. It aims to raise awareness of stress and depression amongst medical students and to help everyone tackle revision. It eradicates common myths that medical students hold and can make you feel far more at ease about approaching exams. Take a look at this online leaflet for more information, as well as their page on Canvas, which you can find via the Curriculum and Welfare Committee page (CAWC).

The BMA has a well-being page made specifically for health professionals, as well as information on reasonable adjustments, and lots of websites you can get support from.

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MOST USEFUL TIP....

Do NOT forget your ID card!

M r FRESHER KEEN Course: MedSoc Appreciation Cou r se En d: NEVER!

If you forget your ID card then you won't be able to swipe into Med School. You will have to visit the Security desk and prove that you are a member of the college (lecture material proof and photo ID).

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You only have TWO opportunities to forget your card so make sure you know where it is AT ALL TIMES! It can be a real pain if you lose it! (If you do, you can get a new one for £10 at the student hub on campus)

Wit h t hanks t o...

On behalf of MedSoc, I would like to thank the following people for helping to put together this guide: Sanat Kulkarni Jessica Bowie William McIver Professor Jamie Coleman Isabella Smith Rosie Hall Sophie Lynn

John Buchanan

Bobby Scarborough

Niharika Manu

Rachel Daly

Rose How

Grace Westland

Zaiba Abid

Helen Gilbody Isobel Jones All previous and current MedSoc Committees I hope that you have found this guide helpful and will continue to refer to it throughout your time here.

Many thanks,

Chloé Moran

If you have any questions please do get in touch with me via the Birmingham MedSoc Academics FB page!

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© Birmingham Medical Society 2020