Woweee!! You’ve made it into medicine!!!

Welcome to medical school and the beginning of an exciting and transformative journey! As you embark on this path, you are joining a community of passionate individuals committed to learning, discovery, and ultimately, the care of others (as well having a good time). Here at Dundee, we strongly believe in the motto “work hard, play harder”. Remember to stay curious, ask questions, and support one another. This is just the beginning of your adventure in a field that touches lives and changes the world. Welcome to the start of something extraordinary!

Now you’re here, it’s time to start this “spiral curriculum” you spoke so much of in your interviews. Hopefully this provides an insight into what to expect over the next year in terms of the actual course. Remember, everyone in years above you have been where you are so if you have any questions at any point – reach out!!

<aside> <img src="/icons/heart_green.svg" alt="/icons/heart_green.svg" width="40px" /> Some advice:

  1. Get involved in lots of societies, you do have enough time and it’s a great way to meet people, especially non-medics
  2. Don’t buy textbooks! Other than the fact that we’re in a climate crisis, they’re unnecessarily expensive and you will have access to them all through the library either online or physical copies
  3. Imposter syndrome is real<3 it’s difficult to go from being the top of your school/previous degree to average, we’ve all been there. While this feeling is slightly inevitable, my advice is to focus on yourself and not to compare yourself to anyone else. Everyone is going through the same thing and everyone’s version of hard work looks different.
  4. Take the bus or cycle to Ninewells, parking is free but painful! If you’re under 22 and from Scotland, use and abuse those free buses while you can.
  5. If you get through your 5/6 years at med school and never feel you need to reach out to anyone, you’re lying. Everyone needs support from time to time so please never hesitate to do so. The academic mentor team or university support are brilliant and always free to chat.
  6. Don’t spend all your time in the library from day dot. Don’t feel guilty for having a life outside of medicine- it’s the only way to survive! Go out loads, take day trips, join societies, host pres and have fun!
  7. In Dundee, all roads lead to Ninewells. Hop on most buses and ask for a student single/return or use your “under 22 bus pass” for a free trip to Ninewells. You can get the number 22 from just outside “the hub” accommodation or the number 73 and number 5 from Perth Road, or the number 17 if you fancy the scenic route (factor in another 15 minutes for this journey).
  8. One of the many benefits of a dums membership is being a medic child. This is where you are allocated to students in years above you who will take care of you on Meet the Parents, Gaudie and throughout the year. It is invaluable to have someone you can turn to if at any point you have questions about Dundee, Medicine or anything at all. Buy a membership and sign up for parents here in our JOIN US section </aside>