Well hello again! Long-time no speak – great apologies for that! Life just seems to do its thing and get in the way!
I hope you’re all well amidst the pandemic and life being thrown a curveball! Keep staying safe, and remember that ‘normal’ will return eventually! Enjoy the time for now to spend with loved ones, get in the outdoors and make time for you!
I thought, as it has been a long time since I put pen to paper myself on here (rather than interviewing AMAZING professionals and letting them to all the hard work), that I would share what I have been up to during lockdown.
I was going to talk through everything in detail, but let’s be honest me and you both don’t have the time for that. So, let’s just do a gold old fashioned list – we all love a good list anyway don’t we.
- I started lockdown as most students did, with having ALL my university work being moved online and exams changing from summative to formative – YAY (jokes, I am actually among the 0.01% that likes exams).
- Once first year of medicine finished, I decided to put a lot more into @dreamsofamedic so that I could reach more likeminded individuals and ultimately help as many people secure a place at medical school as possible. This is primarily what my lockdown months has consisted of, and I’ll be honest I have been busyyyyyyy…
- I have created a ‘Guide to applying to medical school’ which contains key dates, revision timetables, check lists and the most important – success stories from some AWESOME medial students!!
- Also created ‘Writing the ‘perfect’ personal statement’ activity book to make writing a personal statement more fun(ish).
- Co-founded ‘Meant For All’ as a way to provide safe, reliable and year-round mentoring to those aspiring to study medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine.
- Started interviewing medical professions so that aspiring medical students could gain more insight into life in the profession at all stages.
- Set up an essay competition with my amazing medicine sidekick (@meg.the.medic – 100% worth a follow).
- Revamped the website to make it easier to navigate and hopefully more accessible to all aspiring medics plus anyone that is interested.
- Created a, hopefully annual, summer school called ‘Med-u-cate’ which will run during August and be free for aspiring and current medical students to attend to find more out about every aspect of medicine!!
But that hasn’t been all I have been up to, as behind closed doors I have had my toes dipped into many other exciting projects which I am beyond lucky to have the opportunities to be involved with!!
- I have been, and still am, working with three different but equally fantastic medical professionals on projects which we are all hoping to submit to medical journals and conferences soon.
- I have been fortunate enough to gain a place on CHUMS committee for the next academic year.
- I have co-founded a new society at the University of Manchester which will pair up current students with academics, clinicians and creatives currently undertaking projects in their field.
- I have attended two conferences aimed at medical students, which were not only extremely interesting and useful to my future, but also highly enjoyable and allowed me to network with medical professionals from all across the UK (and internationally).
Aside from the @dreamsofamedic and ‘Holly can’t seem to relax’ side of things, I have also made time to enjoy lockdown (as much as is possible).
- I have learned to take time for me when both my body and mind need.
- I have spent more quality time with my parents which has been so lovely and made me realise even more how fortunate I am to be blessed with such amazing people I get to call ‘mum’ and ‘dad’.
- I have also been spending everyday with Kieron (my other half) which is honesty the best thing!!
- I have taken up embroidery which seems to be going OK and I am yet to injure myself which is always a big bonus.
- I’ve walked and walked and walked and walked. But I have loved every minute of it and won’t be giving it up when normality returns!!
There is so much more I could talk about, but you’re all probably bored of hearing me waffle so I’ll leave it here.
I am extremely fortunate to be in the position I am with the opportunities I have, and I will never take this for granted. Once I am in a position of offering such to others, you can bet I will!!
Life really is about saying YES to everything that comes your way! I understand it can be scary – heck, I’m always scared of new things – but just think about the doors that could be opened and the people you could meet along the way!!
That’s all from me now. I hope you’ve had a restful Sunday and are excited to start a new week.
Until next time,
Holly xx
dreamsofamedic.com 