PLM-CM 1st year medical student

As a 1st year medical student in PLM and as a biology graduate, it was difficult. It was difficult because everything is fast paced. As what I have written at my earlier blog, 2 days lecture would cover half of your undergrad semester lecture. Also, they won't spoon feed you. There are lectures of course, and the powerpoints are subject to the mentors if they would give it or not but surely you still should read your books because not all questions in the exams are based only on lectures. They are book-based. This is maybe an advantage of Biology graduates. That is, we are well-rounded, we read books. It's like we're jack of all trades. This however does not apply generally, it still depends person by person. It was just a little difficult for me to cope up with how fast everything is going and you have to pass. Honestly, I was already telling my mom to prepare in case I'll fail first year in PLM. I was already thinking of schools to transfer to just in case haha.

In first year, you would also feel the UP and "non-UP" segregation. It's understandable that it's your first day, first week, first month and so you'd approach those who you knew or those of same school. But there is really this sense of superiority among UP students (again, I'm not generalizing) as they clump together, and you'll find "non-UP" students also clumped together. At those times I realized that it was a good choice for me that I dropped my slot at UP Manila, which was also biology, and chose UST instead. I thought, and I am sure I would also acquire such mentality. Again, I'm not generalizing and I am just writing what I have experienced as a first year medical student in PLM. Of course, there were UP students who would approach you first. One of them, actually was one of my first friends in medical school and he also expressed his disappointment at some of his schoolmates because of such mentality.

I had this experience in which, one of my groupmates who was a UP graduate asked me to do something in chemistry experiment when he himself does not have anything to do. He would give me tasks and then this vulnerable disappointing me would follow. I told myself I would be very friendly in medical school because I am not seen as friendly in college but then I noticed the abuse and so I stood my ground. There was also this one time when that certain person asked about a physiology experiment then I answered. He did not believe then he asked another who was also from UP, who said the same thing as I said then he believed. I kicked a chair and muttered "eh pareho lang naman, ano yun? bwisit" Haha yes, I do not care if he heard of not, if he saw or not because I'm fed up with him. One of my friends who was meek, saw and heard everything and she was laughing. I told her how I don't care anymore. She also knows of how that guy has treated me and others who were not from the same school as him. See, this was my problem in college, I am very outspoken but I know where and when to speak.

Always, always, stand your ground. Whatever school you are from, drop it. You are now in PLM and all of you are PLM students regardless of your undergraduate schools. Teach each other and build up connections.

On academics, I couldn't emphasize more on STUDY, STUDY, STUDY! I repeat, STUDY, STUDY STUDY! WISELY! but of course enjoy the little things. You have a lot of time during first year. You will realize that as you go to second then third year, then in clerkship year you'll want to go back to first year. At first you'll think that you have a lot to do. It will seem like you have no time for yourself but trust me, all the time is yours in first year so use them wisely. Enjoy your first year because you still have looootttsss of time for yourself. Don't skip meals, don't skip beauty routine, invest in skin care, always spend time with your loved ones because being in medicine is not an excuse. Don't wait until it's too late to spend time with family. Every opportunity to see them and be with them, grab it, trust me, I regretted a lot and am still regretting.

On failures, do not take it to heart too much because everything is fast paced. If you fail an exam, take points and ace the next exams. Avoid carrying negativity over to the next exams and subjects because it will only pull you down. If you do not understand a subject even if you tried to, do not hesitate to ask another who you think understood it better. You can also ask our mentors. Be honest that you cannot grasp it clearly.

As I have said in my previous blog, PLM-CM is notorious in cutting down students in first year, in my time that is. I started off as a scholar then I lost it by .01. But don't worry, it's relatively easier in 2nd year because you have adjusted well already. And I had this one subject which I honestly failed to focus on despite low marks. I thought it was only minor and it was on the same day with anatomy which is a major subject and always have practical exams so I prioritized anatomy. Also, if you are used to 1.0-2.0 in college, do not be distressed by 2.75. Instead, be grateful that it's not 3. We're zero-based and it's difficult to achieve high grades such as 90. Passing grade is 75 and we're more than happy to just pass that. But of course strive for 90+, or at least maintain scholarship which is a very big help. And if you're stellar, then 90+ is very easy for you so help others please.

You are already studying medicine. Failing does not make you lesser or dumb. You have passed medicine and are now in the most difficult medical school as they say. Stand your ground, always. You are more than you think you are.

Guide to first year summary:
* Time management is the key
* Study wisely
* Always aim for improvement and progress
* Do not dismay too much on failures, take it as a spring for you to even be better.
* Build connections
* Spend time with loved ones