In The Beginning...

I was already twenty three and half way through a degree with the Open University when I decided I wanted to be a doctor. Fast forward two and a half years and I've just accepted an offer of a place to start my medicine degree this September.

I'd been thinking about starting this blog throughout the application process but I figured there would be no point if I didn't end up getting a place, so now that's secure I've decided to get this up and running.

My plan for this blog is to first cover a little bit of my relevant background, and outline the application process as fully as possible, then I'm planning to take you on this journey with me while I sort out finance and accommodation, moving in, and studying the degree, and hopefully also what comes after that.

My Background
I was always into science, for as long as I can remember, but mostly physics and space to be honest. My childhood dream was to work for NASA, and unless I end up doing it as a doctor it looks like I have a new dream. I studied triple science at high school with three As at GCSE, and Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics at A-Level with three Bs... and a D in mathematics (it turned out maths wasn't my strong point!). I never applied for university while I was at college because I simply didn't know what I wanted to do. I started working immediately after I finished my exams, in a local General Practice as a receptionist. Six months later I started my Open University degree with a module called "Molecules, Medicines and Drugs". I had no idea where the degree was going but I had chosen to study an "Open Degree" meaning I could pick and choose the modules which interested me as I went along. During my time working at the GP surgery I trained as a phlebotomist (blood taking) and stayed in that position for a year, only leaving it to undertake some charity work. The following year I had to take some extra modules for my degree to improve my grade from a lower second class honours to an upper second class honours. I completed the degree with a 2:1 in June 2017, and became the first person in my direct family to complete a degree. After another stint of charity work the application process began.

My Provisional Plan
My current plan for the future is to complete my medicine degree followed by F1 and F2 years. After that I think I would like to follow the Acute Care Common Stem (ACCS) training pathway. The final stage would be specialising and I'm interested in Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine. I'm also hoping to intercalate a relevant masters year into my medicine degree. The reason this plan is provisional is because I recognise my interests may change during the course of my studies and also healthcare needs change, and I need to be able to get a job I enjoy at the end of it.

The next few posts will cover the application process and tips for what to revise for interview.

Thanks for reading.
Katherine