How UQ Mind can help you survive and enjoy medical school

Posted by Lauren, Medicine student

Starting med school is an exciting time. For most first year medical students, it’s the beginning of their dream career. Finally they get to buy their stethoscope and start working towards their goal of being the best doctor they can be.

From experience, the first few weeks are a hectic blur of orientation lectures and meet and greet drinks, while the prospect of assessment seems miles away. Then comes a point when everything settles down and the excitement is replaced with, you guessed it, studying.

Everyone manages this differently. Some students adjust into the routine and flourish. Others may begin to feel overwhelmed and isolated. There is no predicting how you might react. Bottom line is: studying medicine can feel like you’re riding a rollercoaster at times. There are some incredibly exciting moments, but there are also some really tough times that can be difficult to get through.

That’s where UQMind comes in.

UQMind, is the wellbeing branch of the University of Queensland Medical Society. UQMind’s mission is to provide students with wellbeing advocacy and support that is consistent - not symptomatic - and meets the wide and varied needs of the medical student cohort with a proactive focus towards prevention rather than treatment.

So how can UQMind help you survive medical school?

We’re the people you can chat to when you’re feeling down and you’re not sure what to do next. Come to us if you need help and we can offer advice on what to do or where to go to get the support you need.

If you are concerned about your own, or a friend’s wellbeing or mental health, there are many people available to talk to who can help.

So what should you do if you are looking to reach out and get some advice?

  • Come to a UQMind coffee morning, or send us a private message on Facebook and we can point you in the right direction. You can also keep an eye on the Facebook page for events including Death Cafes (not as scary as they sound), and Symposia - which are focused on improving student morale and wellbeing.
  • The Office of Student Affairs (OSA) is a new branch of the Faculty of Medicine that provides varied forms of assistance to all medical students. They can be contacted at med.enquires@uq.edu.au or you can drop in and see them at Level 5 of the Oral Health Centre at Herston.
  • A Student Services Counsellor is based at the Herston Medical School if you’re in need of a qualified professional to talk to. Free appointments can be made through UQ Student Services (3365 1704) or by emailing ssherston@uq.edu.au.
  • Starting med school is just the beginning of a long journey in learning to care for others. But in order to achieve that, you need to be able to care for yourself first. We’re all only human, and when it comes to self-care there’s times where we all need some help or advice.

Like us at Facebook for more updates and if you have any questions please feel free to email uqmind.chair@uqms.org.

Finally, go forth and enjoy your first year of Medicine. Make friends, study hard, take time for yourself, and pop in to a UQMind event when you can.

 


For more stories from across the Faculty of Medicine, visit MayneStream, our content hub.