timetabling: how to deal with a lack of structure on placement

This year has been all five week placements and sometimes, I'm given a set timetable to follow but other times I'm not. This can make it hard to find the motivation to go in or even plan your social life for the week! I thought I'd explain how I deal with a lack of structure on placement.

Firstly, have a week-to-view table that you can use to plan each placement day. You'll most likely be given dates and times where there'll be teaching so write those in immediately. Next, find out what clinics, theatres, other learning opportunities there are - find out when they happen and what time and then decide what you'd like to do. Fill your blank spaces with these. If you also do a sport/extracurricular activity on a regular basis, write those down.

I know this all sounds like common sense but I was surprised at how some of my fellow medical students hadn't even done something like this. Maybe I'm just obsessive about organisation but in medicine, I feel you have to be at least moderately organised to ensure that you get all your assessments done in a timely manner, etc.

Below are my weekly timetables; firstly in a blank notebook and secondly in my Hobonichi (which has been invaluable this year for keeping on top of things).

my week #215

This was my last week on Geriatrics and it actually felt quite sad! I've grown quite attached to the patients who I saw on a daily basis on ward round. It's not a specialty I'd want to go into (not enough practical procedures for my liking!) but I can see why it would be fulfilling. I go onto five weeks of Gastroenterology next and then it's exam time (eek!). Revision has started but I'm also scheduling in days and times where I just relax and not do anything medicine-related.

How has your week been?

my study week #12: anatomy

Anatomy is a huge topic - no matter how much you know, there'll always be something more to learn. At least, that's how it feels to me. I've been fairly lucky in that the way anatomy is taught at my medical school means that it is all applied to a clinical setting. You could argue that this causes holes in our learning but so far, I've done okay in the anatomy sections of exams and also on placement when questioned on the anatomy of x or y.

With anatomy, I think it has to be a visual thing - the dissection room definitely helps, plastinated models are also good if you can get access to them and for me, drawing things out with the addition of a bit of colour.

An invaluable tool that has also worked for me are the Netter's anatomy flashcards. Perfect for testing yourself and also visualising things in a two-dimensional way, ready to consolidate your knowledge in theatre/practical sessions.

Do you have any tricks for learning anatomy?

book: you and me, always by jill mansell

Back at the end of January/beginning of February, I started reading this offering from Jill Mansell. I'm a sucker for a pretty cover and that's precisely this book to the T. I'm happy to report that the novel matches the cover though - it's a sweet book with a cute story.

It always bodes well when a book has a map on the inside of the cover! How dreamy does the village of Stanton Langley look?! When reading this book, Stanton Langley sounds like the type of place I'd love to live in - a place where everyone knows each other but are willing to help each other out when necessary. And it's in the countryside - perfect!

You and Me, Always revolves around Lily - a 25 year old girl who has been through an awful lot in her short life. We're introduced to those around her - Dan, Coral and Patsy being the main ones. Enter Eddie Tessler, a world-famous actor who has girls falling at his feet yet he only has eyes for Lily. Not going to lie - I think I found myself with a crush on him because he just sounded so dreamy!

To begin with, I found the book a bit confusing. Was the main plot about Lily finding out more about her mum or was it about Lily's love life? In spite of all this, it's still a good read and although it was a bit predictable, it's perfect if you're after something that is a feel good, happy book that will keep you reading. It wasn't one that made me super eager to find out what happens next so because of that, I'll give it a 6.5/10.