Reflecting in Deakin's first year

As I write this article, the Deakin Medical School is momentarily quiet.

The first ever cohort of students have returned to their homes, in locations throughout Australia. Many have returned to their previous careers temporarily, a somewhat nostalgic experience for those who left their jobs behind in order to concentrate on studying medicine.

But for all of us, this break has offered a time to reflect on the year just passed, the first year of many in our journeys toward becoming doctors.

2008 brought about big changes for most of Deakin’s medical students.

We left our homes to move to Geelong, and for some students, this meant moving out of the family home for the very first time. Many of us had to learn to support ourselves on very little income.

We discovered that as a medical student, every minute counts regardless of whether that time is spent studying, working, or enjoying the remnants of the life you once knew.

For some of us, we also had to come to terms with the fact that we were no longer the smartest kid in the classroom, and that failing is for once indeed a very real possibility.

And among all of these changes, we had to learn medicine.

The staff at Deakin have always been patient, yet persistent with their teaching and support, and it is to their credit that they will see so many of our faces return for year two.

As current students used this break to wind down and recuperate, the story is somewhat different for this year’s newest cohort.

Their enthusiasm and excitement is evident as they prepare for their own first year at Deakin. Their vibrancy is reminiscent of how we felt, learning of our own acceptance into medical school.

Despite the first and second year students have never met in person, there is already a strong bond shared between the two groups, and it is this nurturing spirit that we hope will continue at Deakin for many years to come. 

After all, first year medicine is hard, both academically and personally, and yet it is only the beginning of a long road ahead, but friendship, support and advice can help make the transition easier, and hopefully make it a more enjoyable year for all.

Traudi Almhofer
Publications Officer, Deakin Medical Students Society