Milly Sampson BM5

Year 3

Medicine at Southampton is interactive, varied and fun! We have a wide range of teaching styles, from practical tasks in the anatomy lab to small group tutorials and whole-year lectures. There are so many ways to learn and interact with lecturers and peers and there’s a teaching-style for everyone and no day is ever the same.

The reason I chose the University of Southampton is because everyone that I met at the Open Day and during the interview process was genuinely so friendly, kind, welcoming and happy. They all wanted me to come to Southampton and be a part of it all and I have not regretted my decision.

I felt very welcome as soon as I started at Southampton – there were a number of introductory lectures during Freshers’ Week, which informed us about the course and prepared us for what was in store. These were very helpful and definitely made me feel more welcome. MedSoc also plays a huge part in welcoming Freshers; whether it be MedSoc families, where you’re assigned to ‘parents’ in older years, or the fabulous events they host, MedSoc does a lot to welcome in the new Freshers.

Before starting my first year, I had all the usual concerns about beginning university, but my main concern was the work-load I was going to face. When you tell someone, you’re going to study Medicine, their first reaction is almost always telling you how hard you’re going to have to work. While it’s true that medical students work hard, we definitely play hard too and I’ve now realised that the work-load wasn’t something to worry about if I managed my time well.

The academic course is great and so are the societies. The societies linked with MedSoc create such a great community-feel and whether you enjoy sport, music or drama, there’s a way for everyone to join in and have fun. I’ve been a member of MedSoc since I started at Southampton. Not only does it allow me to further my academic studies by offering lectures on different specialties of Medicine, but it also creates a space where we have an integral role in shaping the experience that we have as members of MedSoc.

One of my favourite things has been the sport, partially because I enjoy playing sport, but mainly because of the people I have met through being a member of various teams. I’ve been part of Gophers, the mixed medics hockey club and these people have been a big part of creating the fun, supportive and exciting community that I love and is why MedSoc is one of the most special things about studying Medicine at Southampton.

I’ve honestly loved everything about the University of Southampton so far but some of my highlights would have to be Christmas ball, Varsity, hockey tour, meeting some amazing new people and volunteering with Teddy Bear Hospital.

The Teddy Bear Hospital has been one of my proudest moments since starting my course. We go to primary schools every Wednesday afternoon and teach the young children about visits to the doctor. It is so rewarding seeing how simple things like using a teddy bear to explain illnesses and procedures can make a huge difference to a child’s experience in medical settings. It has really helped me develop my interpersonal skills and increased my confidence.

If I was giving advice to a student starting their degree at Southampton, the first tip would be to get involved. Join clubs and societies that interest you, even if it’s something you haven’t done before. Getting involved is an amazing way of meeting new people and making new friends. Another tip would be to work hard - getting into Medical school isn’t where the hard work ends! Additionally, get as much volunteering experience as possible. The importance of the volunteering doesn’t lie in whether it’s in a healthcare setting or not but instead it’s about how you reflect on the experience and how it relates to Medicine. You can also reflect on hobbies and activities you’ve taken part in, whether that be a drama production, a sponsored walk or being part of a sports team. The last piece of advice I’d give is to be yourself and by doing this you should be able to show that you have the commitment, passion and enthusiasm to become a great doctor.