First day top tips

Medicine students have put together a list of their top tips for the first day / first week to make it easier for you to get started and settle in as soon as possible.

Placement pre-arrival checklist

• Make sure you know how to get there. Print out a timetable, directions and/or a map, if necessary.
• Is there anywhere to park and how much is it?
• Take with you a small notebook and pen especially for jotting down notes/log-ins/door codes/names. This is particularly useful during the first few weeks.
• Bring your identity card.

• Do you have contact details of your personal and/or pastoral tutor? You may wish to contact them if you experience any difficulties.

Upon arrival

• Don't be afraid to ask
• The 1^st day is always the worst!
• Make sure you introduce yourself.
• Have courage - it will be a busy environment.
• Find your bearings by studying the notes and the set up. This is your job.
• Don't be too ambitious - you won't cover lots in week one - just make sure you get set up.

Useful things to do when on placement

• Timetable for ward rounds, clinics and teaching as well as Consultants / Registrars and F1s
• Make a list of what you have seen that day and read up that same night.
• Clerk and examine patients - they will be grateful.
• Take along a friend when you are going to clerk a patient, especially when you are new.
• Look in the notes - at ECGs and blood results. It may take time to understand these, but it helps!
• Learn for OSCEs by going to placements.
• Break diseases into smaller aspects.

General advice

• Be forgiving with yourself - if it didn't go well today, try again tomorrow.
• Take time off - you need to stay on top of everything else and if you are on all the time, you might burn out.
• Keep enthusiastic - it will be infectious and you'll be known for being keen and people will find you when teaching opportunities arise.
• Bring a book that is relevant to the placement, so that when there is a lull, you can get on with deepening their knowledge rather than having to run off to the library.
• "Don't do iphone - just do stuff" on the ward!