Right. It's the time of the year again when I write one post per day, reflecting on the semester that's just passed. So how was this semester?
In general, it's been a great experience. I'll take 2 perspectives: the course structure itself, and my personal involvement in it. The course is very cleverly designed to review all body systems that we've learned since Semester 1 (or maybe 2). The 1st PBL case was gastroenteritis, which was kind of an NDM review, but looking from Salmonella Typhimurium's point of view. Second (E. coli UTI, candidiasis) was a urinary tract/female genital tract review. Third (MRSA septic shock) was a circulatory system review while fourth (Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia) and fifth (atopy) were respiratory system reviews, all done earlier in Sem 3. Sixth (pneumococcal meningitis) was a nervous system review (Sem 4). Yeah, you get the vibe. But that wasn't all; the 3-hour weekly prac classes added so many more pathogens, pathogenetic mechanisms, and disease states to our knowledge base. It's a bit more of a spoon-feeding method compared to copying notes from computer prac classes, I must admit, but I was really happy with the didactic method of knowledge transfer. I really salute Sandra, Helen and the other tutors for being willing to put up with 5 sessions of the same practical class every week, for 10 consecutive weeks.
The course required 15 contact hours on average per week. Almost every other non-med student wouldn't believe that. But that's the essence of the "self-directed learning" philosophy behind Melbourne Uni's PBL-driven, systems-based, integrated medical curriculum (not sure how the newer Melbourne Model will be like). Our tutor did mention that a fully PBL-based course would have even fewer contact hours, no lectures, and total independence for students. In theory, I could be spending 100% of my free time studying and revising all we learned in class, including self-study for things not taught by our lecturers. But of course I didn't do that. My revising time probably varied from 10-20 hours per week, mainly involving listening to lectopia. Rooftop Lemur also broke up, giving me even more uncommitted time. So what else did I do?
In general, it's been a great experience. I'll take 2 perspectives: the course structure itself, and my personal involvement in it. The course is very cleverly designed to review all body systems that we've learned since Semester 1 (or maybe 2). The 1st PBL case was gastroenteritis, which was kind of an NDM review, but looking from Salmonella Typhimurium's point of view. Second (E. coli UTI, candidiasis) was a urinary tract/female genital tract review. Third (MRSA septic shock) was a circulatory system review while fourth (Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia) and fifth (atopy) were respiratory system reviews, all done earlier in Sem 3. Sixth (pneumococcal meningitis) was a nervous system review (Sem 4). Yeah, you get the vibe. But that wasn't all; the 3-hour weekly prac classes added so many more pathogens, pathogenetic mechanisms, and disease states to our knowledge base. It's a bit more of a spoon-feeding method compared to copying notes from computer prac classes, I must admit, but I was really happy with the didactic method of knowledge transfer. I really salute Sandra, Helen and the other tutors for being willing to put up with 5 sessions of the same practical class every week, for 10 consecutive weeks.
The course required 15 contact hours on average per week. Almost every other non-med student wouldn't believe that. But that's the essence of the "self-directed learning" philosophy behind Melbourne Uni's PBL-driven, systems-based, integrated medical curriculum (not sure how the newer Melbourne Model will be like). Our tutor did mention that a fully PBL-based course would have even fewer contact hours, no lectures, and total independence for students. In theory, I could be spending 100% of my free time studying and revising all we learned in class, including self-study for things not taught by our lecturers. But of course I didn't do that. My revising time probably varied from 10-20 hours per week, mainly involving listening to lectopia. Rooftop Lemur also broke up, giving me even more uncommitted time. So what else did I do?
- There was Urban Life and Guest Services which were (still are) routine. Served in 14 Sunday services.
- Lots of social (steamboat, potluck, house warming, CMDFA BBQ, Docklands, play kitchen).
- Also hospital/clinical school open days to help us choose which one to go to (lots of travel....to RMH, Western, Northern, St V).
- Brisbane trip--yay :)
- Went to my first Surgical Careers Night in Austin.
- UMMSS careers night.
- Attended friends' graduation ceremonies (always makes me anticipate mine!)
- A meeting with my sponsor.
- VSAP Charity Talent Show--the acrobatics were incredible!
- Cupcakes/'Share the Love' project. Tomo and Rie were unforgettable.
- Picnic at St Kilda beach.
- Dance audition (bet you've never heard of this).
- Wrote an application for a research bursary.
- 2 Carers Discipleship nights, 2 Combined Discipleship nights, 1 corporate prayer meet.
- Proofread 2 essays for a friend.
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